Willamette Health Council

04/30/2026

📣 Belonging RFP FAQs Now Available
We’ve posted Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the current Belonging Request for Proposals (RFP) to support applicants as they prepare submissions.
FAQs will continue to be updated through May 4, while the question submission period remains open. We encourage applicants to check back regularly.
🔗 View the FAQs and full RFP details here or at the link in our bio:
https://willamettehealthcouncil.org/funding-opportunities/grants/

04/29/2026

WHC in the news - in case you missed it!

A recent Statesman Journal article highlights Santiam Hospital & Clinics’ plans to turn the former U.S. Bank building in Mill City into a pharmacy for the Santiam Canyon.

WHC contributed $200,000 to support this important project, which will help improve access to prescriptions and healthcare resources for rural residents who currently have to travel farther for pharmacy services.

We’re proud to support community investments that strengthen access to care across Marion and Polk counties.

Read more through our media page: willamettehealthcouncil.org/more/

04/27/2026

At this year’s SOC Summit last month, some of our Healthy Awards were announced in a fun video inspired by The Office - because celebrating community impact should include a little humor. Don't worry - if you missed the Summit, you can watch the awards video here: https://youtu.be/mIWpTGj2nMo

Congratulations to these awardees featured in the video:

🏆 Guardians of the Grub Award — Marion Polk Food Share
Because hunger doesn’t stand a chance when these heroes are on duty.

🏆 No-Cap, Keeping It 100 Award — Punx in the Park
For the real ones who stay authentic, fr fr.

🏆 Fearless Firsts Award — Konev Consulting
For blazing trails, even where there are roadblocks.

🏆 No-Chill Champion Award — Grassroots Counseling & Consulting
Because bold moves don’t come with a chill button.

Thank you for bringing creativity, courage, and community care to this work.

2026 Summit Video

04/24/2026

One of the highlights of the Marion-Polk Children, Youth & Family Services Summit was celebrating partners through our Healthy Awards, recognizing the creativity, heart, and impact of organizations supporting children, youth, and families in our region.

Congratulations to our live award recipients:

🏆 The Brew-tiful Impact Award — Isaac’s Room
Serving youth leadership with a side of latte.

🏆 The Roots to Resources Award — Alianza Poder
Rooted in community. Connected to opportunity.

🏆 The Rural Rockstar Award — Polk County FCO
Making big moves where the roads may be dirt but the dreams are paved.

🏆 The Recipes for Hope Award — HYB Community
Where resilience is always on the menu.

Thank you for the ways you strengthen hope, belonging, and opportunity in our communities.

On Monday, we'll bring you the second part of our Healthy Award recipients, who were announced in our annual video at the Summit. Stay tuned!

04/21/2026

Several WHC staff recently attended the Rooted Resilience youth-led training on working with youth.

One of the most impactful parts? The training was led entirely by youth. They shared that what matters most is often simple - showing up as your authentic self, actively listening, and taking a genuine interest in getting to know the young person you’re working with.

Staff also gained practical tools, including how to develop an elevator pitch that resonates with youth, and participated in myth-busting conversations that challenged common assumptions on both sides.

At the center of it all was a clear message: strong relationships and treating youth as equal partners are essential to meaningful engagement.

We’re grateful for the opportunity to learn directly from youth and carry these lessons into our work.

04/16/2026

You may have noticed something new outside the WHC office. 💙

Thank you to CASA of Polk County for providing a pinwheel garden to display on our property in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month. Each pinwheel represents the importance of safe, supportive environments where children can grow and thrive.

We’re grateful for CASA staff and volunteers, as well as all those who work to advocate for children and for the opportunity to help raise awareness in our community.

04/15/2026

Community Input Opportunity: Pride in Numbers, a community-led, statewide research project by and for Two-Spirit and LGBTQIA+ people across Oregon.

This effort centers BIPOC, trans, rural, and Indigenous voices to better understand experiences across healthcare, housing, safety, education, and more. The goal is to gather stories and insights that can be shared back with communities to inform programs, services, and policies.

If you are an Oregon resident (18+) who identifies as Two-Spirit or LGBTQIA+, you’re invited to participate by taking the online survey.

🔗 Learn more and participate: https://prideinnumbers.org/

Please consider sharing this opportunity with your networks to help ensure a wide range of voices are included.

04/10/2026

Now Open: RFP for Belonging Work

The Willamette Health Council is excited to announce a new Request for Proposals (RFP) focused on advancing belonging as part of the 2026–2030 Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP).

This opportunity will support efforts to develop a shared definition of belonging and identify ways to measure and strengthen belonging across Marion and Polk counties.

We encourage community-based organizations and partners to learn more and consider applying.

🔗 View the RFP and application details here:
https://willamettehealthcouncil.org/funding-opportunities/grants/

Please help us share this opportunity with your networks.

04/09/2026

WHC staff were out in the community this week, connecting with partners across the region.

We attended a Salem Health event focused on the future of healthcare in our region, where leaders shared perspectives on partnership, collaboration, and the opportunities ahead during a pivotal time for local healthcare.

We also joined the Boys & Girls Club Happy Hour, where we heard directly from youth about their experiences in Club programs and saw the community come together in support of their work.

And we stopped by the Oregon Community Foundation’s Salem Open House, connecting with partners and learning more about their ongoing investments in communities across our region.

We are grateful to be part of a community that continues to show up and work together.

03/31/2026

Free Motivational Interviewing Trainings in English & Spanish

Our partners at Boost Oregon are offering a series of upcoming Motivational Interviewing (MI) trainings this spring designed for providers, promotores de salud, community health workers, and community-based organizations.

These sessions focus on building skills to support meaningful conversations, including around vaccine hesitancy.

Upcoming opportunities:
• May 6 (Virtual, Spanish) – Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy: Lessons from MI
🕛 12:00–1:00 PM

• May 7 (Virtual, English) – Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy: Lessons from MI
🕛 12:00–1:00 PM

• May 11 (In-Person, Spanish – Hillsboro) – Foundations of Motivational Interviewing
🕘 9:00 AM–4:00 PM

All trainings are free and open to those working with communities across Oregon.
📲 Learn more and register: boostoregon.org

03/30/2026

Upcoming Workshop Opportunity: Our friends at Grassroots Counseling and Rooted Resilience are hosting a workshop for adults focused on strengthening their youth facilitation skills.

Showing Up Matters
📅 Thursday, April 2 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Grassroots Counseling
2405 Front Street NE, Salem

This workshop will be facilitated by youth and offers a unique opportunity to build confidence working with young people, expand your skills, and learn directly from youth perspectives on mentorship and connection. Register at https://www.grassrootscounseling.com/youth or the QR code in the attached image.

03/24/2026

The Community Advisory Council (CAC) is diving deeper into their work on the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) through focused workgroups as part of their monthly meetings.

These workgroups are advancing the following as part of the CHIP:
• Supporting strategies that improve access to culturally and linguistically responsive healthcare services for OHP members in Marion and Polk counties
• Promote community approaches to help OHP members maintain healthcare coverage and access to healthcare services
• Improve coordination related to OHP member appeals and grievances

Through this work, CAC members are helping ensure community voice continues to guide local health priorities and solutions.