Apr 28, 2026 | AOC Business Partner
Sponsored content contributed by AOC Business Partner: Hinge Health
Did you know one out of every 2 adults in the United States is affected by back, joint, or muscle pain?* Here’s how you can be the one who isn’t.
Enroll with Hinge Health today and get access to virtual physical therapy and more to help:
- Recover from an injury
- Relieve pelvic pain and discomfort
- Reduce everyday joint and muscle aches
- Improve your balance, strength, and mobility
Enroll today at hinge.health/cisoregon-article
Work with real people, including a Hinge Health physical therapist, who are dedicated to helping you feel your best. Hinge Health’s programs include:
- A care plan designed for your everyday activities and long-term goals — and to treat multiple areas of your body at once
- Exercise therapy sessions you can do in as little as 15 minutes — anytime, anywhere with the Hinge Health app
- 1-on-1 support from a physical therapist or health coach to tailor your sessions as needed and help you reach your goals
- Virtual pelvic-floor therapy for pregnancy and postpartum, bladder control, pelvic muscle control and strengthening
Hinge Health is available at no additional cost to you and is covered by CIS Oregon through Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon.
Eligibility: Participants must be 18+ and enrolled in a Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon medical plan. Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon is an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Hinge Health is a separate company that provides virtual physical therapy services.
*Bone and Joint Initiative, The Hidden Impact of Musculoskeletal Disorders on Americans, 2018
Apr 28, 2026 | AOC Business Partner
Sponsored content contributed by AOC Business Partner: Covenant Technology Solutions
Most organizations assume their backups are working. They set it up, they see the green checkmark, and they move on. The problem is that a backup that can’t restore isn’t really a backup — it’s a false sense of security.
The good news: you don’t need a big project to find out where you stand. You just need to actually test it.
Three things worth checking this year:
Start with your most critical system — the one your whole organization depends on to function. Can your team restore data from it? Not theoretically. Actually. Run the test and document what happens.
Next, think about order. When something goes wrong, what comes back first? Most teams don’t have a clear answer until they’re in the middle of a crisis. Getting that priority list sorted in advance saves enormous time when it matters most.
Finally, make sure your backups are protected from the same threat as everything else. Ransomware routinely targets backup systems. If your backups live on the same network and the same access credentials can reach them, they’re vulnerable too.
A 60-minute restore rehearsal once a year — where your IT team validates one critical restore and writes down the steps — is one of the highest-return things a lean organization can do.
Want the full technical breakdown, including specific restore tests and how to protect backup repositories from ransomware? Read the complete guide on our blog.
And if you want to see where your full environment stands before the next incident, a Cyber Risk Assessment is the fastest way to get a clear picture.
Apr 28, 2026 | AOC Business Partner
Sponsored content contributed by AOC Business Partner: Amazon Business
Amazon Business’s Buy Local program makes it easy for counties to identify and purchase from local and regional suppliers directly through their Amazon Business account.
By surfacing products from small and local businesses, the program helps counties reinvest taxpayer dollars back into their own communities — supporting local jobs, strengthening regional supply chains, and aligning procurement with community-first values. It’s a simple, built-in way to prioritize local economic impact without sacrificing the convenience, pricing, and transparency that Amazon Business provides. Ready to start buying local?
Reach out to Maddie Smart at cmaddie@amazon.com — she’ll connect you with your dedicated Amazon Business account executive to help set up automated buy local preferences and tracking for your county. It only takes a few minutes to configure, and you’ll be able to see exactly how much of your spend is going back into your local community.
Free Amazon Business Prime
The Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) is providing all Oregon counties free Amazon Business Prime (up to $3,499 value/year).
In addition to Amazon’s fast and free shipping with Business Prime, participants also receive:
- Pay by Invoice
- $5,000+ line of credit
- +25% off thousands of essential products
- Office, IT, MRO, and JanSan supplies
- Tax exemption
- Dedicated Account Executive
We encourage you to take full advantage of this opportunity!
Activation Steps:
- Click on this link
- Login to your Amazon Business account
- Enter this code: EEAUPB
- Activate Business Prime $0 (or “switch” to a $0 and receive a prorated refund)
Maddie Smart
Government Partnerships
678-314-9762
cmaddie@amazon.com
Mar 30, 2026 | AOC Business Partner
Sponsored content contributed by AOC Business Partners: NACo and Nationwide
For the 26th consecutive year, the National Association of Counties (NACo) Deferred Compensation Program, in partnership with Nationwide, is offering a remarkable scholarship opportunity for high school seniors. This initiative aims to support the educational aspirations of the children and grandchildren of county employees who participate in the NACo Deferred Compensation Program.
Scholarship Details
The NACo Deferred Compensation Program is awarding four $2,500 college scholarships to high school seniors. This initiative underscores NACo and Nationwide’s commitment to supporting the families of county workers.
Applications for this scholarship will be accepted between March 1st to April 30th, 2026 so make sure you check your Plans website after March 1st, 2026 for submission details. There, you will find comprehensive information on the application process, ensuring that all potential candidates have the necessary details to apply.
Investing involves market risk, including possible loss of principal. No investment strategy or program can guarantee to make a profit or avoid loss. Actual results will vary depending on your investment and market experience. Neither Nationwide nor its representatives give legal or tax advice. Please consult with an attorney or tax advisor for answers to your specific questions. Nationwide Retirement Specialists are Registered Representatives of Nationwide Investment Services Corporation, member FINRA, Columbus, Ohio.
