by independencenw | Aug 31, 2009 | asperger syndrome, assistive devices, autism, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, reports, resource
Via USA Today
Leslie Clark and her husband have been trying to communicate with their autistic 7-year-old son, JW, for years, but until last month, the closest they got was rudimentary sign language.
He’s “a little bit of a mini-genius,” Clark says, but like many autistic children, JW doesn’t speak at all.
Desperate to communicate with him, she considered buying a specialized device like the ones at his elementary school in Lincoln, Neb. But the text-to-speech machines are huge, heavy and expensive; a few go for $8,000 to $10,000.
Then a teacher told her about a new application that a researcher had developed for, of all things, the iPhone and iPod Touch. Clark drove to the local Best Buy and picked up a Touch, then downloaded the “app” from iTunes.
Total cost: about $500.
A month later, JW goes everywhere with the slick touch-screen mp3 player strapped to his arm. It lets him touch icons that voice basic comments or questions, such as, “I want Grandma’s cookies” or “I’m angry — here’s why.” He uses his “talker” to communicate with everyone — including his service dog, Roscoe, who listens to voice commands through the tiny speakers.
It’s a largely untold story of Apple’s popular audio devices.
It is not known how many specialized apps are out there, but Apple touts a handful on iTunes, among them ones that help users do American Sign Language and others like Proloquo2Go, which helps JW speak.
The app also aids children and adults with Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and Lou Gehrig’s Disease, or ALS — even stroke patients who have lost the ability to speak, says its co-developer, Penn State doctoral student Samuel Sennott.
Using the iPhone and Touch allows developers to democratize a system that has relied on devices that were too expensive or difficult to customize, Sennott says. “I love people being able to get it at Best Buy,” he says. “That’s just a dream.”
He also says that for an autistic child, the ability to whip out an iPhone and talk to friends brings “this very hard-to-quantify cool factor.”
Sennott won’t give out sales figures for the $149.99 app but says they’re “extremely brisk.”
Ronald Leaf, director of Autism Partnership, a private California-based agency, says he prefers to help autistic children such as JW learn how to navigate their world without gadgets. “If we could get children to talk without using technology, that would be our preference,” he says.
Clark says the app has changed her son’s life.
“He’s actually communicating,” she says. “It’s nice to see what’s going on in his head.”
Among the revelations of the past month: She now knows JW’s favorite restaurant. “I get to spend at least every other day at the Chinese buffet.”
by independencenw | Aug 31, 2009 | advocacy, caregivers, community connections, customers, resource
Via Oregon YTP
October 15, 2009
4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The Doubletree Hotel
1000 NE Multnomah Street
Portland, OR
Join family, friends and colleagues at Connecting Communities 2009 as we celebrate this October as National Disability Awareness Month. Headlined by national speaker Olegario “Ollie” Cantos VII(LinkedIN/BIO), Connecting Communities 2009 celebrates all people living in our community – regardless of age or ability. Ken Boddie (BIO), a KOIN Channel 6 anchor, will emcee the event.
It is our intention that this event will be the catalyst to create a powerful coalition of community partners who represent and advocate with and for those with disabilities. Please look out for our first community meeting which we will convene in mid-November.
Featured Activities:
* Dance performance by the Disability Art & Culture Project
* Musical performance by Jeremy Doney
* Storytelling by writer and narrator, Choi Marquardt
* Presentation of City of Portland’s 2009 “Making a Difference” awards
* Unveiling of City of Portland’s new Commission on Disabilities
* Interactive showcase of assistive technologies
* Fundraising for the “Returning Veterans Project”
For more information visit: http://www.phcnw.com/cc09/
by independencenw | Aug 31, 2009 | asperger syndrome, autism, caregivers, resource
Via The Oregonian
A Portland woman who sees a void in Oregon education is starting a private school for students with neurological differences such as autism and attention deficit disorder.
Sameera Abdulaziz’s metro-area school would serve a select student population and combine academics with therapeutic intervention to help students make decisions and learn how to interact with others.
Abdulaziz, 29, a doctoral student in clinical psychology, plans to open River City Academy in fall 2010. The school has nonprofit status.
