In November and December 2014, Independence Northwest will be offering a series of forums: Brokerage 101: A Primer on Support Services. The forums are designed for people new to brokerage services – whether just recently referred (in the last year) or considering their options for in-home and community-based supports. You’ll learn where brokerages come from, what we do, and what to expect from our services. These presentations are perfect for students in transition and their families! Topics include: eligibility, funding, the K Plan, the Adult Needs Assessment, case management services, support service options, provider options, person-centered planning, supported employment, and more!
Join us to have your questions answered!
WHEN
Thursday, November 13th from 5:30 – 7:00 PM
Tuesday, December 16th from 5:30 – 7:00 PM
WHERE
Independence Northwest
919 NE 19th Avenue Suite 275 in Portland
RSVP by calling 503.546.2950 or emailing bcooper@independencenw.org. (Space is limited to 30 per session.)
Please join us for Craft Night on Tuesday May 13th, 2014 at Independence Northwest. We suggest a $3 donation, but no one will be turned away. Our office is located at 541 NE 20th Avenue Suite 103 in Portland. You may RSVP by calling 503.546.2950 or emailing Rachel at rachel@independencenw.org.
Please note: if you require support to participate, please bring someone to assist you. Providers may be paid via brokerage funds to provide disability-related support.
Seats are filling up very fast this month! Our March 12th forum is at capacity, but there’s still space for our March 26th evening session. Save your space by calling Rachel at 503.546.2950 or emailing rkroll@independencenw.org. Lots of developments this month. We look forward to seeing you there.
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!
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
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 third tea is March 20th. The event will be held at Inclusion Inc. Please RSVP by calling 503.916.5817. See you there!
Future events:
Apr 17th, 2013 – Hosted at UCP Connections
May 23rd, 2013 – Hosted at Community Pathways
Write Around Portland is hosting a FREE Community Writing Workshop at Independent Living Resources in NE Portland.
Explore the power of writing and community in a safe, respectful and creative environment. Writing journals, pens and light snack provided. Bus tickets may be available for those who qualify. Priority registration given to individuals who have not previously participated in a Write Around Portland workshop.
MONDAYS – 1:30 – 3:30
10 WEEKS: September 24 to December 3, 2012
(Note: ILR is closed on Nov 12th, so no workshop that day)
Socializing Colorfully: A Group For Adults with Developmental Disabilities who are Persons of Color Starts January 27 (REGISTER BY JANUARY 20th!)
WHAT: Socializing Colorfully is open to all community members of varied ethnicities with diagnosed developmental disabilities who wish to expand their support network and gain a greater sense of cultural pride. Through friendship-building community activities and social opportunities, the program will help to alleviate the social isolation and discrimination experienced by persons of color who have developmental disabilities. The group invites the participation of families and caregivers.
Socializing Colorfully is led by Deborah Waggoner, Community Support Specialist for On-the-Move. Ms. Waggoner is the parent of an African-American woman with Down’s Syndrome, and knows first-hand the real life challenges associated with being a person of color who must navigate disability social services. As a long-time advocate in our community, she has the knowledge, sensitivity and experience to help group members forge a deeper sense of cultural pride, improve support networks and become better informed citizens!
WHERE: On-the-Move Community Integration
4187 SE Division Street
Portland, Oregon 97202
Contact: On-the-Move Community Integration
503.287.0346
info@onthemoveonline.org
WHEN:
Sessions take place the last Friday of each month
Registration Deadline for the First Session: January 20, Space is Limited
Presented by: On-the-Move Community Integration
Supporting adults with special needs in accessing healthful, meaningful,
and environmentally responsible activities in their community.
More info here: http://onthemoveonline.wordpress.com/2011/11/23/get-ready-for-2012-reading-program-and-socializing-colorfully-start-the-new-year-off-right/
The Mallory Avenue Church of Christ, Piedmont Church of Christ and Agape Church of Christ are reaching out to the community and invites you to come and have a meal with them! They are offering a free traditional Thanksgiving meal this Saturday at 1pm and are eager to get to know you, talk about your concerns and pray for a change and healing.
Join them at the Mallory Avenue Church of Christ – 3908 NE Mallory Avenue in Portland, Oregon. (Located at the corner of NE Mallory Ave.& Failing St. across from the Mallory Court Apartments)
Saturday, November 19th from 1pm – 4pm
Free dinner, prayer and fellowship
Questions? Contact Frederick or Tresa Berry at 503.285.5195.
Thanks to INW’s own Tresa Berry for this resource.
The City of Portland and Multnomah County fund year-round, winter, and severe weather emergency shelter. There are also privately-funded organizations that provide shelter services. There are 640 emergency shelter beds and 27 family spaces available year-round.
