Looking Ahead to the Need for Advocacy In Protecting Brokerage Services In Oregon

From the Independence NW Blog-

An alert that more budget cuts are being proposed for brokerages in Oregon.The Independence NW Blog is a great place to stay connected to advocacy issues r/t adult services in Oregon.The dear legislator project is GREAT!
http://independencenw.wordpress.com/

independence northwest

All eyes on February's special session. Brokerage admin dollars and customer plan dollars (15% reduction) are at the top of the Department of Human Services SPD reduction option list. We will have our advocacy work cut out for us this season, friends. More information soon on bringing back the Dear Legislator Project (www.dearlegislator.org.) We hope you'll get involved as we prepare to weather another budgetary storm. Advocacy is what created brokerages services and advocacy is what will preserve them!

Job Market Tough For Young Adults With Autism

This news story probably isn't a big surprise for people with autism or families,but it's nice to see it acknowledged.


Job market tough for young adults with autism - KXLT - Fox 47 Rochester MN News, Weather and Sports

SSI /Social Security Payments to Increase For the First Time In 2 Years

Social Security, SSI Payments To Increase - Disability Scoop

EMPLOYMENT AND AUTISM-Some Resources

http://dps.missouri.edu/Autism/AutismFactSheet2011.pdf
Fact sheet from a presentation on autism and employment.


Autism Resources at DPS
Great resource for vocational rehab and for agencies working to help employ people on the autism spectrum.

ASO Fall Conference Resource List

Thank you to all who attended my presentation today at the ASO Conference.I appreciated your great questions and sharing of your own experiences.Here is the resource list that is on your handout.Most of the posts with the direct links are from September 2011.Contact me if you have any questions or have other resources that might be good to share.

RESOURCES

Medicaid:Oregon Health Plan Application

http://www.oregon.gov/OHA/healthplan/data_pubs/faqs/faqapply.shtml

Oregon DHS: DD County Services

http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/dd/county/home.shtml

Oregon DHS: List of Offices By County

http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/dd/county/county_programs.shtml

Oregon Department of Human Services Brokerage Links

http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/dd/adults/supports.shtml

Autism Society of Oregon Resource List

http://www.oregonautism.com/index.php?fuseaction=resources.main

A Roadmap To Support Services

http://ocdd.org/index.php/ocdd/publications/a_roadmap_to_support_services/

A Guide For Transition TO Adulthood- from Organization For Autism Research

http://www.researchautism.org/resources/reading/documents/transitionguide.pdf

Turning 18 and Entering Brokerage With A Family Support Plan

http://www.independencenw.org/documents/Turning18v2.0.pdf

Working With Independent Contractors/Brokerage System

http://www.independencenw.org/documents/WorkingWithIndependentContractors.pdf

Disability Rights Oregon publications

http://www.disabilityrightsoregon.org/resources/5-publications-1

Employment First Oregon

Employment First Initiative in Oregon



http://www.dhs.state.or.us/dd/supp_emp/initiative.html

Resources For Customers Exiting Brokerage Services as of October 1

Resources for Customers Exiting Brokerage Services | independence | northwest | blog

Autism Beyond High School

Autism Beyond High School | Adults | Interactive Autism Network Community | Share. Research. Discover.

Great article with links to other resources.

People Losing Brokerage Services in October

Approximately 800 People Set to Lose Brokerage Services OCT 1 | ossaweb

NY Times Article On Young Adult With Autism

Autistic and Seeking a Place in an Adult World - NYTimes.com

This is a wonderful article on a young adult with autism entering adulthood.Long,but worth reading.

COLLEGE RESOURCE LIST (LONG)

College Resources

INCIGHT

www.incight.org

questions@incight.org

971-244-0305

Mission is to help educate and employ people with disabilities.Possible scholarship opportunities.

Emerging Leaders NW

Works with young adults with disabilites with a focus on ages 13-30.Mentorships and internships are available.

www.emergingleadersnw.org

DO-IT

http://www.washington.edu/doit/

From University of Washington

Helping people with disabilities successfully pursue college and other careers:resources,publications,information on technology,etc

Think College

http://www.thinkcollege.net/

University of Oregon Disability Services

http://ds.uoregon.edu/

**Each college in Oregon has a Disability Services office to help you develop the accomodations you need to succeed in college.You will need to advocate for yourself and provide proof of your disability.

Resources for Disabled Students in Need of College Financial Aid

http://www.icdri.org/Financial%20Aid/finaid.htm

National resources to help students with disabilities attend college

http://www.wrightslaw.com/flyers/college.504.pdf

Advocacy resources for college students with disabilities.

