(Astoria and Warrenton, Ore.) — People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), their families and organizations that support them are invited to community discussions about the new vision and strategy for I/DD services in Oregon.
“Preparation for the new strategic plan began in 2015 during community forums throughout Oregon,” says Oregon Developmental Disabilities Services (ODDS) Director Lilia Teninty. “Following those forums, ODDS, partners and stakeholders worked together to identify system core values, needed changes, and new direction, providing a foundation for the future of the I/DD system.”
“We are looking forward to sharing the new vision and strategy with the community and hearing their ideas on how to move forward,” says Teninty.
Two events will be held. An evening event specifically for people with I/DD and their families will focus on their needs. A session for Community Developmental Disabilities Programs, Brokerages and providers will also be held.
Each session will begin with a short presentation followed by a group discussion. This is one in a series of community forums throughout the state.
1. For people with I/DD and their families:
When: Thursday, Nov. 15, 6 to 8 p.m.
Where: Astoria Public Library – Flag Room, 450 10th Street, Astoria
2. For organizations that support people with I/DD (Community Developmental Disabilities Programs, Brokerages and providers):
When: Friday, Nov. 16, 9 to 11 a.m.
Where: Clatsop County Community Developmental Disabilities Program – Conference Room, 65 N Highway 101, Suite 204, Warrenton
To request an accommodation to participate in the meeting, please contact Karla Hoggan at the state Office of Developmental Disabilities Services at 503-945-9780, 711 TTY or la.hoggan@state.or.us">karla.hoggan@state.or.us. We accept all relay calls or you can dial 711. Requests should be made at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting.
For questions about the meeting, please contact: Sherryll Johnson Hoar, DHS Communications Officer, 503-779-9317, sherryll.j.hoar@state.or.us.
About ODDS: The Oregon Department of Human Services’ Office of Developmental Disabilities Services provides leadership to support persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live as full participants in their communities. Oregon is recognized nationally as an innovative leader in developing community-based services for individuals with I/DD. Oregon’s system has the benefit of a strong advocacy community, one that has a long history and firm commitment to supporting people with I/DD to live as independently as possible in their communities.
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(Salem, Ore.) -The Governor’s Commission on Senior Services (GCSS) will meet from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018, at the Department of Human Services’ Office, 500 Summer St. N.E., Room 165, Salem, Oregon, 97305.
The meeting is open to the public. Agenda items include regular GCSS business, updates on the legislative committee, future meeting dates and hosting a panel as well as setting the agenda for the Dec. 13, 2018, full commission meeting. Those who can’t attend in person may call into the meeting using this conference line and access code: (888) 808-6929, 4517555.
The meeting location is accessible to people with disabilities. For questions about accessibility or to request an accommodation, please contact Lori Watt at Lori.C.Watt@state.or.us. Requests should be made at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting. For questions about the meeting, please contact: Deb McCuin, program analyst at Debbie.Mccuin@state.or.us.
About the Governor’s Commission on Senior Services
The Governor’s Commission on Senior Services is dedicated to enhancing and protecting the quality of life for all older Oregonians. Through cooperation with other organizations, and advocacy, the commission works to ensure that seniors have access to services that provide, choice, independence, and dignity.
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(Salem, Ore.) – A Department of Human Services’ funded training initiative, Oregon Care Partners, increased the number of direct care workers and family caregivers who completed classes by 30 percent since July 2017 with 530 participating in a dementia care workshop in June, according to a recent progress report. The progress report measured performance of the program in the new funding period which began in July 2017 compared with the prior three years.
Oregon Care Partners also developed five new in-person and three new online training courses to prepare for requirements set by the Long-Term Care Quality and Safety Improvements bill (House Bill 3359) which passed in 2017.
Caregivers are in high demand as Oregon’s population is aging. Between 2010 and 2014, nearly all of Oregon’s counties experienced a more than 10 percent increase in residents who are 65 and older.
This demographic shift, in addition to requirements set by HB 3359, brings with it the need for programs that educate both professional and unpaid caregivers. The Long-Term Care Caregiving Training Initiative has provided funding for Oregon Care Partners since August 2014, so that the courses can be offered for free.
Since July 2017:
“The results that Oregon Care Partners has delivered reflect a meaningful step forward in ensuring a better-supported and well-trained workforce of caregivers to support older adults and people with disabilities in Oregon,” said Ashley Carson Cottingham, director of DHS Aging and People with Disabilities. “We appreciate that the Legislature made this important initiative possible.”
Of the 7,662 caregivers who have taken courses with Oregon Care Partners, 59 percent are paid for the work they do, 22 percent work in adult foster homes and 15 percent provide care without being paid. In follow-up surveys conducted by Oregon Care Partners, 97 percent of respondents said they feel better equipped to maintain and improve the health and safety of the person in their care; 49 percent reported a reduction in falls and 20 percent reported a reduction in hospital and emergency room visits. In addition, 78 percent said they are now better equipped to recognize and respond to signals of unmet needs and growing distress.
