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Nov 15th, 2012: INW Gift Making Craft Night

Nov 13, 2012

INW is hosting a Holiday Gift- Making Craft Night! This month, we’ll have a variety of gifts (like friendship bracelets or customized picture frames) for you to make for friends or family. We look forward to seeing you there.

Thursday November 15th
from 4:30-6 p.m. at Independence Northwest
(541 NE 20th Ave., Suite 103.)

Limited space available.

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.

If you have personal care support needs, please bring a provider or support person with you. Kids are welcome with appropriate supervision.

Please RSVP by calling Beri at 503.546.2950. Limited space available. RSVP required.

 

Oct 31st / Nov 1st 2012: Vote or Treat at INW

Oct 23, 2012

Election Day is less than two weeks away!

Need help with understanding your ballot? Or just want to vote in style? Stop by the Independence Northwest office on Halloween or November 1st, 2012, and we’re happy to assist you. We have copies of the 2012 Easy Voter’s Guide ready and waiting. (Our friends at Disability Rights Oregon continues to work with the Women Voters of Oregon Educational Fund, Self-Advocates as Leaders and Help America Vote Act (HAVA) to create the Easy Voter’s Guide. For the November 2012 edition, click here for English or click here for Spanish. If you haven’t yet, definitely check out this essential resource and share it with those you know.)

Thanks to Jessica and Lindsey for coordinating!

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
For an audio version of the 2012 Primary Election Guide, click here.
For an online version of the Voting in Oregon Guide in English, click here.
For a PDF version of the Voting in Oregon Guide in Spanish, click here.
Other inquiries, check out DRO’s page devoted to Voter Assistance here.

Please note: Independence Northwest does not support a particular candidate for any office and has taken no formal stance for or against any current ballot measures. We cannot and will not tell you who or what to vote for, but we’re happy to help you understand your ballot and can direct you to impartial resources such as the Easy Voter’s Guide that will assure you understand what you are voting for/against.

October 25th, 2012: INW Hosts Mandatory Abuse Reporting Training

Oct 19, 2012

Announcing a free Mandatory* Abuse Reporting Training at Independence Northwest.

If you are paid with support services brokerage funds, you are a mandatory abuse reporter. Would you like to learn more about your abuse reporting responsibilities under the law? Clackamas County Protective Services Investigator Bryan Pollard will be here on October 25th at 4:30 pm. Providers, family members, customers and community members are all encouraged to join us at the INW office to learn more about this important feature of social services in Oregon.

Please RSVP to J at 503.546.2950. If you have additional questions, please contact Rob Peace at 503.546.2950.

10.22.2012 *Please note: The word “Mandatory” in Mandatory Abuse Reporting means that it is mandatory that a person report abuse; it does not mean that it is mandatory that providers attend this training.

October 18th and 25th, 2012: Join Us for INW’s Halloween Craft Night

Oct 10, 2012

INW is hosting a Halloween Craft Night! Over two nights, we’ll be making papier mache masks. Plan to attend both evenings!

Oct. 18th and 25th
from 4:30-6 p.m. at Independence Northwest
(541 NE 20th Ave., Suite 103.)

Limited space available.

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.

If you have personal care support needs, please bring a provider or support person with you. Kids are welcome with appropriate supervision.

Please RSVP by calling J at 503.546.2950. Limited space available. RSVP required.

Huge thanks to Beri Swango and Jessica Leftault for their hard work to create this fun resource and community connection.

Paid With Brokerage Funds? You’re A Mandatory Abuse Reporter

Sep 21, 2012

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:

  1. Report the situation to the Community Developmental Disabilities Program in Washington, Clackamas or Multnomah counties. This is required by law.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

Free 10 Week Writing Workshop at ILR – Starts September 24th, 2012

Sep 12, 2012

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)

LOCATION: 1839 NE Couch Street Portland OR

Pre-registration is required – to register, sign up at the front desk at ILR.

For more info: www.writearound.org

Abuse Reporting Training – Tues September 18th, 2012

Aug 17, 2012

The folks at Clackamas County Developmental Disabilities Program are offering a great training opportunity for all professionals serving people with disabilities: a one hour training on Abuse Reporting led by Abuse Investigator Brian Pollard.

WHAT: Abuse Reporting Training
WHEN: Tuesday September 18th, 2012 from 11am to 12 noon
WHERE: Clackamas County Public Services Building (2051 Kaen Road Room 369B Oregon City, OR  97045)

Abuse Reporting is geared toward adults eligible for DD Services, their families, Personal Support Workers, Foster Care Providers and staff, Residential and Vocational staff. Adults eligible for DD services are a protected class and therefore those paid to support them are Mandatory Abuse Reporters. The class will address when and how to report abuse and neglect of adults eligible for DD services.

