Empowering Lives, One Person at a Time.
Person-centered IDD support across Oregon — matching individuals and families with trained Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), trusted caregivers, and local County Coordinators who build care around real relationships.
Need support? Start with intake. Want to serve? Apply as a DSP.
Or call us directly: 503-855-3581
We look beyond availability — matching support around personality, routines, language, location, and trust.
Currently Supported in Oregon
Trained & Matched 1:1
Currently Served • Growing to All 36
English & Spanish Care
What brings you here today?
Choose what fits you best — we’ll guide you to exactly the right next step.
I need support
I’m exploring IDD support for myself or a loved one.
Start a customer intakeI want to become a DSP
I’m called to do meaningful work supporting people in our community.
Apply to join our teamI’m a referral partner
I work with case managers, hospitals, schools, or other agencies.
Get in touchI want to choose my own caregiver
I’d like a trusted family member or friend to be paid as my DSP.
Discover the Empowered Choice ProgramHear our story in John’s words
Empowered Services was founded by John D. Marvin and his late first wife, Sarah, with one belief: that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities deserve more than care — they deserve dignity, opportunity, and people who actually see them.
Today, that legacy continues across Oregon — through dedicated County Coordinators, person-centered DSP matching, and an Empowered Choice Program that turns trusted relationships into paid, professional care.
Support works better when the match is right.
We don’t just match by availability. Seven things shape every great DSP placement — because real-life support depends on more than a calendar.
Personality
Who they are, not just what they need. The kind of company that feels easy.
Daily Routines
Morning rhythms, evening rituals, the small things that make a day feel like home.
Communication Style
How they express themselves and feel heard — words, signs, devices, or quiet presence.
Personal Goals
Independence, community, employment, growth — what does flourishing look like for them?
Language
English, Spanish, ASL, or another preferred way to connect with confidence and dignity.
Location
Same neighborhood, same county, or just a short drive — local support, locally rooted.
Support Style
Hands-on coaching, gentle company, or somewhere between — meeting people where they are.
What matters most right now?
Select what fits — we’ll point you to the right next step.
Tell us what support is needed. A Care Coordinator will help you understand eligibility, services, and matching — within 1–2 business days.
Start intakeWant to talk it through first? Speak with a Care Coordinator — no intake required.
Support built around you
No two journeys are the same. Our supports are personalized to each customer’s goals, voice, and the life they want to lead — coordinated locally and grounded in real relationships.
1:1 Attendant Care
Personalized one-on-one support tailored to each customer’s needs, interests, and routines — provided by a thoughtfully matched Direct Support Professional.
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Life Skills Coaching
Daily reinforcement of healthy habits, decision-making, and personal responsibility — supporting customers in achieving the goals they’ve set for themselves.
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Community Integration
Building real connections beyond the home — supporting customers in social events, volunteer work, employment exploration, and meaningful belonging.
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Personal Care & Hygiene
Compassionate, dignity-first support with daily living tasks — handled by trained, background-checked, CPR-certified caregivers who treat every person with respect.
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Meal Planning
Healthy eating is essential. We equip customers with the resources and skills to meet nutritional needs — from grocery shopping to meal prep to mindful choices.
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Empowered Choice Program
A paid family caregiver program — choose a trusted family member or friend to become an official Direct Support Professional, with training and payroll handled by our team.
Explore ECPFrom hello to ongoing support
Realistic timing, no surprises. Here’s exactly what to expect from your first call onward.
Submit Your Intake
A short online form (about 5 minutes), or a phone call if you’d rather talk first.
Coordinator Connects
Your County Coordinator reaches out within 1–2 business days to understand needs, goals, and preferences.
DSP Matching
We match thoughtfully, then arrange a meet-and-greet so you can confirm the fit feels right.
Support Begins
Your DSP starts. Coordinator stays in touch. We adjust as life changes — because life always does.
Already have the right person? We can help make it official.
