by independencenw | Aug 5, 2013 | 2013 changes, advocacy, customers, k plan
Part One: The Functional Needs Assessment Tool
By Larry Deal, Independence Northwest Executive Director
Customers, Families, Providers and Community Members,
As you might have heard, there’s a series of significant changes happening in services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities here in Oregon. This is the first of several short(ish) articles to update you on changes to your services and to solicit your feedback, thoughts, and concerns. Let’s start with an explanation of why some of the changes are happening.
Why Are Things Changing?
In short, the Oregon Department of Human Services (the state) gets money from the federal government (about 60% of service dollars) and during a recent review by CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services), Oregon was found deficient in several areas. As a result, the feds are demanding a series of changes on a short timeline. At this point, CMS has submitted its findings only for Oregon’s comprehensive (24/7) services; findings from their review of brokerage services are forthcoming.
In addition to the audit findings, Oregon has experienced some budgetary shortfalls, specifically with regard to the program – Aging and People with Disabilities Services – that serves seniors and people with physical disabilities. The Department of Human Services and the Oregon legislature have determined that migrating all services to a new program called the Community First Choice Option (or K Plan) will bring about 6% more federal funds into the state. This means many changes for brokerage customers and providers.
I will address these changes in future articles, but for this piece, let’s focus on one big change that will affect brokerage customers in the very near future: CMS’s mandate that Oregon create and implement a Functional Needs Assessment tool to be used on all individuals receiving services paid for by federal funds. For the record, this change isn’t related to the K Plan or the budget, just the CMS review.
Historical Assessment Practices in Brokerage Services
Historically, brokerages have not used extensive formal assessments to determine your service needs and budgets. Everyone has been eligible for just about the same amount of service dollars (around $14,000 per year, give or take.) For the last eleven or so years, when a person has been referred to brokerage services, we sit down and speak with you about your support needs and personal goals. From there, we seek out natural supports and resources in the community to help you achieve those goals. If there’s a need for funded services, we support you to find the right provider, we assist you with hiring/contracting with the provider, and we provide quality support and oversight for the services you receive. We have to prove that you have a disability-related need for every service purchased. We glean support needs through conversations with you and fill out a state document called the Customer Goal Survey. This document, when completed, resides in a customer’s file at the brokerage and is reviewed by the state when they visit for annual audits.
Starting this fall, things will change. In addition to our usual practices, we will begin completing a Functional Needs Assessment on each and every brokerage customer, new or old. The FNA must be administered annually and will usually take place before we complete your annual ISP (Individual Support Plan.)
The state recently released a transmittal explaining expectations and timelines for implementation.
So, What is a Functional Needs Assessment?
Oregon’s Functional Needs Assessment (FNA) is a scored tool that asks for in-depth information on your support needs in the following areas:
- Mobility
- Transferring
- Positioning
- Eating/Drinking
- Toileting
- Bladder Control
- Urinary Catheter Care
- Bowel Control
- Hygiene (Menses, Bathing, Dressing and General Care)
- Housekeeping
- Meal Preparation
- Shopping
- Transportation
- Money Management
- Communication (Expressive and Receptive)
- Personal Safety
- Fire/Emergency Evacuation
- Medication Management
- Health Management Supports
- Complex Health Management Supports
- Equipment
- Behavioral Supports (Supervision and Interventions)
- Legally Mandated Supervision
- Nighttime Needs
The FNA, based on locally utilized tools as well as materials from other states, has been developed primarily by state employees, with input and review by stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds, including brokerages. The FNA was created in Excel spreadsheet format so that scores will automatically calculate when the questions are answered on the document. However, the state has not yet completed the algorithms and formulas that will determine the services brokerage customers will be eligible to receive. They have recently brought on an outside contractor to complete the project.
Once the state finishes building the FNA, your Personal Agent will be responsible for administering the tool and assigning values for each question answered. Since the tool is still incomplete, we have not yet seen how someone’s needs will equate to actual services, but expect to soon. The current estimate for a fully functional tool is October 1st, 2013.
Will This Affect Individual Funding?
Yes.
As mentioned earlier, the historical practice has been to offer you a set sum of service dollars (on average $14,000 a year.) If brokerage services were inadequate to meet your needs, crisis services and comprehensive services (group home, foster home, etc.) were offered as an option.
The Functional Needs Assessment tool will not have a dollar amount attached. Instead, it will determine how many units of most services you will be eligible for. The FNA will determine what you have access to, based on your disability-related needs. For example, it may say you are eligible for 100 hours of respite per year, 350 hours of skills training and it will suggest appropriate resources to build a ramp on your home for safety and access. Those pre-determined resources are then utilized to bring on providers and build the plan of care.
