MLC Family Resource Newsletter
SEPTEMBER 2024 - WELCOME BACK!
Dear MLC Community,
Welcome to the first Family Resource Newsletter of the year!
For those I haven't met yet, my name is Clement (pictured here with our new pup Fern) and I'm the school social worker here at MLC. I am also a licensed clinical social worker in the state of Oregon. I am here as an advocate for you! Please reach out if your family needs support accessing school & community resources, rent/utility assistance, mental health support, food & clothing resources, and for general help assessing what help and support your family may need. We will work together to come up with a plan that fits your needs. Email me clwilson@pps.net or text/call (503) 568-2570.
This monthly family resource newsletter is a place to find school and community resources that could benefit you and your family. It includes announcements about relevant events and opportunities, mental health supports, and much more. It is divided into categories for easy browsing (announcements, general resources, food, clothing, rent/utility, substance use, student resources, mental health, and crisis/suicide prevention). Some of the information about resources is the same each month, so that it is easy to access when you need it.
I also work closely with our admin and MLC support team (Beriah, Benner, Ethan) to assist and advocate for our students and families. We're here for you!
In community,
Clement
P.S. Below you will see 3 green buttons that will be there each month that link to the following.
1. Request for Support - Fill this out to request support accessing school & community resources, rent/utility assistance, mental health support, food & clothing resources, and for general help assessing what help and support your family may need. These requests go to me, Clement, and are kept confidential
2. Field Trip/Class Fee Scholarship Request Form - Fill this out to request scholarship support. This will be kept confidential and sent to your student's counselor, who will then follow up with you to confirm scholarship details.
3. Social Work Office Wishlist - This button goes to my Amazon Wishlist if you would like to support the social work department here. It includes things like healthy snacks for the social work office, gift cards for families in need, hygiene items for kids, and more.
📣 ANNOUNCEMENTS 📣
Happy Hispanic Heritage Month (event lists below)! There is a lot going on around the city as well as many resources in at the Mult Co library to help all age ranges partake in celebrating this month! We hope you can carve out some time to learn and celebrate.
Student Health Advocates - Paid Leadership Opportunity
The Student Health Advocates is a 8-month, mostly virtual, stipend leadership opportunity for youth ages 14-22 years old in all parts of Oregon. As a council of 15, the youth meet twice a month over Zoom with some optional in-person gatherings throughout the calendar year from November 2024 to June 2025. This year's cohort will work on youth engagement emphasizing consent, healthy relationships and bodily autonomy. Check out our Student Health Advocates website for more information.
To apply, youth need to fill out this application link by September 30th, 2024 at 7pm PDT. Follow our Instagram (@oregonsbha) to see other updates in the coming weeks on the Student Health Advocates recruitment.
If you have any questions and/or concerns, please contact Asia Gates (she/her), Youth Engagement Specialist, at asia@oshba.org.
GENERAL RESOURCES
Student Health Centers in PPS - free for all PPS youth
Student Health Centers are like having a doctor’s office at school. We offer comprehensive primary and mental health care services to all Multnomah County youth ages 5-18. There are no out-of-pocket costs.
Any youth in grades K-12 who live or go to school in Multnomah County can come to our clinics. You don’t need to attend the school where the center is located.
Free & Confidential Primary Health Care for Ages 0-21
The Benson Wellness Center is a Certified School-based Health Center that provides free primary care to all children and youth, ages 0-21 regardless of insurance status. Services are free and confidential! We can actually become your child's primary care provider, and if you already have a PCP for your child, we can still see them. To learn more about scheduling an appointment, call 503-418-0409 or check out our website. We are in room 107 in the front of the building, with a convenient outside entrance for students and families from other schools. https://www.pps.net/Page/5953
Free Day Care Benefits
The Employment Related Day Care program (ERDC) helps families who are working, in school, or receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) pay for child care, including registration fees. We also work with partners across the state to help families find and keep good child care.
This benefit would apply to getting access to before and after school care with MLC's community partner - KCLC (Kids Community Learning Center) who operate out of our building.
FOOD RESOURCES
If you are in need of food, dial 211 by phone or visit 211.org.
If you have internet access, check out Urban Gleaners' Free Food Market by clicking that link.
