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The deadline for people to sign up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act and Cover Oregon has been extended to April 30. Multnomah County will help you sign up at six more application fairs.

April 30 is the new deadline for Oregon consumers who lack affordable health insurance. Based on your income, you may not be able to enroll again until October. You will only be able to purchase health insurance if you have a qualifying event and you will also face a penalty. [Read more]

Multnomah County’s Board of Commissioners heard an update Thursday on the progress achieved so far on the central courthouse replacement project, and on the decision points ahead in the next year for the project over programming, design, procurement and site selection.

The good news, Commissioner Judy Shiprack said at the outset of the presentation, is how much has already been accomplished toward replacing the county’s “structurally and functionally obsolete” 100-year-old courthouse. [Read more]

Ben Duncan starts his tenure as the county’s chief diversity and equity officer with a very clear and ambitious idea of what he hopes to achieve.

“I really want to see the values and principles of equity and empowerment embedded in all the different services, programs and policies of the county,” says Duncan, who began this week overseeing the county’s Office of Diversity and Equity. “Ultimately, I want everyone in the county to be able to own and practice those values.” [Read more]

Multnomah County named two long-time Portland nonprofits, an innovative Native American collaborative and a Health Department social worker as the 2014 Public Health Heroes.

The Board of County Commissioners awarded the four citations Tuesday at a celebration in the board room.

Chair Marissa Madrigal said the winners were chosen from 60 nominees “who can all be called public health champions. Each one deserves a thank you for the time and commitment they’ve shown in helping to improve the health of our community.” [Read more]

News and Announcements

Measles diagnosed in local child who traveled overseas

3/31/14 - 11:24 am

Local health officials have learned of a case of measles in an unimmunized infant who recently visited overseas. The child passed briefly through the Portland International Airport on Monday evening, March 24, 2014 and was subsequently diagnosed at a local primary care clinic

Social Security Administration announces Safety Net clients will get April benefits on time

3/28/14 - 5:15 pm

Stanley Friendship, regional commissioner for the Social Security Administration, said former Safety Net clients will get their April checks on time.

Department of Community Justice parole and probation officer John Harlan dedicated his life to helping others

3/28/14 - 12:46 pm

John Harlan, a Department of Community Justice parole and probation officer, developed a passion for working with mentally ill offenders in his 22 years at Multnomah County. Friends and colleagues remembered Harlan, who died March 22 in a motorcycle accident.

College to County Mentorship Program searches for next generation of Multnomah County's workforce

3/20/14 - 2:15 pm

College students interested in providing services in Multnomah County learned about internship and mentorship opportunities available to them during a recent orientation and meet-and-greet with county staff.

Consumer alert: Safety Net of Oregon clients must sign up for new payee to avoid lapse in benefits

3/20/14 - 9:46 am

Multnomah County residents who receive their Social Security checks through Safety Net of Oregon are being asked to call 800-772-1213 to arrange a new payee. If you are a Safety Net of Oregon client, you must arrange a new payee or you will not receive your April check.

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About Multnomah County

Population: Approximately 748,000 residents (the most populous of Oregon's 36 counties)

Geography: 465 square miles (the smallest of Oregon's counties)

Cities: Fairview, Gresham, Maywood Park, Portland, Troutdale, Wood Village

County Employees: About 5,600 people.

Functions: Services for seniors and disabled people, animal services, assessment and taxation, bridges, community justice, courts, elections, health, jails, libraries, marriage licenses and passports, school and community partnerships.

Elected officials: Four commissioners elected to the board by district. Elected countywide are a board chair, sheriff, district attorney and auditor.

Weekly board meetings: At 9:30 a.m. Thursdays, first-floor board room, 501 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd.

County History: Created on Dec. 22, 1854 and named after native people in the region.