Special thanks to Beri Swango, Ron Spence and Erin Graff for their hard work on the first issue. Leave us comments and let us know what you’d like to see in the spring issue.

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 .

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

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

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 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

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

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/

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.

Parent to Parent of Oregon
Mentor Training

When: Saturday, February 18, 2012; 9:30 a.m. -3:00 p.m.

Where: East Rose Unitarian Church
1133 NE 181st
Portland, OR

Please call 503 706-0744 or
email p2poregon@gmail.com to register.
Pre-registration required

Lunch Provided. There is no cost for this training. Donations accepted.

Thanks, Evelyn Lowry, for the tip.