Reynolds School District in collaboration with Multnomah County School Districts presents the 2010 Multnomah County Transition Resource Fair.
Time – 10am – 6pm on April 9th, 2010
Place: Four Corners, Reynolds School District
14513 SE Stark Street, Portland, OR 97233
Independence Northwest will be sharing a table with several other metro area brokerages.
The fair will include resources on jobs, self-determination, health care, housing and training available to individuals living in Multnomah County and receiving (or preparing to receive) high school transition services.
For questions, please contact Shirley Burns (503.328.0428) or Shannon Selby (503.328.0423), the co-chairs of the 2010 Transition Resource Fair.
While written for the parent reader, the guide proves useful to a much more expansive group. Arm yourself with this document before your next IEP meeting. As Lewis Carroll wrote, “If you don’t know where you are going, any path will take you there.” A good transition plan will be your path to a successful adulthood for your
young adult with ASD.
Chapters include:
Agency Help/Legal Information
Transition Plan
Student-Centered Transition Plan
Vocation and Employment
Post-secondary Education
Life Skills
Looking Ahead
Please forward this important document on to anyone you kn0w who might benefit from it. There’s a slew of appendices in the back and we can’t recommend this rich resource enough.
The booklet was written and edited by two mothers of children with autism. It gives basic information about the disability and summarizes resources available through the Department of Human Services.
Catherine Strong and Mary Anne Seaton first produced this booklet in 1996 as a labor of love. Both are parents of children with autism. They met when Catherine’s daughter was diagnosed 12 years ago and Mary Anne visited their home to answer the questions that Catherine and her husband Ted had about autism. That kitchen-table conversation was the inspiration for this booklet.
Emerging Leaders Northwest is a community, web-based information and guidance center for young adults with disabilities. The organization provides ways to develop leadership skills through workshops and trainings, mentorships and internships and an interactive website. ELN works closely with yound adults with disabilities between the ages of 13 and 30.
ELN provides a wide variety of trainings including:
Your Education and How to Succeed
Solving the Employment Puzzle
Healthy Lifestyles
Disability Culture and Family
Person Centered Planning
ELN currently has internships available through: Portland Development Commission, City of Portland, PacifiCorp, State of Oregon, McMenamins, PGE, Care Medical and OHSU.
For more information check out their website at www.emergingleadersnw.org and contact Chuck Davis at 503.494.3281 for more information.
Who: People w/ disabilities interested in a Halloween Party! When: Saturday, October 31st from 2:00pm-4:00pm Where: 1030 NW Marshall in the Pearl What: Costume Party/Dance
This will be a great opportunity to for young people with disabilities to learn about what we do, meet new friends and have a great time. Many thanks to the Children’s Healing Art Project for allowing us to join this event!
Emerging Leaders Northwest is a youth led resource center for young people with disabilities ages 13 – 30 which provides training and resources on leadership, independence, getting a high school diploma and going on to college, self-advocacy, employment skills and living a healthy lifestyle. Youth leaders facilitate training for their peers and act as mentors. Leaders may also gain valuable employment experience by participating in internships in business and non-profit entities.
Our meetings are held the fourth Friday of each month from 1:00 – 3:00 PM at the Child Development and Rehabilitation Center, Room 1125, 707 SW Gaines Street, Portland, OR 97207.
Looking for some assistance with an upcoming IEP for you or your child in transition? OrPTI (Oregon Parent Training and Information Center)ensures that IEP Partners available to families who could use some extra help with the IEP process.
What is the Partners Program?
The Partners Program trains and matches Partners with parents wanting support at their child’s IEP, Transition or Mediation meeting. Our goal is to have Partners in every community throughout the state of Oregon.
Who are Partners?
Partners are parents and others who have gone through a two day intensive Partner Training Program. Partners are volunteers for the Oregon Parent Training and Information Center (OrPTI). They receive a stipend for each meeting that they attend as assigned by OrPTI.
What is the role of a Partner?