The high numbers of students with autism and other disorders support a local presence, she said. There are few private schools in the metro area that cater to students with special needs and learning disabilities.
More than 7,000 Oregon students have autism, which is 10 times the amount a decade ago. Nearly 49,000 of Oregon’s 88,000 schoolchildren in special education programs have learning disabilities or speech and language impairments. One in eight Oregon students receives special education services.
“I really want to help the students who are struggling in traditional schools,” Abdulaziz said. During her master’s program, she began thinking of opening a school for students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and other learning disabilities, though the focus later changed.
Federal law requires school districts to serve students with special education needs, although the programs vary.
Some districts, including Portland and Beaverton, offer programs at select schools to serve certain students, including those with autism spectrum disorder, attention disorders or behavior disorders. Most districts strive to be inclusive so that special-needs students spend much of their day with the general student population.
River City Academy For more details, visit www.rivercityacademyportland.org or call 503-380-7285. The Monarch School’s Web site is www.monarchschool.org.
River City Academy will be modeled after the Monarch School in Houston, which opened in 1998 and serves 100 students. Abdulaziz has signed a contract with Monarch School to replicate its program.
Abdulaziz found Monarch on the Internet when she was refining her school’s focus. She said the program attracted her because it was a therapeutic model that could be offered during the day instead of as a boarding school. She also liked how “the children changed as people.”
“Our main goal is how they have changed emotionally, how they have been able to create relationships with other students,” Abdulaziz said.
Abdulaziz has never worked in a school. She earned her master’s degree in education administration from Portland State University and is pursuing a doctorate degree with Walden University, an online program.
River City’s tuition will be about $30,000 for early intervention students ages 4 to 6, with lower fees for older students. The school hopes to attract 20 or more students from early childhood to the high school level for its first year.
Students would have individualized learning plans and work at their own pace along with a staff psychologist and speech pathologist. Students could feel comfortable in the setting because they all have special education needs, Abdulaziz said.
Central goals of the curriculum are developing basic skills and decision-making techniques.
In public schools, the thought is to integrate students as much as possible into classes and with their peers, said Joshua Fritts, a Beaverton School District assistant special education director.
“By making sure from day one that there are interactions in the mainstream, kids are part of their community,” Fritts said.
Patrick Maguire, director of Thomas Edison High School in Beaverton, said a new metro-area school would add choices. The 80-student private high school serves students with learning differences including dyslexia, attention deficit disorder and auditory processing disorders.
“We’re turning away kids from our program,” Maguire said. “We need more options.”
Maguire added that one of his concerns about River City’s initial size is that students wouldn’t get enough social interaction with others their age.
River City is funded by private investors during its planning year. It is still raising money to send teachers, a psychologist and speech pathologist to Houston to train with the Monarch staff for a year.
School planners eventually want to add a diagnostic clinic to serve the community and create a Life Academy program for students to practice skills such as food preparation.
River City Academy “is not just going to be a school, but part of the community,” Abdulaziz said.
— Melissa Navas; melissanavas@news.oregonian.com
by independencenw | Aug 31, 2009 | advocacy, aging into adult services, asperger syndrome, autism, parenting, resource
Kristinachew.com – Kristina Chew is a Classics professor, mother of a 12-year-old son, Charlie, who’s on the moderate to severe end of the autism spectrum, a translator and teacher of Latin and ancient Greek and a blogger, formerly at My Son Has Autism/Autismland (2006-2008), Autism Vox (2006-08) and Change.org (2008-09). She’s currently writing a book about life on the long road with Charlie.
Parenting and Teaching Kids with Aspergers – A comprehensive site with resources, suggestions and support for parents and teachers of individuals with Asperger Syndrome.
Wrong Planet – A web community designed for individuals (and parents of those) with Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, ADHD, PDDs, and other neurological differences. We provide a discussion forum, where members communicate with each other, an article section, with exclusive articles and how-to guides, a blogging feature, and a chatroom for real-time communication with other Aspies.
by independencenw | Aug 28, 2009 | reports, resource
Each year, 5-20% of the worldwide population will become ill with influenza. In the United States, influenza and its complications cause an average of 36,000 deaths and 226,000 hospitalizations, as well as countless hours of missed work and medical expenses. Influenza often leads to secondary infections such as pneumococcal pneumonia. Children, newborn through 5 years, are at an especially high risk of complications, as are people over 65 years and those of any age with reduced immune systems.
