Individuals interested in improving health care for persons enrolled in the Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid) in Marion and Polk counties are invited to apply for membership in the Community Advisory Council of the new Willamette Valley Community Health. Applications are available in English, Spanish and Russian at http://www.wvphealthauthority.org/cco/volunteer-opportunities and are due by July 16. Applicants may also call Katrina Rothenberger at 503-587-5100 or 1-866-318-5375, TTY 503-584-2180.

Willamette Valley Community Health is the coordinated care organization recently approved by the Oregon Health Authority to provide care to Oregon Health Plan patients in Marion and Polk Counties.

The role of this new council is to ensure that the health care needs of the consumers and the community are being addressed, to develop recommendations and to provide strategic direction to the governing body of Willamette Valley Community Health.

Membership is open to two groups of people. The majority of the advisory council membership will be made up of current recipients of the Oregon Health Plan and their family members. Willamette Valley Community Health is seeking to establish a broadly representative council, with diversity in age, gender, disability, cultures, geographic representation and more.

Membership is also open to community representatives, including organizations with an interest in the health and well-being of OHP members, that serve the OHP population, and/or are advocates on behalf of OHP members.

Members of the community advisory council will work with Willamette Valley Community Health and other community representatives to recommend how to improve care. Specific areas of focus will be a community health assessment, preventive care practices, a community health improvement plan and policy guidelines on consumer-related activities of Willamette Valley Community Health.