National Disability Employment Awareness Month

In August of 2021, Kate Brown proclaimed October to be National Disability Employment Awareness month in Oregon! The theme for this year is “America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion”.

Workplaces welcoming the talents of ALL people, including people with disabilities, builds strong and inclusive communities. Ensuring that people with disabilities have full access to employment where they are more involved with their communities is very important to America’s recovery from the pandemic.

Individuals with disabilities have been impacted heavily by COVID-19, and have lost jobs at a higher rate than those who don’t have a disability. Access to great employment supports and services is more important than ever right now!

At CPI, we are so passionate about making sure employment resources and services are a good fit. For more information on employment services, contact your PA.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month Webinar Series and Podcast

Webinar Series

Hosted by Oregon Department of Human Services, Oregon Commission for the Blind and the Oregon Department of Education. Sessions will be accessible.

For questions or to request an accommodation, contact DHSOHA at DD.DirectorsOffice@dhsoha.state.or.us. Requests should be made at least 48 hours in advance of the webinars.

Topics for webinars will include:

Employment Innovations in the time of COVID
Youth Employment Journey during COVID
Maximizing Hours: How to Navigate Services
Workforce Recovery: Powered by Inclusion

Date/Time: Tuesdays, October 5, 12, 19 and 26 / 12:00-1:00PM

Register here! / Live captioning link

NDEAM Podcast

Check out the NDEAM podcast which discusses the webinar series. It also goes into detail about the Oct. 26 webinar which will include business leaders from across Oregon talking about how important it is to hire employees with disabilities and what it has brought to their businesses.

CPI Staff Highlight – Rachel Mohr

Pictured: Dexter (left) and Rachel (right)

This month, we are highlighting our new Personal Agent, Rachel Mohr! We caught up with Rachel about her background working in the field, her personal interests, and what she’s looking forward to over the coming months.

Hello Rachel! Welcome to Community Pathways! Can you tell us a little bit about your experience working in the I/DD field?

Thank you so much for the warm welcome! I am so excited to be here. I have worked in the I/DD field for the past 5 years in various settings. Initially, I started out as a Direct Support Professional (DSP) at provider agency, Good-2-Go Oregon, West. It was during my time and experience there, that I felt this was my true passion – supporting people to achieve their goals and live their best lives full of opportunities and community connections. I also assisted in the day support program known as “ACE” (Applied Community Experience). It was amazing to work with a team of compassionate and dedicated individuals and have the flexibility to work full-time, while attending school.

While I was in college, I completed an internship through Portland Public Schools, where I mentored 6-7th grade students in resource room and life skills.

Soon after graduating, I found myself struggling to find case management opportunities that did not require job experience. Instead, I took a different position and dug into employment supports. I became a job coach and developer with provider agency, DD & MH Provider of Oregon. Employment was a totally new field for me! I really enjoyed being able to help individuals find meaningful employment, explore their interests and strengths, and support them to be successful in their job positions.

Once a position opened up at a brokerage called Mentor Oregon, I applied and was able to gain significant case management experience. I worked there until they closed operations in Oregon of August 2021, and joined Community Pathways’ Team!

What are your interests outside of work?

*Pictured: Left-escargot from Strasbourg, France. Middle-Birrira Tacos. Right-Shrimp Tempura sushi roll.*

One of my favorite things to do outside of work is trying local food carts in the community. I am a huge foodie (so I guess it’s good I live in the “best foodie city” in the US)! Mac & cheese, gyros, tacos, sushi, pasta- you name it and I will probably try it! Speaking of food, one of the pictures below features Escargot- “edible land snail” a French dish, that I was thrilled to try during my time in France. It was much better than I expected, especially cooked in garlic butter and parsley and with bread. Delicious!

*Pictured: Left-Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park in Northern California. Middle-Dog Mountain in Washington. Right-Kayaking in Lakeside, Oregon.*

I also love being outdoors! Camping, hiking, kayaking, and just being out in nature, in general. I take my dog, Dexter, just about everywhere with me that I can. He enjoys going on car rides (especially, for the puppuccino at Starbucks), camping and hiking with me. He also enjoys plants and flowers just as much as I do. You can find him sniffing the flowers along every path when we are out hiking. I try to visit as many places in the beautiful, Pacific Northwest (PNW) as I can. The pictures below are from some trips over this past summer. My goal this year is to purchase my very own kayak and carrying rack for my car!

What have you learned about yourself during the pandemic?

The past two years have been challenging both on a personal and professional level. From it all, I have gained new perspectives and learned more about myself in new ways. My biggest takeaway from the pandemic is that I learned to be grateful - for the people I have in my life, the work I get to do every day, the safe place I get to call “home”, to be healthy, and the list continues on. This year especially I learned to never take even the smallest things for granted; like being able to see people face-to-face or even driving into work in traffic. It has made me appreciate time, and that life does not need to be rushed or busy all the time. All in all, the pandemic has showed me what was important to and for me.