Prevention of influenza requires a two-pronged attack:
1. Reduce transmission of the virus
- Frequent hand washing
- Cover sneezes and coughs
- Stay home when you’re sick
- Clean work and household surfaces often
- Wear a mask if you have a compromised immune system
- Ask your family, friends, and health providers to get a flu vaccination
2. Reduce susceptibility to the virus
- Get an annual influenza vaccination
- Get plenty of sleep
- Exercise and eat well
- Manage any chronic conditions
More resources here at www.flu.oregon.gov.
by independencenw | Aug 28, 2009 | caregivers, customers, domestic employees, employment, high school transition, independent contractors, policy, providers, resource
One of the most common questions we hear at brokerages is “What can I use my support services funds for?”
Each customer enrolled in a brokerage has a certain benefit level (an amount of support services funds to which they are entitled and may use to purchase needed services). Before any support services funds can be accessed, we first must look for natural supports in the community. This means we look to services like Vocational Rehabilitation, school districts, the Oregon Health Plan, Independent Living Resources and other organizations who offer services to individuals with disabilities first. This allows for maximum benefit to you, the customer and ensures the appropriate use of brokerage services, a taxpayer funded program.
All services purchased with Support Services dollars are what is known as a “social benefit”. A social benefit is a service “solely intended to assist an individual with disabilities to function in society on a level comparable to that of an individual…who does not have a disability”. The benefit can never:
- Duplicate services and benefits otherwise available to citizens, regardless of disability (such as paying for a college class since people with or without disabilities must pay college tuition.)
- Provide financial assistance with food, shelter or clothing
- Replace any other service that is available elsewhere in the community (also known as “natural supports”) like Vocational Rehabilitation or services from a school district
- Exceed the amount in the authorized Individual Support Plan.
To read more about specific types of support services options, check out the list below. Your Personal Agent can assist you with better understanding services available to you.
Chore Services
Community Inclusion Supports
Community Living Supports
Environmental Accessibility Adaptations
Family Training
Homemaker Services
Occupational Therapy
Personal Emergency Response Systems
Physical Therapy
Respite Care
Special Diet
Specialized Medical Equipment and Supplies
Specialized Supports
Speech and Language Therapy
Supported Employment
Transportation
by independencenw | Aug 28, 2009 | customers, provider organizations, providers, resource
Are you considering a provider organization as a provider of support services? Provider organizations are private organizations certified through the Department of Human Services Licensing Unit. These agencies provide an array of services from site-based activities to supported employment, from community-based skills building to respite for caregivers. Below is a list of provider organizations you might consider. If you find yourself interested in learning more about one of these organizations, contact your Personal Agent here at Independence Northwest.
by independencenw | Aug 26, 2009 | resource
Full Life, a local provider organization is hosting a Saturday Game Night on the 29th. Admission is $2. Full Life is located at 3331 NE Sandy in Portland.
For more information on Full Life click here.
by independencenw | Aug 24, 2009 | aging into adult services, autism, caregivers, cerebral palsy, clackamas county, community connections, customers, domestic employees, employment, high school transition, independent contractors, multnomah county, provider organizations, providers, resource, training, washington county
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.
211
Autism Society of Oregon
Bridges to Independence
Child Development and Rehab Center
DePaul Industries
Disability Accomodation Registry and Safety Zone
Disability Compass
Disability Rights Oregon Work Incentives Program
Disabilty Rights Oregon Help America Vote Act Project
Eastco
Edwards Center
Families Supporting Independent LivingGenerations X and Y
Good Shepherd Communities
Goodwill Industries
Happy Trails Riding Center
Independent Police Review
Making Magic Tours
Mentored Learning
Multnomah County Aging and Disability Services
NAMI Multnomah
Off The Couch Activity Night
On the Move
Oregon Office on Disability and Health
PASS
Port City/Project Grow
Portland Community College, Culinary Assistant Program
Quiet Waters Outreach
Ridewise
SDRI
Self Advocates As Leaders
Special Olympics Oregon
The Companion Program/Adventures Without Limits
TNT Management Resources
Trips Inc
*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.
