Celebrating Transitions | Celebrando las transiciones ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

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A young woman with a disability smiles with confidence. The FACT logo is displayed.

January with FACT Oregon: Celebrating Transitions

Dear FACT Oregon Community,

The start of a new year is a good time to think about what’s changing for our families. As the parent of a young adult with an intellectual disability, I know that transitions don’t happen all at once. They occur over time—through planning, learning, nurturing, letting go, and figuring out what support is needed next.

At FACT Oregon, transitions are at the center of our work. Families move from early childhood services to school, from school to adulthood, and into new roles and responsibilities. These changes can feel overwhelming, but having clear information and the right supports makes a real difference.

In 2026, we’ll continue our focus on helping families understand their options, build skills, and plan ahead—so transitions are less stressful and more manageable.

And we kick it all off with annual conferences on Pathways to Adulthood in January and Early Childhood in February!

Happy New Year,

Christy Reese
Executive Director, FACT Oregon

Upcoming Trainings

Three young people with disabilities are represented in circles with arrows leading away from each person to represent choices and options.

Pathways to Adulthood: A Conference on Transition

Saturday, January 24, 2026 | 8:45 AM - 1:30 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. We will explore topics in these areas:

  • Pathways to Further Education and Work

  • Independent Living and Money Management

  • Self-Advocacy and Decision-Making

Register
E-flyer (multilingual)

Free for families and individuals with disabilities. $50 for professionals, with a certificate of attendance.

Most sessions are in English with simultaneous Spanish interpretation. There is a Spanish track, with one designated training per session in Spanish. Please request additional language supports or ASL at least 14 days prior to the conference.

Questions? Email program@factoregon.org or call: 503-786-6082 or 541-695-5416.

 GO TO THE CONFERENCE PAGE 
 

8:45 am - 9:30 am: Welcome and Keynote

  • Introduction and Keynote from self-advocate Cainan Molzer, a Partners in Policymaking graduate and member of the Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities.

9:40 am - 10:30 am: Session 1 Trainings

  • Supported Decision Making and Alternatives to Guardianship (Part 1 of 2) - Em Braman

  • Getting Ready to Work: It’s a Journey, Not a Destination (Pre-ETS focus) - Susan Collins and Tracy Clark

  • Moving from Pediatric to Adult Healthcare: Empowering Youth with Special Health Care Needs - Karen Bensen

  • En español: Cambio de la atención medica pediátrica a la atención de salud en la adultez: Empoderar a jóvenes con necesidades especiales - Ana Brooks

10:40 am - 11:30 am: Session 2 Trainings

  • Supported Decision Making and Alternatives to Guardianship (Part 2 of 2) - Em Braman

  • Exploring Supported Living and Housing Options for People with Disabilities - Jennifer Knapp

  • Accessing Community College Accommodations: Navigating the Transition from High School to College - Les Rogers

  • En español: Conozca el Plan de Ahorros ABLE de Oregon - Renzo Meza

11:40 am - 12:30 pm: Session 3 Trainings

  • Pathways to Success: Understanding Supported Employment - Jennifer Knapp

  • Get to Know Oregon ABLE Savings Plan - Renzo Meza

  • Introduction to Financial Empowerment for Youth and Families - Craig Vattiat

  • En español: Los Servicios de Discapacidades del Desarrollo en Oregon - Erlinda Weger

12:40pm - 1:30pm: Session 4 Trainings

  • Let’s Talk About Sex! For Parents - Shanya Luther

  • Supporting Students in the Transition Age (Panel) - Kriss Rita and Sarah Stratham

  • Empowering Choices: How Oregon’s Brokerage System Supports Self-Determination - Katie Rose

  • Transition Goals in the IEP: A Roadmap for the Future - Molly Cermak

  • En español: Metas de transición en el IEP (Plan Educativo Individualizado): Una hoja de guía para el futuro - Maria Rangel

 REGISTER! 

Registration Opening Soon!

A social sharing image for a conference with a picture of adults and children coloring with markers.

Early Childhood Conference
Saturday, February 28, 2026

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!

Self-Paced, On Demand Trainings

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

Multilingual Formats: Our DD Services and Special Education trainings are now available in multiple languages! See all currently available offerings here. More are being released!

 GO TO THE ON-DEMAND TRAININGS PAGE 

Discover and Discuss: Employment Services During VR Order of Selection

About Vocational Rehabilitation (VR):
Want to learn about VR (employment services for people with disabilities)? Support specialist Whitnie Trost recommends this recorded webinar from SPAN Parent Advocacy Network. It clearly explains the VR process and shows how VR helps people find and keep jobs that match their preferences, interests, needs, and strengths (PINS).

  • Watch the webinar

About Oregon VR’s Order of Selection:
Since June 2025, Oregon VR has had a waitlist because more people need services than there is funding. Federal law requires VR to serve people with the most significant disabilities first.

Most applicants will have an intake meeting and, if eligible, be placed on a waitlist. They will be notified when services are available. How long the wait takes will depend on disability level and funding.

  • Read the FAQs about the Waitlist and Order of Selection

In DD Services? Good News!
For Oregonians who receive DD services, ODDS can cover job development, initial job coaching, and other employment supports while VR has a waitlist.Talk to your case manager to get started!

  • Read the latest ODDS Worker Guide.

Just For Youth

Two young adults in wheelchairs give a high five.

YOU have an important role in making sure there’s a good plan and the right supports to help you achieve your goals as you approach adulthood! Here are ways you can make sure YOUR VOICE is heard for YOUR dreams.

Know who is on your team: At your IEP meeting, introduce yourself and invite everyone else to say why they are there.

Talk about the progress you’ve made: What are you proud of?

Share what you want to do after school. Do you want a job or to go to college?

Ask for the right supports. How do you like to be supported? What does not work for you?

Recap key decisions. Make sure you know what you and your team have decided.

Ways you can share:

  • TALK during your meeting

  • SHARE a slide presentation you’ve made

  • MAKE your own one-page profile

  • RECORD a video or audio message

  • WRITE your thoughts out

  • USE pictures to share

  • COMMUNICATE with your AAC device

Want to feel more confident making your own choices? Curious about how to speak up for yourself, join disability communities, or even become an advocate for change?

FACT Oregon’s Just for Youth page and Before18 Action Steps for Teens are great places to start.

OCDD Lunch and Learn

a flyer for a lunch and learn session

Join Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities to learn what you can do to protect eligibility for K Plan disability services for children with autism spectrum disorder "level 1."

Lunch and Learn
Friday, Jan 9, 12-12:30 PM
Zoom: https://bit.ly/policy-lunch-and-learn

Give Now! New Incentives in 2026

stacks of coins topped with the numbers 2-0-2-6

Missed our end-of-year appeal? Not to worry - now is a great time to give to FACT Oregon to take advantage of new tax rules that start in 2026!

People taking the standard deduction can once again claim donations to nonprofits on their taxes up to $1,000 (single filers) and $2,000 (married, filing jointly) to lower their tax due or boost their refund!

 DONATE TODAY 
 

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