Tents, dog food and naloxone all key ingredients to treating addiction in Central Oregon
The back of Barrett Hamilton’s big white van is filled with tents, tarps, dog food, heaters, hand warmers, toilet paper, gloves, socks, fentanyl test kits, naloxone and coffee. As the peer outreach supervisor at BestCare Treatment Services, which helps people coping with addiction across the region, the 50-year-old Hamilton understands how to encourage recovery among those suffering in Central Oregon’s overdose crisis. He doesn’t lecture people on the dangers of drugs and the values of treatment. And he doesn’t simply provide handouts. Hamilton has a simple goal: “It’s about helping them stay alive long enough to make a choice.” (Bryce Dole/The Bend Bulletin)
La Center schools’ pronoun policy sparks complaint with state
Students and parents at the La Center School District have filed a complaint with Washington state officials over a controversial new policy around gender identity. Last fall, La Center Superintendent Peter Rosenkranz told teachers to limit the discussion of pronouns in the classroom. This included telling teachers that asking for students’ preferred pronouns is “facilitating questioning gender identity or to facilitate gender transitioning.” LGBTQ students, staff and their supporters say the policy is discriminatory and othering. La Center’s approach runs counter to state education guidance, which says teachers and staff should acknowledge and follow students’ preferred pronouns. Some educators said the policy also puts them at risk of losing their jobs if they follow state rules or their own moral viewpoints. (Griffin Reilly/The Columbian)
Clatsop County approved for homeless emergency funding
Clatsop County will gain access to emergency money the state set aside this year for homelessness. After taking office in January, Gov. Tina Kotek declared a homeless state of emergency and earmarked $130 million for the hardest-hit parts of the state. That money was contingent on counties showing they’d had a significant increase in homelessness in recent years. Many rural counties in the state did not meet the threshold Kotek initially laid out. Earlier this year, several complained the state was ignoring communities outside of major cities. Clatsop County was recently able to show through its data that it met a number of additional requirements to qualify for the money. County leaders say they’re glad the state has changed its status and will send more funds to help with the issue. (Ryan Haas/OPB)
Grants Pass declares homelessness emergency after county rejection
The Grants Pass City Council unanimously declared a homelessness state of emergency Wednesday night in hopes of securing part of the $155 million Gov. Tina Kotek has proposed the state spend on the issue. Twenty-seven rural Oregon counties are supposed to declare states of emergency by March 10 to be eligible for funding, but the Josephine County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday balked at a request from Grants Pass Mayor Sara Bristol and City Councilor Valerie Lovelace to make a declaration. A city staff memo to city councilors said the governor’s office “will review local jurisdiction requests.” The memo added, “The County has declined to declare a state of emergency. Therefore, as a prerequisite for the Governor’s office to review the city’s request for funding, the city must declare a state of emergency.” It’s not clear if Grants Pass can secure money without the help of the county commissioners. (Vickie Aldous/The Grants Pass Daily Courier)
Medford will expand hands-on learning with new high school
The Medford School District announced Thursday that it would open a new high school dedicated to hands-on, project-based learning. The currently unnamed school will build upon a learning model that’s been tested at Central Medford High School for the past year. It blends school subjects like math, science and social studies together and asks students to apply them in real-world scenarios. For example, a learning garden at Central Medford allowed students to examine the nutrient contents of soil and use geometry to design better garden beds. District officials say the project-based program has drawn higher attendance and engagement from enrolled students. (Roman Battaglia/Jefferson Public Radio)