by independencenw | Aug 24, 2009 | caregivers, customers, resource, washington county
Lifespan Respite of Washington County is a community-based network of accessible respite care services. Lifespan helps Washington County families and caregivers who serve individuals with special needs, regardless of age. It helps caregivers find temporary relief from the demands of providing ongoing care through referral to respite care services in their community. Please call 503-640-3489.
Services are provided without regard to income, race, ethnicity, special needs or situation.
- Information and Education
- Physical and Emotional Support
- Time Away for Caregiving Demands
- Help to find Available Services
Note:
- 1 out of every 4 households in the U.S. provide care for a loved one
- 23.5% (around 1.2 million) caregivers spend approximately 27 hours a week caring for a loved one
- 12.3% (around 3 million) households give 40 or more hours per week to caregiving duties
For more information about Lifespan Respite, please call 503-640-3489.
What is Respite Care and Who Needs It?
Respite care is temporary, short-term care for an individual with special needs. Respite care is provided in order to give the caregiver a short-term break from the extraordinary demands of providing ongoing care.
Many caregivers face health and emotional problems because of these demands. Respite provides families and caregivers with the relief they need to remain healthy. It helps families stay together and continue to provide quality at-home care.
History
In July 1997 the Oregon legislature unanimously passed House Bill 2013. The law established the Oregon Lifespan Respite Care Program as part of the Oregon Department of Human Services Community Partnership Team. Lifespan’s mission was to help counties develop community-based Lifespan Respite Care Network chapters.
Benefits of Respite Care to the Caregiver
Relaxation – Provides peace of mind, helps them relax and renews their energy
Enjoyment -Allows them to enjoy favorite pastimes and pursue new activities
Stability – Helps to cope with daily responsibilities and maintain stability during crisis
Preservation -Lessens the pressures that might lead to institutionalization, divorce, neglect or abuse
Involvement -Allows people to become involved in community activities and to feel less isolated
Time-off – Allows people to take that needed vacation, spend time together and time alone
Enrichment – Makes it possible for people to strengthen individual identities and enrich their own growth
Lifespan Respite Benefits to the Community
- Single point of contact to access community respite resources
- Interagency cooperation and communication
- More families stay together by reducing out-of-home placements
- Reduces abuse and neglect cases
How Can You Become A Part of Lifespan Respite?
- Call us if you, or someone you know, are in need of respite care at 503-640-3489
- Refer potential respite care providers to us for more information
- Donate time and/or money to support families in need of respite care
- Invite us to visit and share information at your workplace, religious, social or service organization
by independencenw | Aug 24, 2009 | advocacy, customers, reports, resource, training
People First Connection is a a quarterly newsletter produced by and for self advocates. “The voice of self advocacy in Oregon.” Published by Self Advocates As Leaders.
Spring 2009 People First Connection
Download: Spring 2009 People First Connection (PDF: 444 KB)
by independencenw | Aug 24, 2009 | caregivers, independent contractors, provider organizations, providers, resource, training
September 25, 2009 – Supporting Individuals with Sexual Offending Behaviors
Presented by Jim Haaven, MA, Portland, Oregon & Steve Mussack, PhD, Eugene, Oregon
Jim Haaven will open with a discussion around best practices – evidenced based approaches including (but not limited to):
* Importance of sexual awareness training
* Effective teaming for “wrap around” support
* Risk management tools
* Supervision.
Steve Mussack will follow with recommendations for direct support staff and programs focusing on therapeutic practices on the milieu, increasing communication between program and therapy, and methods for support providers to feel supported. A panel presentation will be facilitated by Dr Mussack. The panel discussion will focus on community integration, job placement, legal issues, and overcoming neighborhood mentality.