If you are a Personal Support Worker, Domestic Employee or Independent Contractor, we at Independence Northwest strongly urge you consider this training opportunity.

Please contact Robyn Hoffman at 503.557.2872 or robynhof@co.clackamas.or.us for any questions and to RSVP. Space is limited, so please register to reserve your place.

Join us for INW’s Very First Craft Night – August 16th, 2012 from 4:30 – 6:00pm

Aug 9, 2012

INW will be hosting its first Craft Night on Thursday, August 16th from 4:30pm to 6:00pm at the Independence Northwest offices.

INW will be hosting 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.

If you have personal care support needs, please bring a provider or support person with you. Kids are welcome with appropriate supervision.

Please RSVP by calling J at 503.546.2950. Limited space available. RSVP required.

Thank You and Well Wishes to INW Co-Founder and Assistant Director Erin Graff

Aug 2, 2012

Tomorrow, Friday August 3rd, 2012, is Assistant Director and co-founder Erin Graff’s last day with Independence Northwest.

Those are such strange words for me to write, think, say. The whole of my professional life here in Oregon has been somehow connected with her. I met Erin when we both were employed by United Cerebral Palsy in SE Portland a decade back. We were working in half-management/half-direct support roles on different teams and I was immediately drawn to her bubbly personality, sharp perception, and authentic passion for the people we were supporting.

In 2006, while she was working as a Lead Personal Agent at Inclusion Inc., Erin joined together with me, Ron Spence and our tiny little board of directors to create what’s now known as Independence Northwest. Creating a new nonprofit organization from literally nothing more than a dream is equally exhilarating and exhausting – it’s a once in a lifetime experience and we were blessed to have such an opportunity together. Erin, Spence and I holed up day after day for fifteen hour days furiously penning our response to the state’s RFP (Request for Proposal) in the spring of 2007. We turned everything over and inside out to create the most comprehensive response we could, learning a lot from and about each other in the process. It was hard work –  we knew we wanted this more than anything and we wouldn’t allow ourselves to fail. That resilience paid off and INW was chosen as the next Oregon support services brokerage. Before we knew it, we were renting our first office space: an old dilapidated firehouse on MLK and Alberta in NE Portland. Within a couple months, we had doubled our staff size and were opening our doors and inviting our first customers on board.

I’d always known she was one of the smartest people I’d ever met (she’s got a memory that puts most of us to serious shame) –  however, we had never worked together very closely in the past (more as peers cross-agency than anything) and I’d never experienced her fully in action. When our first staff started at INW, Erin developed extensive training for them to assure they were ready to serve INW’s first customers at the highest level. She did a fantastic job – she’s one of the best trainers I’ve ever seen. She can explain complex bureaucratic information five different ways if you need her to. If a person is struggling to understand something, she does whatever it takes, altering the format however necessary to get the point across. Most people have a trick or two and they’re spent. Not the case here. She continues to impress me all these years later.

The other immediate mark she made on me happened in a more public arena. I’ve always been a bit on the shy side at meetings – Erin, by all accounts, is not. She impressed me then and still does with her bravery and pluck. She’s willing to ask the hard questions to move a conversation, situation or policy forward. In the eight or so years she has been in the brokerage system, Erin Graff has made an indelible mark. If you work in this system, there’s no doubt you have in your possession right now or regularly follow multiple processes, procedures or local area agreements she’s written or had a major role in creating. Erin has always been interested in continuing to the move the system (and all its players) forward to assure we are serving the disability community in the most efficient, fair and consistent way possible. She has reminded me time after time to take risks, to ask the hard questions – and to continue asking them until you get the answers and understanding we all need to benefit the community we serve. Her approach has assured progress. People’s lives have been changed and bettered as a result.

On Monday of next week, Erin would have celebrated her fifth anniversary with Independence Northwest. Instead, she will be busy with last minute planning and packing up her remaining belongings in preparation for the next chapter of her life: a move to New Orleans. We will miss her greatly.

Personally, I will mourn the loss of Erin as a business partner and confidante – I already am. At the same time, I will benefit daily from the lessons I’ve learned from her and from the structure and culture she helped build within this organization and within the brokerage system at large. She’s changed my life and I’m guessing if you’re reading this, there’s a good chance she’s changed yours in some way as well.

Bon voyage, Erin. And congrats, New Orleans – you just caught a good one.