Additionally, your benefit level will no longer be capped. The services a person is eligible to receive will be wholly individualized. Although no one can be sure of precisely what the results of the new model will be, the state expects that some people will be eligible for more services than they currently receive and some people will be found eligible for fewer services than they currently receive.
Can Changes Be Made to the Tool?
Yes.
This isn’t the first tool the state has created. The SNAP tool (used to set rates for providers in foster care) is now on iterations into the double digits. There are likely to be many revisions to the FNA over the first couple of years as the state fine-tunes and hones it through feedback and inquiry.
The state will be receiving copies of all completed assessments conducted on customers. You or your legal representatives may request a copy of the FNA tool at any time. The Department will be sharing when there are major changes to the tool, but state representatives have stated that the state will not be releasing information related to the scoring algorithms and may or may not share when the algorithms have been changed. There is currently an advisory group comprising stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds who will continue meeting well into the future.
You always have the right to request a new review of the assessment; brokerages are responsible for performing the assessment within 45 days of request. Higher level review details are forthcoming.
Want to Learn More?
Information changes, literally, by the hour. Oregon’s DD services have never seen such sweeping change so swiftly. Portions of this article might be out-dated within a day or two, in fact. If there are significant changes or amendments, I will note them below this article on Independence Northwest’s blog.
To help customers, families and their advocates better understand what’s happening, Independence Northwest will begin hosting a series of informational sessions at our office a couple of times a month. The sessions will cover information on the Functional Needs Assessment as well as other changes.
Scheduled Sessions:
When: Wednesday August 21st 6:30 – 8:00pm
Wednesday August 28th 6:30 – 8:00pm
Where: 541 NE 20th Avenue Suite 103, Portland
Please RSVP by calling Rachel Kroll at INW (503.546.2950) so we are sure we have ample materials and space for the presentations.
Keep an eye out for additional articles in the coming days and weeks on the K Plan, changes to guardian payment, changes to case management options, changes to the brokerage ISP (Individual Support Plan) and more.
Questions?
If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact your Personal Agent for the latest details. You may also drop me a line at larry.deal(at)independencenw.org and I’ll do my best to either answer your question or refer you to someone who can.
Changes to services come with some degree of difficulty and we recognize that some of these changes are significant. We will do all we can to share the information we receive and offer transparency and support through each transition.
Thank you for being part of the Independence Northwest and the brokerage community. We are honored to serve you.
Additional Resources
by independencenw | Jul 1, 2013 | advocacy, clackamas county, community connections, customers, history, multnomah county, resource, washington county
Six years ago today Independence Northwest became a fully-funded Oregon support services brokerage. Thank you to our founding and current board of directors, our many stellar staff members past and present, CDDP and provider partners, fellow brokerages, and customers and families for your belief, support, guidance, and partnership these past six years.
We are proud to be part of Oregon’s I/DD community and look forward to many more years with you!
by independencenw | Apr 5, 2013 | advocacy, aging into adult services, caregivers, customers
FACT (Family and Community Together), Oregon Consortium of Family Networks and the DD Coalition present “Great Expectations: Preparing for Life After School,” a workshop for students and families. It’s scheduled for May 30th, 2013 from 9am to 3pm. The event will be held at the Ambridge Event Center at 1333 NE MLK Jr Boulevard in Portland. Cost is $5 and lunch is included.
The training is for parents, students and professionals.
by independencenw | Apr 5, 2013 | aging into adult services, customers, high school transition, multnomah county
Do you have questions about school transition services after high school?
Want to learn more about the Portland Public Schools Community Transition Program?
Do you have questions about services for adults with developmental disabilities?
Want to learn more about brokerage services?
Join PPS and the five Portland metro brokerages in 2013 for an evening informational tea! We’ll do a short presentation on the transition program as well as brokerage services. The evening teas will include light refreshments and tea – and an opportunity for you to meet with PPS and brokerage staff. Get your questions answered and learn more about programs available to young adults in transition.
The fourth tea is April 17th. The event will be held at UCP Connections.Please RSVP by calling 503.916.5817. See you there!
Future events:
May 23rd, 2013 – Hosted at Community Pathways
All teas start at 6pm and end at 7:30pm
See flyer for details. Click here: PPSBrokerageInformationalTeas2013
by independencenw | Apr 4, 2013 | customers, faces of independence northwest
The Faces of Independence Northwest photo project continues with Shelby Brakken’s images of INW customer Emily, taken this week at Portland’s Lloyd Center.
by independencenw | Mar 20, 2013 | customers, faces of independence northwest
Our Faces of Independence Northwest photo project by Portland photographer Shelby Brakken continues. This time, INW customer Robert and his Personal Agent Jenny are the featured subjects.
