Virtual stop-and-learn events
All virtual events will be on Tuesdays from noon to 1 p.m. on Zoom.
October 3, 2023: Using “Group Future Planning” Curriculum for Youth
Learn about the "Group Future Planning” curriculum that can be used to help a group of students with disabilities sets goals and collaborate for all services for a positive and possible future. This session includes a screening of “The Group Future Planning Video” that shows a student working with their support team by using the materials from the class to facilitate their own Person Centered Plan meeting.
Presenters and panelists
Sally Simich – Education Specialist, Oregon Department of Education
Josh Barbour – Transition Network Facilitator for Linn Benton Lincoln Education Service District
Sherri Townsend – Pre-Employment Transition Specialist Support Specialist for Linn Benton Lincoln Education Service District
Seiji Hadwen – Transition student from Sheldon High School
October 10, 2023: Employment Successes for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Tune in to hear directly from panelists about their employment successes.
Presenters and panelists
Erica Drake – ODDS Regional Employment Specialist for Southern Oregon
October 17, 2023: Business, Access and Equity: Celebrating Workplace Success
Don’t pass up this opportunity to meet former Vocational Rehabilitation participant Kevin Glenn and hear his dynamic story — from homeless with undiagnosed and unmanaged disabilities to manager for an international company.
Presenters and panelists
Kim Copeland – Workforce and Business Coordinator, Vocational Rehabilitation
Morgan Rincon – Business Relations Coordinator, Oregon Commission for the Blind
Kevin Glenn – Former VR client and manager for a Fortune 500 international company
October 31, 2023: Planning for the Future of Employment First
This session will provide an overview of future strategies the Office of Developmental Disabilities Services is undertaking with partners to build capacity, implement Oregon’s Employment First policies, and ensure equitable access to Oregon’s Public Workforce System for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This session will also encourage a discussion regarding priorities and how to get involved.
Presenters and panelists
Melanie Hartwig – ODDS Regional Employment Specialist, Southern Oregon
Les Rogers – Transition Network Facilitator
Patrick Foster – ODDS Future Ready Oregon Workforce Administrator
Karen Burch – ODDS Future Ready Oregon Workforce Administrator
Screening of “Intelligent Lives” in Phoenix
Date: October 12, 2023
Time: 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Location: Rose Theater, 745 N Rose St, Phoenix, OR 97535
Save the date for a family resource night and screening of “Intelligent Lives.” The documentary film stars three young adults with intellectual disabilities who challenge perceptions of intelligence as they navigate high school, college and the workforce. The film will be captioned.
Community partners and agency representatives will also be available to answer questions about services and opportunities for young people who experience disabilities and their families. Spanish translation will be provided. Learn about:
- Oregon Developmental Disabilities Services
- Vocational Rehabilitation
- Youth Transition Program
- Youth employment partners
- Benefits planning
- Training and college programs
- Support to young people and their families
- And more!
For information, contact Cindy Cameron at
cynthia_cameron@soesd.k12.or.us or 541-941-6512.
In-person NDEAM celebration in Salem
Date: October 24, 2023
Time: Noon to 1:30 p.m
Location: Barbara Roberts Human Services Building, 500 Summer St NE, Salem, OR 97301
This event — titled Advancing Access and Equity in Employment for People with Disabilities — is an opportunity to recognize the legislative efforts from the 2023 session that support people with disabilities in having greater access to employment opportunities.
Presenters and panelists
Fariborz Pakseresht – Director, Oregon Department of Human Services
Keith Ozols – Director, Vocational Rehabilitation
Dacia Johnson – Director, Oregon Commission for the Blind
Bridget Dazey – State Rehabilitation Council member and Executive Director of the Clackamas Workforce Board
Sydney Hoeft – Student at Franklin High School
Kevin Glenn – Former VR client and manager for a Fortune 500 international company
Scott Hatley – Former VR client and INCIGHT Co-Founder
American Sign Language and Spanish interpretation will be provided. For questions about accessibility, or to request an accommodation including language interpretation, please contact
kaire.l.downin@odhs.oregon.gov. Requests should be made at least 48 hours in advance of the events.