Partners are not at the meeting to speak for you. Their role is to help you prepare for the meeting, plan an agenda, identify the issues, write out proposals etc. At the meeting they will take notes and act as a trained listener who is familiar with special education rules and regulations. Partners model parent/professional partnerships and collaboration.
Can I have a Partner attend my meeting?
We currently have Partners available in most areas of the state. Due to the great demand, we are only able to provide each parent with a partner for two meetings per student per school year.
To have a Partner attend your meeting you need to give the OrPTI as much notice as possible before the meeting (two weeks is preferable). If you call the day before your meeting, we may not be able to make a match, so please plan accordingly. Partners are not always available and we may not have a partner in your area. We continue to hold trainings throughout Oregon in hopes of being able to support parents in all parts of the state.
Before a Partner can contact you, a release of information form must be signed and returned to the OrPTI. This form will be provided for you by mail or email which ever you prefer. We would also appreciate you filling out a Partner Evaluation Form, your feedback is important to us, we will use the information you provide to improve this program.
To request a Partner please call the Special Education helpline at 1-888-891-6784.
Check out Partners in Education, a self-study course designed by the fine folks at Partners in Policymaking to help parents of children with developmental disabilities navigate the special education system and help their children make the most of their potential.
Schools are places where children learn new information and skills. But they also are places where children are exposed to a multitude of life lessons…lessons like respecting each other as individuals, personal responsibility and the importance of contributing to the community.
This course has been developed to give you the practical skills you need to create an inclusive, quality education for your child. After completing this course, you will:
Understand the history of education of children with developmental disabilities;
Know and understand the key laws governing special education and how they protect your child’s rights;
Understand your role in your child’s educational experience;
Recognize the elements of an individualized education program and the role parents play in its creation and implementation;
Know how to advocate for your child to ensure a positive, quality educational experience;
Understand your rights to due process if you feel your child’s educational rights have been violated.
A new “Now What” Group is now forming in the Tigard area. This is a private-pay opportunity for individuals with Autism or Asperger Syndrome offerings tools, support, and social experience for post-high school young adults, (age 18–28 years).
About the course:
This series of 12 sessions is designed to address some of the cognitive-social issues that are common to individuals with Asperger’s, Non-verbal Learning Disorder, and High-Functioning Autism. Our group supports the inclusion of a variety of abilities. The series follows a sequence of topics that range from discussions about the member’s individual interests, to talking about plans for the future. Our final meeting is a “group date” for dinner, during which we enjoy each other’s company and apply some of the things we have discussed over the preceding weeks.
The topics that we discuss overlap from one series to the next, but this is not a comprehensive course. We often have much more material than time to cover it. There is new material in each series. As a consequence of that, and of having some new members in each series, it is a different experience every time we do it. Each series is, to some extent, tailored to the needs of the members. Many members are returning from earlier groups.
We are committed to providing an emotionally and physically safe environment. In order to maintain that safety, we discourage negative comments, and will not tolerate disparaging remarks directed at any member. We maintain confidentiality and respect for the young adults who participate in the group experience.
Each weekly meeting builds on the ones before it. In order to get the most benefit from the series, it is important that members attend every group. It is also important for the members to be able to count on each other’s support from one week to the next. We know that life happens. If you know ahead of time that you will not make many of the groups, it might be better to consider joining the next series.
Free informational meeting
Wednesday, September 9 2009, from 8:00pm to 9:00pm (at the end of clinic hours) at Southwest Family Physicians, 11900 SW Greenburg Rd., Tigard, Oregon, 97223
Meeting Schedule
Wednesday evenings 6:30 to 8:00 pm
At: Southwest Family Physicians
11900 SW Greenburg Rd.
Tigard, Oregon, 97223
$55* per 90-minute group. 12 weekly meetings.
Skills Notebook and other materials included.
*NOTE: Brokerage funds cannot be used to pay for this resource due to the rate structure.