HEATH Resource Center - Welcome

http://www.heath.gwu.edu/

National resource list for students with disabilities

Going to College

http://www.going-to-college.org/

College resources for students with LD or AD/HD - Life After High School | GreatSchools

http://www.greatschools.org/special-education/health/college-resources-for-students.gs?content=798

FINANCIAL RESOURCES AVAILABLE

Make sure you fill out the free application for financial aid which is available online as well as any financial aid office.

FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid

http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

Use free scholarship searches online-too many to list.

The Social Security Administration has plans to help students pay school expenses and work while retaining Social Security benefits.It is called the Student Earned Income Exclusion.Currently you qualify if you are under the age of 22 and regularly attending school.The Social Security Adminstration does not count up to a certain amount of earned income per month when they figure your SSI payment amount.Check the Social Security website for the current exclusion amount. 

Benefits for People with Disabilities

http://www.ssa.gov/disability/

Disability Rights Oregon Benefit Planning Service

Free Service to Help You Plan Your Benefits while working/going to school.

503-243-2081

800-452-1694

The state vocational rehabilitation agency will sometimes provide assistance with paying for fees,books,and other school and work-related expenses.Your area location will be listed on this website.

State of Oregon: Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (OVRS)

http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/vr/

Transition Community Network | Oregon Youth Transition Program

http://www.ytporegon.org/content/transition-community-network

Has some scholarship resources

See INCIGHT listing above for scholarship resources

LISTINGS OF EMPLOYMENT?VOCATIONAL RESOURCES (LONG)

EMPLOYMENT RESOURCES

Welcome to Disability Compass! — Disability Compass

http://www.disabilitycompass.org/

resource for listings for job coaches,job developers and other employment resources in Oregon

Personal Services Providers Search — Disability Compass-Agencies

Personal Services Providers Search — Disability Compass-Individuals

Preparing for the Real World of Work | autismone.org

http://www.autismone.com/content/preparing-real-world-work

Excellent 52 slide Powerpoint presentation on teens and preparing for work by Chantal Sicile-Kira,the author of the book Adolescents on the Autism Spectrum.


Employment For People On The SPectrum
http://specialistsguild.org/

Choosing the Right Job for People with Autism or Asperger's Syndrome : Autism Research Institute

http://www.autism.com/ind_choosing_job.asp

Article by Temple Grandin 

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services

OVRS Services

http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/vr/services.shtml

Oregon Career Information System

http://oregoncis.uoregon.edu/home/

On line assessments and career information

http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/dd/adults/brokerages.pdf

http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/dd/adults/brokerages.pdf

Brokerages in Oregon provide support to help you find services and organizations that lead to employment.The case manager at your brokerage may have additional employment resources. they can help you with or connect you with.Most brokerages have resource pages on their website evenif you are not brokerage customer.

Oregon DHS: Supported Employment

http://www.dhs.state.or.us/dd/supp_emp/

Local Resources for employment of People With Disabilities in Oregon

http://www.pascenter.org/state_based_stats/local_resources.php?state=oregon

SE Works

6927 SE Foster Rd

Portland,OR 97206

503-772-2302

SE Works: Portland Oregon Jobs

http://www.seworks.org/

You can assess your skills,meet with a career coach and attend workshops.Limited amount of tuition assistance for training in specific skills.Specific services for youth 16-21.

UCP Supported Employment Program

11731 NE Glen Widing Dr

Portland,OR 97220

503-777-4166

ucpa@ucpaorwa.org

UCP of Oregon & SW Washington: Supported Employment

http://www.ucp.org/ucp_localsub.cfm/129/9325/10524

Works with local businesses to develop employment opportunities and placement for people with disabilities.

Port City Development Center

2124 N Williams Ave

Portland,OR 97227

503-236-9515

Port City Development Center — Disability Compass

http://www.disabilitycompass.org/searches/personal-services-providers/port-city-development-center

Comprehensive vocational services to people with disabilities,including job assessment,job development,coaching,supported employment,enclaves and production contract work.