What are you looking forward to in the next few months?

I am looking forward to getting to know everyone, visit the beautiful office space, and settle into my role here at CPI. Hopefully, meet with customers and co-workers in-person here soon!

*Pictured: The Spirit of Halloweentown, St. Helens, OR*

Also, I cannot forget to mention that I am looking forward the upcoming Holiday Season. I have already decorated my whole house for Halloween (I know it’s early, but I have decided to celebrate Halloween extra-long this year)! I can’t wait to visit the Spirit of Halloweentown in St. Helens, Oregon again this year (where the Disney original series, Halloweentown was filmed). It is one my favorite traditions. I also cannot wait to visit with family and friends (hopefully in-person this year), eat yummy food, and bake too many Christmas cookies!

What is a fun fact about you?

One fun fact about me is that I am taking on an exciting venture of starting up and developing a community garden for people within the I/DD Community.

Thank you so much for sharing with us Rachel! We’re lucky to have you at CPI and are looking forward to getting to know you!

COVID Updates

Booster Shots

Last month, we shared some early information about COVID-19 vaccine booster shots. The information has changed quickly, like most information during the pandemic. Vaccines still protect against severe illness, hospitalization and death due to COVID-19, but public health experts are starting to see slightly reduced protection, especially in certain populations.

What is a booster? How do I know if I need one? Does it matter which vaccine I received?

A “booster” is a third vaccine dose given to someone who is at higher risk of getting very sick due to where they work or live, or someone who is immunocompromised. Individuals who were in the Phase 1A rollout in Oregon are eligible for booster shots, which includes those in the I/DD community (including their families, guardians and anyone who lives or works with them).

Those who received Moderna or Johnson and Johnson should wait until a booster dose is approved for those vaccines, which is expected soon.

Booster shots are recommended for the below list of people who got the Pfizer vaccine:

People aged 65 and older,
People living in long-term care facilities,
People 18 and older who have underlying medical conditions (Oregon considers all intellectual or developmental disabilities underlying medical conditions),
People 18 and older who work in high-risk settings (like front line workers or health care professionals); and
People 18 and older who live in high-risk settings (like people who live in a foster or group home).

When should I get my booster if I need one? How do I get a booster?

Individuals should wait 6 months after their last shot to get a booster.

Booster shots will be available soon through pharmacies, doctor’s offices and clinics – individuals may also use the OHA Vaccine Locator. Appointments may be needed. Contact your PA if you need help getting a booster shot. If you are not able to leave your house to get a booster, please let your Personal Agent know so they can coordinate a plan.

For more information on boosters, see here (OHA), or here (CDC). Oregon residents may also call 211 or (866) 698-6155 for information.

Vaccination Card and Booster Shots

At your first vaccination appointment, you should have received a card that tells you which vaccine your received, as well as when and where you got it. You should bring this card to your booster shot appointment too. This way you will have all of your vaccination information in one place.

Take a picture or make a photocopy of your card after your booster shot.

Talking about Vaccination Status with Personal Support Workers (PSWs)

It can be hard to talk about vaccination status, as it is such a personal choice. It is ok to ask a provider if they are vaccinated, but providers could choose not to answer. It is also okay to ask for support from a trust friend, family member or case worker with this difficult task. If recruiting a new provider, it is important to share preferences and qualifications, including vaccination status.

Individuals with I/DD and family members or guardians who employ PSWs to support them at home can:

Choose their own providers
Share preferences with providers
Ask if providers are vaccinated
Ask for proof that providers are vaccinated

For more information, check out the resources from the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) here, which includes tips for employers.

Happy Halloween!

Celebrating Halloween Safely

We all know that attending large gatherings, even outdoors, can increase the spread of COVID-19. There are many ways to celebrate Halloween this year that don’t include a big party! As always, if you feel sick it’s best to stay at home.

Decorate your yard or inside your home with the people who live with you
Go on a drive or walk in your neighborhood to “leaf peep” and check out other Halloween decorations
Host a video chat Halloween party with family and/or friends
Watch a spooky movie with people who live with you; including spooky themed snacks!
Host a masked outdoor Halloween party:
- stick with treats that are individually sized like cupcakes, or have snacks pre-portioned using cupcake liners or small bowls
- have one person serve food
- skip bobbing for apples!
If you are planning on going trick-or-treating:
- Stay in small groups and make sure everyone is wearing a mask
- Sanitize hands often
If you are planning on giving out candy:
- wash or sanitize your hands often, and wear a mask when answering the door
- put together small grab bags and put them in a bowl outside your door on a table

Have a Happy Halloween and be safe out there!