“Our goal is to ensure that Oregonians have access to quality training programs that can make a difference in people’s lives,” said Angela Neal, project director for Oregon Care Partners. “It is gratifying to see that since the program’s inception, it has benefitted caregivers in every county in the state.”
All caregiver trainings offered by Oregon Care Partners are free and open to anyone working or living in the state of Oregon. Family members, all levels of professional caregivers and members of the public are encouraged to visit www.OregonCarePartners.com to register for free training.
About Oregon Care Partners
Oregon Care Partners helps caregivers improve the lives and care for aging Oregonians by providing access to no-cost, high quality trainings in all corners of the state. Established in 2014, Oregon Care Partners is a quality training consortium made up of a number of the leading organizations, facilitators and collaborators from across the state.
About the Department of Human Services
The Department of Human Services is Oregon’s principal agency for helping Oregonians achieve wellbeing and independence through opportunities that protect, empower, respect choice and preserve dignity, especially for those who are least able to help themselves.
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WHAT: Portland State University’s Child Welfare Partnership hosts a special advance screening of the film INSTANT FAMILY for foster parents and partners of the foster care system in the Salem area. The special screening will take place simultaneously in two theatres at Regal Willamette Town Center 11. Immediately following the film will be panels in each theatre with special guests Fariborz Pakseresht, director of the Department of Human Services, and Child Welfare Director Marilyn Jones, as well as representatives from Portland State University Child Welfare Partnership and the Oregon Post-Adoption Resource Center. The panels will discuss foster care and adoption in Oregon, including questions from the audience.
WHEN: Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018
Doors .pen at 6:30pm.
Film begins at 7pm.
Panel discussion follows the film.
WHERE: Regal Willamette Town Center 11 (831 Lancaster Dr. NE, Salem, OR 97301)
WHO: Panelists include Oregon Department of Human Services Director Fariborz Pakseresht and Child Welfare Director Marilyn Jones, representatives from Portland State University’s Child Welfare Partnership and from the Oregon Post-Adoption Resource Center.
MORE: When Pete (Mark Wahlberg) and Ellie (Rose Byrne) decide to start a family, they stumble into the world of foster care adoption. They hope to take in one small child but when they meet three siblings, including a rebellious 15 year old girl (Isabela Moner), they find themselves speeding from zero to three kids overnight. Now, Pete and Ellie must hilariously try to learn the ropes of instant parenthood in the hopes of becoming a family. INSTANT FAMILY is inspired by the real events from the life of writer/director Sean Anders and also stars Octavia Spencer, Tig Notaro and Margo Martindale.
EVENT CONTACT: Kelsi Eisele (kelsi.p.eisele@state.or.us)
The Department of Human Services is Oregon’s principal agency for helping Oregonians achieve wellbeing and independence through opportunities that protect, empower, respect choice and preserve dignity, especially for those who are least able to help themselves.
(Medford, Ore.) — People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), their families and organizations that support them are invited to community discussions about the new vision and strategy for I/DD services in Oregon.
“Preparation for the new strategic plan began in 2015 during community forums throughout Oregon,” says Oregon Developmental Disabilities Services (ODDS) Director Lilia Teninty. “Following those forums, ODDS, partners and stakeholders worked together to identify system core values, needed changes, and new direction, providing a foundation for the future of the I/DD system.”
“We are looking forward to sharing the new vision and strategy with the community and hearing their ideas on how to move forward,” says Teninty.
Two events will be held. An evening event specifically for people with I/DD and their families will focus on their needs. A session for Community Developmental Disabilities Programs, Brokerages and providers will also be held.
Each session will begin with a short presentation followed by a group discussion. This is one in a series of community forums throughout the state.
1. For people with I/DD and their families:
When: Monday, October 29, 2018, 6 to 8 p.m.
Where: Medford School District Education Center, Conference Rooms 1 & 2, 815 S Oakdale Ave, Medford
2. For organizations that support people with I/DD (Community Developmental Disabilities Programs, Brokerages and providers):
When: Monday, October 29, 2018, 1 to 3 p.m.
Where: Jackson County CDDP, Full Conference Center, 140 S Holly Street, Medford
To request an accommodation to participate in the meeting, please contact Karla Hoggan at the state Office of Developmental Disabilities Services at 503-945-9780, 711 TTY or la.hoggan@state.or.us">karla.hoggan@state.or.us. We accept all relay calls or you can dial 711. Requests should be made at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting.
For questions about the meeting, please contact: Sherryll Johnson Hoar, DHS Communications Officer, 503-779-9317, sherryll.j.hoar@state.or.us.
About ODDS: The Oregon Department of Human Services’ Office of Developmental Disabilities Services provides leadership to support persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live as full participants in their communities. Oregon is recognized nationally as an innovative leader in developing community-based services for individuals with I/DD. Oregon’s system has the benefit of a strong advocacy community, one that has a long history and firm commitment to supporting people with I/DD to live as independently as possible in their communities.
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