Host: OTAC – Oregon Technical Assistance Corporation
3886 Beverly Avenue NE
Suite I-21
Salem, OR 97305
Phone: 503-364-9943
Fax: 503-364-1939
Check in at 8:00 am
8:30 to 4:30
Lunch on your own (11:30 – 12:30)
The ONLY local site for this video conference: Oregon State Office Building, 800 NE Oregon St., Portland (45 seats available) **There is no registration fee for this training series** Registration: ** There is no registration fee for this training** Complete 1 registration for each participant by the following method:
To register to attend this training, please visit our website at <http://www.otac.org/gro/training-registration?template=gro>.
If you are registering five (5) or more people, please send an email to Jessica at jkaton@otac.org <mailto:jkaton@otac.org>. She will collect your information and register your group.
You will receive an email confirmation containing the venue’s address and a link to directions, so please enter your email information.
Registration will close on September 17, 2009.
If you have any questions please contact Jessica Katon at 503-364-9943, x 41 or by email at jkaton@otac.org <mailto:jkaton@otac.org>.
by independencenw | Aug 21, 2009 | caregivers, customers, data, reports, resource
Final tallies for Independence Northwest customer plan expenditures have just been compiled and reported to the Oregon Department of Human Services. From July 1st 2008 through June 30th 2009, Independence Northwest customers have received nearly $1 million in support services. These dollar amounts reflect actual expenditures (and not amounts allocated). Services are listed in ISPs (Individual Support Plans) and Personal Agents assist INW customers with accessing resources to meet their needs. The expenditures listed here do not reflect natural supports accessed on behalf of our customers (services such as Vocational Rehabilitation, Fairview Housing Trust, private insurance, Oregon Health Plan, etc.)
Keeping with statewide trends, Community Living Supports were the #1 service accessed by our customers, comprising over 50% of all services chosen by our customers. (For a definition of Community Living Supports, click here.) Second, coming in at almost 20% of overall services, was Community Inclusion Supports (definition here). Rounding out the top five services purchased: Respite at 10%, Non-Medical Transportation at 8% and Specialized Supports (Social/Sexual/Behavioral) at about 5% (definitions here.)
In the coming year, we expect the overall spending to increase significantly since over 80% of our total customer base have only been with us for one year (we enrolled over 370 people since July of 2008). Experience has taught us that customers tend to access more services in their second and third year as they become more familiar with resources available to them.
For a printable version of this report, click here.
| Chore Services – .20% ($1,889) |
| Community Inclusion – 19.8% ($194,866) |
| Community Living/ADL – 52.8% ($520,661) |
| Environmental Accessibility Adaptations – 2.1% ($20,646) |
| Family Training – 0% ($60) |
| Homemaker – .10% ($652) |
| Non-Medical Transportation – 8% ($79,300) |
| Occupational Therapy – 0% ($0) |
| Personal Emergency Response Systems – 0% ($0) |
| Physical Therapy – 0% ($0) |
| Respite – 10.3% ($101,354) |
| Special Diet – 0% ($0) |
| Specialized Medical Equipment – .20% ($1,888) |
| Specialized Supports (Social/Sexual/Behavioral) – 4.7% ($46,586) |
| Speech and Language Therapy – 0% ($0) |
| Supported Employment – 1.8% ($17,784) |
| TOTAL SPENT FROM JULY 1st 2008 through JUNE 30th 2009 $985,688 |
by independencenw | Aug 21, 2009 | caregivers, resource, training
New to brokerage services? The Roadmap to Support Services is a great primer. The Roadmap is available in four languages: English, Spanish, Vietnamese and Russian.
Thanks to Multnomah County DD Services for translation of this excellent resource into Vietnamese and Russian for our community.
The Roadmap is a collaboration amongst Disability Rights Oregon (formerly Oregon Advocacy Center), Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities and the Oregon Department of Human Services Seniors and People with Disabilities.
by independencenw | Aug 19, 2009 | advocacy, asperger syndrome, autism, caregivers, customers, resource
Portland Aspergers Network (PAN) was established in Portland, Oregon in 1997 to support families affected by Asperger’s Syndrome (AS). In its infant state it was a small group of parents in a hospital meeting room or a private home who came together to discuss how this little known disorder impacted the lives of other families. There was a strong desire to become educated. There was a humane instinct to support. Furthermore there was immediate relief in the idea that our families and our children were no longer alone.