For more information, please contact:
Peggy Piers, M.Ed.-counseling (503) 977-2411
Email: piers.p@comcast.net
Kristinachew.com– Kristina Chew is a Classics professor, mother of a 12-year-old son, Charlie, who’s on the moderate to severe end of the autism spectrum, a translator and teacher of Latin and ancient Greek and a blogger, formerly at My Son Has Autism/Autismland (2006-2008), Autism Vox (2006-08) and Change.org (2008-09). She’s currently writing a book about life on the long road with Charlie.
Wrong Planet – A web community designed for individuals (and parents of those) with Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, ADHD, PDDs, and other neurological differences. We provide a discussion forum, where members communicate with each other, an article section, with exclusive articles and how-to guides, a blogging feature, and a chatroom for real-time communication with other Aspies.
October 29, 2009, Ambridge Event Center in Portland, OR
1333 NE Martin Luther King Blvd. Portland, OR 97232
The Center is located 2 blocks North of the Portland Convention Center. Some parking spaces available at Ambridge. If full, there are many parking lots conveniently located. Also very convenient to the Max Line and TriMet. Map it
Program Description
One-day special education law and advocacy programs focus on four areas:
special education law, rights and responsibilities
tests and measurements to measure progress & regression
SMART IEPs
introduction to tactics & strategies for effective advocacy
Wrightslaw programs are designed to meet the needs of parents, educators, health care providers, advocates and attorneys who represent children with disabilities regarding special education. The program is not disability specific.
Last Friday, the metro area brokerages (Independence Northwest, Inclusion, Mentor Oregon and The Arc Brokerage Services) held the 2009 Resource Fair. The fair was an enormous success. We’re still tallying the attendee count, but it will likely surpass 400! Special thanks to all the vendors who came and presented their resources to metro area brokerage customers. You can check out their services below.
*NOTE: Not all vendors listed above provide services that can be paid for through Support Services funding. Some are natural resources and others are available through private pay. Check with your Personal Agent if you have questions.
IDEA Website– This site was created to provide a “one-stop shop” for resources related to IDEA and its implementing regulations, released on August 3, 2006. It is a “living” website and will change and grow as resources and information become available. When fully implemented, the site will provide searchable versions of IDEA and the regulations, access to cross-referenced content from other laws (e.g., the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), etc.), video clips on selected topics, topic briefs on selected regulations, links to OSEP’s Technical Assistance and Dissemination (TA&D) Network and a Q&A Corner where you can submit questions, and a variety of other information sources.
ORPTI – Oregon Parent Training and Information Center
Oregon PTI’s mission is to educate and support parents, families and professionals in building partnerships that meet the needs of children and youth with the full range of disabilities ages birth through twenty six. Oregon PTI provides programs and services throughout the state.
Transition Toolbox Newsletter– The Oregon Department of Education and Transition Specialist Jackie Burr invites you to receive the monthly Transition Toolbox! This brief newsletter is designed to facilitate communication and connections statewide with transition specialists, parents and students interested in issues relative to the transition of students with disabilities to college, post secondary education and employment opportunities.
Sibling Support Project – The Sibling Support Project is a national effort dedicated to the life-long concerns of brothers and sisters of people who have special health, developmental, or mental health concerns.We believe that disabilities, illness, and mental health issues affect the lives of all family members. Consequently, we want to increase the peer support and information opportunities for brothers and sisters of people with special needs and to increase parents’ and providers’ understanding of sibling issues.
Oregon Parental Information and Resource Center– The Oregon Parental Information and Resource Center (OR PIRC) provides resources, information, and skills to educators and parents throughout Oregon, with a focus on Hispanic and low-income families, to create meaningful school-family partnerships for youth success.
Technical Assistance Alliance for Parents Centers – Each state is home to at least one parent center. Parent centers serve families of children and young adults from birth to age 22 with all disabilities: physical, cognitive, emotional, and learning. They help families obtain appropriate education and services for their children with disabilities; work to improve education results for all children; train and inform parents and professionals on a variety of topics; resolve problems between families and schools or other agencies; and connect children with disabilities to community resources that address their needs.
