OP Gala “Night at the Museum” Pictures!

Click here to see lots of great pictures from the event.

See you all next year!

Oregon Partnership Launches New Military Helpline

 

 Answering the challenges that the state’s military service members, veterans and their families face, Oregon Partnership has added a groundbreaking Military Helpline to its crisis lines services.

OP will utilize its years of knowledge and expertise in dealing with confidential crisis intervention and sensitivity to military issues.

The new Military Helpline bridges the access-to-service gap that many of these Oregonians face, especially after returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan. 

Suicide and mental health issues are at record levels among American soldiers – in the war zone and after returning home.  The six months after soldiers come back to their families is a “window of risk” for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and other mental health issues.

“Over the past year, we’ve gotten calls from some 1,200 veterans on our crisis lines,” says David Corse, OP Crisis Lines Operations Director. “But that’s the tip of the iceberg. With our new line, we can reach out to Oregon National Guard Members, veterans and others and let them know we’re here for them.”

888-HLP-4-VETS OR 888-457-4838

That’s the number to call.               

After experiencing war, getting on with their lives at home can be overwhelming for returning soldiers and their families. Encountering obstacles to accessing services for mental health issues, substance abuse and suicide intervention only adds to their difficult challenges.

Barriers to accessing services could include concerns about confidentiality, lack of knowledge about services eligibility with the VA and elsewhere, and reluctance to reach for help with a military culture for fear of being perceived as week.

In recent months, several thousand Oregon soldiers have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Military Helpline serves its callers 24-hours a day providing:

*Immediate mental health assistance and service referrals in addition to suicide crisis intervention from a team of military veterans and trained volunteer crisis workers.

*Direction from an experienced team of clinical and operations professionals.

*Specialized referrals to services provided by the VA, vet centers, and reintegration teams, as well as to a myriad of community based services.
OREGON PARTNERSHIP

Founded in 1993, Oregon Partnership is a 501-3c non-profit organization whose mission is to end substance abuse and suicide.
 
OP is the state’s leading non-profit organization that promotes healthy communities through drug and alcohol awareness, prevention programs, and 24-hour crisis lines for treatment referral, crisis counseling, and suicide intervention.

OP’s crisis lines are now receiving more than 35-thousand calls annually,

To learn more, visit www.orpartnership.org

S.W. PORTLAND TOWN HALL TARGETS UNDERAGE DRINKING AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE

 A town hall comprised of teens, parents, and community members will address local attitudes, challenges, and solutions surrounding the issue of underage drinking and drug abuse.

The event is part of the Multnomah County Underage Drinking Pilot Project and is a collaborative effort among Multnomah County, Oregon Partnership and Wilson and Marshall High Schools.

A student team at Wilson High School has been meeting every week since December of last year, collecting data from fellow students and researching local alcohol and drug issues.  

The students will be sharing their survey results at the town hall and joined by community members from local schools, neighborhoods and businesses.
WHERE: St Barnabas Episcopal Church
                 2201 S.W. Vermont Street
                 Portland, Oregon 97219

WHEN: 7-9 p.m. Monday, May 17, 2010
PROJECT GOALS:

*To develop a youth-led media campaign to create policies that maintain a healthy and safe environment.

*To create partnerships in the community to raise public awareness.

*Assess minor-in-possession policy and enforcement and recommend positive changes.

*Collect data about underage drinking and substance abuse using community surveys, focus groups and the Student Wellness Survey.
OREGON PARTNERSHIP

Founded in 1993, Oregon Partnership is a 501-3c non-profit organization whose mission is to end substance abuse and suicide.
 
OP is the state’s leading non-profit organization that promotes healthy communities through drug and alcohol awareness, drug prevention programs, and 24-hour crisis lines for treatment referral, crisis counseling, and suicide intervention.

OP’s crisis lines are now receiving more than 30-thousand calls annually, including an increasing number of calls for help from veterans and returning soldiers.  As a result, OP has recently begun offering more outreach and assistance to the military community in Oregon.

To learn more, visit www.orpartnership.org

Oregon Partnership Praises Prevention Emphasis in White House Drug Control Strategy

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FROM OREGON PARTNERSHIP***

Contact:  Pete Schulberg

503-244-5211

OREGON PARTNERSHIP PRAISES PREVENTION EMPHASIS IN WHITE HOUSE DRUG CONTROL STRATEGY

(Portland, Or)  Oregon Partnership President/CEO Judy Cushing, on hand in Washington, D.C. for the announcement of the new National Drug Control Policy, has praised the focus on prevention to reduce drug use in the United States.

“This balanced approach includes a genuine emphasis on drug prevention and treatment along with enforcement,” said Cushing after meeting late Tuesday with Gil Kerlikowske, Director of National Drug Control Policy and other members of the White House Office of the National Drug Control Policy.

The strategy emphasizes the development of community-based prevention programs focused on young people, early intervention opportunities by health care providers, and helping communities implement evidence-based prevention initiatives.

For more on the National Drug Control Policy, click here: http://ofsubstance.gov/blogs/pushing_back/archive/2010/05/10/51127.aspx

“We commend Mr Kerlikowske for taking many months to hold listening sessions with a variety of groups, including Oregon Partnership,” said Cushing.  “Input from these groups is evident in elements of the strategy.”

