October 2020 eNews

UPCOMING PARENT EVENTS To see upcoming parent webinars check out the October Training Calendar! YOUR ADVOCACY NEEDED Congress may vote on a new coronavirus relief bill this week, and legislators need to hear from families. The Arc has made this super easy. Click this link to email your legislators and let them know you support dedicated funding for Medicaid home and community-based services, personal protective equipment for direct support professionals, paid leave for caregivers and economic impact payments for all people with disabilities. REGISTER TO VOTE BY OCT. 13 The last day to register to vote online for the presidential election is October 13. All Oregon ballots will be mailed to registered voters a few weeks prior to the election. The Oregon Easy Voting Guide is an accessible, non-partisan voting guide to help adults with disabilities exercise their right to vote. Watch your mailbox for your ballot, and be sure to cast your vote before 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3. SWINDELLS PRODUCES VIDEOS TO HELP DURING PANDEMIC The Swindells Resource Center has created a video library to help children, youth and adults during the pandemic. There are videos with tips on wearing masks, managing challenging behaviors at home, distance learning, setting up sensory routines, as well as videos about trauma, grief and resiliency. CARES TO OPEN NEXT WEEK In partnership with FOOD for Lane County and the Community Alliance of Lane County, The Arc Lane County and Families Connected will open Community Aligned Resources for Eugene/Springfield (CARES) next Tuesday at 4181 E Street in Springfield. CARES will provide food, toiletries and home goods, such as sheets and pots and pans, to people who experience a disability, families who have a child with a disability, as well as other people in need in our local communities. CARES will be open on a weekly basis: Tuesdays, 4 - 7 p.m. Thursdays, 4 - 7 p.m. Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Resource specialists, who speak both English and Spanish, will also be available to connect people to other resources, such as employment, housing or mental health. TO GET HELP If you are in need of food or other resources, download WhatsApp, a free international texting app, and then text “RECEIVE INFO” to 541-285-1888. Alternatively, people may visit the CARES office during the hours of operation at 4181 E Street in Springfield. People may also arrange to have food delivered to them on a weekly basis. TO LEND HELP The Arc will accept new or gently used household goods, such as blankets, small appliances and other miscellaneous items. Call 541-343-5256 or send an email to Edith to schedule an appointment for donations.

HALLOWEEN BOO FUN Has your family ever been booed at Halloween? Families Connected has "You've Been Booed" Halloween treats for children and families. Simply sign up by emailing Nancy, and a "boo" package will be delivered to your doorstep. Your children can then spread some joy by leaving "boo" surprises at other doorsteps in your neighborhood. We could all use a little joy and levity during this difficult season; come join the fun!

WILDFIRE RESOURCES Families with a child who receives services through the Office of Developmental Disabilities Services can access a personal air purifier if the child's independence in performing activities has been reduced to the air quality inside the home. Families may also have specialized medical supplies, assistive devices or assistive technology replaced if they had to evacuate their homes due to the fires. Parents should contact their child's service coordinator for help. See the Office of Developmental Disabilities Services Fact Sheet for other wildfire resources.

HELP IMPROVE SPECIAL EDUCATION AT UO Individuals who experience disabilities, parents and direct support professionals can earn up to $25 by participating in Project Inclusion. Participants will be asked to appear in a series of videos that will help improve courses in special education at the University of Oregon. The videos will capture the lived experience of people who experience disabilities and their family members to give university students greater understanding and perspective.

NO TREE OF JOY FOR 2020 With our building remaining closed due to the global pandemic, The Arc Lane County has decided to cancel its annual Tree of Joy gift giving campaign this year. With rising COVID cases, raging wildfires that have affected much of our state, and families wrestling with comprehensive distance learning and feeling isolated, it's been a year of unprecedented challenges. We understand this decision may be hard on people who enjoyed celebrating the holidays at The Arc Lane County, but we want to ensure we keep our community healthy and safe. We look forward to putting this difficult year behind us and celebrating a happy (and hopefully COVID-free) New Year!

DREAMS WITHOUT LIMITS CHANGES PERCEPTIONS ABOUT DISABILITIES The Arc Lane County has published a book entitled, Dreams WIthout LImits: Changing Perceptions about People with Disabilities. The book features beautiful portraits and empowering stories and gives readers a glimpse of what people with disabilities are capable of dreaming and achieving. Hardcover and softcover books are available at The Arc Lane County and online at Dreams Without Limits.

The Arc Families Connected provides peer support to parents on their journey of raising a child with a disability.

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