Pathways to Independence

1521 N. Jantzen #191

Portland,OR 97217

503-240-8794

503-240-8794

Pathways to Independence - Home

http://www.pathwaysto.net/

Mostly entry level jobs.Teaches job seeking skills

De Paul Industries

2734 N. Haydn Island Dr

Portland,OR 97217

503-281-1289

DePaul Industries: Home

http://www.depaulindustries.com/

Sheltered workshop for people with disabilities

Alternative Work Concepts

915 Oak  St.

Eugene,OR 97401

541-345-3043

Alternative Work Concepts: The progressive solution for your permanent staffing needs

http://alternativeworkconcepts.org/

McKenzie Personnel System

81 Centennial Loop

Eugene,OR 97401

541-344-0549

Mckenzie Personnel Systems

http://www.mckenziepersonnel.com/

Pearl Buck Center

3690 W 1st Ave

Eugene,OR 97402

541-484-4666

Pearl Buck Center -Creating opportunities and provide support to individuals with developmental disabilities and others at risk, their children and families, to promote their independence and active participation in the community.

http://www.pearlbuckcenter.com/adult-services.cfm

Production services and community based employment programs for people with disabilities.

Supported Employment Services

250 Oakway Center

Eugene,OR 97401

541-687-0687

No website-current? From ASO LC list.Did not call,ran out of time.

Mt. Angel Developmental Programs

350 E. Church

P.O. Box 78

Mt. Angel,Oregon 97362

503-845-9214

Mt. Angel Developmental Programs

http://www.ormadp.com/id1.html

Supported living programs,day programs,recreational and respite programs.

Employment

Portland Community College Culinary Assistant Training Program

Sylvania Campus

12000 SW 49th Ave

Portland,OR 97219

Lee Fan,Program Coordinator 503-977-4305

Email lfan@pcc.edu

Specifically designed for students with special needs who may encounter specific barriers to employment in transition.Helps the student acquire entry level job skills in food service occupations.

Culinary Assistant Training | PCC

http://www.pcc.edu/programs/culinary-assistant/

Rehabilitation Consultants

Paul See

Portland,OR 97214

503-234-0433

Supported employment/job development services

Has done job development for people with autism

Goodwill Industries International, Inc.

http://www.goodwill.org/

Find the nearest training center in your area.Multiple Oregon locations.

Work Incentives Network - Oregon

http://www.win-oregon.com/

Excellent resource for current work incentive programs-Oregon resources.

Social Security Online - The Red Book - A Guide to Work Incentives

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/redbook/

Excellent resource for work incentive programs if you receive SSI and want to work/go to school and need to do benefit planning.

Organizations in Oregon for People With Disabilities That May Provide Pre-Employment Training or Employment Resources in Your Area

HASL

Independent Abilities Center

305 NE "E" St

Grants Pass,OR 97526

541-479-4275

HASL - Core Services Grants Pass

http://haslonline.org/core_services.php

Eastern Oregon Center for Independent Living

322 SW 3rd Suite 6

Pendleton,OR 97801

541-276-1037

and

1021 SW 5th Ave

Ontario,OR 97914

541-889-3119

1-866-248-8369 toll free

Eastern Oregon Center for Independent Living

http://www.eocil.org/

Central Oregon Resources For Independent Living CORIL

20436 Clay Pigeon Court

Bend,OR 97702

541-388-8103

CORIL Employment Services

http://www.coril.org/Services/Employment-Services/default.aspx

Central Oregon Resources for Independent Living - Empower people with disabilities

LILA

Lane Independent Living Alliance

99 West 10th Avenue #117

Eugene,OR 97401

541-607-7020

LILA | home | Eugene, Oregon

http://www.lilaoregon.org/

Spokes Unlimited

415 Main St

Klamath Falls,OR 97601

541-883-7547

http://www.spokesunlimited.org/

http://www.spokesunlimited.org/

Independent Living Resources ILR

1639 NE Couch St

Portland,OR 97232

503-232-7411

Independent Living Resources Advocacy and counseling for individuals with disabilities.

http://www.ilr.org/

Welcome to Job Corps

http://www.jobcorps.gov/home.aspx

Job Accommodation Network JAN

http://www.jan.wvu.edu

1-800-526-7234

Part of the Office of Disability Employment Policy of the US Dept of Labor.Free consulting service that provides information about job accommodations,rights under the ADA and the employability of people with disabilities.

Resources For Teaching Life Skills

These are all free resources for parents and professionals to help young adults prepare for independent living.