In the past six years PAN has assisted an ever-expanding number of households with a wide range of services. We exist in goodwill to support families whose daily lives are affected by a diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome.
Our mission has been one of reward and success and it is that which validates the necessity of our continued presence in the community and the need to exercise the trust earned therein. We are excited to find ourselves on the leading edge of an important cause and we are ready to take our commitment to the next level.
ASPERGERS NETWORK PROGRAMS:
Online Community
This is a moderated Internet chat group comprised of parents from around Oregon and SW Washington.
Game Night
A monthly event where Aspergers kids, ages 5 to 18, can be themselves while engaging in activities they love. They eat great snacks, play video games and board games and trade Pokemon cards all night long. Meets monthly.
Parent Support Group Meetings
Meetings feature guest speakers that provide professional services to the Aspergers community. Meetings are also a chance for informal interactions between parents, who share information and experiences. Meetings are 4 times a year (Jan, Apr, July, Oct).
Teen Club
Twice monthly activities for teens 13 and older are held at various locations: LaserTag, rock wall climbing, movies, LAN Parties, and a chance to meet others in an accepting environment.
Resource Directory
We host this helpful guide created and maintained independently by one of our members. It includes support groups, social skills groups, workshops, events, doctors, summer camps, books, web sites and more.
Text from the Portland Aspergers Network site.
by independencenw | Aug 19, 2009 | customers, policy, resource
Earlier this year, TriMet announced plans for changes to its LIFT eligibility process beginning in February 2010. Public workshops have been held and there have been efforts to ensure public input.
You can read their most recent transmittal here.
Some things to keep in mind as 2010 approaches:
- TriMet LIFT is establishing a recertification every three years for everyone, regardless of disability. The exact language is “While a person’s disability may be permanent, other factors which impact the determination of eligibility may change over time.”
- Existing active LIFT riders will be recertified over an initial three-year period starting in 2010.
- Public comment period is currently open August 17th through September 17th.
- LIFT Riders may be asked to complete a functional assessment evaluating their mobility skills. All riders will have to fill out a new application and most riders will be expected to participate in in-person interviews and in-person recertification meetings.
Check out TriMet’s recent statement for information on public comment contact information and detail on their process thus far.
by independencenw | Aug 18, 2009 | customers, homelessness, resource
Youth Employment Institute has posted a slew of housing resources on their website. Check it out here.
 Permanent Housing
Community Alliance of Tenants (CAT) – Hotline for renters’ rights information. Educates and empowers renters to demand safe, stable, and affordable rental housing. Also organizes Building Repair Forums
Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon – Shared housing program.
Fair Housing – For residents of Washington County
Friendly House – Call once a week for availability of housing assistance. Serves homeless families with children
Habitat for Humanity – Income guidelines. Applicants must be willing to work 500 hours.
Hacienda CDC (Community Development – Monday-Friday, 8:30-5:00. Affordable housing with rents based on income for 50% and 60%. 1,2,3, & 4 bedroom apts. available. $35 application fee and $300 refundable security deposit. Also provides a variety of community programs and classes and an onsite county health clinic
Housing Authority of Clackamas County – Subsidized rental housing in Clackamas County
Housing Authority of Portland (HAP) Section 8 Housing –Administers the Rent Assistance Program (RASP). Must go in and apply. There is a waiting list for next subsidized apartment. Office opens for applications only at 7:30am
Housing Authority of Washington County (HAW)
Housing Connections – Provides lists of low cost and special needs housing on website. Covers Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington Counties. Use online calculator to determine affordable rent based on income
Human Solutions – Transitional housing for families. Please call for appointment and information
Innovative Housing, Inc.
