by independencenw | Aug 25, 2010 | aging into adult services, employment, washington county
Have you and your family been wondering what you will be doing when you finish school?
Starting a career?
Going to community college?
Getting that first job?
Moving out of your parent’s home?
Although most students think about these questions, sometimes it is harder to imagine if you are a person with a disability. One major step is having a job. You may want this, but you and your family may not be sure how to make this happen.
If you are a student, ages 16-21 years old with intellectual and developmental disabilities, PROJECT EMPLOY would like to talk with you and your family. Starting in September, we will be working with families in Washington County and the Sherwood, Beaverton, Gaston, Forest Grove, and Banks School Districts to support students towards having jobs in the community upon leaving school at age twenty-one.
PROJECT EMPLOY will provide training on Person Centered Planning—which lays out a future for you, employment related supports, and advocacy. Since it takes lots of work to get and keep a job, everyone including you, your family and support team will all be expected to do their part. PROJECT EMPLOY will hold monthly gatherings starting in September and continue through the school year. One major event will be for you and your family to spend a day with your support team in November or early December creating a Person Centered Plan to lay out plans towards your future after school ends.
We will be taking applications through September, but are signing-up families starting in August. We would like to hear from you, now!
Contact:
Arlene Jones: Arlene.jones@arcoregon.org , (503) 329-6809 or
Tara Asai: tara.asai@arcoregon.org or (503) 706-3273.
by independencenw | Aug 20, 2010 | advocacy, aging into adult services, budget cuts
From an email distributed by UCP’s Family Support Program:
When: August 23rd, 2010
Where: Portland School District Administration Office
501 N. Dixon
Portland OR 97086
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
A broad coalition of parents, educators, advocates, and non-profits have coalesced around the budget cuts to Special Education (SPED) recently announced by Portland Public Schools. This evening they will turn out in full force to support equity in education for ALL students in PPS, give testimony and request that the Superintendent and PPS Board reconsider their decision to cut SPED resources.
On June 30th, 2010 PPS announced a $3.3 million reduction from the previously approved budget for SPED, eliminating approximately 20 teaching positions and 51 paraeducator positions. While PPS claims they can provide Maintenance of Effort (MOE) despite these cuts, many parents and staff question how this is possible when they are already struggling to adequately serve students receiving special education services.
Media Contact: Chloe Eudaly
503-867-4304 or chloe.eudaly@gmail.com
by independencenw | Aug 6, 2010 | budget cuts, resource
Don’t forget to check out Disability Compass for listings of local events, respite providers, trainings and resources.
Compass is a one-stop site providing information about and direction to services, products, and special health care resources for people with disabilities in Oregon, their families and those who support them.
Disability Compass is a project of Community Vision, Inc. Community Vision was awarded the “Best Kept Secret” award for for Portland Monthly’s “Light A Fire” nonprofit awards in November.
Below are currently listed August events.
by independencenw | Aug 5, 2010 | advocacy, resource
You’re invited to the 2010 Annual Brokerage Resource Fair presented by Community Pathways (formerly The Arc Brokerage), Independence Northwest, Inclusion Inc and Mentor Oregon Brokerage.
Come learn about resources and activities in your community, network with providers and meet new people. There will be food, activities and plenty of people at the BBQ. Bring your provider, learn something new and make some connections.
Parking is limited – consider taking the yellow line MAX to the Overlook Park stop or TriMet.
Friday August 13th
1:00pm to 5:00pm
Kaiser Permanente Town Hall
3704 N. Interstate Ave, Portland
BBQ: 2:00pm to 6:00pm
Overlook Park (directly across the street)
N Fremont & Interstate
by independencenw | Aug 2, 2010 | clackamas county, food assistance, multnomah county, washington county
From summerfoodoregon.org:
What? Free food and fun in the summer sun.
Who? For kids and teens (18 and younger)
Not a kid or teen? Check out other food assistance.
During the school year, thousands of Oregon children depend on free or reduced price meals each day. However, when school ends for the year, so does this important resource. The Summer Food Service Program is meant to help fill that nutritional gap.
Funding for meals is provided by the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Summer Food Service Program. All open sites are located in neighborhoods that USDA considers high need areas. However, no application or proof of income is needed to participate, and all children are welcome!
The Summer Food Service Program for Children (SFSP) was created by Congress in 1968. It is designed to provide funds for eligible organizations to serve nutritious meals to low-income children when school is not in session.
You can find more information about SFSP at http://oregonhunger.org/summer-food.
Thanks to Natasha Roe for the tip.