Funded Projects

Extracurricular program access for neurodivergent children

Project Year

2026

City & State

Hillsboro, Oregon

Program Name

Implementation

Topic

Home Visitation

Program Description

Statement of Need: Addressing a Public Health Emergency  The pediatric population in Washington County, Oregon is currently facing a critical barrier to essential healthcare. While medical and dental services remain available, a rapidly escalating climate of fear related to immigration enforcement has rendered traditional clinic-based care effectively inaccessible for many families. Children who would normally receive routine preventive and developmental care are now being kept at home because families are afraid to travel due to risk of detention or deportation.  In late 2025, Washington County experienced a significant surge in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity, prompting the County to declare a state of emergency. The impact has been immediate and severe, resulting in a widespread “chilling effect” across immigrant communities. Families now report avoiding public spaces and essential services, including schools, food distribution sites, and medical clinics.  This crisis is reflected in patient data from Hillsboro Pediatric Clinic, which serves a highly vulnerable population (67% Medicaid-insured and 35% Spanish-speaking only). In December 2025, the clinic experienced a 24% higher no-show/cancellation rate compared to December 2024. This spike directly corresponds to the surge in enforcement activity. Families have shared with our Community Health Worker (CHW), providers, and clinic staff that they are choosing to forgo essential care rather than risk travel. For many, their home is now the only environment they perceive as safe.  Without intervention, children will miss critical developmental screenings, vaccinations, and preventive dental care. The long-term consequences include delayed diagnoses, worsening chronic conditions, preventable dental disease, and increased reliance on emergency departments for avoidable conditions.  Project Description: Home-Based Comprehensive Care  This project will address this urgent public health gap by shifting from a clinic-centered model to a mobile, home-based healthcare delivery system. By bringing care directly to families, the program removes fear-based access barriers while upholding child health, dignity, and equity.  Care will be delivered by a multidisciplinary team consisting of a physician, registered nurse, medical assistant, and Community Health Worker—all immigrants themselves—ensuring services are culturally appropriate, linguistically accessible, and trauma-informed.  Services will include:  Medical: Well-child visits, RN triage, developmental/behavioral/mental health screenings, and age-appropriate vaccinations.  Dental: Preventive care, oral health education, and early identification of disease through dental hygienist visits.  Holistic Support: Distribution of essential supplies that support healthy growth and development.  A unique pillar of this initiative is the integration of a CHW Kindergarten Readiness Coach, who will support caregiver engagement and early learning in addition to addressing health needs.  Strategic Partnerships and Outreach  The project will leverage trusted community partnerships to identify and reach families most affected, including St. Matthew’s and St. Alexander’s churches, Centro Cultural, Hillsboro School District, and the Pacific University School of Dental Hygiene.  Measurable Outcomes  Program success will be measured by the number of unique children served through home-based visits, the number of completed well-child visits and vaccinations, the number of preventive dental services delivered, and a reduction in no-show rates among high-risk families.  By delivering care in the home, this project ensures vulnerable children receive essential medical and developmental support.

Project Goal

By transitioning comprehensive primary care services directly into the home, this project will proactively safeguard the health and developmental trajectory of our community’s youth-- particularly the Latino children whose families are made vulnerable by the current immigration enforcement surge in our community.   Our goal is to ensure that every child in Hillsboro, Cornelius, and Forest Grove has the foundation of health and the support of a consistent medical home necessary to thrive, grow, and succeed in the years to come.

Project Objective 1

Between June 1 and December 31, 2026, our team RN will provide in-home care to at least 15 children per month in Washington County, Oregon.

Project Objective 2

Between July 1, 2026 and June 1, 2027, our team MD will provide in-home Well Child Checks to at least 10 children per month, on average.

Project Objective 3

Between June 1, 2026 and June 1, 2027, our team (RN, MD, Medical Assistant and Dental Hygienists combined) will apply fluoride varnish to the teeth of at least 200 children in the community.

AAP District

District VIII

Institutional Name

Hillsboro Pediatric Clinic

Contact 1

Beth Mossman, MD

Contact 2

Monique Gutierrez, MD