by independencenw | Jul 27, 2009 | caregivers, customers, health care, homelessness, independent contractors, providers, resource
The Rose City Resource is a publication of Street Roots and is the most comprehensive, updated list of services for people experiencing homelessness and poverty in Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties. There’s tons of information on food boxes, clothing, counseling services, legal services and more.
by independencenw | Sep 22, 2008 | caregivers, customers, family support plans, independent contractors, provider organizations, providers, resource, training, Turning 18
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.
by independencenw | Sep 2, 2008 | base plus, caregivers, customers, domestic employees, independent contractors, policy, provider organizations, providers, rate increase, Turning 18
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.
by independencenw | Sep 2, 2008 | aging into adult services, asperger syndrome, autism, caregivers, cerebral palsy, customers, domestic employees, independent contractors, provider organizations, providers, resource, traumatic brain injury (tbi), Turning 18
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.
by independencenw | Aug 13, 2008 | aging into adult services, caregivers, customers, domestic employees, independent contractors, policy, providers, social security, taxes
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.
by independencenw | Aug 9, 2008 | aging into adult services, asperger syndrome, autism, caregivers, cerebral palsy, customers, domestic employees, epilepsy, family support plans, independent contractors, provider organizations, providers, training, traumatic brain injury (tbi), Turning 18
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.
by independencenw | Aug 9, 2008 | caregivers, customers, domestic employees, family support plans, independent contractors, providers, Turning 18
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.
by independencenw | Aug 9, 2008 | aging into adult services, caregivers, customers, domestic employees, independent contractors, providers, training, Turning 18
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.
by independencenw | Aug 2, 2008 | aging into adult services, family support plans, providers, Turning 18
Are you set to turn eighteen soon?
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.
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).