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Invitation to Empowered Services’ October Newsletter

Greetings from Empowered Services!

As the 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. 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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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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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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