Winter shelter is available from November 1-March 31, unless otherwise indicated below. An additional 291 beds are available during the winter season, which includes winter shelter for men (146 beds), women (85 beds), and families (60 beds).
Severe weather emergency shelter is also available when the City declares a Severe Weather Notice, based on temperatures at 25 degrees Fahrenheit or below for several nights in a row, or other life-threatening weather conditions. When severe weather is declared, up to 250 additional beds may be made available for homeless persons.
Click either link below for additional shelter information:
SAVE THE DATE: 11/22/11. Announcing the 2nd Annual Portland Public Schools Transition Resource Fair.Please join us as we partner with dozens of organizations to help bring you a resource fair for transition-aged individuals and their families. Please pass this on to your networks. We look forward to seeing you at the fair!
Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011 12 noon to 7pm
Community Transition Center at Green Thumb
6801 SE 60th Avenue (just south of Duke)
Travel Tip: Bus #19 runs on Duke Street
The resource fair is for transition aged youth (14 – 21), families, special educators, professionals and transition specialists in Multnomah County. You’ll learn about resources and services available throughout the community. It’s an opportunity to make connections, ask questions and explore opportunities.
Exhibitors and Speakers include:
ADVOCACY:
Oregon RISE
211 Info
IEP Partners
Safety Zone
SPEAC Advisory Council
Oregon First
Disability Compass
Disability Rights Oregon
Autism Society of Oregon
SEPTAP (Special Education PTA of Portland)
BENEFITS:
Brokerages (Independence Northwest, Community Pathways, UCP Connections, Inclusion Inc., Mentor Oregon)
Multnomah County Aging and Disability Services
Social Security Administration
Multnomah County Housing
EDUCATION:
Portland Community College: Culinary Program
Portland Community College: Skills Center
Portland Community College: Disability Services
Incight
RECREATION:
Trips Inc.
Portland Parks and Rec
Vibe Dance Troupe
Off the Couch
Club Impact
EMPLOYMENT:
Ticket to Work Program
Vocational Rehabilitation
Portland Habilitation Center (PHC)
CTP Vocational Training
DePaul Project Search
SERVICE PROVIDERS:
Full Life
RideWise
Art from the Heart
Project Grow (info only)
On the Move Community Integration
Independent Living Program (The Inn)
20 – 30 MINUTE PRESENTATIONS ON:
– Community Transition Program
– Transition Requirements
– Aging and Disability Services
– Social Security Benefits
– Brokerage Basics
– Parent Panel
– Student Panel
– Work Incentives
Please join us! And pass this on to anyone you believe might be interested. We look forward to seeing you at the fair.
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 withShelby 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.
TheDowntown Compassion Connect Clinicinvites you to a FREE CLINIC providing Medical, Dental, Vision, Social Services and more on September 18th from 9am – 3pm at the Portland Memorial Coliseum. Other services offered include bicycle repair, haircuts, chiropractic and a clothing bank.
Doors open at 9am
The Downtown Compassion Connect Clinicis focused on providing basic medical, dental, vision exams to meet the needs of the residents in the Central City and downtown Portland neighborhoods. They focus on people who do not have insurance or have enough insurance to cover needed services.
Free parking at the Garden Garage courtesy the Portland Trail Blazers.
During the school year, thousands of Oregon children depend on free or reduced price meals each day. However, when school ends for the year, so does this important resource. The Summer Food Service Program is meant to help fill that nutritional gap.
Funding for meals is provided by the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Summer Food Service Program. All open sites are located in neighborhoods that USDA considers high need areas. However, no application or proof of income is needed to participate, and all children are welcome!
The Summer Food Service Program for Children (SFSP) was created by Congress in 1968. It is designed to provide funds for eligible organizations to serve nutritious meals to low-income children when school is not in session.
Portland Rescue Mission is opening its Burnside Shelter at 111 W. Burnside as a cooling center. Movies and beverages in an air-conditioned environment will be provided 1 to 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Hollywood Senior Center, 1820 N.E. 40th Ave., will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday. Movie, beverages and snacks at 5:30 p.m. Free transportation through Ride Connection. Call (503) 288-8303 or (503) 988-3646 to schedule a ride.
The Salvation Army Rose Center for Seniors will be extending its hours through Thursday, opening at 8 a.m. and closing at 8 p.m. at 211 N.E. 18th Ave. near downtown Portland. It’s offering “fun activities, light snacks and lots of water” and can be reached at (503) 239-1221.