Also check out the Oregon Food Bank Food Finder for information on food pantries, food hubs, meal services, and meal sites. This website is free to use and is open throughout the week.
Also, Street Roots' Rose City Resource Guide is the most comprehensive list of services for people experiencing homelessness and poverty in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties.
Government Food & Financial Support Agencies
- State of Oregon: Food Benefits
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) 1-800-723-3638. Apply online
- Oregon Helps is free and confidential and estimates food stamp benefits, provides downloadable applications, and includes detailed information on other useful programs.
- WIC (Women, Infants and Children) program provides monthly benefits on a debit card for pregnant and breastfeeding women, and/or with children up to 5 yrs of age. Participants can purchase specific foods at grocery stores, convenience stores and some farmers markets.
Oregonians can apply for medical, food, cash, and child care assistance in one place online at ONE.Oregon.gov, over-the-phone at 800-699-9075, or in-person at a local office. Due to COVID-19, Oregonians are encouraged to call ahead before their local office.
CLOTHING RESOURCES
PPS PTA Clothing Center
Please email Clement if you would like a referral to the PPS district clothing closet. You will need to do that before visiting.
The regular hours are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Monday and Thursday that school is open. We close for the year April 29, 2024. Please note our location at the Marshall (Benson HS) Campus. All families MUST check in and out near the Main Office and MUST have completed applications for each student. We are OPEN Monday, August 21 and Thursday, August 24 before school begins. We are not open August 28 or August 30.
Students are not required to visit the center to receive clothing. Although we believe this is a positive experience for children, we are also aware of the need to keep children in the classroom.
Students may visit the center twice during the school year, with 60 days between visits
Y.O.U.T.H Clothing Closet
Join us every Wednesday, 10am to 2pm, at The Center Powered by Y.O.U.TH to pick up free clothing for youth and adults at our Clothing Closet!
Address: 16126 Se Stark Portland, OR 97233.
RENT & UTILITY RESOURCES
If you or someone you know needs assistance to pay rent, mortgage or utility bills, please call 2-1-1 or visit https://www.211info.org/. There are many programs available and 2-1-1 can provide information and referrals. You may also contact your school counselor or social worker if you need more information or resources.
Oregon Energy Fund - Help With Utility Bills
The Oregon Energy Fund is a 34-year-old nonprofit that provides energy bill assistance to low-income Oregonians in support of household stability. Since 1989, OEF has helped over 300,000 people pay their bills in times of crisis, ensuring that families in need don’t have to sacrifice food, rent, or medicine to pay for electricity. Through the direct service of energy assistance, we supply a basic need that prevents the triple traumas of illness, homelessness, and hunger, and gives children and adults alike the support they need to lead healthy and productive lives.
Affordable Housing
These organizations have affordable housing units, household income must be at least 1½ times the amount of the monthly rent. Most of them have a wait list, we encourage families to call the property directly and inquire about availability.
SEI - Rent & Energy Assistance
RENT ASSISTANCE:
SEI (Self Enhancement Inc.) receives short term rental assistance dollars for families with school-age children, and or individuals from the African American community whose income meets the eligibility requirements. SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT or call 211 and ask for "Culturally Specific Services"
ENERGY ASSISTANCE:
To schedule an Energy Appointment at SEI, please call our Energy Appointment Line at 503-713-5590. This is a 24/7 automated system that allows you to book an appointment right away if appointments are available. This scheduling line allows you to: schedule an appointment, verify an existing appointment, cancel an appointment or hear general information about our energy program. Please note, appointments do not guarantee assistance. LEARN MORE
Help With your Water Bill
The Portland Water Bureau bill discount is a discount on every sewer, stormwater, and water bill you receive. You can qualify for the program if you meet income guidelines and have a single-family residential account. See the online application for income eligibility amounts for households of different sizes.
Free Cell Phone Service
You may qualify for free cell phone and data service through Oregon Lifeline if the following service provider offers service where you live. If the service is not available in your area, then consider discounted Lifeline service options. Free Cell Phone Service Application
Gas Bill Discount
NW Natural’s Oregon bill discount program can save you 15% to 40% on your monthly NW Natural bills. Discounts are available if your household income is less than 60% of Oregon state median income.
There is one simple application to fill out. No proof of income is required to apply. And the application only takes a few minutes to complete online, by email or traditional mail, or over the phone. See below for qualifications and to apply.
