Measure 66 & 67–what you need to know!

Ballots will begin arriving in less than a month, but most voters still don’t know there’s an important election in January that will decide the fate of Oregon’s schools and critical services.

The news over the last two weeks has made it crystal clear that Measures 66 and 67 will have a direct impact on the lives of every Oregonian. Last week, the Oregon Legislative Fiscal Office detailed specifically what critical services would likely have to be cut without the funding that Measures 66 and 67 provide. Here are just some of the news reports about what is at stake for Oregon’s students, seniors, and families:

Report outlines deep cuts if Oregon tax measures fail:

“Among the projected cuts: more than 15,000 seniors with disabilities would lose Oregon Health Plan coverage; 3,000 families with two unemployed parents would lose monthly payments; and the Department of Corrections would close three prisons and release 1,600 inmates.” Associated Press, December 1

Lawmakers release spending-cut options

“Potential spending cuts, which lawmakers released late Monday, could reduce aid to public schools and universities, result in less help for families and seniors, close three Salem-area prisons and trigger layoffs of state troopers and court workers.” Salem Statesman Journal, December 1

Agencies outline effects of cuts

“[S]pending cuts would likely mean less support for [university] courses and the elimination of faculty and staff positions. Given that the universities are experiencing the largest student enrollment levels in state history, such cuts could delay graduation for students, many of whom may drop out because of the higher cost of remaining enrolled while waiting to take required courses.” Eugene Register Guard, December 1

Watch this video:

Vote Yes on Measures 66 and 67!

Vote “Yes” For People with Developmental Disabilities!

The Oregon Developmental Disabilities Coalition supports YES vote on Measures 66 and 67

Many people do not know this yet, but the State of Oregon has been in a budget cutting process this month.  Seniors and People with Disabilities just released a preliminary cut list of what will happen if two measures getting voted on January 26 fail.  This Special Election on January 26 will either help maintain planned services OR cause extensive cuts if the measures fail.  Here is a short list of some of the cuts that impact people with developmental disabilities.

ELIMINATE ALL SUPPORT BROKERAGES ON JANUARY 1, 2011

ELIMINATE THE FAIRVIEW HOUSING TRUST FUND

ELIMINATE ALL DD EMPLOYMENT AND COMMUNITY INCLUSION

ELIMINATE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

REDUCE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES RESIDENTIAL RATES 10%

Passing these measures will help keep services such as the brokerage system and other supports funded.  What can you do?  Register to vote, learn about the issues, and vote in the election!

Passing the measures will:

*Increase corporate minimum income tax for the first time since 1931 from $10 to $150

*Increase the tax rate on corporate profits above $250,000 by 1.3%

*Increase the tax rate on personal income above $250,000 for couples by 1.8%

*Protect services to people with developmental disabilities

*Protect over 15,000 jobs in the developmental disabilities community alone

97.5% of taxpayers will NOT see their taxes increased and Oregon will still have the 5th lowest corporate taxes in the nation, lower than any other West Coast state.

These measures protect nearly $730 million in vital services like brokerages, education, and public safety for all citizens. In this time of economic crisis, we must protect those who have been hit the hardest — including people with disabilities.  Remember to vote and VOTE YES on measures 66 and 67!

For further information see:   http://voteyesfororegon.org/

Inclusion Inc. is hosting a food drive!

Inclusion Inc. is proud to be hosting a food drive to collect food items for the Oregon Food Bank from November 9^th through December 18^th.   There will be a decorated bin by the front desk starting on November 11^th where the goods can be placed.

 

The following is a list of the most wanted items for the Oregon Food Bank:

 

• canned meats (tuna, chicken and salmon, etc…)

• canned vegetables

• canned fruits

• canned and boxed meals (soup, macaroni and cheese, etc…)

• peanut butter

• canned or dried beans and peas (black, pinto, lentils, etc…)

• pasta, rice, cereal

• 100 percent fruit juice (canned, plastic or boxed)

 

Any donations that you can make when you drop by Inclusion to support our efforts would be greatly appreciated!