– Larry Deal, Executive Director

PS – If you haven’t yet had a chance to wish Erin well, drop her a line between now and end of working day Friday at erin.graff@independencenw.org.

Don’t Miss the 2012 Project Employ Resource Fair Tuesday May 15th in Tigard

May 9, 2012

Project Employ Resource Fair – Tuesday May 15th 2012
EMBASSY SUITES AT 9000 SW WASHINGTON SQUARE ROAD, TIGARD
11AM – 7PM

This is a fair for transition students, their families and educators, local business owners and hiring managers, job developers and job coaches, developmental disabilities organizations and local and state agency representatives. Don’t miss this free event!

RESOURCE EXHIBITOR DISPLAYS 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM

1:30 PM PANEL OF EMPLOYMENT PROFESSIONALS
Rob Stern, HR Director; Karen Burch, OVRS; Job Developers,
Kelly Wallace and Kathy Holmquist; Emily Lang, Employee

3:30 PM PRESENTATIONS
Representative Gelser – HB2283 Impact on Transition Services Forum
Debra McLean – “Finding the Right Fit” Customized Employment

5:15 PM PRESENTATIONS
Cynthia & Andy Owens – “Mission Possible” Overcoming Barriers
Emily Harris – Mobile Technology for Job Seekers & Employees

 

Mentor Oregon Brokerage Presents Internet Safety Class May 15th, 2012

Apr 19, 2012

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.

AASPIRE Seeking People with Autism and Caregivers to Review New Healthcare Toolkit – Opportunity to Earn $50

Apr 5, 2012

The Academic Autistic Spectrum Partnership in Research and Education (AASPIRE) is making a tool that people on the autism spectrum can use to tell healthcare providers important information. They are looking for people to review the tool and tell the researchers and share thoughts and impressions. The study takes about an hour. Participants can do the study over email, instant messenger chat, telephone, or, if in Portland, Oregon, in person.

You may be able to participate in one of the studies if you live in the U.S. and 1. You are an adult on the autistic spectrum or 2. You have assisted an adult on the autistic spectrum with healthcare appointments.

If you take part in the interview, you will be paid $50.

To learn more, follow the link or please contact Marcie Tedlow at
(503)494-1207 or tedlow@ohsu.edu.

Thanks to Genevieve Athens for the tip.

INW Named Exceed Enterprises’ 2012 Community Partner of the Year

Feb 24, 2012

 

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.

 

DAY ONE of the 2012 Week of DD Advocacy – How Will You Participate?

Feb 13, 2012

Make a difference this legislative session! We need your voice! Participate in the “Week of DD Advocacy” starting today!

2012 DD Advocacy Message to Oregon Legislators –

“Oregonians with developmental disabilities and their families can’t move backward, we need to move forward! Don’t take away our ability to continue responding to the needs of thousands of people with developmental disabilities and their families with a sustainable, flexible, cost-effective supports and services.”

Here are some ways you can get involved in our week long virtual DD advocacy rally:

FIND YOUR STATE LEGISLATORS

http://www.leg.state.or.us/findlegsltr/

1. CALL OR EMAIL YOUR LEGISLATOR with this message -always introduce yourself as their “constituent”

2. THINK SOCIAL MEDIA!

  •  Post this message on your Facebook wall and on your legislator’s Facebook wall;
  •  If you use Twitter, tweet this message;
  •  And lastly, the Coalition will be posting on Facebook all week so” like” and “share” our advocacy posts.

3. JOIN US AT THE CAPITOL – Thursday, February 16.

  •  Make an appointment to talk with your legislators and/or their staff about not cutting services to people with developmental disabilities and their families. We will be wearing yellow and have yellow buttons available for DD advocates to wear!
  •  For those who want to participate in the DD Advocacy Day at the Capitol on Feb 16 but can’t make it to Salem, just take photos of yourself and others holding a Print & GO Rally Sign then post it to your Facebook page and tag your legislator & the Oregon DD Coalition!

Use the Print & GO Talking Points tri-fold brochure for more information for specific budget cuts proposed and our message of advocacy for each.

Encourage your family and friends to get involved in DD Advocacy on Feb 16.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Training – March 28, 2012 in Clackamas County

Jan 19, 2012

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 .

House Bill 2283 and Transition Services

Jan 19, 2012

The Department of Human Services  released the following transmittal this morning. It relates to House Bill 2283 and the responsibilities of school districts, brokerages, and Vocational Rehabilitation with regard to service provision for adults in transition.

The content of this message was jointly composed by representatives of the Oregon Department of Education, Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities and the Oregon Department of Human Service’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services and Office of Developmental Disability Services. This same message will be distributed by the ODE, OCDD, and OVRS to their respective stakeholders.