Stay tuned. More images are coming soon. 
by independencenw | Feb 21, 2013 | customers, faces of independence northwest
Phenomenally talented Portland photographer Shelby Brakken is back with a new series of images for The Faces of Independence Northwest Project.
Check out the some of the beautiful photos she’s taken of INW customer Cherish. You’ll see more of Cherish’s images on our promotional materials, on our office walls and on our website soon.
View all of Shelby Brakken’s Faces of Independence Northwest images here.
by independencenw | Feb 16, 2013 | customers, resource
February 2013 INW Craft Night is just around the corner. Join us on Thursday, February 21st from 4:30 – 6:00. We’ll be making sun catchers, wind chimes, and mobiles this month!
Craft Night is held at the Independence Northwest office (541 NE 20th Ave., Suite 103.)
Limited space available. Feel free to bring an attendant or provider. Be sure to RSVP by calling Beri at 503.546.2950.
INW hosts Craft Nights on the 3rd Thursday of every month. We suggest a $3 donation to go toward supplies, provided by INW – however, no one will be turned away.
by independencenw | Sep 21, 2012 | abuse, customers, domestic employees, independent contractors, training
Are you currently paid to provide supports to an adult receiving brokerage services? If so, you are a Mandatory Abuse Reporter and have certain legal responsibilities. If you have reasonable cause to believe an adult with developmental disabilities has been abused, or that any person with whom you come in contact in your job has abused an adult, you must immediately report the abuse.
Abuse includes but is not limited to: abandonment, financial exploitation, involuntary seclusion, neglect, physical abuse, restraint (not approved in a behavior support plan or by doctor’s order,) sexual abuse or verbal abuse.
If you believe any of these things or another concerning/suspicious event has taken place, you must:
- Report the situation to the Community Developmental Disabilities Program in Washington, Clackamas or Multnomah counties. This is required by law.
- In addition, you must immediately file a report with local law enforcement if you believe a crime has been committed. This is required by law.
- Write an incident report and submit it to the individual’s Personal Agent at Independence Northwest. This is required per your signed service agreement with the INW customer(s) you serve.
Please note: Mandatory Abuse Reporters are not limited to reporting only potential abuse and crimes against people with developmental disabilities. Reporters must also call in any issues involving, children, seniors (people 65 and older,) people with mental health issues and people with physical disabilities. You do not need direct evidence and it is not your responsibility or role to investigate the claim, but you have a legal obligation to pick up the phone and make a report as soon as possible.
Incident Reporting
Additionally, you have a responsibility to report in writing/via phone to Independence Northwest when you have seen, heard or been told about the death of a brokerage customer; when there has been police, ambulance or fire department response; with regard to criminal referrals, medical hospitalizations, emergency room visits, psychiatric hospitalizations or any other incidents that are unusual for the individual/are of concern. You must do so within 24 hours of hearing of/witnessing the event.
When in doubt, report!
Washington County:
Business Hours: 503.846.3150
After Hours: 503.291.9111
Clackamas County:
All Hours: Report directly to Bryan Pollard: 503.557.2874
Multnomah County:
Business Hours: 503.988.3658 (Ask for Adult DD Protective Services Screener)24 Hour Crisis Line: 503.988.4888
Department of Human Services:
If you are unsure who to report adult abuse to, please call the state at1-800-232-3020
Child Abuse Reporting:
Multnomah: 800-509-5439
Washington: 800-275-8952
Clackamas: 971-673-7112
Click here to read a brochure on Mandatory Abuse Reporting in Oregon.
by independencenw | Apr 19, 2012 | customers
Mentor Oregon Brokerage Advisory Committee presents Surfing the Internet Safely, an educational forum for Brokerage customers on basic internet safety.
Topics include: Creating safe usernames, email addresses and passwords / Facebook etiquette and safety / Spotting and avoiding internet scams / Safely accessing the internet in the community
Come join us for information, snacks, and good conversation!
May 15th, 4:30-5:30PM
Mentor Oregon Brokerage
305 NE 102nd Avenue suite 350 in Portland
Space is limited to 10 participants, RSVP today to save your spot by calling Brokerage Director Katie Rose at (503)290-1956.
This educational forum is being put on by the Mentor Oregon Brokerage Advisory Group (BAG). If you are interested in learning more about the BAG, please contact Brokerage Director Katie Rose at (503)290-1956.
by independencenw | Feb 24, 2012 | customers
INW Personal Agent Rob Peace and his son Calen brimming with excitement, award in hand.
