DD Co-op Summer Training Opportunities

Note: Providers for brokerages receive the Member rate.

Oregon Intervention System – General (OIS-G)

Status: Available
Date: 8/11/2009
Time: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (BOTH days)
Assigned Host: Riverside Training Centers
Presenter(s): Kelly Gordham, Lead OIS Trainer
Description:This is a two day training on BOTH Tuesday, August 11th AND Wednesday, August 12th.

The Oregon Intervention System© is a person-centered, non-aversive system of strategies to understand and respond to behaviors respectfully and safely, including personal physical interventions for critical or emergency risk behaviors.

Location: St. Helens ESD Office
800 PORT AVE
SAINT HELENS, Oregon 97051-3008
Cost: $50/co-op member, $100/non-member. (Check or money order payable to ‘Riverside Training Center Inc.’)
If you have any questions contact:
Name: Rose Johnson
Telephone: (503) 397-1922
Email: rose.johnson@riversidecenters.com
Mail registration form to:
Riverside Training Center
PO BOX 280
SAINT HELENS, Oregon 97051-0280
Download Registration Form (doc)
Download Registration Form (pdf)
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Autism 1

Status: Available
Date: 9/16/2009
Time: 9 AM – 1 PM
Assigned Host: Danville Services of Oregon
Presenter(s): Mike Larson
Description:Autism I is a much-in-demand class which is both highly informative about Autism Spectrum Disorders, and practical about support needs and strategies. This course is highly recommended for anyone with an interest or need to gain a good basic understanding of autism and the wide spectrum of autism disorders.
Location: East Portland Police Precinct, Community Room
737 SE 106TH AVE
PORTLAND, Oregon 97216-3197
Cost: $20/co-op member, $40/non-member. (Check or money order payable to ‘Danville Services of Oregon, LLC’)
If you have any questions contact:
Name: Liz Saufley
Telephone: (503) 228-4401
Mail registration form to:
Danville Services of Oregon

9700 SW CAPITOL HWY STE 240
PORTLAND, Oregon 97219-5291

Download Registration Form (doc)
Download Registration Form (pdf)

Via Disability Compass

“History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again.”

Text taken from the Partners in Time website:

Partners in Time is a self-study course that explores society’s treatment of people with developmental disabilities from ancient times until today.

The history of people with disabilities is a powerful story of discrimination, segregation, abuse, ignorance, silence and good intentions that brought bad results. The mistakes, successes and actions of earlier generations have shaped the world we live in, who we are, our values and views of how people with developmental disabilities are allowed to work, learn, live and participate in their communities.

It is up to each generation to decide what to do with their knowledge of the past…whether to learn from these experiences to change the future or ignore these lessons and continue on the same path. This course has been created to help you understand the complex history of people with developmental disabilities. In this course, you will:

Checkmark Learn how people with disabilities lived, learned and worked from ancient times to the present.
Checkmark Recognize ways in which history repeats itself and how those abuses continue today under new names.
Checkmark Connect early glimmers of progress with current initiatives.
Checkmark Learn about some of the people throughout time whose efforts changed the course of history for people with developmental disabilities.
Checkmark Explore recent progress and celebrate the groundbreaking efforts that are creating a more just, inclusive society.
Checkmark Apply these lessons to create a vision for a future that embraces all people, regardless of ability.

Click here to start the course.

Emergency Preparedness – Are You Ready?

readynowThe folks at OHSU have created a comprehensive emergency preparedness booklet for people with developmental disabilities called Ready Now.  It walks you step-by-step through different emergency situations and helps you plan ahead to be ready in the event of an emergency. The booklet includes checklists for supplies, emergency contacts and more.

This is a great resource for customers, parents, providers and families. You’re sure to learn something you didn’t know and walk away with the tools you  need to be prepared for an emergency. Check it out online here.

Thanks to Cynthia Owens for the tip.

Disability is Natural

The Disability is Natural web site is brought to you by Kathie Snow and BraveHeart Press, Kathie’s family-owned small business.

The mission of the site is to encourage new ways of thinking about developmental disabilities, in the belief that changes in our attitudes and actions can help create a society where all children and adults with developmental disabilities have opportunities to live the lives of their dreams, included in all areas of life.

As a parent, author, and trainer, Kathie challenges conventional wisdom and promotes new attitudes, new actions, and common sense in the disability arena. Since 1991, she’s presented hundreds of seminars at conferences and meetings across the United States and Canada. Her first book, Disability is Natural: Revolutionary Common Sense for Raising Successful Children with Disabilities, was published in 2001, and is now in its second edition. It’s a ground-breaking manual for change that’s used by parents, professionals, teachers, and several universities. Kathie launched this website in 2001, along with a variety of products that promote positive attitudes and perceptions about disability, including the one-of-a-kind “Disability is Natural” DVD. She’s written hundreds of articles, many of which are included in her second book, 101 Reproducible Articles for a New Disability Paradigm. She’s currently working on her next book on the inclusion of people with disabilities in community activities, like churches/synagogues, recreational activities, and other ordinary environments.