The City of Fairview will open up Fairview City Hall as a cooling center from noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. Children must be accompanied by an adult; animals are prohibited. Fairview City Hall is at 1300 N.E. Village Street in downtown Fairview, about 2 miles west of Troutdale off Interstate 84. Call (503) 674-6224 with questions.
Greater Gresham Baptist Church is opening its sanctuary up as a Gresham Area Cooling Center. The church is at 3848 N.E. Division Street in Gresham and will stay open until 9 p.m. and possibly later. Call (503) 667-1515 for further details.
The Oregon Human Society’s Animal Medical Learning Center will host a pet-friendly cooling center through Sunday, Aug 2, during normal shelter hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. Pets must be accompanied by their owners at all times. Pet drop offs are not allowed; pet crates are encouraged. The address is 1067 N.E. Columbia Blvd., just inside the Oregon Humane Society’s main shelter entrance. Call (503) 285-7722 or visit www.OregonHumane.org for further details.
Clark County:
New extended hours: Clark County Fire District 6 will open the Felida Fire Station as a cooling center from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The station is at 11600 N.W. Lakeshore Ave. in Vancouver. C-TRAN will transport people there; riders need to board Route 9/Felida and ask the driver to drop them at the fire station on Lakeshore Avenue – as it is not a regular stop on the route.
The Human Services Council of Southwest Washington will provide door-to-door service to the Clark County Fire District 6 Cooling Center. The home pickup service is for low-income people and those with disabilities who need assistance in finding transportation. Rides are limited, so if you know you’ll need one you should call as soon as possible. Ride reservation lines are (360) 258-2103 or (360) 735-5746.
Battle Ground Community Center, 912 E. Main Street in Fairgrounds Park, will be open for books, magazines, board games and children’s activities from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Contact Battle Ground Parks & Recreation Department at (360) 342-5380 for more information on this center.
East County Fire and Rescue will open their firehouse as a cooling center on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Station 91 is located at 600 N.E. 267th Avenue, Fern Prairie, next to Grove Airfield.
Clackamas County:
Portable, electric fans may be available for loan to families through the Wilsonville Community Center. The Clackamas County Energy Assistance Program also has fans available for low-income households free of charge. People in need of a fan can call its energy assistance line at (503) 650-5640; Spanish speakers can call (503) 650-5766. Additionally,
Wilsonville Public Library at 8200 S.W. Wilsonville Road will remain open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday for cooling, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. thereafter. The library will be closed Thursday. Water is available, no pets allowed, handicapped accessible.
Water features in Town Center Park at the Visitors Center and Murase Plaza will be left on until 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday.
The Wilsonville Community Center at 7965 S.W. Wilsonville Road is “remaining cool and always a place for folks to spend the day,” reports Dan Knoll, spokesman for the City of Wilsonville. Coffee, tea and water are “always available,” he said. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Lake Grove Presbyterian Church at 4040 Sunset Drive in Lake Grove has water and ice tea available. Pets are allowed but restricted to shady area outside. Operating hours are 1 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday.
Damascus Community Church at 14251 S.E. Rust Way in Damascus will be open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Water is available and pets are allowed in carriers. This facility is handicap accessible.
Lower Highland Bible Church at 24333 S. Ridge Road in Beavercreek will be open 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday.
Eagle Creek Fire Station at 32200 S.E. Judd Road in Eagle Creek will be open from 1 to 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Lake Oswego Adult Community Center at 505 “G” Ave. in Lake Oswego will serve as a cooling center from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on week days, and after hours and on the weekend by calling (503) 635-3758. Staff will open the Center for as long as needed.
Sandy Community/Senior Center at 38348 Pioneer Blvd. in Sandy will be open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Handicapped accessible.
Oswego Place Assisted Living, 17450 Pilkington Road, Lake Oswego; open Wednesday through Sunday as cooling center.
Washington County:
In the City of Hillsboro there are several cooling centers open for residents, including:
Tyson Recreation Center, 1880 N.E. Griffin Oaks St. in Hillsboro will be open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Hillsboro Senior Center, 750 S.E. Eighth Ave., will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Hillsboro Main Library, 2850 Brookwood Parkway, will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday.
Shute Park Branch Library, 775 S.E. 10th Ave., will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday.
West Police Precinct, 250 S.E. 10th Ave., will serve as a cooling station from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday
The following Hillsboro churches also will be open this week for those needing a respite from the heat:
Sonrise Church, 6701 N.E. Campus Drive, open from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.
Westport Church, 20085 N.W. Tanasbourne Drive, open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
Children must be accompanied by an adult at the Hillsboro cooling centers specifically. For recorded location and hour information for Hillsboro cooling stations call (503) 681-5295.
