October with FACT Oregon | Octubre con FACT Oregon

News and Resources: October 2025

Dear FACT Oregon Community,

October is here! It’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month, a time to celebrate people with disabilities in the workplace and support our youth in building strong pathways to meaningful work!

My 21-year-old just marked her first year on the job! I need to share that this success was years in the making, supported by chores at home at a young age, IEP goals around self-advocacy and skill development, transition planning, volunteer internships, and Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services. Together, these laid the foundations for employment and set my daughter up for success. And yes, she loves a good checklist and markers. Her job coach has learned to have extras on hand!

This month, we share resources to help families and youth on their own employment journeys. Oh, and we have lots of trainings and events to support families and youth of any age!

In community,
Amy Geoffroy, Director of Communications and Impact
FACT Oregon

Last Chance to Join!

A teenage girl holds a debit card and calculator

*REGISTER BY OCT 2!*
Money Skills, No Limits! Financial Empowerment for Youth with Disabilities

Mondays and Wednesdays
Oct. 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22
6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. | Zoom

Register | More info

Young children from infancy through preschool

The Early Years, Together
Tues, October 7 & 14
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. | Zoom

Oct. 7: All About Transitions: From EI to ECSE and to Kindergarten
Oct. 14: Making Your Voice Heard with LICCs and SICC (Mandy Stanley and Lois Pribble, ODE)

Register | More info

Upcoming Trainings and Events

FACT Oregon and DEC logos superimposed on an image showing a couple with two young children

Family Listening Session at the DEC2025 Conference (English only)

Wed, Oct 8 | 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Oregon Convention Center, Portland

Families of Children with Disabilities Ages 0-8: We Want To Hear
from YOU! Join FACT Oregon and the Division for Early Childhood for an open conversation between families and early childhood professionals.

Bring your questions, concerns, and ideas about early intervention and early childhood special education. This Parent Professional Listening Session is IN-PERSON as a supplemental session for DEC2025 (see below).

Register | More info
E-flyer (multilingual)

Flyer for a family gathering event in Multnomah County on Oct 11 . Image has FACT Oregon and OCDC logos with pumpkins. Click to go to the webpage with more info

Family Voices! Multnomah County Fall Community Gathering (FACT Family Network)

Sat, Oct. 11 | 10:00 am – 12:00 PM
OCDC Anderson Center, Gresham

Join FACT Oregon’s Family Network for a Fall Community Gathering in Multnomah County. This event is hosted in partnership with Oregon Child Development Coalition (OCDC).

Free food, family friendly activities, and giveaways!
Meet families and build connections!
Share ideas to make our community stronger!

Register
Flyers (English and Spanish)

Graphic showing two calendar icons and text that reads statewide online meetings with Oregon Developmental Disability Services. Click link for info.

Family Informational Sessions with ODDS and OCFN

Learn about DD services in Oregon, especially the Oregon Needs Assessment and recent changes in-home service hours and what families can do.

Choose your Zoom session:

Tue, Oct 14, 12:00-1:30 PM
Wed, Oct 15, 6:00-7:30 PM

Sign Up: English | Spanish

Flyers in English and Spanish say Navigating Special Education. Click to go to the event page.

Navigating Special Education: IDEA, IEPs & Communicating With Your School Team

Tue, Oct 28 | 5:30 - 7:00 PM
1017 N Riverside Ave., Medford

Whether you’re new to special education or looking to strengthen your knowledge, this session will help you:

Understand the core principles of IDEA (the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)
Communicate more effectively with your school team
Feel confident and prepared for your next IEP meeting
Tips, tools, and examples will be shared to support you in becoming an informed and engaged partner in the IEP process.

Register | Flyers: English | Spanish

This training is in partnership with the Arc of Jackson County, Bridging Communities, and the Autism Society of Oregon.

Language services: Training is in English. Interpretation available upon request.

Find Us In Community

DEC2025 Conference
Tue, Oct 7 – Fri, Oct 10
Oregon Convention Center, Portland

41st Annual International Conference on Young Children with Disabilities and Their Families. Families of children with disabilities 0-8 can attend free.
Learn More | Family Waiver

Washington County DD Resource Fair
Sat, Oct 18 | 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Garden Home Recreation Center
7475 SW Oleson Rd, Portland
Learn more

Discover and Discuss: It’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Planning for employment should start early… Transition planning in the IEP opens doors to career exploration, job skills training, and work-based learning!

Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) can be part of your youth’s IEP Transition planning at school if they are in school and have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or a 504 plan or have a documented disability. Watch a video about Pre-ETS.
Parents and caregivers can help shape goals that prepare their youth for independence and meaningful work. Before Age 18 has helpful tips for families of youth at all ages! Age 14 to 16 | Age 16 to 18
Check out other employment resources on our Resource Hub and Knowledge Library.

Just For Youth: Who Wants a Job?

A decorative image that links to the Transition Abilities All About Working YouTube playlist.

Transition Abilities has a video series for students, kids, and teens to learn about all things work related!

Full Playlist

All About Working - Vocational Lesson 1 - Special Education Students

A multicolored guide cover that reads "planning my way to work"

Get the Planning My Way to Work Guide! Organize your thoughts, share your personal vision, make choices and decisions, and make a plan with help from your parents, teachers, and others you choose.