Coined after the County’s unifying vision, the “One Washington County Oregon” Podcast aims to share stories that showcase how multiple departments, teams, and individuals across the organization work together to serve and enrich the Washington County community. The podcast will feature at least one new segment every month. Each segment will feature 30- to 45-minute discussions on topics ranging from public safety and justice to elections.
The “One Washington County Oregon” podcast joins a vibrant suite of existing county communication channels aimed to promote public awareness of critical community issues, public policy initiatives, county news and information, and upcoming community events.
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- Topic 12 | Safety, Support, and Hope: Inside the Family Peace Center
Since opening in 2018, Washington County’s soon-to-be-renamed Family Justice Center has helped more than 21,000 survivors of violence and abuse. Hear how the unique partnership of nonprofits, law enforcement, and community agencies is changing lives across the County as they work together towards a shared vision: a world where no one needs its services.
- Topic 11 | Beyond Books: The WCCLS Trivia Showdown
Think you know your library? Think again! In this special game show edition of One Washington County Oregon, we’re turning up the volume on fun and facts. Join host Christian Aniciete and guest Lisa Tattersall, Washington County Cooperative Library Services Manager, as they challenge two unsuspecting County employees to see who has a better understanding of how WCCLS powers the county’s public library system. Spoiler alert: it’s tougher than your average trivia night — and a whole lot more fun!
- Topic 10 | Chair Kathryn Harrington on What's Next for Washington County
In this episode, Board of County Commissioners Chair Kathryn Harrington joins us to reflect on her 2025 State of the County address — celebrating progress, facing challenges, and looking ahead to what’s next for Washington County. We discuss affordable housing, innovation in public safety and mental health, and the upcoming Public Safety and Library Levies and what is at stake for the most diverse county in Oregon.
- Topic 9 | Crisis Meets Compassion: Inside Washington County’s Mental Health Response Team
- When a mental health crisis happens, every second matters. Washington County’s Mental Health Response Team pairs a deputy with a clinician to bring safety, care and compassion to those in crisis. In this episode, we sat down with Deputy Jesse Jennings of the Washington County Sheriff's Office and Crisis Response Therapist Laura Bonin of LifeWorks NW, to explore how this partnership helps de-escalate emergencies and link people to the support they need. With an average of 3,500 calls a year, MHRT is changing the way our community responds to mental health needs.
- Topic 8 | Westside Commons and Big Fair Fun at the Washington County fairgrounds with Leah Perkins-Hagele
In this episode, we hear from the Westside Commons and Fair Complex Manager, Leah Perkins-Hagele about the Westside Commons and Wingspan Event and Conference Center’s wide range of events, spaces and offerings as well as the current excitement surrounding this years Big Fair Fun at the Washington County Fair that’s taking place Friday, July 18, through Sunday, July 27.
- Topic 7 | Washington County’s Broadband Initiative with Cristian Salgado
In this episode, we dive into Washington County’s bold efforts to expand broadband access and close the digital divide to ensure fast, reliable internet for all.
- Topic 6 | Emergency Management in Washington County with John Wheeler
In this episode, we hear from John Wheeler, Washington County’s Emergency Manager, about the County's ongoing planning efforts related to various potential hazards that put our community at risk. Learn how we’re preparing for everything from climate-related hazards to earthquakes, including our “Take 5 to Survive” program to help individuals and families be more resilient in a disaster.
- Topic 5 | Behavioral Health Care with Nicholas Ocon
In this episode, we hear from Health & Human Services Behavioral Health Division Manager Nicholas Ocon about the County's wide range of addiction and mental health services and ongoing collaborative efforts with state and local partners to meet the deep and complex needs of our community.
- Topic 4 | Bridging Cultures: From Washington County to the Philippines
In this episode, Christian Aniciete, a communicator in the County Administrative Office, talks about the transformative professional and personal lessons he’s bringing back from his recent travels to the Philippines as Oregon’s first-ever delegate to the prestigious Filipino Young Leaders Program.
- Topic 3 | Juvenile Crime Intervention Strategies with Dr. Jennifer Cearley
In the latest episode, we explore the mission and services of the Washington County Juvenile Department and hear from Interim Director Jennifer Cearley about efforts to support at-risk youth and their families through the process of behavior change and accountability. The conversation highlights the level of crisis that our young people are currently experiencing and how the Juvenile Department works with community partners to encourage post-traumatic growth and help youth learn skills to be successful.
- Topic 2 | Decoding Washington County’s Elections Office: A Candid Conversation about Voting Processes
In these episodes, we’re sitting down first with Washington County’s Elections Manager, Dan Forester, to discuss what really happens to your ballot once it leaves your hands. Whether you drop it in a ballot box or send it through the mail, we’ll explore the step-by-step process that ensures every vote is counted accurately and unravel the mysteries of the vote by mail system, while discovering the behind-the-scenes efforts that safeguard our election. Next we spotlight the Voter Assistance team and their dedicated efforts to reduce barriers to voting through education, outreach and personalized support.
- Topic 1 | Community Corrections with Nate Gaoiran
This inaugural set of One Washington County Oregon episodes features a lively conversation between host Julie McCloud, assistant communications officer, and Nate Gaoiran, director of the Washington County Department of Community Corrections (WCCC). The conversation highlights the WCCC’s mission of providing community supervision for justice-involved individuals who are on probation, parole or who are serving a sentence within the minimum-security Community Corrections Center.