Life Skills Training
Support with personal routines, hygiene, household skills, organization, healthy habits, and the daily practices that build confidence over time.
IDD Support Services in Oregon
IDD support built around real life, real relationships, and the right DSP match.
Empowered Services helps individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities build independence, participate in community life, and receive person-centered daily support through thoughtful 1:1 DSP matching, Care Coordinator guidance, and trusted caregiver pathways across Oregon.
Licensed Oregon ODDS Agency
11 Oregon Counties
Bilingual English & Spanish
1:1 DSP Matching
Prefer to talk first? Call 503-855-3581 · Mon–Fri, 8:00 am–5:00 pm PT
ODDS Standard Model
Licensed Oregon Provider
11 Counties
Statewide Inquiries Accepted
1:1 Matching
Person-Centered, Not Shift-Filling
English & Spanish
Bilingual Intake Available
Standard Model Agency · ODDS-funded. Services are available to eligible Oregon residents receiving services through ODDS, a CDDP, or a Brokerage / Personal Agent. We do not currently offer private-pay services. Service availability may vary by county.
Check Next StepsSmart Starting Point
Not sure where to begin?
Choose what best describes your situation. The page will point you toward the clearest next step.
For privacy, avoid sending highly sensitive medical, financial, or personal details through general email. Intake helps route new service requests more safely.
Recommended next step
Start Your Intake
Complete the Customer Intake form so a Care Coordinator can review eligibility, county availability, service needs, and matching preferences.
A Care Coordinator typically follows up within 1–2 business days after intake submission.
Choose Your Path
Start with the door that fits your situation.
Families, individuals, referral partners, and future DSPs all need a slightly different first step. Choose the path below and our team will help route the next move.
I need support for myself or a loved one
Start here for DSP matching, daily-living support, life skills, community involvement, or authorized IDD support services.
Start intakeI want a family member or friend to be my caregiver
Explore Empowered Choice Program options for trusted family members or longtime friends who may apply as paid DSPs.
Explore ECPI am a Services Coordinator or referral partner
Use this path for county availability, referrals, partner questions, and routing families to the right intake step.
Contact our teamI want to become a DSP
Start here if you are interested in meaningful IDD support work, paid training, and being matched with customer needs.
Start DSP interestWhat We Help With
Practical support for real daily life.
These are the core service areas families most often need. Each one is adapted to the person’s goals, routines, authorized supports, communication style, and level of independence.
Community Involvement
Help participating in appointments, local activities, recreation, volunteering, events, social connection, and everyday community life.
Meal Planning Support
Practical support with meal routines, grocery planning, food choices, kitchen structure, and healthier day-to-day decision-making.
Cooking & Self-Sustenance
Hands-on coaching for safe cooking, simple meal preparation, kitchen routines, and growing independence around food and self-care.
Shopping & Budgeting
Support with shopping lists, planning purchases, money management, budgeting routines, and building financial confidence.
Movement & Daily Activity
Encouragement for walking, recreation, active routines, meaningful participation, and daily movement that fits the individual’s life.
Service-To-Goal Mapper
What are you trying to build?
Families rarely come looking for a service category. They come looking for more independence, safety, connection, rhythm, and support that fits real life.
Selected goal
More independence at home
Build everyday confidence through repeatable routines, household skills, personal organization, safe choices, and coaching that meets the person where they are.
Start with this goalLikely support areas
Life Skills Training
Cooking & Self-Sustenance
Shopping & Budgeting
Home & Daily Routines
Everyday Support
Support across the many parts of daily life.
Beyond the six core categories, DSP support may show up in practical routines, community access, independence-building, communication support, and health-related reminders.
Important: Support depends on the person’s authorized needs, ISP or service agreement, county availability, and appropriate DSP training. Not every support is available in every situation, but these are common ways support may show up in daily life.