Patton Home – SRO for individuals who make less than $28,500 per year. Furnished rooms available with communal dining area. Meal service available, accepts Oregon Trail Card. $30 application fee. $395 per month, utilities included
Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives, Inc. – Affordable housing provider–call for availability and eligibility. Also offers services such as a parent network, emergency childcare funding, and a gardening program
Portland Housing Center – For low-income people who need assistance with negotiating payments of low mortgages. Ready to Rent classes. First time homebuyers educational program
Portland Impact – May have a waiting list for rental assistance. Eligibility based on income
REACH Community Development – Low income housing available, though there is a waiting list for 6-12 months
Rose Community– Rentals and homes for sale in SE Portland
St. Vincent de Paul – Occasionally have funds to assist with emergency housing or rental assistance
Transition Projects, Inc – Provides rental assistance for single people who are homeless
Click here to continue reading YEI’s list of resources
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by independencenw | Aug 18, 2009 | employment, independent contractors, provider organizations, providers, resource
NOTE: This lecture has been canceled for the remainder of 2009.
The Supported Employment Lecture, Training and Networking Series is for those interested in providing customized supported employment to individuals with developmental disabilities in Oregon. The series will be offered one day each month to discuss employment topics and connect with colleagues from across the state who are also passionate about this work! Each month different specialists will offer the most-up-to-date best practice and training on the topic.
Materials will be provided via the OTAC website www.otac.org/series. “Brownbag lunch” suggested for maximum networking.
For more information contact Debra McLean at dmclean@otac.org
COST: $45.00/session
by independencenw | Aug 16, 2009 | advocacy, resource
Network of Care is a highly interactive, single information place where consumers, community-based organizations and municipal government workers all can go to easily access a wide variety of important information. The resources in this “virtual community” include a fast, comprehensive Service Directory; links to pertinent Web sites from across the nation; a comprehensive, easy-to-use Library; a political advocacy tool; community message boards; and many others.
Network of Care eLearning is an online education resource for government agencies as well as the general public. States and counties can manage their employee training and development process of both online and classroom courses, while the general public may access an extensive catalog of online courses.
by independencenw | Aug 16, 2009 | advocacy, aging into adult services, caregivers, customers, high school transition, legal, parenting, resource, Turning 18
IDEA Website – This site was created to provide a “one-stop shop” for resources related to IDEA and its implementing regulations, released on August 3, 2006. It is a “living” website and will change and grow as resources and information become available. When fully implemented, the site will provide searchable versions of IDEA and the regulations, access to cross-referenced content from other laws (e.g., the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), etc.), video clips on selected topics, topic briefs on selected regulations, links to OSEP’s Technical Assistance and Dissemination (TA&D) Network and a Q&A Corner where you can submit questions, and a variety of other information sources.
Oregon Department of Education
ORPTI – Oregon Parent Training and Information Center
Oregon PTI’s mission is to educate and support parents, families and professionals in building partnerships that meet the needs of children and youth with the full range of disabilities ages birth through twenty six. Oregon PTI provides programs and services throughout the state.
Transition Toolbox Newsletter – The Oregon Department of Education and Transition Specialist Jackie Burr invites you to receive the monthly Transition Toolbox! This brief newsletter is designed to facilitate communication and connections statewide with transition specialists, parents and students interested in issues relative to the transition of students with disabilities to college, post secondary education and employment opportunities.
Sibling Support Project – The Sibling Support Project is a national effort dedicated to the life-long concerns of brothers and sisters of people who have special health, developmental, or mental health concerns.We believe that disabilities, illness, and mental health issues affect the lives of all family members. Consequently, we want to increase the peer support and information opportunities for brothers and sisters of people with special needs and to increase parents’ and providers’ understanding of sibling issues.
Oregon Parental Information and Resource Center – The Oregon Parental Information and Resource Center (OR PIRC) provides resources, information, and skills to educators and parents throughout Oregon, with a focus on Hispanic and low-income families, to create meaningful school-family partnerships for youth success.
Technical Assistance Alliance for Parents Centers – Each state is home to at least one parent center. Parent centers serve families of children and young adults from birth to age 22 with all disabilities: physical, cognitive, emotional, and learning. They help families obtain appropriate education and services for their children with disabilities; work to improve education results for all children; train and inform parents and professionals on a variety of topics; resolve problems between families and schools or other agencies; and connect children with disabilities to community resources that address their needs.
