All people, communities and cultures co-creating and enjoying a healthy Oregon.
Mission Statement
To engage and align diverse community voices and the Oregon Health Authority to assure the
elimination of avoidable health gaps and promote optimal health in Oregon.
By 2016, the Office of Multicultural Health and Services will connect people, policy and programs
to make substantial and measurable progress toward the achievement of our vision and mission.
The Office of Equity and Inclusion serves as a leader and catalyst in helping the Oregon Health Authority to promote equitable health and human services for communities of color, Indian tribal governments, and other multicultural groups.
The office works with state and local government and community partners to improve health and human services programs and policies for underrepresented populations in Oregon through culturally specific and culturally competent approaches.
OMHS also supports affirmative action, cultural competency and diversity initiatives that create and sustain welcoming environments that are inclusive and respectful of staff, customers and partners
The Oregon Health Authority programs look to the Office of Equity and Inclusion for resources, training, assessments, and technical assistance.
The Office of Equity and Inclusion links with county health departments, community-based coalitions and other organizations as partners and to provide technical assistance.
The Office of Equity and Inclusion supports the efforts of the Racial & Ethnic Health Task Force appointed by Governor Kitzhaber in 1999.
The Office of Equity and Inclusion provides information and collaborative opportunities between State Agency programs and community organizations, service providers, and policy makers. Some resources include the Multicultural Health Electronic Newsletter and the statewide Diversity Events Calendar.
The Office of Equity and Inclusion has assembled the Health Equity Review Committee to evaluate all recommended policy improvements throughout the policy making process to assure they promote the elimination of inequalities and promote health equity.
Programs
Multicultural Health & Services Initiatives
The Oregon Health Interpreter Council was created in Oregon statute 409.515-625 to assist the Department to establish standards relating to health care interpreters for persons with limited English proficiency. The Council will develop education and qualification standards, as well as explore certification and testing of these individuals.
The Migrant Health Coordinator is dedicated to improving the health status of Farmworkers and their families by providing support and assistance in the development of new Migrant Health Centers in the State of Oregon. The Migrant Health Coordinator is further committed to helping to reduce access barriers for this highly productive but most vulnerable of communities.
The Governor's Racial and Ethnic Health Task Force has been hard at work in helping to eliminate health disparities within Oregon's communities of color.
The OEI Mini-Grant Program is made possible by funding from the DHHS Office of Minority Health(see Grant Information). We provide Oregon 501(c)(3) community organizations with mini-grants to strengthen existing or develop new local health outreach projects that will improve health outcomes among Oregon’s diverse, racial and ethnic populations.