Assisted living center opens its doors as cooling center through Sunday:
Warren Community Fellowship Church at 56253 Columbia River Highway, open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday. Call Columbia River Fire and Rescue at (503) 397-2990 for more information.
Marion County:
Silverton Hospital has set up two cooling center sites: one at the Silver Falls Library, 410 S. Water Street, and one at Silver Creek Fellowship, 822 Industry Way. Both are open 10 a.m. to dusk starting Thursday.
CASH Oregon is a community-based nonprofit organization committed to improving the financial health of working individuals and families. We provide free tax preparation for Clackamas, Washington, and Multnomah counties in partnership with AARP Tax-Aide. CASH Oregon seeks to help low-income families and individuals in the tri-county area from every community and background. Through aggressive Earned Income Tax Credit outreach and free tax preparation with AARP Tax-Aide and financial advocacy, we provide families and individuals with the tools and resources to begin building solid financial futures.
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.
The Portland Police Bureau Disability Accommodation Registry is a voluntary registry for people with developmental, mental health or physical disabilities who may have difficulty communicating their needs to an officer because of an acute crisis or a continuing disability. The Disability Accommodation Registry has been a Portland Police Bureau program since 1996.
Who can register
Individuals with mental health, developmental or physical disabilities, or their legal guardian, may register for the program:
If you have a disability and you are your own guardian. If you feel there are times when you may be unable to tell a police officer about your disability, you are encouraged to register.
Legal guardians can register individuals who may have difficulty communicating with police.
Parents can register minor children who are eligible for the program.
Why register
By participating in the DAR program, you are sharing important information with law enforcement that can enable them to better assist you or someone you are responsible for. Here are two examples where DAR information is extremely helpful:
If a DAR participant gets lost in the community, the officer can use the emergency contact information to locate the participant’s support system.
If a DAR participant is in a crisis situation, the officer can get more information about their particular needs.
You will need a contact person (family member, caseworker, caregiver, doctor or other) to sign the form as a witness to your informed consent. You must have another person sign on the “Witness” line.
Have your contact person fill out the “Contact Information.”
Attach a certified copy of the guardianship papers to the completed DAR form. Guardianship papers must be sent in each year, even if the person has been registered in the past. Parents registering minor children do not need to send proof of guardianship.
You will need to sign on the guardian signature line. No witness signature is necessary with guardian signature.
How frequently do you have to register
Registrations are updated annually. A new form must be completed every year in order to continue as a participant in the DAR. A reminder letter and new form are sent to registrants each year. You may withdraw from the registry or change your information at any time.
Can you still be arrested if you register with the DAR
Registration in the program will not prevent anyone from being arrested if a crime has been committed. However, DAR information allows police and jail personnel access to pertinent information regarding the registrant’s special needs.
How information is used
DAR information is entered into the Portland Police Data System. When an officer comes in contact with a person who has signed up for the DAR, and their name is entered into the officer’s computer system, the name comes back noting they are a participant in the DAR and provides the officer with the information you provided on the registration form.
All information in this system is governed by Oregon Public Records law applying to the Portland Police Data System. Information will be released to public agencies for public agency purposes.
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.
Independence Northwest is partnering with the three other Portland metro area brokerages, Mentor Oregon, Inclusion Inc. and The Arc Brokerage Services to bring you the 2009 Metro Area Resource Fair. There will be barbecue food, games and most importantly vendors and resources for you and your family to check out. This is a great opportunity to meet other community members and expand your knowledge of the local DD community and its resources.
A mailer has gone out to all customers of the four brokerages hosting this event.
Resource Fair Time 1:00pm to 5:00pm
Where: Kaiser Permanente Town Hall – 3704 N. Interstate Ave, Portland
BBQ Time: 2:00pm to 6:00pm
Overlook Park (directly across the street)
Another great resource from our friends at 
Building Relationships Through Giving Thanks!
The City of Portland and Multnomah County fund year-round, winter, and severe weather emergency shelter. There are also privately-funded organizations that provide shelter services. There are 640 emergency shelter beds and 27 family spaces available year-round.
The
From 
KATU’s current list of cooling centers in the metro area:
CASH Oregon
Ever wondered what services are available beyond your own county? Check out the 
Last Friday, the metro area brokerages (
Independence Northwest is partnering with the three other Portland metro area brokerages, Mentor Oregon, Inclusion Inc. and The Arc Brokerage Services to bring you the 2009 Metro Area Resource Fair. There will be barbecue food, games and most importantly vendors and resources for you and your family to check out. This is a great opportunity to meet other community members and expand your knowledge of the local DD community and its resources.