Halloween Craft – Cat Face Garland (via Country Living)

Source: Pinterest — *Source:* *Pinterest*

Makeover any set of string lights for Halloween with this purrr-fect project!

Materials:

White pencil
Black card stock
Scissors
Black string or waxed twine
Hole punch
Set of string lights
Hot glue

Instructions:

Print Country Living’s cat face template.
Using a white pencil, trace the template onto black card stock and cut out desired number of faces.
Fringe the sides of the cat's face and the top of its head with scissors (to make the fur!).
For each cat, cut three pieces of black waxed twine, about 4" long. Knot them together in the center of the twine, and glue to the cat's face as whiskers.
Toward the horizontal center of the cat's face, use a standard single-hole punch to create holes for the cats’ eyes about 2 inches apart.
Hang string lights, on a wall, mantle or anywhere you’d like! Position cat faces on 2 lightbulbs, poking each lightbulb through an eye hole. Be careful not to rip the card stock.

Fall Recipe – Pumpkin Cheesecake (via Martha Stewart)

We could never get sick of pumpkin pie, but here’s a recipe for something a bit different – pumpkin cheesecake! With the same flavors as pumpkin pie, get ready for a rich and creamy end to a holiday meal. Only downside? You may not have leftovers for the next day!

Ingredients

For the Crust

1 ¼ cups graham-cracker crumbs (10 whole crackers, blitzed in a food processor)
¼ cup white sugar
4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

For the Filling

4 packages (8 oz each) bar cream cheese, very soft
1 ¼ cups white sugar
3 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
2 tbsp pumpkin-pie spice
1 tbsp vanilla extract
½ tsp salt
4 large eggs, at room temperature
Optional: whipped cream for serving

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees (oven rack should be in the center of the oven).
Make the crust: In a medium bowl, mix cracker crumbs, sugar, and butter; press firmly into bottom of 9-inch nonstick spring form pan. You can use the back of a measuring cup to get it nice and flat. Bake until golden around edges, 10 to 12 minutes. Set to cool on a rimmed baking sheet.
Make the filling: In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar on low speed with an electric mixer until smooth; mix in flour (do not overmix). Add pumpkin puree, pie spice, vanilla, and salt; mix just until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, mixing until each is incorporated before adding the next.
Once your crust is cool, pour the filling into the spring form pan on top of the crust, and gently smooth the top of the filling.
Reduce oven heat to 300 degrees.
Transfer baking sheet with the cheesecake to oven. Bake for 45 minutes without opening the oven.
To prevent the top from cracking, turn the oven off and let cheesecake stay inside for another 2 hours (without opening).
Remove from oven; cool completely. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate until firm, at least 4 hours.
Before serving, take off the spring form circle. Enjoy the cheesecake by itself, or with some whipped cream with a little pumpkin pie spice sprinkled on top!

Upcoming Events

Build a Movement (BAM)

BAM is a project that aims to get self-advocates together and to talk with legislators before legislative session begins, and before legislators write policy. This year for the first time, BAM will be welcoming people with physical disabilities as well as self-advocates from the I/DD Community to participate!

BAM will be holding three sessions in 2021 (details below). Focus for 2021 will be the Caregiver Workforce crisis, affordable/accessible housing and out of pocket health care costs.

Have questions or would like to request accommodations? Contact Glenna Hayes at: Glenna.Hayes@UCPConnections.org or 503-522-0409.

Session 1: Talking about the Issues, discussing BAM’s history and strategies

Date/Time: Friday, October 22nd 3:00-5:00PM

Via Zoom, https://zoom.us/join

Meeting ID: 848 8359 8786

Passcode: 049424

Session 2: Practicing our Message

Date/Time: Friday, November 5th 3:00-5:00PM

Via Zoom, https://zoom.us/join

Meeting ID: 892 0244 2430

Passcode: 404877

Session 3: Meeting with Legislators

Date/Time: Friday, November 12th 3:00-5:00PM

Via Zoom, https://zoom.us/join

Meeting ID: 881 2610 4881

No passcode required to join

PHAME: 10/7 One Community Livestream

Join PHAME in celebrating the importance of inclusive employment and learn how to make a difference! ONE Community will provide real-world insights into making a change in your workplace.

As we look forward to post-pandemic recovery, inclusive employment matters more than ever. This year's keynote speaker, Ian Jaquiss—ADA Coordinator for OHSU & longtime inclusion trainer and advocate—will share the importance of employment right now, and how you can take action.

You'll also hear from Executive Director Jenny Stadler, and from PHAME student and Board member Estin Kiger. We'll round the event off with fabulous music featuring PHAME artists, as well as an opportunity for you to support PHAME.

Date/Time: Thursday, October 7th, 2021 / 8:30-9:00AM

Via Zoom, reserve your FREE tickets here!