by independence northwest | Jul 23, 2014 | Uncategorized
You are invited to provide input and feedback to the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) on their priorities and strategic direction for 2015-17 and beyond in the following areas: Child Welfare, Aging and People with Disabilities, Intellectual/Developmental Disability Services, Self Sufficiency Programs (SNAP, TANF, ERDC), Vocational Rehabilitation, DHS agency operations, and other human services issues.
Their community outreach this summer has two goals: first, to report on progress toward their long-term goals and strategic efforts as an organization; and second, get your thoughts and ideas as they plan for the next two years of work. Join DHS Director Erinn Kelley-Siel and members of the DHS Executive Team for an informative presentation and lively discussion about where the agency is today and where they are going in the next two years and beyond.
Thursday, August 7, there will be a special online meeting for those unable to attend in person (see the schedule below). Please forward this message to others who may be interested.
Wednesday, July 30
Portland – Portland Community College (Cascade Campus, Moriarty Arts & Humanities Building)
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
RSVP to: DHS.DirectorsOffice@dhsoha.state.or.us Portland
Friday, August 1
Bend – Central Oregon Community College (Hitchcock Auditorium)
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
RSVP to: DHS.DirectorsOffice@dhsoha.state.or.us Bend
Monday, August 4
Eugene – Lane Community College (Center for Meeting & Learning)
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
RSVP to: DHS.DirectorsOffice@dhsoha.state.or.us subject line Eugene
Tuesday, August 5
Medford – Rogue Community College (RCC/SOU Higher Education Center)
10:00 am – 12:00 noon
RSVP to: DHS.DirectorsOffice@dhsoha.state.or.us subject line Medford
Thursday, August 7 (special online meeting for those unable to attend in person)
Statewide — Web-based interactive meeting, sign-up info & other details to come later.
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
RSVP to: DHS.DirectorsOffice@dhsoha.state.or.us subject line Web
NEW!! We are also working on setting up a meeting for folks in eastern Oregon for Mid-August! Let us know if you’d like information. Send an e-mail to DHS.DirectorsOffice@dhsoha.state.or.us subject line Eastern Oregon Meeting
Questions? Please contact DHS.DirectorsOffice@dhsoha.state.or.us
by independence northwest | Jul 18, 2014 | 2014 changes, union
Per a transmittal released by the Oregon Department of Human Services this morning, fair share fees will no longer be deducted from Personal Support Worker pay. If you have questions about this, please call the union (SEIU) directly at the number below.
“At the request of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), DHS has ceased collecting agency fees, also known as fair share payments, from Homecare Workers and Personal Support Workers (“Providers”) who are non-members. Local staff and management may receive inquiries from Providers about this change or questions about membership. Staff should not advise nor attempt to advise these Providers on issues of dues or union membership. If inquiries are received from Providers, staff must refer them directly to SEIU’s Member Resource Center at 1-877-451-0002.
Important note: This request was made by SEIU on behalf of only the Homecare Workers, Personal Support Workers and Child Care Providers for whom they represent.”
by independence northwest | Jul 15, 2014 | 2014 changes, independent contractors, providers
Update: TNT has communicated to us that independent contractor checks will go out in today’s mail.
Dear Independent Contractors,
There seems to be pandemonium in the field because independent contractors haven’t been paid. Unfortunately this post isn’t going to clear anything up but I wanted to send something out regardless since we are being inundated with phone calls asking questions we cannot answer. Here’s the short version of what we know and don’t know:
- Neither TNT nor the state has communicated to us when ICs should or will be paid. We assumed that they would be paid according to the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.
- We have heard rumors of a problem with payment but there has been no direct communication to us from TNT or from ODDS about this delay.
- TNT assured us that missing vendor packets would not impact payment this month.
- We met TNT’s deadline for submission of our bills, which was at 10:00 am on July 8th. It wasn’t easy.
We will update you here as soon as we learn more.
– Ron Spence, Operations Director
by independence northwest | Jul 7, 2014 | history
Independence Northwest is celebrating its 7th birthday! We officially opened our doors at an old firehouse off MLK and Alberta in NE Portland in July of 2007. Our tiny start-up staff began enrolling customers in the fall, we grew swiftly, and within eighteen months, a team of 15 were serving 450 brokerage customers.
We’d like to thank our customers, families, advocates, community partners, domestic employees, independent contractors, provider agencies, legislators, government partners, and all the fantastic INW staff over the past seven years for helping assure the independence, success, and advancement of Oregonians with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We are proud of our deep roots in the community and look forward to serving you for many, many years to come.
In just a few short weeks, INW will be moving just up the street to a brand new space here in NE Portland. We plan on holding an Open House and 7 Year Celebration in late August. We hope you’ll join us. Keep an eye out – details coming soon!