Summer/Fall Transition and IEP Trainings Announced

OrPTI (Oregon Parent Training and Information Center) has published its late summer/fall schedule on their website. There are many great training opportunities coming up to ready you and your family for the 09/10 school year. via OrPTI

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

August 26, 2009 “Behaviors and the IEP” from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM at the Willamina Elementary, 1100 Oaken Hills Drive, Willamina, OR 97396.  For information, or to register contact Leah Skipworth at lskipworth@orpti.org

September 5, 2009 “Advocacy: Supporting Your Child in Special Education” from 1:30 to 3:30 PM at the Hood River Library, 502 State Street, Hood River, OR 97031.  For information or to register, please contact Victoria Haight at 503-510-2289, or email vhaight@orpti.org

September 9, 2009 “Bullying: Is Your Child a Target?” 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

September 22, 2009 “EI/ECSE What do these mean?” from 6:30 to 8:00 PM at the NW Regional ESD, 5825 NE Ray Circle, Hillsboro, OR 97126.  For information or to register, please contact Victoria Haight at 503-510-2289, or email vhaight@orpti.org

October 3, 2009 “What Parents Need to Know about the IEP” from 1:30 to 3:30 PM at the Hood River Library, 502 State Street, Hood River, OR 97031.  For information or to register, please contact Victoria Haight at 503-510-2289, or email vhaight@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

October 21, 2009 “Understanding Aspergers Syndrome” from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Beaverton Library, Meeting Room A, 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

October 26 & 27, 2009 “Building Futures: Statewide Secondary Transition Conference” will be at the Salem Conference Center.

November 7, 2009 “Can You Hear Me Now? Communicating Effectively with your IEP Team” from 1:30 to 3:30 PM at the Hood River Library, 502 State Street, Hood River, OR 97031.  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

Caregivers Can Get Cash Back on Care Products

Caregivers Market Logo

The Caregivers Marketplace is the nation’s first cash back program for anyone who gives, gets or needs care. Caregivers can receive cash back on eligible products that are not typically covered by insurance or Medicare – no matter where those products are purchased. The program is free with sponsorships from dozens of companies like Depend Products, Aspercreme, Cirucel, Cottonelle, Ensure, Gold Bond, Nature Made, Os-Cal, Kaopectate and IcyHot. It works a lot like rebate programs do and could save your household some cash.

The company also has a helpful newsletter – check out the latest issue here.

Washington County Resource Fair

Washington County Developmental Disabilities Services presents its annual Resource Fair. This is an opportunity to folks to lear more about services available and network with agencies serving Washington County. In 2007, over 50 exhibitors and 1,000 families and individuals attended the resource fair.

WHEN: Thursday, October 16th from 11am to 4pm

WHERE: Cedar Hills Crossing Mall – 3205 SW Cedar Hills Boulevard in Beaverton

Independence Northwest will be presenting along with MENTOR and SDRI.

BROKERAGE NEWS: The 10% Increase

This spring, the Department of Human Services announced its intention to increase (in most cases) the amount of money Customers of Support Services can receive. Starting October 1st, 2008, the majority of Brokerage Customers statewide will see a 10% increase in the amount of money they have available to them. This amount will be prorated, depending on when you plan begins. (For example, if your plan year is December through November, you will receive an increase starting in the month of October and it will prorated until your plan ends in November).

In addition, providers of support services will also have an opportunity to reconsider their current rates. The State of Oregon Department of Human Services has published a new set of rate ranges; the top level of these rates has been increased by 10% as well.

We’re in the midst of implementing the 10% change. Whether you are a customer or a provider, check out our website for updates on the process.

John O’Brien Training Opportunity

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.

Thanks to Cynthia Owens.

ARTICLE: People With Disabilities Are Leaving Stimulus Money on the Table

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.

Via Academy of Special Needs Planners. Thanks to Washington County Developmental Disabilities Program for the info.

RESOURCE: Looking For Resources? Respite Providers? Check Out Disability Compass

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.

RESOURCE: Connect with Others at Disaboom

Disaboom.com was founded by Dr. J. Glen House, a physician specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation who is also a quadriplegic. His firsthand knowledge of the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities and those whose lives they touch has driven the Disaboom.com mission: to create the first comprehensive, evolving source of information, insight, and personal engagement for the disability community.

Check it out here.

RESOURCE: Next Time You’re Looking for Resources, Don’t Forget to Check Out 211

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.

Check out 211 here.