Mar 30, 2026 | AOC Business Partner
Sponsored content contributed by AOC Business Partner: CIS
(Photo: CIS Executive Director Patrick Priest congratulated Wallowa County Commissioner Lisa Collier for the County winning the CIS Excellence in Safety Award.)
County leaders from across Oregon gathered in Eugene on Nov. 20 for the Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) Annual Business Meeting, where CIS honored three counties for exceptional safety leadership. As a member-owned risk pool, CIS operates solely for Oregon cities and counties — not shareholders — and for 45 years has stood alongside local governments like family, offering unwavering support in good times and challenging ones. These awards celebrate how counties are turning that partnership into real-world improvements that protect employees and strengthen communities.
“Creating safer workplaces means creating stronger communities,” said CIS Executive Director Patrick Priest. “These counties set the standard for what it looks like to lead with intention.” AOC President and CIS Board Chair John Shafer joined Patrick in presenting the honors.
Wallowa County — Excellence in Safety
Wallowa County earned the Excellence in Safety Award for its outstanding record in reducing injuries and preventing hazards. Over the past four years, the county logged just nine time-loss days and $60,960 in total paid workers’ compensation claims — an exceptional achievement for any local government employer.
The Safety Committee, led by Ashley Immoos, drove improvements that focused on rapid response, preparedness, and access to safety resources. Safety kits and grab-and-go first aid supplies in county vehicles support faster response to injuries in the field, while escape ladders and emergency paging improve evacuation and communication during emergencies. A centralized SharePoint site ensures employees can quickly access safety procedures and training materials, reinforcing consistent practices across departments. Commissioners Lisa Collier and John Hillock accepted the award. Wallowa County sets the standard for safety leadership, proving that proactive planning pays off.
Umatilla County — Excellence in Best Practices
Umatilla County earned the Excellence in Best Practices Award for transformational progress in reducing claims and strengthening safety systems. The county scored 82% on CIS’ Best Practice Survey and cut workers’ comp losses dramatically: paid claims dropped from $229,176 in the 2022-23 coverage year to $83,225 in 2024-25, and time-loss days fell 75%, from 425 to 108. Key initiatives focused on preventing injuries and strengthening day-to-day safety practices. Ergonomic assessments helped identify and correct workstation hazards, lowering the risk of repetitive-motion injuries and strains. Expanded CIS training reinforced safe work practices across departments. Upgraded building security — including fob access and cameras — reduced the risk of workplace incidents, while an electronic hazardous materials system ensures employees can quickly access critical safety information during emergencies. The County also installed an air-filtration system to help alleviate smoky indoor air caused by a nearby building fire. Director of Administrative Services Dan Lonai played a pivotal role for the County’s improved safety efforts, and Commissioners John Shafer, Cindy Timmons, and Dan Dorran accepted the award. Umatilla County’s results show what happens when prevention becomes a priority.
Wasco County — CIS Innovation Award
Wasco County received the CIS Innovation Award for its creative, collaborative approach to safety. Since joining the CIS Servicing Group powered by SAIF, the county has kept workers’ comp losses exceptionally low — just 22 time-loss days and $15,515 in total paid workers’ compensation claims over the two most recent coverage years. It also scored 92% on the Best Practice Survey and cut its experience mod from 1.31 to 0.70. Innovations included department-level safety committees, biannual safety reports, a new Health and Safety Manual, countywide safety bulletin boards, quarterly in-person training, and a formal Fleet Management Program. Together, these efforts embedded safety into daily operations, improving hazard recognition, reinforcing accountability, and reducing preventable injuries across departments. HR Director Fiona Ferguson accepted the award, reflecting a culture that prioritizes employee well-being — even in collective bargaining agreements. Wasco County’s innovative approach reflects a culture of resilience and care for its workforce.
Congratulations to Wallowa, Umatilla, and Wasco counties. These achievements show that safety leadership isn’t just compliance — it’s about building resilient organizations and stronger communities. CIS is proud to stand with AOC and its members in this work, continuing a partnership built on trust and shared responsibility. Together, we’re building safer, stronger, and healthier communities.
Mar 30, 2026 | AOC Business Partner
Sponsored content contributed by AOC Business Partner: Covenant Technology Solutions
Most county incidents start the same way: a login that shouldn’t have worked. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is essential—but it’s no longer the finish line. Counties can reduce account takeover risk significantly by adding a few practical identity controls that fit real-world staffing and budgets.
Here are five high-impact improvements to layer on top of MFA:
1) Conditional access (smart sign-in rules)
Block or challenge sign-ins from risky locations, unknown devices, or impossible travel.
2) Least privilege (limit admin power)
Make sure admin access is rare, time-bound, and tied to role—not convenience.
3) Separate admin accounts (no daily work as admin)
Administrators should have a dedicated admin account, not “one account that does everything.”
4) Reduce legacy authentication
Disable older login methods that bypass modern protections.
5) Monitor risky sign-ins + create a simple response routine
Set a cadence to review risky sign-ins and respond quickly (reset credentials, remove access, verify device health).
Quick win: run a 30-minute review of “Who has admin access today?” and remove anything that doesn’t match current responsibilities.
Want a structured way to implement these controls over time? Explore Fortify or start with a Security Score Assessment to baseline your current exposure.
Want to go deeper? Read the full guide at https://covenant-tech.net/blog/identity-controls-county-government-microsoft-365/