Last night, Independence Northwest was honored by fellow nonprofit Exceed Enterprises as Exceed’s Community Partner of the Year for 2012.
The award was presented by Bob Stuva as part of the 2012 Exceed Recognition Night and was accepted by INW Executive Director Larry Deal.
Special thanks to the joint INW/Exceed customers who made last night a great experience. And great appreciation goes to Donna, Bob, Ken and Vivien for their recognition and ongoing support of the brokerage community. We look forward to seeing where the future takes us.
by independencenw | Jan 19, 2012 | advocacy, clackamas county, customers
Clackamas County DD Program, as part of the DD Training Co-Op offers:
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
Presenter: Lori Thompson, MS Ed
Date: Wed., March 28, 2012
Time: 9am – 12noon
Class site: Clackamas County Public Services
2051 Kaen Rd., Oregon City, OR 97045
From I-205, Oregon City/Molalla/Park Place Exit, Right on Beavercreek (Shari’s on Left), Left on Kaen. Rd.
Course Description: These disorders are currently recorded as the leading cause of intellectual disabilities in the United States. FASD occurs in 10 per 1,000 live births. FASD is not a diagnostic term. It refers to conditions such as: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Effects, Alcohol-Relayed Neuron-Developmental Disorder and Alcohol –related birth defects. The estimated lifetime costs for one child with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome alone is $2 million. This workshop will help participants understand the damage that alcohol can have on the developing brain and provide practical strategies that are most effective when dealing with FASD within a family setting, foster home environment, group home and/or day program. Individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders present increasing challenges and often utilize a large portion of community based crisis stabilization services. This workshop is highly recommended for anyone who provides support services to individuals within the developmental disability community. The presenter, Lori Thompson, M.S. Ed, has over 30 years of experience working in the field of developmental disabilities.
Cost per registrant $25 (Co-Op member rate*) includes snacks and coffee/water
*Member agency staff, foster providers, & families of individuals in DD services get Co-Op rate, but DOUBLE for others.
Contact Robyn Hoffman at robynhof@co.clackamas.or.us or 503-557-2872 . Additional info about this and other DD Training Co-Op classes available at www.disabilitycompass.org .
by independencenw | Jan 15, 2012 | customers
Brokerage services are at serious risk, topping the Department of Human Services’ proposed cut list for the upcoming legislative session. Over the last year and a half, Oregonians with developmental disabilities have experienced serious cuts to services. In the brokerage system alone, the following cuts have occurred in just the past eighteen months:
In addition to these cuts, there have been discussions about cutting 15% of customer plan dollars. Brokerages statewide have already increased caseloads, reduced positions, reduced/frozen wages and benefits, reduced mileage reimbursement, added furlough days, reorganized and eliminated positions, reduced or eliminated training dollars and cut levels of service and supplies. Where does this next set of cuts take the brokerage system?
How You Can Help
The short legislative session is upon us, lasting just 35 days. During this critical period, legislators will make decisions about which proposed cuts occur. Let your voice be heard by telling your legislator that the DD community fought for years to create these services and will fight hard to keep them!
Starting Tuesday January 17th, 2012 through Friday January 27th, 2012, stop by the Independence Northwest office and we will assist you with:
- Determining who your legislators are
- Writing a letter to your legislators, including a photo of you and your story
- Writing and sending emails to your legislators
- Making phone calls to your legislators
- If you like, we will post your stories and your letters on our website and on Facebook! Check out The Dear Legislator Project website for sample letters and templates, links to contacting your legislators and more. Just one hour of your day can and will make a difference. The more participants, the louder our voice.We will have staff available to you from 9 to 5 each working day. We are located at 541 NE 20th Avenue Suite 103 in Portland.
Who Should Participate?
- People with developmental disabilities
- Family members of people with developmental disabilities
- Support staff
- Professionals (case managers, personal agents, teachers, administrators, independent contractors)
- Advocates
- Anyone who is concerned about Oregonians with developmental disabilities and their services!
Questions?
Email Larry Deal or Erin Graff at Independence Northwest at larry(at)independencenw.org or erin(at)independencenw.org You can send your video links, personal stories, pictures, etc. to these email addresses as well. Thanks for participating. Your efforts will make a big difference.
Learn more at The Dear Legislator Project: www.dearlegislator.org
by independencenw | Oct 6, 2011 | customers
Beginning January 1, 2011 Personal Support Workers who provide services to persons with Developmental Disabilities or Mental Health conditions have:
Access to training opportunities available through the Oregon Home Care Commission
Priority in registering for training classes for Homecare Workers and Personal Support Workers.
