Help advocate for DSP wage increase in one, simple step!

UPCOMING EVENTS

To see upcoming trainings and activities check out the April Calendar!

COVID VACCINE UPDATES

Visit How to Find a COVID-19 Vaccine to help determine your eligibility and locate a vaccine provider in your community. 211 is another resource for COVID vaccine information.

As a reminder, parents of children with a developmental disability and people 16 years and older who experience disabilities are currently eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as part of Phase 1A-Groups 2-3.

If you have questions about who is eligible to receive the vaccine now, tune into a Facebook Live Event with the Oregon Health Authority at noon today.

DEALING WITH COVID STRESS

The Swindells Resource Center has produced another video to help parents through the COVID pandemic. Listen to Eileen Devine, a therapist and fellow parent of a child with neurological differences, share tips for setting realistic expectations and taking care of your spiritual, emotional and physical health. Also, read these tips for managing anxiety related to COVID-19.

RETURN TO SCHOOL

After a long year, many children and youth will be venturing back to school in a hybrid model. Here are some tips on How to Support Your Child with the Transition Back to the Classroom.

ADVOCATE FOR DSP WAGE INCREASE

The Ways and Means Committee needs to hear from families about HB2964, the bill that will increase the wages of direct support professionals (DSPs).

If you have struggled to retain quality DSPs to help support your son or daughter, please write a letter to your legislators. Let them how DSPs are a critical workforce and that raising their wages will help increase capacity and make it easier for families to find and retain quality support professionals.

The Oregon Resource Association has created a Quick Email in Support of HB 2964. Simply add your personal story to their email message, and the email will be automatically sent to the members of the Ways & Means Committee.

The statewide family networks, which includes Families Connected, also need your help as funding for the family networks was cut in the special session last summer. Read this GO! Bulletin to learn more.

Please Find Your Legislator and send an email to let them know how the family network has helped your family. Ask your legislators to contact members of the Ways and Means Committee and request they reinstate the $1.3 million in family network funding. And, don't forget to join Families Connected for the DD Advocacy Day on April 14!

LANE COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH AT CARES CENTER TODAY TO HELP PEOPLE REGISTER FOR VACCINE

Representatives from Lane County Public Health will be at the CARES Center this afternoon (April 1) from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. to help people who are currently eligible to receive the COVID vaccine to schedule their vaccination appointment. Residents can schedule an appointment while picking up a food box.

In addition, representatives from the HIV Alliance will be at the CARES Center on Saturday, April 10 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to do free testing and provide information about available services.

CELEBRATE EARTH DAY AT HECETA HEAD

Families are invited to join Families Connected, the Autism Society of Oregon and the Oregon Family Support Network for the annual SOLVE Beach Clean Up in honor of Earth Day. The event will take place on Saturday, April 17. Come enjoy some camaraderie and outdoor fun on the beautiful Oregon coast all while giving back to the community.

LEARN ABOUT FUN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH

Join Families Connected for an online training on April 29 when Niels Pasternak, a special education teacher with the Education Service District, will share fun education resources with parents to help keep children and youth engaged in learning. Pasternak will walk parents through a website he has developed, called Education Equity Now, and there will be a fun scavenger hunt as part of the training.

SAVE STIMULUS FUNDS WITH ABLE ACCOUNT

With the U.S. Treasury issuing more COVID stimulus checks, now is a great time to set up an ABLE account that allows people with disabilities to save money without impacting their benefits. Haven't heard about ABLE accounts? Watch this short video to learn ABLE account basics. Also, sign up for the Saving with Oregon ABLE 101 Webinar on April 14.

GET HELP WITH FUTURE PLANNING

Have you mapped out a plan for your child's future? The Arc Families Connected can help! Specifically, Families Connected can can help people with disabilities and their families learn about future planning and why it's important to start early. We can also help share resources and help build future plans. Contact Nancy to schedule an appointment.

FREE, INTERACTIVE PLAY ACTIVITIES

Project Sunshine TelePlay offers live, interactive play and free activities for children and youth who are facing medical challenges and their caregivers. Activities are grouped by ages and use a technology platform that protects a child's privacy. Watch this video to learn how to sign up.