The passage of House Bill (HB) 2283 is causing some confusion regarding the implementation of services for youth with disabilities ages 18 through 21. The two main areas of concern are the provision of “other” services by non-educational agencies and the interagency agreement.

The intent of HB 2283 was to ensure all students have access to instructional hours, hours of transition services and hours of other services that are designed to:

1) Meet the unique needs of the student; and,
2) When added together, provide a total number of hours of instruction and services to the student that equals at least the total number of instructional hours that is required to be provided to students who are attending a public high school (990 hrs/yr.)

HB 2283 encourages collaboration among all agencies providing services to the student. However, education, human services, Community Developmental Disability Programs, support service brokerage and employment programs cannot supplant services that are the responsibility of another agency. A copy of this bill can be viewed here.

The purpose of this transmittal is to inform the field that the Oregon Department of Education (ODE), Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), the Office of Developmental Disability Services (DD), and the Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities (OCDD) have joined forces to clarify implementation of this new law, so that all partners can continue to focus on the outcomes for this group of students. Until the final education rules are in place and agreements are announced, this transmittal is providing you guidance in your work relationships with other agencies.

General Information about Education Expectations

• Students on IEPs are entitled to a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) through their 21st year, or until they earn an Oregon high school diploma.
• A school district or public charter school cannot unilaterally decrease the total number of hours of instruction and services provided to students. As required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the IEP team determines services that are needed to meet the unique needs of the student. If the IEP team determines that fewer than 990 hours should be provided, a written statement that explains the reasons for the reduction must be included on the IEP.
• Transition is not a “program” but a coordinated set of activities designed to facilitate successful movement from school to post school activities. It takes the coordinated efforts of many partners for a student’s transition to be successful.
• Educational transition activities include instruction, related services, community experiences, the development of employment and other post-school adult living objectives, and, if appropriate, acquisition of daily living skills and functional vocational evaluation. School districts are not responsible for the development of employment. Schools are responsible for helping develop the skills needed to reach the employment objectives. They are not responsible for identifying an actual paid job and providing the support in the job. In 1997, the intent of IDEA was to make certain that in addressing transition, IEPs were not just based on traditional academic goals/objectives, but would be addressing the post school vision of each student. Thus, in 2004 regulation for post–secondary goals was established.
• The IEP must include measurable post-secondary goals in the areas of education, training, and employment and where appropriate, independent living skills. School districts are required to get the student ready to meet these post-secondary goals. Annual transition goals, transition services, and courses of study are educational requirements needed to assist the student to reach those post-secondary goals. IDEA also requires IEP teams to invite to the IEP meeting other agencies who may provide or pay for services.

General Agency (non educational) Expectations
• The Medicaid Waiver funding cannot be used to fund transition activities considered the responsibility of education.
• Collaboration among non-education agencies and school districts is permitted and encouraged in HB 2283. The hours of services that are not educational, provided during the school day, and paid for or provided by non-education agencies may be included in the calculation of the total hours of service. However, this is dependent on a mutually agreed IEP that is consistent with the requirements and program guidelines of each partner. Services provided by non-education agencies after school hours are not to be considered educational services and cannot be counted in the calculation of the total hours of service.
• Mutually agreed upon transition and other services provided by non-education entities may be provided at any time during the day but must not supplant required educational services. Transition services and other services may be provided to the student through an interagency agreement entered into by the school district if the student’s IEP indicates that the services may be provided by another agency. An agency is not required to change any eligibility criteria or enrollment standards prior to entering into an interagency agreement

More specific guidance will be issued once the cross-agency agreements are made on coordination of these critical transition activities. In the meantime do not hesitate to contact your state liaison for further explanation or clarification. Thank you for all you do for the students in Oregon as we prepare them to become healthy, productive and satisfied adults within their communities.

If you have any questions about this information, contact Mike Maley at 503-947-4228 or Mike.j.maley@state.or.us

An Open Letter to Independent Contractors

Jan 18, 2012

January 18th, 2012

Dear Independent Contractors and Support Services Provider Community,

In the last month or so, brokerage employees have received a number of inquires regarding the future of independent contractors in support services. The common thread is a rumor that brokerages either have stopped or plan to stop qualifying independent contractors entirely. We’ve even heard from some providers that “brokerages are doing away with both independent contractors and domestic employees.” These rumors are unfounded and without merit and we are issuing this written statement in an attempt to prevent their further spread.

