Welcome to February at FACT Oregon
It’s mid-winter in Oregon, and though the weather may be grey and cold, we have some amazing things to celebrate and look forward to at FACT Oregon!
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In This Edition:
- Parent Leadership is Back!
- Transition to Kindergarten
- Join our Policy and Advocacy News
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First, let me say that I am deeply honored to officially step into the role of Executive Director. This work is my passion, and I am proud to be supported and lifted up in this role by a truly dedicated team and engaged board. Read about this transition from the Board of Directors here!
Second, incredible trainings are coming your way over the next several months! A preview of what’s upcoming:
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Transition to Kindergarten virtual training is happening in March for those families with little ones who will start this new chapter in the fall! Click here to register.
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Parent Leadership: Activating Your Advocacy applications are now open for the spring cohort! Our first cohort was a huge success and we had an amazing time with the fall cohort - and can’t wait to have them join us in welcoming a new cohort!
Lastly, please take a moment to sign up for our policy and advocacy email list. We are actively engaged in the legislative short session to ensure that the voice of families with children experiencing disability is present and heard. Stay up to date and learn how you can help to make a more accessible and inclusive Oregon for our children and families.
As always, thank you for being in community with FACT Oregon,
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Christy Reese, Executive Director |
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Transition to Kindergarten!
March 5th
9 to 11
Kindergarten means your child changes from having an Individualized Family Support Plan (IFSP) to an Individualized Education
Program (IEP)! Join us to learn more about the transition process!
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In this training participants will learn:
- The difference between the IFSP/IEP
- The importance of setting trajectory
- Your role on the IEP
- The transition to kindergarten process
- Preparing for your first IEP meeting
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Activate Your Advocacy Parent Leadership is back!
This 6 week learning series supports families to have a stronger voice, not only in their child’s education and future planning, but in systems change work that will help disrupt ableism and center equity for all children experiencing disability.
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Activate Your Advocacy parent leader’s will learn, explore, and take action on the following topics:
- The Disability Rights Movement
- Ableism, Identity, and Intersectionality
- Self-Determination, Person Centered Planning, and Whole Lives
- Educational Services and the laws that govern them including IDEA and more
- The IEP process
- Decision-making and Funding in Oregon Impacting youth with Disabilities
- Current policy and advocacy initiatives that impact youth with disabilities
- How to take action and advocate for systems change at local and state levels.
To alleviate some barriers, all participants will be eligible to receive a $500 stipend upon the successful completion of the training series. Interpretation and translation will be available. Sessions take place Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6:00pm-9:00pm starting April 4th ending May 11th. Email parentleadership@factoregon.org for more information or check out https://www.factoregon.org/parentleadership to see what our first cohort of Parent Leaders are saying since session one!
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Oregon’s “short” 2022 Legislative Session is upon us!
On February 1st, legislators will convene for a short legislative session that will last 35 days. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and recent surge of the Omicron variant, Committee hearings will be held virtually. House and Senate floor sessions will be held in person.
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This will be an incredibly fast-moving session, with likely only a few days between when a bill is introduced and when it needs to be worked and moved out of committee. Check out the resources and information available on Oregon’s Legislative Information System (OLIS) to follow all the action! Another great way to stay apprised of action on legislation impacting the disability community is to sign up for the weekly “GO! Bulletin” put out by the Oregon DD Coalition’s GO! Project!
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To learn more about the bills FACT Oregon will be watching this Legislative Season, visit our website!
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Stay up to date on Policy and Advocacy news by joining the mailing list! |
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Stories from FACT Families from the FACT Oregon Blog |
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The Benefits of Inclusive Preschool
By Amber Grossman
In this blog Amber shares about her family's journey to finding a supportive and inclusive preschool. Read her blog today! If you have a young child in preschool, don't forget to sign up for our Transition to Kindergarten virtual training coming in March!
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Articles, videos, and podcasts to spark conversations with your friends and family! |
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This fall, schools welcomed all students back to full-time in-person learning. Let’s keep this positive momentum going for our students, staff, families and communities. Lets work together to keep everyone safe against COVID-19. This winter, think of protecting yourself from COVID the same way you would keep warm, layer up! Face coverings, social distancing, and vaccinations are the best tools for keeping our communities safe and healthy. |
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Dating, Relationships, and Disability
With Kathy O'Connell
Dating, Relationships, and Disability podcast offers strategies, encouragement, and mindset tips on dating with a disability. Join Kathy O'Connell, an individual with a disability, as she discusses all things relationships!
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Oregon ABLE Empowers Individuals to be Independent
Oregon ABLE
Steve Holland and his son Daniel talk about how the Oregon ABLE Savings Plan is helping them save so Daniel can achieve his goals.
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Support families
experiencing disability!
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Share Your Story!
Share your family's story! Tell us what you've learned along the way and how the support, trainings, or resources FACT Oregon may have provided have helped!
What interesting conversations did this month's content spark with your family?
What would you like to see next month?
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