Wrightslaw – Excellent resource for parents and individuals with disabilities still in school! Parents, educators, advocates, and attorneys come to Wrightslaw for accurate, reliable information about special education law, education law, and advocacy for children with disabilities. Begin your search for information in the Advocacy Libraries and Law Libraries. You will find thousands of articles, cases, and free resources about dozens of topics.
Some quick stats on Independence Northwest’s current customer base. Independence Northwest serves 450 adults with disabilities across Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties.
Multnomah – 61% of our customer base Clackamas – 23% of our customer base Washington – 16% of our customer base
65% of our customer base is under the age of 30
35% of our customers are between 18 and 21
57% of our customers are male; 43% are female
Over 20% of our customers fall on the Autism Spectrum
6% of our customers experience Down Syndrome; another 6% experience Cerebral Palsy;
5% of our customers experience Epilepsy; another 5% experience FAS or Drug-Affected Disorders
7% of our customers are exclusively non-English speaking
Can I work and still keep my Social Security benefits?
Can I work and keep my healthcare benefits?
Who can help me understand how working will affect my benefits?
Who can help me find a job?
Disability Rights Oregon and Work Incentives Network are hosting the 2009 Work Incentives Seminar and Employment Supports Fair on Wednesday September 16th with morning and afternoon sessions running 9am – 3pm. Agenda below:
10:00 & 1:00 Overview of Employment Process Molly Sullivan, WIN Program
10:30 & 1:30 Benefits Planning Presentation Disability Rights Oregon, Planning for Work / WIN
11:00 & 2:00 Health Care Benefits Disability Rights Oregon / Community Partners
Oregon Helps is an online clearinghouse that takes you through a series of questions online to determine what services you or your loved one might be eligible for. The site’s services are available in multiple languages. Check it out here.
Services covered include:
Food and Nutrition
Food Stamps
Emergency Food
Housing and Utilities
Federal Housing Assistance
Low-Income Energy Assistance (LIEAP)
Portland Water Bureau’s Financial Assistance Program
Children and Family Resources
National School Lunch Program
Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition Program(WIC)
Building Futures is for anyone who has an interest in supporting individuals with disabilities as they transition from school to life. This includes Secondary Educators, Post Secondary Educators, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors, Special Educators, therapists, counselors, service providers, job developers, and other rehabilitation specialists, and especially secondary students with disabilities and their families. Throughout the two-day event there will be presentations by regional and national experts on issues surrounding secondary transition and assistive technology. Check out the agenda here.
August 18 & 25, 2009 IEP Partner training from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Swindells Center, 830 NE 47th Ave, Portland, Oregon 97213. For more information contact Karen Ripplinger at 1-888-505-2673 Ext. 212 or Email: kripplinger@orpti.org
October 10, 2009 “Saturday Sessions: A Day of Learning” This event is designed for parents of children with disabilities to help you learn to successfully navigate special education and prepare your child for the future. There will be different concurrent sessions for you to choose from. The event will be at the Becky Johnson Community Center in Redmond from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Registration is required. Contact Danielle Bethell at 888-505-2673 ext 105 or email dbethell@orpti.org
October 13, 2009 “Anxiety and Related Disorders” from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Beaverton Library, Meeting Room B, 12375 SW 5th Street, Beaverton, OR 97005. For information or to register, please contact Victoria Haight at 503-510-2289, or email vhaight@orpti.org
November 19, 2009 “Understanding ADHD” from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Beaverton Library, Meeting Room B, 12375 SW 5th Street, Beaverton, OR 97005. For information or to register, please contact Victoria Haight at 503-510-2289, or email vhaight@orpti.org
The Oregon Training Series on Direct Supports will be sponsoring an exceptional opportunity on January 30th, 2009. Acclaimed author, trainer and advocate John O’Brien will be making a rare Oregon appearance and we urge you to take advantage of this opportunity. To view the flier, click here.
