As part of their statutory missions, the Commissions maintain an independent policy voice within the three branches of state government, collaborating with the Governor’s office, Senate President's and House Speaker's offices, legislators, and judicial branch, in support of mutual areas of public policy concern, addressing long standing issues and lifting lesser known but important policy areas into prominence with advocacy, equity-focused policy research, partnerships and community engagement.
Coordinating with community partners in preparation for long legislative sessions
At the Annual Joint Meeting of the Advocacy Commissions, the OCBA joins with the OCAPIA, OCHA, and OCFW to hear presentations from Urban League of Portland, PAALF, Coalition of Communities of Color and key community advocacy groups to discuss and coordinate support for equity related bills in the upcoming session.
Joint legislative days with Urban League of Portland
The OCBA joins its community partners Urban League of Portland and PAALF for joint Legislative Days at the Capitol for each long legislative session and in joint support of key issues. OCBA Commissioners join other attendees including Black community and faith leaders, college students, parents and their children from around the state. The large group of participants gather in in the Capitol to be welcomed with presentations from legislators and other leaders. OCBA Commissioners and others visited in small groups for scheduled meetings with individual legislators and caucus staff on primary issues including profiling and affordable housing.
Policy Research Partnerships
OCBA has a long history of partnership with the Oregon Department of Education, Portland State University, Willamette University School of Law, and Oregon State University to conduct applied policy research and inform ODE policies around culturally responsive pedagogy, address disproportionate discipline for classroom disruption, and restorative justice, in collaboration with the Governor’s Office. The studies have informed the recommendations of ODE’s internal workgroup on discipline and its recommendations for school boards, policy changes around disciplinary procedures for classroom disruptions, and teacher training. The OCBA remains a committee partner with the Oregon Department of Education around crafting and adopting inclusive social studies standards and student success, including access to MH for all students, K – 12.