This past January,  Kerlikowske visited Oregon Partnership’s headquarters to meet with Cushing and OP staff and toured OP’s Crisis Lines Center.  He also met with members of CARSA (Community Action to Reduce Substance Abuse) among other prevention and treatment organizations.

The strategy is the first plan by the Obama White House to reduce the country’s rate of drug abuse. It calls for reducing the rate of youth drug use by 15 percent over the next five years and similar reductions in chronic drug use, drug abuse deaths and drugged driving.

Cushing applauded the new focus on “drugged driving,” saying most Americans are not aware of the extent to which drugged driving is a serious problem.  “Teens and adults under the influence of drugs should not get behind the wheel – too much is at stake.”

Oregon Partnership Backs New Drug Control Policy

 

Oregon Partnership supports today’s announcement of a new National Drug Policy, which places a larger emphasis on drug prevention and treatment.

OP’s Judy Cushing is meeting in D.C. with Gil Kerlikowske, Director of National Drug Control Policy.  See his remarks on the link below.

http://ofsubstance.gov/blogs/pushing_back/archive/2010/05/10/51127.aspx

Oregon AG Proposes New Alcohol and Drug Plan

From Oregon Attorney General Kroger on a prevention report submitted to the Governor: 

When I ran for Attorney General, I called for a major improvement in the state’s alcohol and drug prevention and treatment programs. This issue is a major priority for me because substance abuse in Oregon causes crime, fuels child abuse, damages public health, destroys families, drives up state and local budget deficits, and limits economic productivity.
 
During the 2009 session, I asked the Legislature to create a state Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission to research and propose these reforms.

 Governor Kulongoski.
 
The report calls for:
The creation of a new state director of alcohol and drug policy to coordinate our currently fractured efforts and set clear priorities;  The creation of a first-rate substance abuse prevention program to keep our kids off drugs and alcohol; Significant changes to delivery of drug treatment services in light of the national health care reform legislation; and The implementation of a standardized reporting system to measure program performance and ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely.
 
I am convinced Oregon can do better. If you agree, please take a moment to read this report. Creating a first-class drug prevention and recovery system will not occur overnight. It will take strong, consistent effort over many years. However, if our efforts succeed, we will see three important results: Less crime, state budget savings, and decreased human suffering. If you have comments or questions please do not hesitate to contact my office at attorneygeneral@doj.state.or.us.

Here’s the full report: 

http://www.doj.state.or.us/pdf/alcohol_and_drug_policy_report_to_the_governor.pdf

OP’s Military Helpline Up and Running!

Oregon Partnership’s confidential Military Helpline is here to help 24 hours a day…one call at a time.

888-HLP-4-VETS

The best source of support for our returning soldiers, vets, and their families comes from those who have been there. If you have passion for helping fellow vets and can volunteer your time, give us a call for more information.

Seeking services for mental health, substance abuse and suicide prevention can be challenging.  But that’s why the Military Helpline has sprung into action.  OP will integrate its years of knowledge and expertise with anonymous, confidential crisis intervention and sensitivity to military specific issues.

Oregon Partnership Seeking Communications Director

OP’s Pete Schulberg has decided to pursue freelance work beginning this fall,  so the non-profit is going to be looking for Pete’s replacement.   See the job posting below:

Status:  Full-time/Exempt

Reports To:  President/CEO of Oregon Partnership

Position Summary
This executive team position is responsible for public information, marketing and advocacy activities.

Responsibilities
• Develop and implement public education & awareness programs to educate Oregonians about current issues related to substance abuse and suicide, using multiple media strategies
• Create OP brand awareness through public relations and outreach
• Write and develop marketing material (including, but not limited to: billboards, public service announcements, and other written collateral materials).
• Respond to inquiries from local and national media and respond to media requests
• Create media interest in emerging Oregon Partnership issues and coordinate media interview opportunities with other staff
• Coordinate press conferences and press briefings
• Represent Oregon Partnership on media and public relations collaborative efforts with other organizations
• Assist with OP special events, particularly marketing and development
• Enhance and manage OP website updates and content
• Expand OP social media presence; including blog postings, Facebook, You Tube and Twitter
• Present trainings and workshops
• Attend conferences and seminars
• Develop and manage multiple communications budgets, including media buys
• Responsible for decisions and oversight of OP publications and in-house collateral materials in collaboration with OP executives
• Carry out other duties as assigned

Qualifications
• Bachelor’s Degree
• Minimum five years experience with public affairs and media relations
• Exceptional writing and editing skills, journalistic style
• Exceptional oral and communication skills
• Knowledge of web site design and maintenance; knowledge of computer software, including current Microsoft Office and publishing software
• Ability to create innovative media materials, particularly those attractive to youth
• Motivated self-starter; able to work independently
• Exceptional presentation skills and experience
• Ability to work with variety of individuals and volunteers, including youth
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and initiative to follow through on projects and meet deadlines
• Ability to work in team environment and to balance work required by several different directors
• Knowledge of the disease of alcohol and drug addiction
• Ability to handle high pressure situations

Job Conditions
Job requires flexibility and on-call availability which may exceed 8 hours per day and/or 40 hours per week and occasional weekends. Occasional travel, evenings, weekend or holidays may be required.  This job description is not meant to be an all inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but constitutes a general definition of the position’s scope and function in the company.  Oregon Partnership is a drug free workplace and an equal opportunity employer.

Salary commensurate with experience

To apply, send cover letter and resume with two writing samples to pschulberg@orpartnership.org