You can learn more about these programs at nwnatural.com/BillDiscount, or contact us: 503-226-4211 or 800-422-4012, Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. csst@nwnatural.com
PGE Energy Assistance
We understand that sometimes it can be difficult to pay your energy bills. Help may be available through a variety of resources.
Set up a payment plan
To help get your account current, you can pay off your PGE bill over an extended period instead of all at once by setting up a Time Payment Arrangement.
Request more time
You can request a payment extension 24/7 by logging in to your account or calling our automated phone system.
Change your due date
If you need to change the day your bill is due each month, you can do that online or by calling us. Please note that it will take a full billing cycle for any change to take effect.
Income-Qualified Bill Discount
Our Income-Qualified Bill Discount program provides ongoing, monthly help with your PGE bill that’s in addition to any other assistance you may be getting from us or other agencies.
We have options and are here to help. Call us at 503-228-6322.
SUBSTANCE USE RESOURCES
People with substance use disorders can live meaningful, healthy and rewarding lives. PPS is honored to support this work and celebrate recovery and wellness. Below is a list of some of the innovative and exciting programming and supports that are offered here in Portland. Many are low cost or free.
Resources for Parents and Families:
Parent Support Group
Access to Insurance = Access to Substance Use Supports
Who Qualifies for the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) As of July 1, 2023, people of all ages who meet income and other criteria qualify for full OHP benefits and other services and supports, no matter their immigration status. This is possible thanks to a law called Healthier Oregon. Once students and families have OHP, they can generally access mental health and substance use services free of charge - no deductibles or co-pays.
All help is free and available in multiple languages. People can apply:
Online at ONE.Oregon.gov.
Through a local certified community partner.
At an ODHS office near them.
Or call 1-800-699-9075 (TTY 711) Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific Time.
Fentanyl Awareness
Fentanyl is involved in more deaths of Americans under 50 than any cause of death, including heart disease, cancer, homicide, suicide and other accidents. Illicit fentanyl is driving the recent increase in US drug overdose deaths.
Learn more about the danger of illicit fentanyl at https://facingfentanylnow.org or www.dea.gov/onepill.
- What Every Parent and Caregiver Needs to Know About Fake Pills
- Lo que todo padre y cuidador debe saber sobre las PASTILLAS FALSAS
- How Teens Misuse Medicine
- Buying Drugs Online – What You Should Know & How to Protect Your Kids
- 10 Strategies to Prevent Your Young Person from Using Drugs
- Fentanyl Drug Fact Sheet
- Hidden in Plain Sight Video
- Four Common Myths about Fentanyl
STUDENT RESOURCES/OPPORTUNITIES
SMYRC: LGBTQ+ Youth Resource Center
Here at SMYRC we provide a safe, harassment-free space for queer and trans youth ages 13-24, where you can create art, play music, and join in on our open mic nights, drag shows, and support groups. You can access services like counseling, school support, and much more. Whatever you are looking for, we are here to honor, empower, and support you.
PPS Youth Resource App (NEW & IMPROVED)
This is a collection of essential resources and information for youth curated by the Portland Public Schools Student Success and Health Department mental health advisory team together with the feedback of over 100 PPS students. The information is also available online, extending its reach to all Portland youth.
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
PSU Community Counseling Clinic - Low Cost Therapy
PSU Community Counseling Clinic has openings right now for individual (children, teens, adults), couples, and family therapy sessions. These are in-person or virtual and operate on a sliding scale $5-20/ student. Sessions are provided by PSU counseling students supervised by licensed therapists. Seems like a great low-cost resource for folks that haven't been able to get access to services at school or in the community due to the high need.
Latinx Specific Counseling
OYEN Emotional Wellness Center is a bilingual and bicultural clinic that offers an array of mental health support. Individuals can access counseling virtually or long-distance via phone. OHP accepted.
CRISIS & SUICIDE PREVENTION RESOURCES
YOUR SOCIAL WORK OFFICE
I am here as an advocate for you! Please reach out if your family needs support accessing school & community resources, rent/utility assistance, mental health support, food & clothing resources, and for general help assessing what help and support your family may need. We will work together to come up with a plan that fits your needs. Email me clwilson@pps.net or text/call (503) 568-2570.