Preparing Adolescents for Young Adulthood (PAYA)
A workbook series created by Massachusetts Department of Social Services. PAYA can be used by the learner alone, or with an adult. Topic areas and brief assessments match the learning goals and expectations of the Guidebook. The Activity/Resource Workbook contains information and exercises by topic area to help develop or strengthen the skills of the learner.
There are five modules available consisting of multiple PDF files (please follow the links below to access files):

• Module 1: Money, Home, and Food Management
• Module 2: Personal Care, Health, Social Skills, and Safety
• Module 3: Education, Job Seeking Skills, and Job Maintenance Skills
• Module 4: Housing, Transportation, Community Resources, Understanding the Law, and Recreation
• Module 5: Young Parents Guide

Ready, Set, Fly! A Parent's Guide to Teaching Life Skills
This resource was developed by foster parents for other parents to use when teaching life skills. The Activity Book is designed to be used in conjunction with the Life Skills Guidebook. It contains a series of activities and suggestions that may be used in one-to-one instruction. For parents use with youth ages 8 and older.

Available as free pdf: 

• Ready, Set, Fly! (English)
• Ready, Set, Fly! (Spanish)
• Quick Start Guide to Ready, Set, Fly! (English)
• Instructions for using Ready, Set, Fly! with ACLSA & the Life Skills Guidebook
  
  To purchase hard copies of Ready, Set, Fly! call:
  The National Resource Center at (918) 660-3700. 

Disability Rights Oregon Handbooks and Guides

Disability Rights Oregon has free guides in many areas such as guardianship,social security rep payee info,educational areas and more.Most editions are available in Spanish and English.

DRO FAQs, Handbooks & Guides — Disability Rights Oregon

National Park Access Pass Is Free For People With Disabilities

This is a great deal-free after providing documentation of your disability.


Free USA National Park Pass for Disabled: Access Permit For No Cost With Documentation | Suite101.com

VOTING RESOURCES IN OREGON

I spoke with Multnomah County Elections Bureau about a question I have heard from several parents.If someone has a legal guardian can they still vote?The answer is YES.

There is voter assistance for people with disabilities available for each county in OregonYou just need to conatact your county elections bureau..The person I spoke with at Multnomah County said that the main requirement for voting in Oregon is that someone needs to be able to sign their ballot.This can be a written signature or they can use an approved signature stamp (see the signature stamp attestation form).

With all the challenges in our state budget it is so important for self advocates and families to be involved in advocating for services and resources.Voting is a big part of this.

You can register to vote by mail-see the link below.

Below are links to some information and forms that might help you.  

Printable Oregon Voter Registration Form:

http://www.sos.state.or.us/elections/doc/publications/forms/500_nvra/SEL500.pdf

For Voter Assistance for Oregon Residents:

http://www.sos.state.or.us/elections/pages/voterresources/voter_assistance/index.html

Absentee Ballot Request Form:

http://www.sos.state.or.us/elections/doc/publications/forms/100_candidate_filing/SEL111.pdf

Signature Stamp Attestation Form:

http://www.sos.state.or.us/elections/doc/publications/forms/500_nvra/SEL540.pdf

Multnomah County Elections Web Page:

www.mcelections.org

The contact for Voter Assistance at Multnomah  County Elections is:

Sharon Johnson

503-988-3720 extension 24670

Life Journey through Autism-A Guide For Transition To Adulthood

Great Free Transition Guide-can be printed out from PDF

http://www.researchautism.org/resources/reading/documents/transitionguide.pdf

This is from the Organization For Autism Research and is free if you download it.You can order a hard copy for $5.There is a great chart on page 57 comparing ADA,504 and IDEA Legislation to show what each covers.PAge 68-69 is an excellent chart about when and if to disclose your disability as a young adult.Pages 64-65 are a good resource for developing self-advocacy skills.

I highly recommend this resource.

Independence NW Resources For Transition

This is a pretty inclusive resource list that is organized well.Along with the other great resources on this site I highly recommend it,even if you are not a client.

independence northwest | a 501(c)(3) organization Resource List

http://www.independencenw.org/documents/Turning18v2.0.pdf

Turning 18-Tranistioning Into Adult Services

INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR BOOKLET

Very useful info about working with independent contractors in your brokerage plan

Support The 2011 SSI Savers Act-Would Allow People On SSI To Have a Higher Asset Level

Take Action to Help People with Disabilities Build Assets: Support the 2011 SSI Savers Act : The Shriver Brief

Disaster Preparedness Resources

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS RESOURCES FOR PEOPLE WITH AUTISM

These are things that are good to plan for BEFORE a disaster occurs.

For school age it is important to ask your child's school for a copy of their disaster plan and ask which staff member is responsible for your child in the event of an emergency/disaster.There should be a policy and procedure for disaster planning for students with disabilities in your school.As an adult with autism think about what resources you might need for safety,emotional support and medication availability in the event of an emergency in whatever settings you might be in.

