A Message from the Yes on 66/67 Campaign

by | Jan 7, 2010 | advocacy

A Message from the Yes on 66/67 Campaign:

The fight to protect Oregon’s schools and critical services is about to get even more exciting. This week, ballots for Measures 66 and 67 will begin arriving in mailboxes around the state.

We have just two short weeks to make sure that Oregonians get the facts, know what’s at stake, and Get Out The Vote! Right now, we’re winning, but winning on January 26 all depends on getting all of our supporters to turn out and vote YES. Contact the campaign today to find out how you can get involved to make sure that January 26 is a night for celebrating.

Now is the time to get involved and make sure that voters all over Oregon know only a YES vote will protect the services we care about, including over $390 million for education and other services for children, funding for lifesaving prescription drugs and home care that helps low-income seniors remain independent.

Already, over 600 Oregonians just like you have volunteered at the Vote Yes for Oregon Campaign, and hundreds more have given time through our more than 200 coalition partners.

Phone banks and neighborhood walks are happening in counties across the state. It’s easy to find and sign up for opportunities to talk to your neighbors about why we need to vote YES on 66 and 67!

Voter’s Assistance for People with Disabilities January 20th

by | Jan 6, 2010 | advocacy

From The Arc of Multnomah Clackamas:

The Arc of Multnomah/Clackamas, in concert with Self-Advocates as Leaders (SAAL) and Multnomah County People First will be offering assistance to anyone with IDD who needs help with voting on Measures 66-67 on Wednesday, January 20, from 2 pm to 5 pm in the first floor conference room at the United Way Building, 619 SW 11th, next to The Arc office (this ‘open house’ is not sponsored or affiliated with United Way).

We hopefully will have added assistance from Jan Anderson of Disability Rights of Oregon.  We’ll be available to directly assist individuals with voting on these measures.

If you have questions, please feel free to contact me, Bill West, Case Coordinator at The Arc at 503-935-5224.  These sessions are usually very informal and very individualized.

New Abuse Laws in Effect as of January 1st, 2010

by | Jan 4, 2010 | advocacy

From a release by the Department of Human Services:

House Bill 2442 has changed the legal definitions of abuse for adults with developmental disabilities beginning January 1st, 2010. Abuse definitions are now the same no matter what type of service a person is receiving. All care providers and people who have a trust relationship with an individual are subject to the new definitions.

Here is a summary of the abuse definitions for which protective services are provided and an abuse investigation must be conducted:

  • Abandonment – desertion by a caregiver who has assumed responsibility for all or a portion of the person’s care.
  • Financial exploitation – wrongfully taking or threatening to take funds or property, misusing money, failing to use a person’s money for their benefit.
  • Involuntary Seclusion – restricting freedom of movement to a part of a facility or program for convenience of a caregiver or as discipline, unless agreed to in a plan. This includes confinement in a home setting.
  • Neglect – withholding services needed for the health and well-being of a person (such as food, medical care) and that causes harm. Failing to provide the necessary care, supervision and services that causes harm or creates a significant risk of harm.
  • Physical abuse – inflicting pain or injury or injury by other than accidental meansor injuries appearing to be at variance with the explanation.
  • Restraint – physical or chemical restraint not part of a plan or prescribed by a doctor.
  • Sexual abuse – nonconsensual sexual contact, harassment or exploitation. Sexual contact with an employee, paid caregiver or any relative (except spouse or partner.)
  • Verbal abuse – including threats, derogatory names, ridicule, humiliation directed at the person. Failing to make a reasonable effort to protect the person under their care.

For further information on the changes contact your local county abuse investigator or the
DHS Office of Investigations and Training at  2575 Bittern St., NE (Yaquina Hall, #33) Salem, OR 97310. Phone:  (503) 945-9495