Dear FACT Oregon Community,

Right now, there is a lot of uncertainty about disability services and funding. We know many of you want to stay updated and speak up for the needs of the disability community.

FACT Oregon is working with national Parent Center partners to help families understand changes at the Department of Education. We’re also sharing ways you can take action to keep support strong for IDEA.

And, we continue to offer support, trainings, and resources for families and partners. FACT Oregon’s work is rooted in values of inclusion, self-determination, accessibility, and collaboration. We believe our community is strongest when we work together.

Keep reading to learn about our newest partnership with another Parent Training and Information Center as well as new trainings and resources!

In community,

Christy Reese, Executive Director
FACT Oregon 

PAVE Washington and FACT Oregon have been awarded a five-year grant from the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA).

Our joint project, the D1 Transition Learning Collaborative, provides resources and information to support young people with disabilities and their families to meet their employment and independent living goal and builds on the wisdom of Parent Centers across Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

We will share more in the coming months as we develop this exciting project from the ground up.

We are planning a few other behavior-related trainings in November and December, so look for them soon on our training calendar and in special eblasts and on social. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

Alicia Riddle first connected with FACT Oregon through our parent leadership program, Activate Your Advocacy. After graduating, she joined our team in November 2023 as a program coordinator.

Now, Alicia is building upon what she learned at FACT and turning advocacy into more action in a new role! Alicia has accepted a position as Family Involvement Program Manager at Oregon Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Needs (OCCYSHN), starting November 10.

We look forward to partnering with Alicia in her new role at OCCYSHN. Here’s to activated parent leaders!

With Thanksgiving and December holidays quickly approaching, we focus this month’s Discover and Discuss on tips for gathering during the holidays.

While gatherings can be exciting, they can also be challenging for kids with communication support needs or sensory processing challenges. Personalizing your child’s AAC device with greetings and holiday-related topics can help everyone connect more easily and confidently and help your child learn new traditions.

• Get 5 simple tips today!

From costumes to new foods and more, this podcast from Understood shares strategies to help you and your child enjoy the holidays.

• Listen

The Swindells Resource Center is hosting a virtual workshop on November 19 from 6-7:30 pm on how to use visual supports and tools to prepare for holidays and family gatherings.

• Register!