MLC Family Resource Newsletter

This monthly 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. Some of the information about resources is the same each month, so that it is easy to access when you need it.

Dear MLC Community,

Hope this finds you all well! I have a few new resources available in my office for students/families that I wanted to highlight.

• I have a few brand new Adidas backpacks and lunch boxes to offer
• I have some hygiene supplies to offer - Toothbrushes, toothpaste, a few hairbrushes, tampons, and pads

If you would like to request some of these items, please email me or call/text 503-568-2570

Please review the rest of the newsletter and stay cozy and warm as the season changes!

In community,

Clement

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.

Last year's Queer Family Night at Oaks Park was a smashing success, so we are going to do it again! This year, our QFN is Halloween themed. Revelers are encouraged to wear costumes provided:

• Must be able to see peripherally
• Hats/items on the head must be secured to the head with a strap or hat clip
  
• Items on the head must be under 10 inches tall
• No hard chains looping down, plastic ones are ok
• no hard metal, real swords, knives, or guns
• Costumes

Everyone planning to skate must fill out the waiver before arrival. This waiver is good for 30 days. Participants can start submitting this form on September 29th. Any waiver submitted before then will not be valid and will require resubmission of the form.

High School Groups-

If you have a student DJ in your midst who would like to do a set for QFN please send them my way. If we have more than one, we will break it into 30 minute sets to get in as many DJs as possible.

The flyer can be printed as a front back so folks have the costume rules.

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.

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

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.

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.

• 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Impact NW

Human Solutions

Relay Resources

Rose Community Development

PCRI

Cascade Management

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

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.

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

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

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.

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:

4D Recovery

Youth Line

PUSH Movement - Recovery Skateboarding

The Recovery Gym

The Alano Club of Portland

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 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

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.

October is chock full of fun and exciting happenings at SMYRC! We are offering events every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday this month, including seasonal celebrations, support groups, and field trips! Programming highlights include the first meeting of our Queer Book Club on Monday 10/14 and a Pumpkin Patch Field Trip on Wednesday 10/30! Remember that anyone who can’t make it to our open hours is welcome to make an appointment with us to access one-on-one mentorship and resources, such as our food pantry, clothing closet, library, hygiene items, and more.

Scary Movie Night – Friday 10/4 @ 4-7pm

Farmers Market Lunch Field Trip – Wednesday 10/9 @ 12-1pm

Job Search + Resume Help with PAVE – Wednesday 10/9 @4-6pm

️ Queering Committee & Voter Registration Night – Friday 10/11 @4-7pm

Queer Book Club – Monday 10/14 @4-6pm

️ Trans Support Group – Wednesday 10/16 @4-6pm

️‍ For Love and Life Queer History Exhibit Field Trip – Wednesday 10/23 @1-4pm

Halloween Party – Friday 10/25 @4-7pm

Pumpkin Patch Field Trip – Wednesday 10/30 @3-6:30pm

NOVEMBER SNEAK PEEK: Día de los Muertos Celebration – Friday 11/1 @4-7pm

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.

If you would like support with a mental health referral for you or your student, please reach out to Clement, Ethan, or Benner

• 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.

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.

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.