Wrightslaw – Excellent resource for parents and individuals with disabilities still in school! Parents, educators, advocates, and attorneys come to Wrightslaw for accurate, reliable information about special education law, education law, and advocacy for children with disabilities. Begin your search for information in the Advocacy Libraries and Law Libraries. You will find thousands of articles, cases, and free resources about dozens of topics.
by independencenw | Aug 16, 2009 | caregivers, clackamas county, customers, domestic employees, independent contractors, multnomah county, provider organizations, providers, resource, washington county
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)
by independencenw | Aug 14, 2009 | disability history, fairview training center, resource
Unkannyvalley, a photographer who shares work on Flickr, has posted a comprehensive history of Fairview Training Center and a compelling photo essay taken in 2007. Check it out here.
by independencenw | Aug 14, 2009 | aging into adult services, asperger syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, clackamas county, customers, data, epilepsy, multnomah county, provider organizations, providers, reports, resource, Turning 18, washington county
Some quick stats on Independence Northwest’s current customer base. Independence Northwest serves 450 adults with disabilities across Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties.
Multnomah – 61% of our customer base
Clackamas – 23% of our customer base
Washington – 16% of our customer base
- 65% of our customer base is under the age of 30
- 35% of our customers are between 18 and 21
- 57% of our customers are male; 43% are female
- Over 20% of our customers fall on the Autism Spectrum
- 6% of our customers experience Down Syndrome; another 6% experience Cerebral Palsy;
- 5% of our customers experience Epilepsy; another 5% experience FAS or Drug-Affected Disorders
- 7% of our customers are exclusively non-English speaking
by independencenw | Aug 14, 2009 | aging into adult services, employment, resource, social security, training
Do you have questions about work like these…
- Can I work and still keep my Social Security benefits?
- Can I work and keep my healthcare benefits?
- Who can help me understand how working will affect my benefits?
- Who can help me find a job?
Disability Rights Oregon and Work Incentives Network are hosting the 2009 Work Incentives Seminar and Employment Supports Fair on Wednesday September 16th with morning and afternoon sessions running 9am – 3pm. Agenda below:
- 10:00 & 1:00 Overview of Employment Process Molly Sullivan, WIN Program
- 10:30 & 1:30 Benefits Planning Presentation Disability Rights Oregon, Planning for Work / WIN
- 11:00 & 2:00 Health Care Benefits Disability Rights Oregon / Community Partners
- 11:30 & 2:30 Employment Accommodations Ted Wenk, Attorney, Disability Rights Oregon
Location: Portland Oregon State Office Building 800 NE Oregon Street, Portland Oregon 97232
To RSVP and for accommodations, please call 503 243 2081 or visit http://www.disabilityrightsoregon.org
You can register online: www.socialsecurity.gov/work/wise.html
by independencenw | Aug 13, 2009 | advocacy, aging into adult services, caregivers, employment, energy assistance, food assistance, guardianship, healthcare, homelessness, providers, resource
Oregon Helps is an online clearinghouse that takes you through a series of questions online to determine what services you or your loved one might be eligible for. The site’s services are available in multiple languages. Check it out here.
Services covered include:
Food and Nutrition
- Food Stamps
- Emergency Food
Housing and Utilities
- Federal Housing Assistance
- Low-Income Energy Assistance (LIEAP)
- Portland Water Bureau’s Financial Assistance Program
Children and Family Resources
- National School Lunch Program
- Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition Program(WIC)
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Employment Related Day Care (ERDC)
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Health Care
Veterans’ Services
- VA Health Care System
- VA/Military entitlements
- Veterans’ Home Loans
Financial Benefits
- Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
- Child Tax Credit (CTC)
- Federal Elderly/Disabled Tax Credit
- Individual Development Accounts (IDAs)
- Oregon’s Working Family Tax Credit
- Oregon Dependent Care Tax Credit
- Property Tax Deferral
- Home Care Tax Credit
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| Senior and Disabled Services |
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- Social Security
- Social Security Disability Insurance
- Supplemental Security Income
- Medicare and Medicare Savings Program
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- Medicaid Long Term Care
- Senior Drug Program
- Employed Persons with Disabilities
- Senior Farmers’ Market
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