Making and Impact + Upcoming Trainings | Creando un impacto + próximas capacitaciones ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

Ver en español | Read online

A young girl and adult use signs to communicate together on a playground. The FACT logo in blue and green is superimposed.

December with FACT:
Making an Impact

Dear FACT Oregon Community,

When families navigating disability speak, FACT Oregon listens — and acts.

This year, through a partnership with the System of Care Advisory Council, nearly 200 families told us what happens when they don’t have the support they need:

“The system feels like a maze.”
“No one can tell me where to go for help.”
“We are overwhelmed and exhausted.”

Too often, families navigate complex systems alone. But they also told us something else: FACT makes a difference.

“I needed the encouragement to stand up for my child’s rights and know what questions to ask. FACT Oregon is an amazing resource.” — Rebecca, parent

“What I appreciated most was just hearing someone tell me I wasn't overreacting and making me feel empowered to fight for my child's rights.” — Jennifer, parent

FACT is where families turn when they’re unsure how to advocate for their child. And their stories become evidence — real experiences we can share with policymakers across Oregon.

This month’s e-news theme is IMPACT. The impact we can make together.

Can you give now to help FACT lift up the voices of families so Oregon’s policies reflect what families need most?

Flexible funding separate from state or federal contracts is what we need to support our advocacy efforts!

In community,

Christy Reese
Executive Director, FACT Oregon

Give2Act!

A child and adult converse using sign. Text reads: When families speak, FACT listens and acts. Help FACT amplify voices at policy tables so children with disabilities in Oregon can thrive.

When families speak… FACT listens and acts.

Families across Oregon tell us what’s working—and what isn’t.

  • 52% of families call out behavior support as an area of critical need — help us bring those voices to decision-makers for real change.

  • 97% say peer-led support and trainings work — help us ensure agencies fund and sustain community-driven solutions.

With your help, we can make policies and systems work for families and their children with disabilities.

Your gift WILL power disability advocacy.

 DONATE TODAY 

Upcoming Trainings

A magnifying glass is aimed towards small wooden people on a desk. Click to register for a training on FBAs at qrco.de/bgSAV1

FBAs and Behavior Plans at School

Wed, Dec. 03 | 12:00 PM- 1:00 PM | Zoom

When behavior gets in the way of learning, understanding “why” is the first step to helping a child succeed.

Grab your lunch and join us as we cover:

  • What an FBA is — and how it helps identify the reason behind behavior.

  • When a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) might be needed.

  • How families can request one and what to expect during the process.

  • Oregon’s rules and timelines for FBAs and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs).

  • How FBAs turn into plans that teach new skills and provide positive supports.

  • Ways families can be powerful partners in creating effective behavior plans.

Register | More info
E-flyer

Free for families. $25 for professionals with certificate of attendance.
This training is in English. For Spanish, click here.

 
A group of adults sits around a table, and a woman speaks and gestures. Click to register for a training on MDRs at qrco/de/bgS2Qg

Manifestation Determination Reviews, Explained!

Wed, Dec. 17 | 12:00 PM- 1:00 PM | Zoom

What happens when behavior and discipline result in a Manifestation Determination Review (MDR) for students in special education?

Grab your lunch and join us as we cover:

  • What a Manifestation Determination Review is.

  • When schools are required to hold one.

  • What it means if your child’s behavior is or is not linked to their disability.

  • How to prepare, participate, and advocate during the process

  • What rights and protections your child has under IDEA

  • What families can do to make sure supports — not punishment — come first.

Register | More info
E-flyer

Free for families. $25 for professionals with certificate of attendance.
This training is in English. For Spanish, click here.

Save the Dates!

A teen girl in a wheelchair smiles broadly. Text reads: Save the date for Jan 24, 2026. Pathways to Adulthood Conference.

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.

A virtual learning day for families of young children with disabilities and the professionals who support them.

Gain practical tools and knowledge to navigate your child’s early education journey with confidence!

Two adults and two young children color together at a low table. Text reads: Save the date for Feb 28, 2026 for the Early Childhood Conference.

Growing IMPACT Through
Multilingual Resources

A screenshot of the Resources in Multiple Languages webpage shows pictures of families.

NEW! Check out resources in languages other than English: Spanish, Arabic, simplified Chinese, Russian, Somali, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese.

Resources in Multiple Languages

One Page Profiles are great tools to capture what you know about your child’s strengths, gifts, and talents and to share their hopes and dreams, as well as what works for them. We now offer these profiles in eight languages!

One-Page Profiles

Our on-demand training “Overview of DD Services” is now available in five languages, with three more languages by Dec 31.

On-Demand Trainings

Self-Paced, On Demand Trainings

Image of a webpage with various training options.

Our most popular trainings are offered online to learn at your own pace and in your own space. These include interactive modules that test your knowledge:

  • Understanding Special Education

  • Overview of Developmental Disability (DD) Services in Oregon

  • Emergency Preparedness Planning for Families of Youth with Disabilities

  • And more…

See all our On-Demand offerings in various languages!

Discover and Discuss:
Making an IMPACT Together

Heather Carleton, Support Specialist, shares her favorite FACT resources and how they IMPACT families!

Heather often directs families to the Family Tools for School page. She says the new layout is really useful for families who’ve asked for IEP evaluations or changes. In these situations, she

  • Directs families to explore the resources on this page, especially the IEP Toolkit.

  • Explains Prior Written Notice (PWN)

  • Shares parent input and special education request templates and helps families write what they’re asking for and why.

  • Introduces the One-Page Profile.

Heather also often refers families to our Special Education collection of our Knowledge Library.

These articles, written by FACT staff, dive into IEPs, 504 plans, behavior and safety at school, school choice, procedural safeguards and more!

  • When Heather shares these articles along with the IEP Toolkit, parents feel more prepared for their next steps!

  • “The information provided by the Support Specialist directly informed the Parent Input and Concerns document that I wrote for my son's IEP review meeting. She was able to answer all my questions and offered genuine support and encouragement.” - Parent, November 2025

Just For Youth

Want to make an impact of your own? Volunteering is a great way to get involved in issues you care about. Stuck on where to start?

DoSomething helps fuel young people to change the world.

  • Explore causes, take action, and make an impact!

  • Try the Changemaker Decoder to get started!

The RAISE Youth Advocates for Change (YAFC) promotes the power of youth voice! And they have a video podcast series!

In Episode 9, YAFC members talk about how they are involved in community groups and what it’s like to connect with others and use the opportunities to inform their future goals!

Watch | Listen

 

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