Portland News and Events for June 23-29, 2016

Oregon Falls Three Spots in National Ranking of Overall Child Well-Being

Oregon’s national rank in overall child well-being fell from 29th to 32nd, according to the newly released 2016 KIDS COUNT Data Book® from the Annie. E. Casey Foundation. The report focuses on national trends in child well-being in the post-recession years and measures child well-being in four domains: economic well-being, education, health and family and community.

The data show that Oregon families continue to struggle to get by and, without concerted action, today’s children face narrowing opportunities for success in the future. Child poverty remains a concern with more than one in five of Oregon’s kids living in poverty – almost enough to fill Autzen Stadium and Reser Stadium two times each. Oregon families face some of the highest housing costs as a percentage of income. In addition to families’ economic hardship, Oregon students struggle: the rate of high school students not graduating on time has improved nationally, while stagnating in Oregon.

“Without a change in the trajectory of the economic lives of our families and the educational success of our students, Oregon’s prosperity is at risk,” said Tonia Hunt, executive director of Children First for Oregon. “The size of the gap between where we are and where we as a state want to be requires even more concerted efforts and further investments in the coming years.”

Oregon’s lagging rankings in the areas of economic security and education stand in contrast to the progress the state has made in the area of health insurance coverage. Helping to lead the country, the percentage of Oregon kids without health insurance has plummeted by over 60 percent since 2008 – one of the largest percent changes in the country. “When Oregon lawmakers act on behalf of kids, we can make significant progress,” said Hunt. “And when voters speak, lawmakers will act. We need to speak loud and clear so that every child has the opportunity to be economically secure, educated, healthy and safe.”

Legacy Health Recognized for Environmentally-Friendly Practices

Legacy Health announced today it was awarded the 2015 “Greenhealth Partner for Change” Award by Practice Greenhealth, a national organization dedicated to supporting the health care sector to create better, safer, greener workplaces and communities. Legacy’s award is one of Practice Greenhealth’s Environmental Excellence Awards given each year to honor outstanding environmental achievements in the health care sector.

The Greenhealth Partner for Change Award recognized Legacy Health for continuously improving and expanding upon their waste reduction, recycling and source reduction programs. In order to qualify for the award, Legacy exceeded the award’s thresholds of recycling 15 percent of their total waste, reduced regulated medical waste, progressed toward mercury elimination and developed other successful pollution prevention programs including:

• Each of Legacy’s hospitals signed the Healthier Hospital Initiative’s Healthier Food in Healthcare Challenge, which sets goals for less and better quality meat and reduced sugar sweetened beverages in cafeterias;
• Including sustainability content in all new employee orientation sessions
• Integrating environmental considerations into Legacy’s processes and culture across the system
• Each hospital participates in the system-wide energy efficiency program
• Achieving a 25.67% system-wide average recycling rate
• Purchasing more environmentally sustainable products and services

The Practice Greenhealth Environmental Excellence Awards were presented May 19, 2016 in Dallas, Texas at the CleanMed Conference & Exhibition, the premier national environmental conference for leaders in health care sustainability.

Pat Lydon, Legacy Health’s Sustainability Program manager, accepted each hospital’s award on Legacy’s behalf. He also was a member of the panel entitled, “A low Energy Diet: How healthcare systems are cutting hydrocarbons through energy efficiency – current and evolving practice”.

Shafia M. Monroe to Retire

This week the leadership of the International Center for Traditional Childbearing (ICTC) announced the June 30 retirement of the organization’s founder and CEO, Shafia M. Monroe. Monroe built ICTC from her dream of an organization that helps Black women through community-based, culturally competent services to gain more equitable experiences in the healthcare system and throughout the entire birth process. The International Center for Traditional Childbearing is an infant mortality prevention, breastfeeding promotion and midwife and doula training non-profit organization. ICTC’s mission is to increase the number of midwives, doulas, and healers of color; and to empower families in order to reduce infant and maternal mortality. Established in 1997 and headquartered in Portland, Oregon, ICTC has members and chapters in the U.S. and around the globe to improve health outcomes.

Job Openings Available at Health Care Fair on June 29

Nearly 50 companies from Southwest Washington, Clackamas County and the Portland metro area that are seeking employees will be promoting their job openings at a free regional long-term care job & career fair on June 29.

Long-term care professionals provide medical care and services for children and adults living with chronic health problems. Individuals interested in working in long-term care and learning about the various occupations it employs can meet with professionals from in-home care, assisted living and rehabilitation companies, among others. Long-term care jobs and careers include opportunities in culinary, skilled trades, housekeeping, administration, nursing and caregiving.

The event is June 29 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Portland Airport, 8439 NE Columbia Blvd. To register for the event and see a schedule of activities and a list of companies that will be present, go to www.Ltcjobcareerfair.eventbrite.com.

Attendees should bring resumes, dress for an interview and be prepared to speak with employers.

Some of the Southwest Washington companies that will be present include: At Your Place Senior Living, CDM Caregiving Services, Columbia Ridge Senior Living, Brighton Enterprises, Elite Care, Nurse Next Door, Pacific Skilled Nursing, Prestige Care, ResCare Home Care and the Quarry Senior Living.

Community colleges, WorkSource and schools that provide training for health care jobs will also be present to discuss education and training opportunities.

The region’s long-term care sector is anticipated to add more than 6,000 jobs over the next eight years meaning there will be an increased need for long-term care workers.

The event is hosted by the Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council (SWWDC) and its Oregon partners in the Columbia-Willamette Workforce Collaborative (Clackamas Workforce Partnership and Worksystems).

For more Portland and Seattle area events, see the Community Calendar.