January with FACT Oregon

Dear families, friends, and partners,

Happy New Year! With 2025 now here, we’re eager to help you kick off the year with exciting new trainings and tools.

Whether you’re exploring the IEP process, learning about communication, assistive technology or inclusive practices, or looking for ways to navigate disability systems from early childhood into adulthood, FACT Oregon is here to help you start the year strong!

Our brand-new online training on special education and powerful half-day conferences on early childhood, inclusive education, and the transition to adulthood, are designed to empower families at every step of their disability journey.

Together, let’s make 2025 a year of connection, learning, and progress!

Yours in community,

Christy Reese, Executive Director

NEW! On-Demand Training

Click to register for our new online training on special education

Introducing a fabulous new resource: our newly-revised online training Understanding Special Education: Introducing the Six Core Principles of IDEA.

This self-paced, on-demand training is comprehensive, interactive, and vetted by the Oregon Department of Education.

Whether you're a parent, community partner, or educator, this on-demand training will give you the knowledge and tools to better understand and take part in the special education process.

TAKE THE TRAINING

Virtual Half-Day Conferences

Pathways to Adulthood: A Learning Conference About Transition

Saturday, January 25, 2025 | 8:45 am - 1:15 pm | Zoom

This virtual learning conference helps youth with disabilities (14-21), their families, and professionals explore what they need to know to create a roadmap to adult success. You will explore Pathways to Further Education and Work, Independent Living and Financial Skills, and Self-Advocacy and Decision-Making.

Partners and Sponsors: Office of Special Education Programs (US Department of Education), Oregon Department of Education, Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation, Oregon Division of Financial Regulation, OnPoint Community Credit Union, Palladio Consulting, LLC, Among Friends, Community Vision, MENTOR Oregon, The Arc Oregon, Oregon Transition Education, Work Incentives Network, workability.

Register | Learn More
Download Flyers

Language Services: Training will be provided in English with Spanish interpretation. Please request other language supports at least 14 days before the event. We will do our best to accommodate.

Early Childhood Learning Conference

Saturday, February 8, 2025 | 8:45 am - 2:00 pm | Zoom

A virtual learning day for families of young children with disabilities and the professionals who support them. Get practical tools and knowledge to navigate your child’s early education journey with confidence!

Register | Learn More
Download Flyers

Language Services: Training will be provided in English with Spanish interpretation. Please request other language supports at least 14 days before the event. We will do our best to accommodate.

Unlocking Potential: Transforming Outcomes for Students with Disabilities

Saturday, March 1, 2025 | 8:45 am - 1:30 pm | Zoom

Families…educators…school leaders…community partners…are you ready to change how we support students with disabilities?

This conference is your chance to learn new tools, strategies, and ideas from leading experts who are creating spaces where all students can succeed.

Keynote: We’re excited to have Dr. Julie Causton and Dr. Kristie Pretti-Frontczak as our keynote speakers. National leaders in education, they are called "magical inclusion experts" and "educator's educators."

Together, they will share five powerful and practical strategies to make inclusive education successful.

Don’t miss this opportunity to spark new ideas, learn practical strategies, and connect with a community committed to helping every student shine!

Register | Learn More
Download Flyers (English and Spanish)

Language Services: Training will be provided in English with Spanish interpretation. Please request other language supports at least 14 days before the event. We will do our best to accommodate.

More Trainings

Transition to Kindergarten

Tuesday, March 11, 2025 | 6:00 - 8:00 pm | Zoom

Get Ready for Kindergarten! For Families of Young Children with Disabilities… Kindergarten is a big change! Understand what’s coming next as your child transitions from an IFSP to an IEP. You’ll learn what happens when your child moves from an IFSP to an IEP, how special education works in kindergarten.how you can help with your child’s education, and tips for getting ready for the transition meeting.

Register: English session | Spanish session
Learn More | Download Flyers

Language Services: Trainings will be provided in English and Spanish. Please request other language supports at least 14 days before the event. We will do our best to accommodate.

Find Us Out in Community

Special Education and the IEP: Information for Families in North Clackamas School District
Tuesday, Jan 14 | 5:30-7:30 PM | Register
Sabin Schellenberg South Campus
14450 SE Johnson Rd., Milwaukie
(Partner-hosted training with North Clackamas SD Parent Advisory Committee. Snacks, interpretation, and childcare provided with registration.)

Procedural Safeguards: Information for Families in West Linn-
Wilsonville School District
Tuesday, Jan 21 | TBD
(Partner-hosted training with West Linn-Wilsonville SD. Email for more information.)

Discover and Discuss: Transition Planning

Transition planning in the IEP plays an important role in supporting students to identify their preferences, interests, needs, and strengths, set post-secondary goals, and plan transition services and activities that can help them achieve those goals.

Our Pathways to Adulthood Conference on January 25 will help youth, families and professionals explore what they need to know to create a roadmap to adult success.
Our brand-new online training “Understanding Special Education” describes transition planning in the IEP section. Check it out!
Our friends at Understood also give a clear description of the transition process, provide examples of transition plans, and let your ask your own questions through the Understood Assistant.

Just For Youth: Explore Work

Image shows different career and work readiness activites you can do on an interactive site by Explore Work.

As you prepare to be an adult, get a job, and become more independent, Explore Work has online activities to help you on your way!

Their free online program helps you:

Discover talents and jobs that may be a good fit for you!
Get experience and try out jobs right now!
Uncover education and training options to help you meet your job goals.
Learn about self-advocacy or how to ask for and get things you need.
Get skills to help you succeed at work and school.

Explore!

Double Your Impact

Shine a light on disability justice and DOUBLE your impact with FACT Oregon! All gifts will be matched by the Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation until we reach our goal of $25,000!

“Your help and guidance… gives me the renewed strength and confidence that we are going in the right direction after our talk today.” - Parent

Your gift equips families with the knowledge and confidence to navigate complex disability systems, elevates family voices at decision-making tables, and supports public advocacy.

Give Today