 

Thanks as always for the great support you are for customers of Inclusion and the resources we utilize for them!

Buy a wreath from us!

Buy a beautiful wreath from us!

Please join us for our 5th annual Autumn Art Fair

We are proud to announce Autumn Art Fair 2009, our 5th annual! Our fair features music and art by people with developmental disabilities and others from the community. All proceeds go to our Flex fund, which helps pay for things that customers otherwise wouldn’t have the chance to get. Come show your support!

idealist.org – Website Consultant

idealist.org – Website Consultant

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2009 Metro Area Brokerage Resource Fair and BBQ

Inclusion collaborated with several of the metro-area brokerages to host our annual Resource Fair and Customer BBQ.  We had a great turnout of about 400 people including customers, providers and family members!

Here’s a short clip of the resource fair’s incredible turnout:

Resources within the community came to share information about their services, provide demonstrations and join in the fun.  We raffled off 5 beautiful gift baskets filled mostly with donations from The Arc of Multnomah-Clackamas, Good Shepherd Communities, PCC Culinary Assistant Program, Ride Wise, On The Move, Trips Inc, Eastco, Autism Society of Oregon, Happy Trails Riding Center, and Special Olympics Oregon.  See below for a list of the community resources that joined us and made this event such a success!

Meanwhile, across the street at Overlook Park everyone enjoyed a meal together, kickball, horseshoes and our CCI-sponsored bean bag toss game.

Here’s a video from the BBQ, featuring some dancing and fun:

Can’t wait to see everyone next year!

For many more pictures of the Resource Fair and BBQ, Click here!

Here’s a list of vendors from the event:

The Companion Program/Adventures Without Limits
Adventures Without Limits or (503) 359-2568

Port City Development Center and Project Grow
Project Grow or (503) 236-9515

Making Magic Tours
(541) 221-5854

Bridges to Independence
Bridges to Independence or (503) 774-4164

Disability Rights of Oregon Help America Vote Act Project
Disability Rights of Oregon or (503) 243-2081

Generations X and Y
(971) 533-0155

Quiet Waters Outreach
Quiet Waters Outreach or (603) 620-8288

Goodwill Industries
Goodwill Industries or (503) 238-6100

Mentored Learning
(503) 267-8040

SDRI
SDRI or (503) 292-7142

Edwards Center
Edwards Center or (503) 642-1581

National Alliance on Mental Illness of Multnomah County
NAMI or (503) 228-5692

PASS
(503) 262-9322

DePaul Industries
DePaul Industries or (503) 331-3835

211
211 info or 211

Independent Police Review
(503) 823-0926

Disability Compass
Disability Compass or (503) 292-4964

Oregon Office on Disability and Health
(503) 494-3628

Families Supporting Independent Living
(503) 799-5132

TNT Management Resources
TNT Management Resources (503) 463-0134

Trips Inc
Trips Inc. or (800) 686-1013

Eastco
Eastco or (503) 667-0613

Autism Society of Oregon
Autism Society of Oregon or (888) AUTISM – 1

Ridewise
Ride Connection or (503) 226-0700

On The Move
On the Move or (971) 219-2190

Portland Community College, Culinary Assistant Program
(503) 977-4305

Good Shepherd Communities
Good Shepherd Communities or  (503) 805-7809

Happy Trails Riding Center
(503) 675-3005

Self Advocates as Leaders
Self Advocates as Leaders or (503) 589-1664

Disability Accommodation Registry
Disability Accommodation Registry or (503) 823-8030

Multnomah County Aging and Disability Services
Multnomah County Aging and Disability Services or (503) 988-3646

Off The Couch Activity Night
(503) 702-2394

Special Olympics Oregon
Special Olympics Oregon or (503) 248-0600

Disability Rights Oregon Work Incentives Program
Disability Rights Oregon Work Incentives Program or (503) 243-2081

Our New Look!

You may have noticed that we have changed our look on our website and in our newsletter. We are pleased to have a new logo and are working on updating our website as well. During these changes you should find all of the helpful tools and information that you normally would. If you have ideas about things that would be helpful for you please contact any member of the administrative team.