Community Action’s Response to the coronavirus (COVID-19)
Read the information below to learn how you can connect with us. Check this page regularly as information is subject to change daily.
Need help paying your rent? Call (503) 615-0770 - Need help getting into housing? Call (503) 640-3263
Contact Information
Our Main Line is open Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM. Call 503-648-6646. General inquiries can also be sent by email to contact@caowash.org.
Community Action’s Emergency Rent Program: Please visit our site for an update.
Requests for Utility Assistance applications can be made on the website. If you have any questions you can call 503-615-0771 Mon-Fri from 9:00 am - 12 pm or from 1 to 4 pm. To access the utility application, click HERE.
Community Connect can assist families with children seeking shelter and all households seeking assistance to regain housing. Call 503-640-3263.
Severe Weather Shelter information and more resources for Homeless Services can be found HERE.
Head Start and Early Head Start are now enrolling children for the 2022-2023 school year. Enroll your child today by calling 503-693-3262 or emailing headstart@caowash.org.
Child Care Resource & Referral is helping child care providers understand how COVID-19 is affecting their business sector. Providers can call 971-223-6100 or email ccrr@caowash.org to ask questions and learn about available resources. All inquiries will be answered within 24 hours.
Call 211 if your family is seeking child care.
Vaccine Resources
Washington County: https://www.co.washington.or.us/covid-19
Oregon Health Authority: https://govstatus.egov.com/OR-OHA-COVID-19
Vaccine Sign-Up: https://getvaccinated.oregon.gov/#/
Frequently Asked Questions by Program
Emergency Rent Assistance
My landlord is not issuing non-payment eviction notices, but I am behind in my rent. Can I get assistance without having a non-payment eviction notice?
Unfortunately, due to limited funding we can only assist in an eviction prevention situation. Please contact us after October 8th, 2022, if you receive an eviction notice for non-payment of rent.
I received assistance with my rent, but my landlord has not received a payment yet. Is there anything I need to do?
Depending on the billing system, it could take 1 to 2 weeks for landlords to receive a payment after your application was approved. We are working hard to get help as quickly as we can, and we appreciate your patience
Where can I obtain information about the Coronavirus COVID-19:Emergency Protections for Renters?
Go to www.OregonRentersRights.org or www.OregonLawHelp.org for more information or to seek legal advice.
Housing & Homeless Services
If Community Action is assisting me with my rent, will it continue to be paid?
Yes, there will be no interruptions in current rent plans.
If I have a scheduled appointment with a housing specialist for rent assistance should I still keep the appointment?
Yes, you will receive a call from your housing specialist. Please make sure your contact information is up to date.
If you are a renter and have questions about how the moratoriums on evictions affect you, visit the Oregon Law Center to learn more. Oregon Law Center has made the following video to help answer common questions from tenants.
English: https://youtu.be/q9hI77xFAiw
Spanish: https://youtu.be/MURmRLIUbA4
Child Care Resource & Referral
How do I access Child Care Resource and Referral?
Please call our main number 971-223-6100 or email ccrr@caowash.org. We will return your call or email within one business day. If you need to speak to a specific Quality Improvement Specialist, you can reference the list below. All team members are working remotely under guidance from the Early Learning Division. We will be updating our Facebook page throughout the day with updates and information provided to us.
Alba Sullivan - 503-572-7194 Courtney Bowen - 971-294-9537 Hailee McBurney - 971-371-6562
Megan Wurst - 971-563-7951 Nancy Leon - 503-572-7193 Sunny Yepez - 971-470-7911
Can I open a child care business at this time?
Please contact us or the Office of Child Care by phone or email for more information.
Phone: 971-223-6100
Email: ccrr@caowash.org
Office of Child Care: 1-800-556-6616
Can I have an in-person appointment or a site visit?
In accordance of the recommendations provided by the Oregon Health Authority, we will not be meeting with individuals face-to-face or provide on-site visits until further notice.
Can I make an appointment to review my CDA or Spark portfolio?
Currently, we are not meeting with individuals in person. Please call or email us so that we may provide support over the phone, email, or via virtual meeting.
I would like to temporarily close my business during this time, who should I notify?
