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Invitation to Empowered Services’ October Newsletter
Greetings from Empowered Services!
As the Unlocking Opportunities: IDD Community in Oregon leaves begin to turn their picturesque hues of amber and gold, we are excited to usher in another enchanting season with our valued community. Unlocking Opportunities: IDD Community in Oregon October is not only a time to appreciate the serene beauty of fall but also an opportunity to reconnect, share, and grow together. We are thrilled to present our special October Newsletter, curated with love and insights for our wonderful IDD community.
Warmly,
The Empowered Services Team
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Empowered Services October Newsletter
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Also, read or download a copy of our October 2023 Newsletter.
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Resources and Activities…
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Parental Guide for Child with IDD
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This guide for new parents covers a range of topics, including:
- how your child got the intellectual disability diagnosis
- how to cope with the feelings you might be experiencing
- finding the right therapies and supports for your child
- intellectual disability resources
- a letter from a Special Olympics athlete
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Download a free copy of this guide: Young-Athletes-New-Family-Resource-English
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Parent Advocacy and Support, and Trainings
- Oregon Advocates for Equitable Disability Services (OA4EDS) – Parent run advocacy group working to make positive changes in disability services. Contact them for more information and/or to get involved. Their Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/OA4EDS or you can contact their leadership team by emailing: JessaReinhardt@gmail.com (make sure to put “OA4EDS” in the subject line.
- UPC Support Group for Parents – Online support group open to all Oregon & SW Washington families who are raising a child with ANY disability. Group is called “Gimme A Break” (GAB). Meetings are held over Zoom. There are both daytime AND evening options. Families get to connect with other families to cheer for each other, vent, just talk, and/or to share ideas. Group members share information on how to find support and what to expect now and in the future.
- Northwest Family Services – Programs and services include health and social service navigation, youth prevention and intervention programs, outpatient alcohol and drug treatment, support for youth and families affected by incarceration, youth education and employment success, restorative justice, mental health services, job readiness and placement, couple’s classes, parenting, and healthy relationship education. Phone: 503-546-6377 Email: service@nwfs.org
- Reach Out Oregon – is an organization that offers support to families with children experiencing mental, emotional, and behavioral health challenges. Their goal is to help families gain access to a support team of families, friends, and community networks where questions are answered, resources are shared, and needs are understood.
- Autism Society of Oregon – support groups, resources, and information for individuals with Autism and their families.
- Fact Oregon– On-Demand Trainings on Transition to Kindergarten, The IEP, and Behaviors at School
- Oregon Post Adoption Resource Center–Trainings available on parenting teens, suicide prevention, developing open and effective communication etc.
- The Shadow Project– Summer Goal Setting to help parents and caregivers support their child’s confidence, attention and motivation
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Training
Swindells Center events, including Sibshops, IEP training, and a Community Health Fair
Other resources
- Library of Things – The library has more than just books – you can check out anything from camping gear to a ukulele (why not both?) through your local library.
- Buy Nothing Group – This Facebook group helps people connect through a ‘gift economy.’ This is not an endorsement, for info only, but I’ve heard good feedback from the parents I work with – looking for a sensory swing? Safety items? Or other equipment/supplies?… ask the group.
- Ant Farm Youth Core – Ant Farm helps youth learn work skills with their peers while connecting with the community; typical jobs include yard work for local seniors, clean up at local parks and they even have a coffee shop where youth can gain food prep and customer service skills.
- Oregon City Farmers Market – every Saturday in August, 9 am-2 pm – located at the Red Soils campus, 2051 Kaen Rd. Oregon City.
- Be prepared for wildfire season – you can sign up for notifications or view current alerts HERE also, see the attached documents for more info.
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Food Resources
- How to Get Food in Clackamas County Resource Page
- PDX Free Fridge
- Oregon Food Bank Finder
- Clackamas Service Center
- FIDO (Friends Involved in Dog Outreach) – providing pet food to ensure that the bond between people and their pet companions is unbroken. 503-655-3663
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Mental Health Resources
- Clackamas County Crisis Line – provides 24/7, free, and confidential support. 503-655-8585
- Crisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741741 – 24/7 line.
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – provides 24/7, free, and confidential support. Military veterans may press ‘1’ for specialized care. 800-273-TALK
- The Trevor Project Suicide Prevention Line – for LGBTQ+ youth. 1-866-4-U-TREVOR (866-488-7386)
- Oregon YouthLine – a teen-to-teen crisis support and help line. Please let your teens know that there are peers available to listen and support them. Call, text, and chat options are available.
o Call: 877-968-8491 (24/7 line)
o Text: teen2teen to 839863
o Chat: Online (4pm-10pm)
o Email: youthl@linesforlife.org
- Trans Lifeline’s Peer Support Hotline – Peer support service run by trans people. 877-565-8860
- Suicide Survivor Support Group – Youth Era Drop-in Center. Tuesdays at 4 pm. For individuals ages 14-18.
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Other Resources
- HOUSING ASSISTANCE – Clackamas County Coordinated Housing Access is the starting point for housing and support services. Emergency, transitional, and permanent housing referrals may be available. Unlocking Opportunities: IDD Community in Oregon Problem-solving and resources to prevent loss of housing can be explored (financial assistance is based on eligibility). You can call or fill out the online intake form to get on the waitlist for an Intake Interview. Phone: 503-655-8575
- Clackamas Parenting Together Calendar – event calendar for family-friendly events and parent support/learning opportunities.
- Cooking Matters – Cooking Matters is on a mission to make eating healthier and affordable for families everywhere. Find tips, recipes, lesson plans, and handout activities for kids. Find cooking classes in your area as well.
- School-Based Health Centers – confidential medical services for students. Unlocking Opportunities: IDD Community in Oregon No student is denied services. Insurance is billed whenever possible; however, students and families are not charged for services.
- Youth Era – Youth Era works to empower young people and create breakthroughs with the dedicated systems that serve them. Clackamas Drop-in Center is open Monday-Friday 3 pm-6 pm
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ACTIVITIES
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Fun stuff
- Special Olympics – Fall sports season starts soon which includes swimming and bowling – the registration is not open yet but go here for more info including the required medical form and – register for the newsletter to receive registration info and other updates
- Youth Music Project – classes for all ages and abilities, including various music camps, go here for more info. Full and partial scholarships are available.
- Club EMU holds on-going in-person and virtual events for teens and adults: https://clubemu.org/
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