Community Pathways Inc., Inclusion Inc., Independence Northwest, Mentor Oregon Brokerage, Self Determination Resources Inc. and UCP Connections have taken no steps to quit qualifying independent contractors. We continue to qualify providers of all types. That said, we are seeking clarity on the conflicting rules and expectations of the various governmental bodies who oversee brokerages and determine the validity of independent contractor classification. The input of these agencies is ongoing and additional understanding of their expectations and of our legal responsibilities will undoubtedly inform the ways in which future providers are qualified.

Often, it seems as if brokerages are perceived as creating policies that are in fact created by state and federal authorities. For instance, brokerages don’t set provider rate ranges (the state does that) and we don’t make rules about what providers can be paid for (federal Medicaid authorities do that). And while we don’t create those policies we have a contractual obligation with the Department of Human Services to ensure compliance with those rules and to assure their proper implementation. This has become increasingly difficult over time as the number of conflicting governmental statutes continues to grow.

If things shift in terms of qualification criteria or other state or federal requirements, we will do what we have always done: communicate. We have spent many years nurturing, advocating for and enhancing provider and resource capacity in the metro area. We’ll continue to do so. Is there a possibility the way we must qualify providers will change? Sure. Do we know what those changes might be? Not at present. But if and/or when things do change, we will be in contact. We are partners in this process and we have the same aim: to provide exceptional service to our joint customer base.

Please forward this information on to those you know who might be misinformed on this topic. Thank you for your continued work with our shared customers. The work you do each day makes an enormous difference in the lives of thousands of Oregonians in our community.

Best regards.

Jennifer Bickett, Community Pathways Inc.
Larry Deal, Independence Northwest
Sarah Knight, UCP Connections
Howard Miller, Inclusion Inc.
Dan Peccia, Self Determination Resources Inc.
Katie Rose, Mentor Oregon Brokerage

Your Help is Needed: Please Advocate Against Cuts to Essential Brokerage Services

Jan 15, 2012

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

2012 Funds Distribution Dates and Payment Information for Providers

Jan 7, 2012

A Message for Independent Contractors and Provider Organizations Qualified with Independence Northwest:

It is the policy of Independence Northwest to pay all invoices on a net 30 basis. (This means that we will disburse funds within 30 days of receiving an invoice from a provider.) As a result of this policy we do not adhere to particular invoice due dates or pay dates. However, for independent contractors and provider agencies to be paid in the first cycle of checks each month, we recommend they have their invoices to our office by noon on the following dates in 2012.

Friday, January 6th
Tuesday, February 7th
Tuesday, March 6th
Friday, April 6th
Monday, May 7th
Wednesday, June 6th
Friday, July 6th
Tuesday, August 7th
Thursday, September 6th
Friday, October 5th
Tuesday, November 6th
Thursday, December 6th

A note about postal delivery and direct deposit: We have been offering direct deposit to the entire provider community since August of 2010 and it’s been a great success. It helps us process payments faster and ensures your money lands in your bank account sooner. But now there’s a new reason to consider direct deposit: As you may have read in the news, budgetary cuts to the US Postal Service are expected to result in a significant slowdown of domestic mail. Local mail that previously arrived in one day may soon take three to four days to arrive. In anticipation of this change Independence Northwest is strongly urging all providers to sign up for direct deposit. All providers are being mailed a copy of this letter along with a direct deposit form.

Thank you all for your service to our community. Here’s hoping for a productive and
rewarding 2012.

Ron Spence
Operations Director
rspence(at)independencenw.org

STARTING JAN 27th, 2012: Socializing Colorfully – A Group for Adults with Developmental Disabilities Who Are Persons of Color

Jan 7, 2012

Another great resource from our friends at On The Move Community Integration!

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/

Great Opportunity: FREE 10 Week Reading Program for People with Disabilities – Register ASAP!

Jan 5, 2012

On The Move Community Integration presents a
Free Reading Program For Adults with Developmental Disabilities 2 Sessions Available!

WHEN
January 19 – March 22 (First 10-week session)
April 2 – June 7 (Second 10-week session)
Thursdays from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Registration Deadline for the First Session: January 13, Space is Limited

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

WHO
The class is open to all adults with a diagnosed disability, age 18 and over, who want to improve their reading skills. All levels are welcome to participate, from beginning to more advanced readers. Many adults of all ages are motivated to increase independence through improving their reading!

Classes will be taught by Executive Director Molly Mayo and two-time Portland Public Schools Teacher of the Year, Meghann Kabza, who both hold Master’s Degrees in Special Education.
A combination of group lessons and one on one tutoring will make this class interesting and fun.

Call or email for more information or to register for one of the sessions.