How might we curb the spread of COVID in Oregon?
Project: Safe & Strong Oregon
Client:
Oregon Health Authority
Services:
Program Design, Stakeholder Engagement, Strategic Planning, Facilitation, Creative Strategy
Context
In early 2020, public health guidance was changing daily. For Oregon’s immigrant, refugee, and culturally specific communities, the situation was critical. Official information wasn't landing—it was often untranslated, culturally tone-deaf, or delivered through channels that people didn't trust.
The State needed a way to reach the communities that the traditional public health system was missing. The goal wasn't just to translate flyers; it was to build a bridge of trust in the middle of a crisis. They needed a mechanism to listen as much as they broadcast.
Approach
We designed and led the technical assistance component of Safe + Strong as part of a multi-organizational effort. The strategy was simple: equip the people who were already doing the work.
The Structure: We created an "office hours" model where CBO leaders could hear the latest guidance directly from public health officials and surface the specific concerns they were hearing on the ground.
The Shift: This moved the state away from top-down broadcasting toward a model that supported frontline organizations in doing the translation work themselves.
The Support: We facilitated focus groups and provided one-on-one consultations to over 200 community leaders, helping them develop culturally relevant materials.
Outcome
The program established a new dynamic, integrating community wisdom into state directives.
Scale: The technical assistance program supported over 500 community-based organizations statewide.
Reach: We produced more than 15,000 communication materials in over 15 languages, ensuring all Oregonians had access to reliable, accessible information.
Trust: By validating community leaders as trusted messengers, we helped bridge the gap between the state health authority and the people who needed help most.