Access to Workers’ Compensation benefits.
If you would like to receive monthly newsletter and updates, please send your e-mail address to DD-MH.OHCC@state.or.us.
New Developmental Disability and Mental Health Committee
House Bill 3618 requires that the Home Care Commission to create a Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health Committee. The Developmental Disability and Mental Health Committee will review issues related to (but not limited to) the areas below:
1) Qualifications for Personal Support Workers;
2) Registration of Personal Support Workers;
3) Referrals for routine, emergency, and respite care;
4) Training opportunities for Personal Support Workers; and
5) Collective bargaining.
http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/spd/adv/hcc/tools_psw.shtml
by independencenw | Sep 29, 2011 | advocacy, budget cuts, community connections, customers, resource
On October 1st, somewhere between 700 and 800 people will be exited from brokerage services due to non-Medicaid status. Recently, our staff got together to create resource lists for those affected. Below are some resources that might be of use to you or someone you know.
211 – This should always be your first stop for resources in our community. This clearinghouse has a comprehensive listing of resources available to you 24/7. Check them out now!
Ride Wise – Ride Connections’ Ride Wise program teaches older adults and people with disabilities to travel independently and safely on public transportation. The services are provided at no charge for those who qualify and encompass all forms of public transportation (bus, light rail).
Independent Living Resources – ILR promotes the philosophy of Independent Living by creating opportunities, encouraging choices, advancing equal access, and furthering the level of independence for all people with disabilities.
Mint – Mint is a free money management software that will help you manage your funds so you can continue living independently.
Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation– The Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation, founded in 1959, serves as the nonprofit arm of the Lions Clubs of Oregon. Today, the Foundation continues to provide sight and hearing assistance for Oregonians in need through numerous programs that improve the quality of life of our most vulnerable members of our community.
Free Geek – Free Geek’s mission is to recycle technology and provide access to computers, the internet, education and job skills in exchange for community service.
Human Solutions – Since 1988, Human Solutions has developed a wide range of effective programs to assist families and individuals to find successful pathways out of poverty and homelessness toward self-sufficiency. Human Solutions helps families and individuals gain prosperity which in turn helps our greater community to thrive.
Impact NW – Impact Northwest’s mission is to help people achieve and maintain self-sufficiency and to prevent and alleviate the effects of poverty.
DART (Disability Assault/Abuse Response Team) – DART provides a domestic violence support group for women with developmental/cognitive disabilities. They are currently holding their meetings at the INW office. Please follow the link to learn more.
SE Works – SE Works’ mission is to strengthen the economic health and well being of our diverse southeast Portland community by facilitating successful connections between job seekers and employers.
Educate Ya – The mission of Edúcate Ya, Inc. is to foster social change, cultural integration, professionalism, and wellness education in the Latino communities. Our objective is to educate and create awareness about cultural, social, economic, and health concerns in the different Latino communities, as well as the broader community.
Latino Connections – A project of Easter Seals, LC is a grassroots employment service for employers. LC works to train, educate and motivate Latino participants focusing on employment. LC implements a holistic approach to reducing barriers to employment, fully integrating job seekers into the current workforce.
Catholic Charities – Catholic Charities Immigration Legal Services provides high quality immigration legal services to low-income immigrants and refugees, and engages in public education, training and community outreach in order to promote justice for all newcomers.
Neighborhood House – Our programs help low-income, recent-immigrant and other vulnerable people overcome challenges so they can achieve success, stability and independence.
Volunteers of America of Oregon – Our programs help individuals, families and even communities to move from instability to security, from feeling unseen and uncared for to acknowledged and affirmed and from isolation to independence.
Incight – Incight empowers people with disabilities to become contributing members of society. We accomplish this through several dynamic programs focused in the areas of: Education, Employment, Networking and Independence.
Parent to Parent – We’re a state-wide non-profit organization based in Portland, OR dedicated to making a difference in the lives of parents of children with various disabilities.
Disability Rights Oregon – Disability Rights Oregon (DRO) promotes Opportunity, Access and Choice for individuals with disabilities by assisting them with legal problems directly related to their disabilities.
Thank you to the Personal Agents of Independence Northwest for compiling this list of resources.
by independencenw | Jul 25, 2011 | budget cuts, customers
UPDATED JULY 26th 2011:
As a result of budget cuts during the 2011/2013 session, the State of Oregon Department of Human Services has instructed Independence Northwest and all other support services brokerages statewide to exit any and all customers without Medicaid from our services on October 1st.
We will exit approximately 35 – 45 people from our agency alone. Statewide, there are about 800 people who will lose services. If you aren’t on Medicaid and you need help applying, call your Personal Agent as soon as possible.