John O’Brien has been in the forefront of thinking and creating precedent setting innovations that helped create full lives for people with disability labels the world over. In addition to developing many of the planning systems used internationally, training thousands of facilitators and human service workers, he is a writer with enormous insight and sensitivity. The training will bring to life John’s new book “Making A Difference, A Guidebook for Person Centered Direct Support.”
This isn’t OCDS’ only opportunity. Visit their website for a number of excellent trainings on disability over the coming months.
The IRS reports that more than 5 million retirees, people with disabilities and disabled veterans who are eligible to receive a tax rebate under the $152 billion economic stimulus package have failed to take the steps necessary to get their checks.
Social Security recipients (including beneficiaries receiving Social Security Disability Income) and disabled veterans who earned at least $3,000 in qualified benefits, earned income, or both, may be eligible to receive an economic stimulus payment of up to $300 per person or $600 per couple.
But there is a catch. In order to receive an economic stimulus payment, eligible beneficiaries or veterans must file a 2007 income tax return, even if they are not required to file because their income is below the filing threshold.Since many low-income people with disabilities, along with retirees, have not filed a tax return in many years, they may not be aware that they are eligible to receive a stimulus payment. Most people in this situation will be able to file a Form 1040A, with only a few lines filled, in order to meet the filing requirement. This can be done up until October 15, 2008.
People with disabilities have more good news regarding the stimulus payments. Although SSI payments do not count towards the $3,000 annual income requirement for receipt of a stimulus payment, many SSI beneficiaries also receive SSDI benefits which do count. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has issued instructions explaining that the stimulus payments do not count as income in determining SSI eligibility and will not count as a resource for two months following the month in which they are received. (See earlier Special Needs Answers article.)
For more information on the stimulus payments and what income tax forms to file, go to www.irs.gov or call 1-800-829-1040.
For a recent article in USA Today detailing the IRS’s efforts to reach out to seniors and veterans with disabilities, click here.
For state fact sheets on unclaimed stimulus payments, click here.
Disability Compass provides information on services, products, and special health care resources for people with disabilities, their families and their supporters.
There’s a Respite Provider search and a comprehensive listing of agencies and individuals serving the disability community. We have partnered with Disability Compass in the first year of our operations and highly recommend this resource.
People looking for help in Portland and its surrounding communities often do not know where to begin. Locating such basic resources as food, shelter, employment, or health care may mean calling dozens of phone numbers, then struggling through a maze of agencies and services to make the right connections. 211info is built on a quarter-century history of restoring dignity to people’s lives by providing comprehensive information and referral service in this region.
Independence Northwest is enrolling an unprecedented number of individuals turning eighteen with an existing Family Support Plan. When you come to Independence Northwest (or any brokerage for that matter) at the age of eighteen, your experience is a bit different than other customers. Because you have an existing plan, we have to “transfer” over those services (and the people who provide them) so we can provide you with continuity of care. We have created a guide to help you understand what’s happening, when and why. Check out our guide here.
Emerging Leaders Northwest
Who: People w/ disabilities interested in a Halloween Party!
Looking for some assistance with an upcoming IEP for you or your child in transition? 
Check out 
A new “Now What” Group is now forming in the Tigard area. This is a private-pay opportunity for individuals with Autism or Asperger Syndrome offerings tools, support, and social experience for post-high school young adults, (age 18–28 years).
Kristinachew.com
October 29, 2009, Ambridge Event Center in Portland, OR
Last Friday, the metro area brokerages (
IDEA Website
Some quick stats on Independence Northwest’s current customer base. Independence Northwest serves 450 adults with disabilities across Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties.
Do you have questions about work like these…
The 
The IRS reports that more than 5 million retirees, people with disabilities and disabled veterans who are eligible to receive a tax rebate under the $152 billion economic stimulus package have failed to take the steps necessary to get their checks.