Home & Personal Routines
- Cleaning & organizing
- Hygiene support
- Meal routines
- Medication schedule reminders
- Healthy home structure
Community & Appointments
- Transportation support
- Appointment support
- Volunteering
- Social activities
- Errands and local outings
Skill Building
- Self-advocacy
- Goal setting & planning
- Progress tracking
- Budgeting routines
- Decision-making support
Communication & Technology
- Communication aids
- Assistive technology
- Visual schedules
- Reminder systems
- Phone or calendar routines
Emotional & Behavioral Support
- Reassurance
- Redirection
- Positive behavior support
- Coping with change
- Routine-based prevention
Health-Related Reminders
- Hydration and nutrition prompts
- Adaptive equipment setup
- Safety monitoring
- Health appointment routines
- Support with authorized health-related routines
The Empowered Match Method
We do not just fill shifts. We build the right fit.
The right support relationship is never random. We take time to understand the person, the family, the goals, the routines, and the kind of provider who will help that relationship thrive.
Listen
We learn the individual’s needs, communication style, routines, preferences, and goals — before we recommend anyone.
Understand
We look at personality fit, family context, safety needs, language preference, support style, and the rhythm of daily life.
Match
We identify a DSP or caregiver path that fits the person — not just the schedule. Families are part of the interview.
Walk With You
Care Coordinators stay involved so the relationship can grow, adjust, and remain supported across every season of care.
A Real Week Of Support
What support can look like when it fits real life.
A week of support may include small practical steps that add up to more independence, connection, safety, and confidence.
Plan the week
Review routines, appointments, groceries, transportation needs, and the person’s goals for the week.
Practice at home
Work on personal routines, household tasks, kitchen safety, organization, or step-by-step skill building.
Get into community
Support a local outing, appointment, recreation, volunteering, social connection, or community activity.
Build confidence
Practice decision-making, self-advocacy, communication, budgeting, shopping, or healthy daily choices.
Adjust and continue
Notice what worked, what needs support, and how the DSP relationship can keep growing over time.
Where We Serve
Local support across 11 Oregon counties.
Simple, readable county coverage for families, referral partners, and caregivers. Statewide inquiries are accepted, and availability may vary by county.
Active Oregon Coverage
Four active regions. One person-centered support model.
Empowered Services coordinates support across Portland Metro, the North Coast / Northwest Oregon, North Willamette Valley, and South Willamette Valley — with bilingual English/Spanish intake available.
Metro
Portland Metro
Washington · Multnomah · Clackamas
Coast / NW
North Coast
Clatsop · Columbia
North Valley
North Willamette
Yamhill · Polk · Marion
South Valley
South Willamette
Benton · Linn · Lane
Washington HQ
Multnomah
Clackamas
Clatsop
Columbia
Yamhill
Polk
Marion
Benton
Linn
Lane
Not sure whether we serve your county? Start an intake inquiry or contact the team. We will confirm availability or help point you in the right direction.
Check Service AvailabilityFind Your Care Coordinator
Choose your county. Meet the person who helps coordinate support.
Care Coordinators help route intake, clarify county availability, support DSP matching, and walk alongside families after services begin.
Which county are you asking about?
Select a county to see the Care Coordinator or regional team connected to that area. For full bios, continue to the About Us team section.
Spanish-speaking families: Janette supports bilingual English/Spanish intake, services, and ongoing communication statewide so language is never a barrier to care.
Washington County
Your Care Coordinator
Kennedy supports families in Washington and Yamhill counties.
Empowered Choice Program
Sometimes the best caregiver is someone already trusted.
Through the Empowered Choice Program, eligible customers may identify a family member or longtime friend to apply as their paid Direct Support Professional. We help with credentialing, training, and ongoing support so trusted relationships can become supported care relationships.
Best fit: families who already have someone safe, reliable, and willing to provide support — and who need the agency infrastructure to make it official.
How It Works
Getting started is simple.
Four clear steps to begin your journey with Empowered Services — designed for families, individuals, and referral partners.
Day 1
1
Submit Intake
Complete the Customer Intake Form or call our team. We learn about needs, goals, county, and preferences.
