IMPLEMENTING THE NEW OREGON NEEDS ASSESSMENT (ONA)

What changed and when?
The Oregon Office of Developmental Disabilities has developed a single assessment to be used in determining the support needs of children and adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) in our state. As of the summer of 2018, brokerages and other case management entities started using the new assessment. The new assessment is called the Oregon Needs Assessment (ONA).

Who does the assessment?
With the ONA came another change: the person who does your assessment. Prior to the summer of 2018 (and thirteen years before that in a less formal manner) your Personal Agent was responsible for assessing disability-related support needs. Under the new guidance, brokerages are required to have a separate staff person conduct your assessment. We know that change – particularly one as personal and important as a change in the assessment used to determine the support you receive to live independently – can be challenging. At Independence Northwest, we have chose to use existing, long-time staff as our Assessors. Through use of talented, seasoned professionals with extensive experience serving brokerages and the I/DD community in general, we intend to bring a respectful and sensitive approach. Our aim is to create the smoothest possible assessment experience.

What happens with the results of the assessment?
Assessors are responsible for entering specific information into the state’s central information database, eXPRS. Reports will be available from the eXPRS system after the ONA is complete. Just ask your PA for a copy.

Can I have a copy of my completed assessment?
Absolutely.

Who should take part in my assessment?
That’s up to you. When your PA contacts you to set up your appointment, be sure to speak with her about the people you would like to either have present at the meeting or people you would like her to contact by phone for further discussion and input.

Does my Personal Agent need to be present at the assessment?
It’s not necessary, but you can ask that they attend. In fact, prior to your ONA with one of our Assessors, your PA will have already spoken with the Assessor to discuss your current plan and most recent needs assessment. Even if your PA isn’t at the meeting, he/she will absolutely provide input and offer support to the Assessor.

Will this assessment be used to determine what’s allowable on my next ISP?
Right now, the ONA does not calculate the amount of services you are eligible for. ODDS is continuing its work on tool verification and testing in an effort to develop future Service Group Levels. Until those are finalized, the results from your most recent ANA will be the source to determine Attendant Care hours. If there is a change in your support needs, a new ANA can be completed by your Personal Agent to see if you are eligible for additional services. A change to your support needs may also mean that your current ONA needs to be updated by an Assessor.

What services does the ONA assess for?
The ONA, like the ANA (Adult Needs Assessment), is strictly for services that help you live independently in the community (primarily Attendant Care/ADL/iADL supports.) Transportation, Behavior Supports, and Employment are not affected.

What if I disagree with the findings?
Please speak with your Personal Agent if you have questions about or disagree with the ONA findings. ODDS has posted a Process for Disagreements to its Compass Page. As with any service provided to you through I/DD services, you also have the right to file a formal complaint.

What resources are available to me to learn more?
Be sure to check out ODDS’ website in addition to Independence Northwest’s Facebook page for the latest updates on the ONA. We will update this page as we learn more.

Last Update: April 2022

Note: The timelines above are specific to individuals with October 1st, 2018 plans. To find out timelines for your planning, check out the table below.

ODDS Policies and Resources for ONA Implementation