We are pleased to announce the merger of the HOPE Coalition with the Oregon Health Equity Alliance. Beginning July 1, 2014, we will begin conducting our work as the Oregon Health Equity Alliance (OHEA).
The HOPE Coalition formed in 2011 as a regional partnership of diverse health equity advocates, open to organizations who serve constituents facing health inequities in the 4 county region of Marion, Clackamas, Washington and Multnomah counties. We established a powerful HOPE 5 year Regional Health Equity Plan that has guided significant policy wins and stronger public-private partnerships over the last 3 years.
OHEA was established in 2012, built on the foundations of the People of Color Health Equity Collaborative (POCHEC) formed in 2009 in order to achieve policy change, particularly at the legislative and administrative level, to improve the social determinants of health. OHEA has an accomplished record of statewide policy wins in areas including cultural competency for health professionals, prenatal care for all women, data equity standards, and supporting a growing traditional health workforce.
We have decided to merge because we believe that a united health equity alliance will allow us to increase our collective impact. OHEA looks forward to working with our regional and state partners to make Oregon a more equitable place for all. Together we will continue to educate, organize and advocate for community-driven solutions to improve our health and wellbeing.
The Steering Committees of OHEA and HOPE have formally joined together, developed a statement of values, and agreed upon key process and organizational structures. We will be announcing more meaningful roles for organizational members, including a continuation of quarterly meetings, policy sub-committees, coordinated legislative advocacy, and applications for annual membership by July 2014. OHEA will be hiring a new full-time coordinator, with target start date of September 2014.
For the next year, APANO and the Urban League will serve as the Co-Chairs of the OHEA Steering Committee, joined by the Alliance of Culturally Specific Mental and Behavioral Health Organizations, Causa, Center for Intercultural Organizing, Oregon Action, Oregon Latino Health Coalition, and Upstream Public Health. APANO will house the OHEA Coordinator, and the Urban League serving as fiscal sponsor.