Days 1–2
2
Care Coordinator Connects
A Care Coordinator follows up to confirm eligibility, county availability, support needs, and matching preferences.
Week 1
3
DSP Matching
We match thoughtfully based on personality, routines, communication style, language preference, goals, schedule, and support needs.
Ongoing
4
Support Begins
Your DSP begins support, and your Care Coordinator stays involved as needs, goals, and routines change.
See The Work
A short look at daily support in action.
This video gives families and referral partners a quick feel for the Empowered Services approach: support that is human, practical, relational, and built around the individual.
Empowered Services Overview
Read video transcript
Imagine a place where understanding meets empowerment.
At Empowered Services, we see potential. We see ability. Your uniqueness is your strength — and here, it flourishes.
“I’m learning, growing, becoming more me.”
We’re extending our family — and inviting you to experience the Empowered Services difference.
Join us. Because here, you are seen. You are valued. You are empowered.
Empowered Services — where every individual is a part of our story.
Before Intake
What to have ready before you start.
You do not need every answer before reaching out. These details simply help a Care Coordinator understand your situation faster and route the next step more clearly.
- County of residence
- Brokerage, CDDP, or Personal Agent if known
- Authorized support needs if known
- Preferred schedule or routine
- Language preference
- Trusted caregiver already in mind
- Main goals for support
- Best contact method
Before You Reach Out
Clear next steps, safe communication.
These guardrails improve privacy, reduce confusion, and help our team route your inquiry appropriately.
Protect private details
General email and basic contact forms are not the best place for sensitive medical, financial, or personal details.
- Avoid sending highly sensitive information through general email.
- Use intake for new service requests so information can be routed properly.
- For urgent safety concerns, use emergency or crisis channels first.
Know what happens next
Most families begin with intake, while referral partners and unsure callers may contact the office first.
- Customer Intake follow-up is typically within 1–2 business days.
- County availability may vary by location and staffing.
- Bilingual English/Spanish support is available.
- Immediate emergency or life-safety issue? Call 911.
Service FAQ
Questions families and partners ask first.
Fast answers about services, funding, county availability, ECP, matching, and getting started.
What services does Empowered Services provide?
We provide person-centered support services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), including life skills training, daily living support, hygiene and meal routines, community involvement, transportation and appointment support, shopping and budgeting, cooking and self-sustenance, movement and daily activity, communication and assistive technology support, emotional and behavioral support, 1:1 DSP matching, Care Coordinator support, and Empowered Choice family caregiver options when authorized and appropriate.
What areas in Oregon do you serve?
We currently serve Washington, Multnomah, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Yamhill, Polk, Marion, Benton, Linn, and Lane counties. Statewide inquiries are accepted, though service availability may vary by county. Ask about your county →
How do I get started?
The fastest path is the Customer Intake Form. After you submit, a Care Coordinator typically follows up within 1–2 business days to learn about needs, goals, county availability, eligibility, and matching preferences.
Can I choose my own caregiver?
Yes. Through our Empowered Choice Program, eligible customers may identify a trusted family member or friend to apply as their paid Direct Support Professional. We help with credentialing, training, and ongoing support.
What if the DSP match is not quite right?
Your comfort matters. If the match is not the right fit, we can reassess needs, routines, language preference, communication style, personality fit, schedule, and support goals to help identify a better match.
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.
Can I refer a caregiver or DSP candidate?
Yes. If someone is ready to apply, send them to the Careers page. If they are exploring becoming a DSP or may be a family/friend caregiver, send them to the Become a DSP page so we can route them correctly.
Ready For The Next Step?
Start with one clear step. We will help with the rest.
Start intake, ask about Empowered Choice, check county availability, or call our Oregon team directly. A Care Coordinator can help confirm eligibility, availability, and the best next step.
Mon–Fri, 8:00 am–5:00 pm PT · Immediate emergency? Call 911.
No private-pay services currently
Statewide inquiries accepted
Bilingual English/Spanish support