Disaster Preparedness For People With Autism/Other Disabilities

Disaster Preparedness for People on the Autism Spectrum and their Supporters : Autism Research Institute

http://www.autism.com/ind_disasterprep.asp

Article by Stephen Shore

Autism Society of America: Disaster Preparedness Tips for Families Affected by Autism

http://wwwstatic.kern.org/gems/kernautism/DisasterPreparednessTipsforF.pdf

Disaster Preparedness for People on the Autism Spectrum and their Supporters

Preparedness Tools & Resources: Emergency Preparedness: Disability.gov

NSIP - Emergency Preparation and People with Disabilities

Prepare.org | Disaster Preparedness for People with Disabilities

PrepareNow.org

Impact Newsletter: Feature Issue on Disaster Preparedness and People with Disabilities

http://www.ct.gov/ctcdd/lib/ctcdd/Guide_final.pdf

http://www.hhs.gov/od/documents/disabilityAmericanRedCross.pdf

Ready.gov: Disabled and Special Needs

disAbility Preparedness

FEMA: Individuals with Special Needs

Disability Preparedness Home page | DHS

AUTISM TRAINING FOR FIRST RESPONDERS

Autism Training For First Responders To Expand - Disability Scoop

Transition Guide For Young Adults on Autism Spectrum

http://www.ocali.org/_archive/pdf_trans_guide/Trans_Guide_3.pdf

http://www.ocali.org/_archive/pdf_trans_guide/Trans_Guide_3.pdf

Excellent free printable transition guide for transition planning for young people with autism.Nice resource section on the last few pages for more information.

Resources To Identify Teaching Needs for Independent Living

Here are two resources for identifying independent living skills to target for teaching:

Casey Life Skills is a great resource that is free.You can print out teaching modules for areas related to preparing for independent living skills.This program was designed for another population but breaks skills down well for teaching to people with disabilities.


There is an assessment (Ansell-Casey- on the site) you can do to determine the needs for teaching.For ages 16 and over you should choose the ACLSA-IV.There is both a youth and a caregiver version.To choose the curriculum go to Learning Plan in the top toolbar.Choose Life Skill Domain and all the Life Skill teaching areas will pop up.

Life Skill Areas:

• Career Planning
• Communication
• Daily Living
• Home Life
• Housing and Money Management
• Self Care
• Social Relationships
• Work Life
• Work and Study Skills
  
  

.

Casey Life Skills

http://www.caseylifeskills.org/

Casey Life Skills

http://www.caseylifeskills.org/pages/res/res_ACLSAGuidebook.htm




ADOLESCENT AUTONOMY CHECKLIST
From the University of Washington Youth In Transition Project.
This is another list that helps target teaching areas.It doesn't suggest teaching materials.


http://www.aacpp.com/pdf/parents/English/Teens/Adolescent-Autonomy-Checklist.pdf

Final State Budget Cuts to Disability Services

http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/aboutdhs/budget/2011-2013/lab/reductions-spd.pdf?ga=t


Here is a chart of the budget cuts in Oregon for people with disabilities.Brokerage services are now restricted to clients receiving Medicaid.The initial budget proposed to restrict brokerage services to age 21 and over,but that did not end up in the final cuts.Brokerage services still start at age 18.You can see there are some cuts to the brokerages in administrative costs.

Great Free Transition Guide-can be printed out from PDF

http://www.researchautism.org/resources/reading/documents/transitionguide.pdf

NY Times Story of Group Home Executives Getting Rich From The People They Are Supposed To Be Providing Services TO

For Executives at Group Homes, Generous Pay and Little Oversight - NYTimes.com

Autism Society of Oregon-Transition To Adult Services article

http://www.oregonautism.com/article_adult_services.pdf

Please note this article was written  before the current change in Oregon that you need to be Medicaid eligible now to receive brokerage services.SO-it is especially important to apply for both Social Security and Medicaid at age 18 to receive all services available.

Adults With Autism Losing the Safety Net

Video: Losing the safety net: Adults with autism | Need to Know

Non-Medicaid Clients Being Dropped By Brokerage in Oregon-update

Non-Medicaid Customers Dropped from Brokerages October 1st | independence | northwest | blog
http://independencenw.wordpress.com/2011/07/25/not-on-medicaid-here-are-some-very-compelling-reasons-you-should-be/

Dr. Peter Gerhardt Interview

Autism Now: Dr. Peter Gerhardt Extended Interview | PBS NewsHour | April 22, 2011 | PBS