WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2019 ❚ SILVERTONAPPEAL.COM
PART OF THE USA TODAY NETWORK
Woodburn program plants seed for STEM teachers
Natalie Pate
Salem Statesman Journal
USA TODAY NETWORK
A masters degree program based in Woodburn is in-
vesting in the next generation of science, technology,
engineering and math teachers, placing an emphasis
on culturally inclusive practices and access to these
subjects in rural areas.
Since its inception in 2011, Pacific University’s
STEM Teacher Pathways program has produced more
than 80 high school math and science teachers and
boasts a 95% employment success rate for graduates.
The program recently received a $1.4 million grant
from the National Science Foundation, part of its Rob-
ert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program, to support 60
additional scholars over the next five years.
Through the grant, Pacific is able to award each can-
didate up to $25,000 to lower the cost of becoming a
teacher. Combined with other scholarship programs
available, officials said a current community college
student could receive more than $32,000 during their
college years to become a STEM teacher.
Kevin Carr, program director and professor of edu-
cation, said this not only sets the teaching candidates
up for success, but it allows students in local K-12
schools to work with outstanding teachers and, sub-
sequently, opens the door to high-paying STEM ca-
reers in their futures.
Changes in teaching STEM subjects
In the past few decades, there’s been a growing
push for students to be well versed in STEM subjects.
Nicole Montero works with a rising seventh grader in
a climate change class at Washington Elementary
School in Woodburn on July 24.
See WOODBURN, Page 2A
ANNA REED/STATESMAN JOURNAL
Beloved Cheesecakes
DHS seeks
to hire 300 to
improve welfare
of children
Whitney Woodworth
Salem Statesman Journal
USA TODAY NETWORK
Jen Jacobson asked for help from friends on Kickstarter and raised enough money to open Beloved
Cheesecakes in Silverton COURTESY OF JEN JACOBSON
New gourmet cheesecake
shop downtown just
needed a kick to get started
Christena Brooks
Special to Salem Statesman Journal
USA TODAY NETWORK
Love is practically in the air at Silverton’s new
gourmet cheesecake shop downtown. It’s in the
name, on the walls, and probably mixed into the
handcrafted desserts at the counter.
It’s definitely in the $27,633 donated online by the
friends, family and supporters of owner Jen Jacob-
son, whose new shop – Beloved Cheesecakes – is her
way of supporting her family and loving her commu-
nity.
“It’s amazing how many people believe in me – and
cheesecake,” she said.
Jacobson, 42, is the mom of three boys, a survivor
of domestic abuse, and a new college graduate. With a
2018 Portland State University diploma in-hand, she
expected to be working a parole and probation or
counseling job by now.
But it’s her side business, baking cheesecakes, that
grew into the career she never saw coming. Now she
hopes to blend her social services training into her in-
teractions with customers and employees, because
“everyone deserves to be loved,” she said.
She must’ve already been loving others well, for
they came from all corners of the country to support
her new business in an online fundraising campaign
See CHEESECAKES, Page 3A
Whitewater Trail reopens after 2-year closure
Zach Urness
Salem Statesman Journal
USA TODAY NETWORK
One of Oregon’s most famous wilderness hiking
trails will reopen for the first time since a wildfire se-
verely burned the pathway’s old-growth forest about
two years ago in the Mount Jefferson Wilderness.
The Whitewater Trail, which begins east of Detroit
and provides the easiest access to the lakes, meadows
and backcountry campsites of Jefferson Park, official-
ly reopened on Thursday (Aug. 1).
The reopening came about a month earlier than ex-
pected.
“We are grateful for all the work it took to open it
earlier,” Detroit District Ranger Dave Halemeier said.
“Crews have worked hard to reduce hazards within
the area. We remind visitors that hazards still exist,
including along the margin of the road.”
The trail was closed by the 2017 Whitewater Fire,
which ignited July 23, 2017 and burned 11,500 acres,
cost $39 million to fight and marred tourism in the
Santiam Canyon during 2017’s total solar eclipse.
The fire burned hottest around Whitewater Trail.
In a massive hiring push, the Oregon Department
of Human Services posted more than 300 child wel-
fare, protective services and hotline screening jobs
this week.
The hiring initiative was driven by Gov. Kate
Brown’s executive order establishing an oversight
board to address the “crisis in Oregon’s child welfare
system.” The Oregon Legislature approved funding
for these new positions during the 2019 legislative
session
“In order to ensure our children are safe, we need
more caring and dedicated people on the ground
working with families,” Gov. Brown said in a state-
ment. “Hiring more child welfare workers is one im-
portant step to right-sizing the system so that it bet-
ter serves our most vulnerable children and families.”
Brown established the oversight board this year,
citing the significantly understaffed child welfare
program, the more than 80 children sent to out-of-
state foster care facilities and the severe shortage in
foster homes.
Officials hope a hiring wave will improve safety
and build capacity in the child welfare system.
“Oregonians with a passion for helping children
and families thrive can make an enormous impact
through state service at the Department of Human
Services,” Brown said.
DHS spokeswoman Christine Stone said the more
than 300 jobs for 90 positions are careers jobs rang-
ing from beginner-level to manager.
She said they offer excellent benefits, a diverse
workplace and “opportunities to make a positive im-
pact on the lives of children in need of support.”
Some of the jobs available across the state include:
❚ Hotline Screener are considered thefirst re-
sponders to reports of safety concerns. Screeners de-
termine appropriate levels of response and interven-
tions including protective and family support. The
hotline receives more than 600 calls during an aver-
age 24-hour period. According to job postings, the
position requires a Bachelor’s or higher-level degree,
social work experience and passing a background
check. A posting for a Portland position as screener
lists a salary range of $3, 664 to $5,339 per month.
❚ Child Protective Service caseworkers investi-
gate reports of safety concerns. This includes con-
ducting child safety assessments of alleged child
abuse or neglect, evaluating whether a child has been
or is currently at risk of being harmed and, if needed,
determining appropriate services to ensure child
safety, according to DHS officials. An online posting
also lists a salary range of $3,664 to $5,339 per
month. Applicants need a Bachelor’s degree and so-
cial work experience in order to qualify for the job,
but those will an Associate’s degree can apply for an
underfill position as a non-investigatory social ser-
vice specialist.
❚ Certifiers work to identify and certify relative
caregivers, foster parents and adoptive parents
across all ethnic and cultural groups. They conduct
home studies, interview and evaluate the appropri-
ateness of substitute care placements when children
See DHS, Page 2B
See TRAIL, Page 3A
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