Hello, everyone!
Disability Equity Center is always so happy to share and amplify the good work, opportunities, and events in our community. Please see what’s listed below.
Health, Wellness, and Navigation Support
Overcoming Obstacles to Dental Care
Do you or your loved one struggle with getting dental care? Capitol Dental’s Overcoming Obstacles to Dental Care program is made especially for people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.
They will pair a Community Health Worker (CHW) with an Expanded Practice Dental Hygienist (EPDH) to provide many dental services onsite in your home or care facility, and assist you with obtaining follow up care.
Call them today to schedule an initial appointment. Their 24-hour number is 800-525-6800 or to reach the Community Health Worker call (503) 446-0029! Please see the attached flyer for more information in another format.
Medicaid Redeterminations
As of April 1, 2023, all states have resumed checking Medicaid eligibility (also called redeterminations) after a three year pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 (CAA), states could begin redeterminations as early as February, with terminations for individuals found ineligible beginning as early as April. The CAA redeterminations process is known a Medicaid “unwinding.” Find out more information here: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Unwinding and Returning to Regular Operations after COVID-19. Find all of Justice in Aging’s COVID-19 and Public Health Emergency (PHE) Unwinding Resources page.
Be in community
If you need some support to feel less alone and more grounded and loved, you can still connect with DEC even though our Wednesday Wellness support group that happens each week from 5-6pm is currently full.
Please email corvallisdisabilityjustice@gmail.com or text 404-825-4524. We are always here for you!
Opportunities for Learning and Social Justice
Plain Language: Best Communication Practices to Benefit All Learners
Oregon Office on Disability and Health is teaching about “Plain Language: Best Communication Practices to Benefit All Learners.” Join on Wednesday, April 12 from 1-2 pm PT! This training is developed by the Oregon Office on Disability and Health, in partnership with Comagine Health, and is open to program coordinators, facilitators, and peer leaders. All are welcome! To register and get more info, click here.
APD Leadership for 2023 Legislative Session
You are invited to join Oregon Department of Human Services APD leadership for updates on the 2023 Legislative Session from noon to 1 p.m. Pacific every other Wednesday. Below is information on how to join us and information on future meetings.
DATES: April 12, April 26, May 10, May 24, June 7, June 21
TIME: 12:00 – 1:00 pm
HOW TO JOIN: Register for the meeting series using this link https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItcuutqD8rE7l_gqVTurc4ac23U5WYIfo
WHAT: Legislative Activity Update Meeting for APD Community Members
ACCESSIBILITY: Live captioning and American Sign Language interpretation will be provided. For questions about accessibility, please send an email to apd.communications@odhsoha.oregon.gov.
Final meeting in the series: A final update meeting about the 2023 Legislative Session will be on June 28. To register for the June 28 meeting use this link https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItceyrqz4jHU4xKYR21tSyvFtfL99LX1g.
Building a Trauma Informed Community: a Free Spring Training Series. Register today!
Six 90-minute sessions, Held on Zoom, Thursday Mornings; 9:30-11:00am, Starts Thursday, April 6
This cross-sector trauma informed care training will guide participants beyond the introduction to traumatic stress and awareness of adverse childhood experiences. Topics include: trauma, resilience, managing stress, trauma informed care, health equity, operationalizing systems change, and caring for yourself and others as part of a larger system of care. CEU Certificates Available! To register or with questions, email Caitlin Young: cyoung@trilliumfamily.org
Become a qualified healthcare interpreter!
Linn Benton Health Equity Alliance is offering the chance for people to become qualified healthcare interpreters. Please see more info here: Free Qualified Healthcare Interpreter Training (mailchi.mp)
Here is the latest from FACT Oregon: Upcoming Trainings / Próximas capacitaciones
Grassroots Oregon (GO!)
The Oregon DD Coalition created Grassroots Oregon (GO!) Project in July 2004 to connect regional advocates, identify issues of concern in communities statewide, and provide technical assistance regarding issues related to individuals with developmental disabilities. Learn more here: GO! Project | Oregon DD Coalition (orddcoalition.org)
PAID interview opportunity from community member Laura Rodriguez
Laura Rodriguez is a student researcher at Portland State University.
From Laura: I’m looking for folks who want to share their story of looking for work or experiences at work for my dissertation project. My study is about understanding the experiences, good and bad, of women of color or non-binary people of color with intellectual disabilities when looking for work or working.
Your story is important! What I want to understand:
- Your story of looking for a job.
- What has helped you get a job?
- What would make finding a job easier for you?
What will happen in the study?
- You will have a one-on-one interview with me. A shorter second interview may happen if I need to ask any follow-up questions.
- You can always have a friend or family member with you during the interviews.
- You can do the interview over video (Zoom), phone, or in-person. Depending on what you want.
- The 1st interview will take 1 hour. If there is a 2nd interview it will be 30 minutes.
- Everything you say will be private and confidential. You can stop at any time and it will not harm you or the services you receive.
- You will get a $40 Starbucks, Amazon or Target gift card for the interview.
If you want more information about this study, please contact Laura Rodriguez by email rodrig29@pdx.edu or cell phone (971)264-1257. THANK YOU!
Keys for the People: A BIPOC-Centered Housing Festival (formerly ‘Keys for the Culture’)
DATE: April 29
TIME: 1:00 – 5:00 pm
LOCATION: Corvallis Community Center (C3) 2601 NW Tyler Ave, Corvallis, OR 97330
This event is the second annual BIPOC-centered housing festival, and our community partners are delighted to build on the success of their prior event and make an even bigger impact. Please spread the word!
Disability Culture and Pride Building
Check out Cornerstone’s Living Studios latest exhibit, Walk This Way: Walk This Way
Walk This Way opened this past Wednesday, April 5th, and includes an artists’ reception from 12 – 2 p.m on April 12th. The exhibition runs through Friday, May 5. The Cannon Gallery of Art is located in Western Oregon University’s Campbell Hall and is open Monday – Friday, 9 – 5 or by appointment. Contact Gallery Director, Paula Booth with any questions: 503-838-8607 or boothp@wou.edu.
Adventures Without Limits is working to get the word out about their upcoming Banff Mountain Film Festival in Portland, OR at Revolution Hall next month.
This 3-night film festival is their largest fundraiser of the year and is critical in supporting efforts to provide accessible and inclusive outdoor adventures for all. Spread the word!!
Benton County Special Olympics
Athletes, families, supporters and volunteers, please note that the 2023 summer sign-ups are open from 4/3-4/15. Please visit this webpage to sign-up: http://soor.org/benton
Jam out with DEC’s Magic Luscious Spirit Sounds Music Collective!
Every first and third Monday of the month.
DATE: April 17
TIME: 2:00 – 4:00 pm
LOCATION: In-person at Turn, Turn, Turn (8 NE Killingsworth St, Portland, OR 97211)
AND Virtually over Zoom: (Click to join)
Meeting ID: 814 6878 7797
Passcode: 053972
For more info, email Scott at music@disabilityequitycenter.org
Join DEC’s Moth Dreams Collaborative Art & Zine, an art meet-up and zine collective!
Every first and third Wednesday of the month.
DATE: April 19
TIME: 2:00 – 4:00 pm
LOCATION: In-person at the Kennedy School in Portland, 5736 NE 33rd Ave, Portland, OR 97211
AND Virtually over Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/97490882507
Meeting ID: 974 9088 2507
For more info, email Kate at kate@disabilityequitycenter.org