How does eliminating services for people without Medicaid/OHP save the state money?
- The state currently provides services for customers who are not Medicaid eligible solely from the state general fund budget. When a customer in services becomes eligible for Medicaid, the state can access federal funding on their behalf. If a customer is on a Medicaid waiver, the federal government funds approximately 60% of their services, therefore saving the state money.
I have a job; can I still apply for Medicaid?
- Most likely. Currently, brokerage customers can potentially access Medicaid if they have resources under $2,022.00. “Resources” means the amount of money left over in your bank account the following month after you’ve paid your bills. Your primary vehicle or home does not count as a resource. If you are an adult over the age of 18, your parents’ resources no longer count and the Medicaid worker would be considering your resources alone. There are also other incentive programs out there which help working people with disabilities qualify for Medicaid such as the Employed Persons with Disabilities (EPD) program. Ask your PA to set you up with a benefits planner to discuss your options.
I have private insurance already, why should I apply for Medicaid?
- You can keep your private insurance AND still be eligible for Medicaid. Your private insurance will remain your primary insurance benefit. In some cases, once you become eligible for Medicaid, it will even cover your premiums on your private insurance or Medicare insurance plan, saving you money! If you are a brokerage customer, having Medicaid also increases the amount of plan dollars you are eligible for. Even if you are not utilizing all the money in your plan now, you may need additional supports some day.
Who do I talk to about my options for applying for Medicaid?
- Talk to your Personal Agent. They can help direct you to the right office and can assist with the application process if needed. Sometimes it’s helpful to talk to a benefits planner beforehand to make sure you are taking advantage of all the incentive programs that might be available to you.
Helpful phone numbers:
- Benefits Planners:
- Disability Rights Oregon 503-243-2081
- Independent Living Resources 503-232-7411
- Medicaid offices
- Multnomah County ADS helpline 503-988-3646
- Clackamas County Medicaid office 503-655-8336
- Washington County DAVS office 503-846-8881
You can download a PDF version of this information here.
– Erin Graff, Assistant Director Independence Northwest
by independencenw | Jul 13, 2011 | customers
Compassion Vancouver West, a free event, will be held on Saturday, July 23, 2011 from 9am- 3pm at Washington Elementary School, 2908 S St (30th & S St) Vancouver, WA 98661.
This is a multii-service event welcoming the uninsured and underinsured members of Vancouver. The following will be provided:
- Basic medical exams
- Basic dental cleaning and emergency treatment
- Basic chiropractic exams
- Basic eye exams
- Social service fair
- Children’s activities
- Free haircuts
- Free lunch, and other services
Compassion Vancouver is a collective of local churches working together to bring health and dental care to our community that does not have access to care.
Go to the following link for more info: http://compassionvancouver.com/
Thanks to Natasha Roe for the heads up.
by independencenw | Jun 16, 2011 | customers
From The Oregonian’s Jeff Mapes:
SALEM — At the behest of Service Employees International Union, Oregon Senate budget chief Richard Devlin sought to stifle criticism of an organizing drive that added more than 7,700 workers to the union’s membership and turned it into the largest in the state.
During a drive to organize workers who help care for developmentally disabled Oregonians, Tualatin Democrat wrote a letter to officials who help employ the workers, warning them not to say anything even “mildly” critical of unionization. He also suggested that a successful union drive would help boost legislative support for services for Oregonians with developmental disabilities. .
Several officials who received the letter said it appeared Devlin tried to tip the scales in favor of the union’s expansion. Devlin said that wasn’t his intent.
Nevertheless, Devlin’s letter illustrates how closely the powerful public employee unions and supportive politicians work with each other behind the scenes. In the end, SEIU won its organizing fight. As a result, the union has now passed the Oregon Education Association to become the largest union in the state, with 60,000 members.
SEIU financially backed Devlin’s reelection last year and has been a key supporter of the Democratic legislative leadership. The union continues to work with the Legislature to expand its membership. Union lobbyists are trying to push through legislation allowing them to organize an entirely new category of community health workers expected to be created this year as part of Gov. John Kitzhaber’s drive to reduce health-care costs.
The organizing drive for workers who help care for the developmentally disabled was particularly sensitive — and unusual. Several brokerages, most of them nonprofits, help people with disabilities such as cerebral palsy or autism get the services they need to stay out of institutions and live as independently as possible. Most of the caregivers paid by the state through the brokerages are actually family members of the clients, who are technically the employers.
Devlin’s letter (reprinted below), which he sent to the brokerages, came as a surprise. While many officials said they had concerns about how unionization would affect their clients, they had not mounted any major campaign against it.