The relationship was already there. We just make it official. Through the Empowered Choice Program, eligible Oregon families can bring a trusted family member or close friend into the official care team — fully trained, fully supported, fully paid.
What if your care could come from someone who already knows your routines, your communication style, your heart?
Need IDD support for a loved one? A Care Coordinator responds within 1–2 business days.
Start Your IntakeReady to make a difference? We’re hiring DSPs across Oregon.
Apply as a DSP11 counties. Four regions. One Oregon team.
Find availability in your region. Our DSPs and County Coordinators live and work in the communities they serve.
Don’t see your county? Contact us — we may still be able to help.
Meaningful work that changes daily life.
Become a Direct Support Professional and help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities build independence, connection, and confidence — across the 11 Oregon counties we serve.
Paid Training
Full onboarding and ongoing learning
Coordinator Support
You’re never alone — local backup, every day
Purpose-Driven Work
Real relationships, real impact
What people ask us first
Quick answers about services, eligibility, and getting started.
What does Empowered Services do?
We provide person-centered support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) across Oregon — including 1:1 Direct Support Professional (DSP) matching, life skills coaching, community integration, personal care, meal planning, and the Empowered Choice Program for families who want a trusted person providing care. See all services →
Where in Oregon do you serve?
We currently serve 11 of Oregon’s 36 counties through dedicated County Coordinators — including Washington (HQ), Multnomah, Clackamas, Marion, Polk, Yamhill, Columbia, Clatsop, Benton, Linn, and Lane. Statewide inquiries are accepted; service availability may vary by county. Bilingual English/Spanish intake is available statewide. Our strategic vision is to expand to all 36 Oregon counties.
How do I start services with Empowered Services?
Submit our Customer Intake form and a Care Coordinator will respond within 1–2 business days to walk you through eligibility, services, and matching with a Direct Support Professional. Most inquiries receive a response sooner. Bilingual English/Spanish intake is available.
Can a family member be paid as a caregiver?
Yes — through the Empowered Choice Program (ECP), eligible Oregon individuals can choose a family member or trusted friend to become their official paid Direct Support Professional. We handle training, payroll, compliance, and ongoing support.
How is Empowered Services licensed and funded?
Empowered Services is licensed by Oregon ODDS as a Standard Model Agency. Services are available to eligible Oregon residents receiving services through ODDS, a Community Developmental Disabilities Program (CDDP), or a Brokerage / Personal Agent. We do not currently offer private-pay services. Start an inquiry or call 503-855-3581 if you’re not sure whether you qualify.
I’m a Services Coordinator or Personal Agent — how do I refer a customer?
Case managers and brokerage Personal Agents can refer customers via our Customer Intake form or by calling 503-855-3581. Our County Coordinators work directly with CDDPs and Brokerages across the 11 counties we serve, and we accept statewide inquiries.
How do I apply to work as a DSP?
Visit our Become a DSP page to start with our 5-minute Interest Form, or our Careers page to view current openings. We provide paid training, full benefits eligibility (medical, dental, vision, 401(k), PTO), and a clear, supported onboarding process. Oregon residents only.
Latest from our community
Newsletters, IDD resources, and stories from across the Empowered Services family.
April 24, 2026
May 2026: Empowered IDD Resources
May is Mental Health Awareness Month — supporting wellbeing across Oregon’s IDD community with curated resources and county-by-county events.
Read more
April 24, 2026
May 2026 Edition
Behind every strong family is support you don’t always see. This month’s newsletter brings those quiet stories forward.
Read more
April 2, 2026
April 2026: Empowered IDD Resources
Oregon County-by-County Guide for Autism Acceptance Month — resources, supports, and community for every county we serve.
Read moreReady to be part of something meaningful?
Whether you’re seeking support for a loved one or called to serve as a Direct Support Professional — there’s a place for you here.
Because when care starts with heart, everything changes.