Northwest Disability Support

CODE 5000 Grants were procured in 2021 that enabled us to produce a comic book focused on COVID-19 awareness and disabilities. This comic book was used to provide outreach to the disabled community and other groups. This comic book was also translated into Spanish for cross-cultural awareness.

New parent guide

NWDS a received significant grant resources provided from the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to provide crucial health services during the COVID outbreak in 2021. During the year, the organization could not deliver its normal face to face education and community support services. The organization received funding to provide direct community support health education programs via Zoom events, educational and outreach materials printed and delivered to 1'000s of families, and advocacy at the state level for health care support, bilingual materials to marginalized communities to educate them, with the focus of these programs to provide accurate and relevant COVID healthcare and vaccination information. NWDS receive significant grant support from the federal FEMA program administered by OHA, to provide direct vaccine resources to the local and regional disability community. NWDS organized and coordinated, with the help of OHA, multiple direct vaccine events that allowed vulnerable communities to directly access vaccines for families and their children. Many young people with significant disabilities received vaccines that they might not otherwise have been able to access.

Other programs include: TICO, Buddy, 0-5,SJYP Think College - collaborative project with colleges and universities to develop programs and pilot projects for young people with Reciprocal Learning Community - Professional/parent training on various health and developmental issues facing families with a child with a disability. Kindergarten cohort - comprehensive training program for parents to prepare them to work within the school system to develop knowledge of laws and rights within the federal systems and how to develop effective IEP's within this context, navigate education system, develop person planning, learn how to work within the school education system, access to resources and learning outcomes. Buddy Fest is a program focused on community awareness and advocacy. New Family Outreach - develop staff and volunteer support for new families. Access to programs and support from NWDS. Youth Development - developing future leaders, engaging youth around disability issues. NWSA received a grant in 2021 from the Dept of Education to provide in depth training, education, advocacy, health and other support to families in the Hispanic community and employed dedicated staff and allocate resources to support this important work.