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 and warm as we approach shorter and colder days

Some highlights for this month:

• *NEW* Oregon Health Plan (OHP) Housing Benefits (in RENT/UTILITY section)
• I have coats and warm clothes - please reach out if you need!
• If you are in need of a Youth HOP pass for your K-8 student, I can help!
• I still have a few brand new Adidas backpacks and lunch boxes to offer
• Our 4th annual MLC Holiday Meal Fundraiser is Live - See info below on how to donate
• Holiday Food Resources in the community

Also, we currently have plenty of items for our clothing closet. Please don't bring any new donations UNLESS it is new or nearly new winter coats, shoes, or warm gear.

Please review the rest of the newsletter if anything else could be of support

In community,

Clement

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Clement Wilson, LCSW

School Social Worker, Metropolitan Learning Center

clwilson@pps.net

Work Cell - w/ texting: (503) 568-2570

Office Line: (503) 916-5737 Ext: 7602

Our MLC Social Work & Counseling team in partnership with the PTSA is announcing our 4th annual Holiday Meal Fundraiser to support our MLC families in need!

If you have the means, we are asking you to consider contributing to this important cause for our community. Your donation will allow MLC families to purchase food and other necessities during the holiday season. As food prices continue to soar, the need this year continues to be high.

The past three year's drives were a HUGE success thanks to the generous support of our MLC community. The money raised has had a direct positive impact on many families in our school community. Let's make this year even better than the last!

St Vincent De Paul offers Thanksgiving food boxes and gift cards for turkeys to low-income households. To receive a box, call the SVdP Portland Council's Emergency number at (503) 235-8431. Boxes are distributed on the Monday before Thanksgiving at a Catholic Parish in the Portland area.

The Trap Kitchen "Feed The Community" & Turkey Giveaway returns Sunday, November 17th from Noon to 3pm at Trap Kitchen located at 8 NW 6th Ave in Portland. Once again, Trap Kitchen along with Cool Nutz from the NW Breakout Show have teamed up with PDX Renovations, Sloy, Dahl, & Holst, Jus Family PDX, Converge Media, and JAM'N 107.5 to provide free hot Thanksgiving plates or free turkeys with holiday essentials for those in our community needing a little extra help this holiday season. If you or someone you know could use a little boost, spread the word and we'll see you at Trap Kitchen!

**Please note, turkeys are first come first served and while supplies last**

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.

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.

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.

Starting Nov. 1, 2024, OHP members may qualify for housing benefits. Housing benefits are a health-related social needs (HRSN) service. HRSN housing benefits are for OHP members with certain health conditions.

What Are HRSN Housing Benefits?

• Help paying rent for up to six months. This includes late payments.
• Help paying for utilities like gas, electric and water. This includes set-up and late payments.

• Up to six months of storage fees.
  

• Tenancy support – help understanding your lease, speaking with your landlord and referrals to other services.
  

• Home changes for health and safety, including pest control, heavy duty cleaning, and installation of ramps, grab bars, and drawer pulls.

Who Qualifies for HRSN Housing Benefits? Each housing benefit has different requirements. They may include things like your income, your age or having a lease. But for all of them you must be an OHP member who:

• Has a complex physical or behavioral health issue,
  
• Has a developmental or intellectual disability,
  
• Has difficulty with self-care and daily activities,
  
• Is experiencing abuse or neglect,
  
• Is 65 or older,
• Is under age 6,
  
• Is pregnant or gave birth in the past 12 months, or
  
• Has repeated trips to the emergency room or crisis encounters.

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:

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.

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.

We've got a fun, cozy month planned at SMYRC! Our a Día de los Muertos Party was great last Friday and we are excited to wrap up with a Queersgiving gathering for youth and alumni (11/18 @ 11-2PM)! November offerings will also include:

Daytime Hours (10-12 and 1-3 every Tuesday)

Teen Night (11/6 @4-6)

Open Hours (11/8 @4-7)

️ Trans Support Group + FREE Gender-Affirming Haircuts! ‍️ (11/13 @4-6)

Queering Committee (11/15 @4-7)

Queer Book Club (11/18 @4-6

What Now? Group (11/20 @4-6)

Open Mic Night (11/22 @ 4-7)

Harvest Festival Field Trip (11/27 @ 12-1)

SMYRC will be CLOSED on Friday the 29th so staff can rest after our gathering on Thanksgiving Day. We'll see you for more gaiety in December!

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

Paths Remembered is a new, free mental health resource for youth who identify as Native American AND LGBTQ and/or Two Spirit. From the program director: "Our services are open to anyone 15 or older in Oregon who identifies as Indigenous. For those who are 2SLGTQ+ the sign up form is here. For those who do not, the sign up form is here. Either form goes to the same place so anyone can use either form. The services are free and currently there is no cap for number of allowed sessions. All counseling is provided through telehealth (Simple Practice platform) and by Indigenous licensed mental health professionals."

See this link for more information. This is not a PPS program, and youth and their families will need to decide for themselves if it's the right fit. We cannot guarantee that it will be, but feel free to check it out!

• 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.