“When I read it, it sounded threatening,” said Barb Charette, executive director of the Southern Oregon Regional Brokerage. She said Devlin’s letter made it clear that he had a powerful position over the state budget and left the impression their funding could be affected if they weren’t careful about what they said about unionization.
As a result of the letter, “I’m much more cautious” in talking about the possible ramifications of unionization, said Zee Koza, board president of Eastern Oregon Support Services Brokerage. Several other people involved in the care of people with developmental disabilities said they did not want to speak on the record for fear of affecting legislative support for their programs.
In his letter, which was sent last December and obtained by The Oregonian this week, Devlin said it was a “misuse of public funds to participate in efforts meant to dissuade support service workers from exercising their collective bargaining rights. Even mildly worded communications against collective bargaining will carry disproportionate weight because of your role in providing services.”
Devlin referred to his budget position and added: “If support service workers choose to form a union, I believe they will be able to significantly strengthen our collective ability to preserve funding and enhance services.”
Devlin said he decided to send the letter after hearing that some workers were being told that joining a union “might diminish their opportunities for employment in the future” and that he didn’t want anyone “thwarting” a worker’s collective bargaining rights.
Devlin insists he wasn’t trying to tilt the playing field in favor of the union and that he wasn’t trying to gag the brokerages.
Margaret Theisen, who heads a Eugene brokerage and is president of a statewide association representing them, said she was not aware of any workers being told that unionization would threaten their employment. She said the big question was whether increased costs for a union workforce would reduce the services that could be provided to clients.
Read the entire article and see Senator Devlin’s letter to the brokerages here.
by independencenw | May 3, 2011 | advocacy, budget cuts, customers
For the last several weeks, employees of Independence Northwest have been working on an advocacy effort called The Dear Legislator Project as a response to deep cuts proposed to our services. The idea for the project is simple: Oregonians with disabilities and their supporters record short 2 – 3 minute videos directly addressing their legislators with their concerns and solutions. We’ve been recording and posting these videos on The Dear Legislator Project website and Facebook and sending them off to Representatives and Senators via email. The site has had over 2,000 unique hits in just five weeks.
A couple of weeks ago, I had an impromptu visit to my office from someone by the name of Kaaren Londahl. Karen, a woman with a developmental disability and recipient of brokerage services through a fellow agency, was accompanied by Megan, a support person from the provider organization On The Move Community Integration as well as two other folks supported by the agency.
We shuffled into the conference room, Kaaren handed me a large stack of papers and said “Larry, we have got to save our services now.” She explained that she has been receiving skills training and inclusion assistance through On The Move four days a week for the last couple of years. She had heard about the scheduled cuts and The Dear Legislator Project and wanted to be a part of the solution. She shared that she recently began visiting with friends, family, community members and businesses in her neighborhood. Kaaren explained to each person what these cuts would mean to her and to the community at large and asked them each to write a short statement to their Representative or Senator. In just a week, she had over seventy-five notes and signatures. “I went to Starbucks, Kitchen Kaboodle, my neighbors, everyone!” she says. “I just wanted to do it for everyone. It’s very important for people to have programs.”
In less than a week, Kaaren helped give voice to scores of people in her community. “My mom was an advocate and so I need to be one too, you know.” Who knows – without her efforts many of those folks may never have phoned their lawmakers, written a letter to express their concerns or raised their voice in protest of the cuts. I promised her I would forward on her concerns to her legislators and mail copies of her testimonial sheets to both Representative Lew Frederick and Senator Chip Shields.
“We can’t go backwards – we have to go frontwards,” she said. She’s right. Oregon faces the most significant cuts to developmental disabilities services we’ve ever seen.
- Brokerages are preparing to lose 10% of the money paid to employ case managers and an extension of a 10% loss to our administrative dollars on top of 100% loss of our quality assurance funding. This will result is poorer services and a weaker system.
- Brokerage customers who are without Medicaid (maybe because they are dealing with Social Security appeals or are recently diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome or Autism) will be completely dropped from our rosters on October 1st. That’s 800 Oregonians who will lose all services.
- Brokerage customers between the ages of 18 and 21 are set to lose 75% of their funding because there’s an assumption that schools will pick up the slack.
- Finally, the State is poised to cut 2,000 people from their day programs. This will reduce an already limited provider pool and remove options. Many people will likely lose their jobs and some provider agency will close their doors.
