C.O. COVID-19 info: Kids health screenings, help for domestic violence victims

Also: Redmond smokejumpers sewing cloth face covers

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Here's Wednesday's roundup of COVID-19 information from the Central Oregon Emergency Information Network.

FREE HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT SCREENINGS FOR CENTRAL OREGON CHILDREN

A child's development and well-being doesn't pause during a pandemic, and parents need support, education, and connection now more than ever. This is a perfect time to do a check-in on children’s health and development.

Healthy Beginnings is offering free online health, developmental, and behavioral screenings for children 0-5 years old in Central Oregon. Expert volunteers are ready to meet with families via Zoom or phone to discuss results and provide education, activities, and support, all from the comfort of home. 

Contact Healthy Beginnings at 541-383-6357 or visit www.myhb.org to schedule a free screening.

RESOURCES FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

As the Central Oregon community continues to support the statewide “Stay Home, Save Lives” order, it is important to remember some people are in living situations with their abusers and feel more isolated during these times. Domestic violence often involves a varying degree of intimidation, criticism, insults, threats and control.

The number of domestic violence calls for service between March 16 and April 17 were compared between 2019 and 2020. The calls are coded as domestic violence calls when it is determined that the people cohabitate together or are immediate family members.

In Deschutes County, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office (Sunriver Police and Black Butte Police were included) reported an increase in domestic violence calls of 20 percent, Bend Police reported an increase of 16 percent, and Redmond Police reported an increase of 45 percent. In Crook County, both the Sheriff’s Office and Prineville Police reported a decrease of 20 percent. In Jefferson County, the Sheriff’s Office had reported a decrease of 22 percent and Madras Police reported a decrease of 46 percent.

It is not surprising to see domestic violence calls for service lower during these times. Oftentimes victims cannot get away from their abuser to make a call for help or services.

If you or someone you know needs help, please contact the following:

• Saving Grace serves Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties: 541-389-7021 or www.saving-grace.org
• Oregon Safety Crisis Line: 888-235-5333
• Oregon Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence: www.ocadsv.org/find-help.
• National Domestic Violence hotline: 800-799-SAFE (7233)

REDMOND AIR CENTER SMOKEJUMPERS “JUMP” IN TO HELP DURING PANDEMIC

As Oregonians respond to stay at home orders to reduce the spread of COVID-19, smokejumpers at the Redmond Air Center have “jumped” into making cloth face covers to assist in the pandemic.

It began when one Redmond smokejumper, Dan Norskog, heard about local medical provider, St. Charles Health System, making a call out to the community to provide 10,000 masks for employees. Dan bought a sewing machine and began to answer the need.

It seems only right that a smokejumper would react to a request for sewing skills to assist their local community during a time of crisis. Smokejumpers, when not jumping from planes and fighting fire, are regularly repairing and creating the gear they need to do those tasks safely and effectively.

As smokejumpers thought about their sewing skills and the need for critical firefighting resources, particularly first responders, to have cloth face covers as the wildfire season begins, Dan’s fellow Redmond smokejumpers began making face covers to supply frontline federal firefighters. Currently, the Redmond smokejumpers have made over 400 cloth face covers and distributed 300 of them.

“We will keep making face covers as long as they are needed and being requested to reduce the spread of COVID-19 to our critical firefighting employees,” said Tony Johnson, Redmond Smokejumper Base Manager.

ABOUT COEIN
COEIN’s website, www.coemergencyinfo.blogspot.com provides a collective resource for up-to-date information. Access to accurate, timely information both locally and nationally is encouraged. Our County Public Health experts point to the Oregon Health Authority and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as good sources of information. Daily situation updates are available via email at http://bit.ly/COVID19UPDATES COVID-19 phone line: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. 541-699-5109

Central Oregon Emergency Information Network (COEIN), includes Deschutes County Health Services, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, St. Charles Health System, Crook County Health Department, Crook County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson County Health Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, tri-county public schools, City of Bend, Bend Police, Bend Fire & Rescue, and others. COEIN’s purpose is to collect, coordinate and distribute timely and accurate information. 

Accommodation Information for People with Disabilities   

To obtain this information in an alternate format such as Braille, large print, electronic formats, etc. please contact the COEIN JIC at 541-316-0087 or centraloregoninfo@gmail.com.