About Us
The Oregon Advocacy Commissions Office’s chief responsibility is supporting the statutory charges of the 4 Commissions, Oregon Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs (OCAPIA), Oregon Commission on Black Affairs (OCBA), Oregon Commission on Hispanic Affairs (OCHA), and the Oregon Commission for Women (OCFW), each with 9 Governor-appointed Commissioners and 2 legislators appointed by the Senate President and Speaker of the House and confirmed by the Senate. Historically, this has included providing support for the OACs (Oregon Advocacy Commissions) working within their 7 Strategic Priority areas (listed below) to identify problems and long standing challenges to communities of color and women regarding Intersectionality, Rural Issues, plugging in to the Policy Arc, identifying Best Practice, and, researching policy remedies. Providing this support includes working collaboratively with the OACs, the Governor’s Office, legislators, and State partners; maintaining a liaison with and growing partnerships with constituent community groups and research partners in state government and Oregon universities; growing constituent representation in leadership positions in state government; recommending action to policy makers and the Governor on key issues facing their constituents, legislative tracking; developing and submitting testimony; and, representing the OACs with policy makers and partners, as needed, to inform ongoing policy work and advance the OACs’ initiatives.
History of the OACO
The Oregon Advocacy Commissions Office (OACO) was established by statute in 2005 to serve what had previously been 4 separately staffed Commissions focused on growing equity, leadership and success among Black, Asian/Pacific Islander and Hispanic Oregonians and Women. This was done in order to more efficiently serve the Commissions during tight economic times and grow collaboration between the Commissions on their statutory missions improving the economic, social, legal, and political equity of their constituent populations. The OACO was initiated in 2006 and staffed at the beginning of 2008 with an Administrator and Executive Assistant. In 2010, the OACO moved its offices from Salem to Portland to allow ease of access to the Commissions’ main constituencies and to grow its reach in several key areas: Growing future leaders with internships and leadership development for students of color and women; building expertise and resources affecting poverty, health, education and justice; and partnering in policy research and projects focused on priority areas. In 2015, a permanent .5 position of a Policy Research Analyst was added to the OACO staff, and in 2021 this position became full-time. A permanent full-time Public Affairs Specialist was also added. In 2023 HB 2995 extended the work of the Health Equity Task Force and three positions were added until June 2026.
Staff
Executive Director – Terrence Saunders
Executive Support – Ava Stevens
Policy Research Advocate - Kyl Myers, PhD
HB 4052 Team Lead - Mika Ingram
Public Affairs Specialist - Saba Saleem
Project Facilitator - Kaj Jensen
OACO Agency Plans
OACO Submitted Biennial Budget
OACO Agency Requested Budget
OACO Statutes
Recent Legislation Supporting OACO's Mission
2023 REGULAR SESSION
HB 5001 Legislative Budget Report Relating to the financial administration of the OACO and declaring an emergency. Appropriates moneys from General Fund to Oregon Advocacy Commissions Office for biennial expenses.
HB 2925 Legislative Budget Report Relating to health equity; and declaring an emergency. Extends deadlines for affinity group task forces to complete their work with respect to allocations of resources to address communities' needs and health inequities faced by communities and to report recommendations to Legislative Assembly.
HB 5006 Legislative Budget Report Relating to state financial administration; and declaring an emergency. Limits for six-year period beginning July 1, 2023, payment of expenses from fees, moneys or other revenues, including Miscellaneous Receipts, but excluding lottery funds and federal funds, collected or received by various state agencies for capital construction. Limits for six-year period beginning July 1, 2023, expenditures by specified state agencies from federal funds for specified capital construction projects. Limits for six-year period beginning July 1, 2023, payment of expenses from fees, moneys or other revenues, including Miscellaneous Receipts, but excluding lottery funds and federal funds, collected or received by Higher Education Coordinating Commission for expenditures of bond proceeds for benefit of public universities and community colleges. Sets expiration date on project approvals and expenditure limitations. Extends expiration dates for certain projects. Approves proposal of Oregon Military Department for disposition of property. Declares emergency, effective July 1, 2023.
2022 REGULAR SESSION
HB 4052 Legislative Budget Report Relating to equity; and declaring an emergency. Requires Oregon Health Authority, guided by advisory committee to be convened by authority, to provide grants to operate two culturally and linguistically specific mobile health units, as pilot program, to improve health outcomes of Oregonians impacted by racism.
2021 REGULAR SESSION
HB 2030 Legislative Revenue Impact Statement Relating to advocacy; and declaring an emergency. Modifies provisions relating to advocacy commissions. Capitalizes "Black" in references to Black persons. Declares emergency, effective on passage.
Strategic Priority Areas
The primary strategic priority of each of the four Advocacy Commissions is addressing education disparities among students of color and women, pre-kindergarten through higher education and the trades.
Policies that affect wage equity, jobs, careers, diverse workforce and leadership, small business, poverty, and attainment are part of the OAC’s strategic priorities.
Overrepresentation of communities of color in the justice and corrections systems, hate crime and stalking protections, profiling, community policing and training, access to justice are strategic issues for the Oregon Advocacy Commissions.
Housing and stable families are essential to thriving. Addressing disparities in foster care, hunger, homelessness, housing displacement, and safety are key indicators.
Housing and stable families are essential to thriving. Addressing disparities in foster care, hunger, homelessness, housing displacement, and safety are key indicators.
OAC’s strategic priorities include access to care, health coverage, culturally competent care, health education, and better health outcomes for all.
Being an active part of community, leadership, social/government institutions and accessing opportunities are key to success for all Oregonians.
Equal protection from environmental and health hazards, and meaningful public participation in decisions that affect the environment in which people live.