The Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) is a 23-member staff of professional employees with broad duties and skill-sets. Each team member helps make AOC the success it is today. Here is an opportunity to meet a member of your AOC team.
Meet AOC Legislative Affairs Manager, Jessica Pratt
Jessica Pratt joined the AOC team in April of 2022 as legislative affairs manager. In her role, Jessica advocates for Oregon counties’ priorities at the State Legislature and with state agencies, covering health and human services policy portfolio. That work includes coordination for the newly revived Local Government Advisory Committee for health and human services, a collaborative forum for local elected officials, their local partners, and the directors of the Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon Department of Human Services to guide public system design and the state-county shared services partnership.
She brought a deep understanding of complex mental and behavioral health policies critical to counties to AOC. Prior to joining AOC, she served as interim director of AOC associate member organization, Association of Oregon Community Mental Health Programs; staff for the Office for Oregon Health Policy & Research; as well as more recently working for the Foundation for Excellence in Mental Health Care.
She brings an understanding of front line public behavioral health work from her early career experience as a crisis associate at the Marion County Psychiatric Crisis Center in Salem.
Jessica holds a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Willamette University.
AOC Legislative Affairs Department
Jessica’s role is housed in the AOC Legislative Affairs Department. The Legislative Affairs Department is a five-member team that advocates for counties at the State Capitol, within state agencies, and with federal partners to pursue a policy agenda set by AOC members.
Why Jessica Loves AOC
“I am so excited to be back working for counties again. It is a privilege to champion this diverse body of passionate public servants who rise to every challenge to maintain the public services we all rely on every day and make our communities great places to live and raise our kids.”
What Interests Jessica in Her Work
“I grew up exploring the forests and creeks around my grandpa’s house in Douglas County and helping my dad bring in the hay on his ranch in Baker County. As an adult, I’ve lived and worked in Marion, Multnomah, and Washington counties and hiked the amazing trails in every corner of the state. I’ve visited every community mental health program in Oregon and have seen the care and creativity of county commissioners and community members continuously weaving together the people, facilities, and funding streams to meet changing needs. I love drawing on all those experiences as I listen and bring together the voices and the knowledge of county commissioners from across Oregon to solve statewide problems and empower every community to thrive.”
What Jessica Wants to See in the Future for AOC
“When I started working with them in 2007, the awesome legislative team at AOC had been serving together for about twenty-five years. They were trusted sources of information and leadership in the Capitol and at every state agency and enjoyed a warm camaraderie. I look forward to helping grow the next generation AOC team and steward our state-county partnerships with them in the coming decades.”
Outside of AOC
Jessica currently enjoys exploring the beaches, mountains, and waters of Oregon with her husband and five and seven year old kids.
Contributed by: Megan Chuinard | Public Affairs Associate