We’re delighted to build up and support this network of engaged parents to effect real systems change and improve education and health outcomes for youth with disabilities. A gracious thank you to everyone who applied (over 100 of you!). If you haven’t received an email from us, please check your spam folder or reach out to parentleadership@factoregon.org.

In March, we hosted a community conversation on graduation requirements, facilitated by Oregon’s Kitchen Table. Thank you to all who were able to attend and share their perspectives and ideas with the Oregon Department of Education. Your voices are important in helping ODE ensure that high school graduation requirements work better for ALL kids. See more engagement opportunities, such as our upcoming Supported Decision Making training, below!

This month, we also feature another fabulous Community Partner: the Assistive Technology Lab at Community Vision (AT Lab for short). The AT Lab does amazing work to put assistive technology into the hands of individuals who need it across the state. Read on in our Partner Spotlight section!

With Em Braman, National Certified Guardian

Please reach out to Cori@factoregon.org if you need accommodations.

CAST researchers as part of the Center on Inclusive Technology and Education Systems (CITES) project in collaboration with research intern Angel Morgan from North Carolina State University are conducting a study about ways in which school district leaders, school leaders, teachers, and service providers involve families of students with disabilities in planning, implementing, and using technology.  

Family members of a K-12 student with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 plan who attends a public school in the United States are invited to participate in a survey to share their thoughts. Survey participants may enter to win a $50 Amazon gift card and volunteer to participate in a Focus Group to provide more detailed feedback. For more information (English & Spanish) and a link to the survey, visit https://bit.ly/3L6j8Hp.

Questions? Contact Angel Morgan, email: amorgan@cast.org

More information can be found in the press release, Oregon Public Broadcasting article and website.

Oregon’s 2022 Short Legislative session ended on March 4^th, just 32 days after it was gaveled in on Feb. 1^st and three days ahead of its required end date. 

Thanks to a strong February Revenue Forecast and continued positive outlook going forward, legislators also had $800 million more to spend than anticipated, which they put to good use. The 100-page end-of-session budget bill (HB 5202) included several billion dollars in investments in many key areas such as education, educator workforce issues, summer learning, stabilizing Oregon’s childcare workforce, maintaining access to health care for lower-income Oregonians, addressing the homelessness and housing crisis, addressing workforce needs, making investments in behavioral health, public safety, and much more. 

Visit our website for a brief summary and status on several of the bills we were tracking this session. 

The AT Lab is an education and resource center open to the public which offers support to individuals with disabilities navigating mobility, communication, learning, daily living, and more.

FACT Families

In this blog Amanda shares about how important it is to reach families early in their journey. FACT Oregon's Dream to Go Far inclusive storybook works to meets this need. Read more from Amanda here and visit our website to learn more about Dream to Go Far!

With Karen Krejcha