I’ve always admired the louder voices among us – folks who are willing stand on the steps of city hall and raise their voices until their faces turn red. I admire the well-spoken, those who are willing to put themselves out there for a cause and affect change through words. My problem is that I’ve got a pesky shyness that chokes me up every time I try to speak publicly. Things just don’t flow and I decided long ago that such efforts are best led by those with such gifts. The concept of The Dear Legislator Project gave me a way to get involved without being front and center. We all need forums that work for us. For some people, it’s getting up in front of hundreds of people and testifying, for others it’s recording the stories of others. For others still it’s collecting signatures and stories and concerns from neighbors and community members.
If you’ve yet to get involved, I urge you to do something this go round. We are at serious risk for significant changes to the way Oregon supports people with disabilities. Right now, we’re in the final stretch. In a couple of weeks we’ll know what will be cut and how deep.There’s still time to make a difference. Please consider sending a message to the Ways and Means Committee at waysandmeans.budget@state.or.us. Even if you just send a few lines, it sends a message.
“Fight for our programs so we can move on,” Kaaren said just the other day to me. It’s good advice. Fight – however it makes sense for you.
– Larry Deal, Executive Director of Independence Northwest
by independencenw | Apr 12, 2011 | advocacy, customers, faces of independence northwest
Shelby Brakken’s beautiful images keep coming as part of the Faces of Independence Northwest project. Check out the latest photo shoot with INW’s very first customer, Katy Kitchen.
by independencenw | Mar 25, 2011 | customers, faces of independence northwest
We’re pleased to post more stunning photographs from Shelby Brakken. Husband and wife team Mike and Lucrecia and their pets are the subjects of the third Faces of Independence Northwest photo session. Keep an eye out for more images from this beautiful session soon!
by independencenw | Mar 16, 2011 | customers
INW has just begun a new advocacy initiave, The Dear Legislator Project. Check it out here and join us!
Background
Oregonians with developmental disabilities face serious service cuts in the coming year including, but not limited to:
- Complete loss of Brokerage services for people not on Medicaid
- Complete loss of Day Program services statewide for people in comprehensive services; agencies providing these services may no longer be able to provide services to brokerage customers as a result
- An 80% reduction in total Brokerage support dollars for customers between the ages of 18 and 21 (reduction to just $300 per month in services.)
About the Project
The goal of the Dear Legislator Project is to connect people with developmental disabilities and their advocates with their local legislators via video postcards.
We all know getting to Salem and talking to legislators can be a tall order. Our hope is that this will prove to be a more accessible way of getting you and your concerns heard by your local legislator. Dear Legislator is a website that will host videos of Oregonians with disabilities, their families and their support providers. Video postcards will be available on the website, on Facebook and will be mailed directly to your local legislator!
How You Can Participate
You have a couple of options:
- You can come to Independence Northwest on one of our scheduled video days and we’ll record your video and upload/distribute it for you.
- You can upload your own video and submit it for the site and distribution.
Once your video is up, share it with everyone you know and spread the word! The more participants, the louder our voice!
Who Can Participate?
- People with developmental disabilities
- Family members of people with developmental disabilities
- Support staff
- Professionals (case managers, personal agents, teachers, administrators, independent contractors)
- Advocates
- Anyone who is concerned about Oregonians with developmental disabilities and their services!
Questions?
Email Larry Deal at Independence Northwest at larry.deal(at)independencenw.org. You can send your video links to that email address as well. Thanks for participating. Your efforts will make a big difference!
by independencenw | Mar 16, 2011 | customers, faces of independence northwest
Independence Northwest celebrated its fourth year as an Oregon nonprofit just this past December. We’ll celebrate our fourth year as a support services brokerage this summer. In recognition, we recently contracted with Shelby Brakken, an extraordinarily talented PDX photographer, to create portraits of some of our customers for use on our office walls, our website and promotional materials.
Our second subject was David. He and his Personal Agent headed out into the city with Shelby and here are the great images they came back with.
by independencenw | Feb 8, 2011 | customers
Another great shot of customer April by photographer Shelby Brakken. More faces coming soon.
by independencenw | Jan 27, 2011 | customers, faces of independence northwest, multnomah county
Independence Northwest celebrated its fourth year as an Oregon nonprofit just this past December. We’ll celebrate our fourth year as a support services brokerage this summer. In recognition, we recently contracted with Shelby Brakken, an extraordinarily talented PDX photographer, to create portraits of some of our customers for use on our office walls, our website and promotional materials.
The first subject was April, pictured above. She has been a brokerage recipient since 2003 and an INW customer since the time we opened our doors. She, her INW Personal Agent Hilary and Shelby took to the town for a series of beautiful images that perfectly capture April.
In the coming weeks, we’ll be overhauling our website and will continue to post more portraits as they’re created. If you’d like to see more photos of April out and about Portland, check out Shelby’s blog here.
Stay tuned.