If you are closed or plan to close your program temporarily, please contact us at 971-223-6100 (option 4) as well as your licensing specialist to notify them of your closure.
How do I access training for licensing?
We have canceled all in person training. We are currently offering trainings online. To view our catalog of trainings, click here: CCR&R Training Catalog Please check the Early Learning Division, Office of Child Care for a full list of frequently asked questions and specific information on licensing. https://oregonearlylearning.com/COVID-19-Resources/For-Providers.
What if parents can’t pay their copay because they are out of work?
Oregon's ERDC program has adjusted their copay structure to reduce the out of pocket cost for parents who are needing child care. Income guidelines have also been updated to increase the amount a family can make to be eligible. Please visit their website for more information here or call the Direct Pay Unit with questions Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm at 1-800-699-9074.
Will I be paid for providing care even if children are choosing not to attend due to COVID-19?
ODHS has changed their policies around absent days they will pay for children. Please view their website for more detailed information here here.
What if I need more staff or supplies to stay open?
Below are some resources to help with supplies:
If you are in need of a substitute, please reach out to us at 971-223-6100 so we can try to support you.
Head Start/Early Head Start Enrollment
The safety of our staff, children and families is our highest priority. Please see below for more specific details of each program.
Can I still apply for Head Start?
Yes. You can print an application from this link on our website. Or to request an application to be sent to you, please call our main Enrollment line at 503-693-3262 or email us headstart@caowash.org.
Can I come in person to drop off my application and documents?
YES! All of our offices are open and accepting applications. We also have applications on hand at our front desks if you need one! Or you can download our application.
You may send your application and supporting documents:
- by mail to 1001 SW Baseline St, Hillsboro, OR 97123
- by email to headstart@caowash.org
- by fax to 503-400-3669
I received a letter in the mail stating that my income needs to be re-determined to remain on the waiting list, what is the best method to send in this information?
Come say hi and drop off your documents at any of our offices!
You can also send them in:
- by mail to 1001 SW Baseline St, Hillsboro, OR 97123
- by email to headstart@caowash.org
- by fax to 503-400-3669
I submitted a Head Start application, how do I know what the status is?
Head Start applications take 2-4 weeks to process. Once your application has been processed, we will notify you by phone or email.
If we have questions regarding your application, we will contact you by phone.
What if I didn’t submit my income with my Head Start Application?
Our Enrollment team will reach out to families by phone or email on missing income documentation.
If my child is on the waiting list, how do I know when she/he will be selected to participate?
Our enrollment team will be reaching out to families with information on your child’s placement in either Early Head Start/Head Start or you may contact us at 503-693-3262 or email us at headstart@caowash.org for more information.
Head Start/Early Head Start Program Options
UPDATE: Effective Tuesday Sept 19th 2022
All of our program options are open for enrollment, and this year we are excited to share that services are in-person again!
Full Day Full Year Programs*
Hillsboro Child Development Center (HCDC) EHS and Full Year Pre-K
- Full-day Full-year Pre-k is open and enrolling children
- Full-day Full-year Early Head Start classrooms are enrolling children and will open to full capacity once staff are hired
Home-Based*
- Home visits and socializations will be provided in-person
Coffee Creek (Coffee Creek Correctional Facility)
Socializations will be provided in-person
*In-person services are subject to change based on the Department of Corrections requirements
Part-day Pre-K & Duration Classrooms*
Head Start classrooms in public schools, Garden Home Recreation Center, Beaverton Child Development Center (BCDC) and the Part-Day Pre-K classroom in HCDC
*All Program are still enrolling and services are being provided in-person
Utility Assistance
I submitted a Utility Assistance application, how can I know what the status is?
Utility Assistance applications take at least 6 weeks to process. Once your application has been processed our team will inform your utility company of the payment and will mail your receipt. If there is a problem with your application, we will reach out to you in order to correct any issues or collect any missing documentation.
What Utilities can I get help with?
Community Action is currently assisting with electricity, natural gas, bulk heating fuel, some water assistance, and garbage discount programs.
How do I request utility assistance?
Please visit our Utility Assistance page HERE to see how to request a Utility Assistance Application.
How do I enroll in TriMet’s reduced fare program?
Please visit https://trimet.org/lowincome/ and follow the steps to enroll online.
