OSBHA ACTION ALERT

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OSBHA ACTION ALERT
 
Oregon is in a tight budget spot this legislative session.
We need your support to ensure SBHCs remain funded and a priority in Oregon.
 
The ways and means committee will be traveling around Oregon to ask for public input on this year’s budget.
We need you to show up for SBHCs!

Choose an event near you:
 
Salem: 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 10 in Hearing Room F at the Oregon State Capitol, 900 Court St. NE.
 
Portland: Noon to 2 p.m. Feb. 11 in Main Mall, Amo DeBernardis CC Building, PCC Sylvania campus, 12000 SW 49th Ave.
 
Hermiston: 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 17 at Hermiston High School, 600 S 1st St.
 
Madras: 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 18 at Madras High School, 390 SE 10th St.
 
Ashland: 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 24 in Rogue River Room, Southern Oregon University, 1250 Siskiyou Blvd.
 
Eugene: 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 25 in Building 17 (The Forum), Lane Community College, 4000 E 30th Ave.
 
Tillamook: 6 to 8 p.m. March 3 in Officer’s Mess, Port of Tillamook Bay, 6825 Officers Row.
 
Please arrive 1-2 hours early to sign up those who will testify. The rules vary, but be prepared to only be able to sign up as few as one person. Remember, YOU are the voice of SBHCs that legislators need to hear, but there will be multiple groups hoping to be heard. Keep testimony to 2-3 min. 
 
Here’s a suggestion of what to say:
 
School-based health centers provide critical primary care and mental health services to students in my community, making healthcare more accessible for Oregon’s youth. I urge you to continue to fund school-based health centers, so that students in my community continue to have the ability to stay healthy, to learn, and to thrive. 
 
Then, personalize it:
 
If a student, “when I needed x, the SBHC was there for me. Without them I wouldn’t have….”
 
If a parent, “my son/daughter/kiddo really needed to access x at the SBHC. I was so glad they were there for them. Without the SBHC I would have had to miss work. I’m grateful the SBHC was there to provide x to my kiddo.”
 
If an SBHC staff person, “in our SBHC we provide physical, mental health, and prevention services and students come for all of those. I have had students with suicidal ideation, etc”, or even better choose a student that the SBHC impacted and that impacted you and, mindful of confidentiality, tell their story.
 
Thanks for your time and energy support SBHCs across the state!
 

Want more ways to advocate for SBHCs in Oregon? Please join us at our annual Youth Legislative Awareness Day at the Oregon State Capitol on Monday, February 27th! Contact megan@osbha.org if interested in attending.