The Arc Oregon

07/29/2026

Are you the paid family caregiver of an adult with intellectual and developmental disabilities? The Arc Oregon is partnering with The Arc US and The University of Kansas to learn about the experiences of paid family caregivers. We are hosting a focus group on Tuesday, August 4th at noon. If you are interested please email us at [email protected] and we will send you detailed information.

07/28/2026

Did you miss our big announcement last week?

You can apply now for The Arc Oregon's Self-Advocate Leadership and Ambassador Program! Applications are open until August 5, 2026.

Application Form: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/rpQL5mPSDP

Apply now to join The Arc Oregon's Self-Advocate Leadership and Ambassador Program!

Application Form: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/rpQL5mPSDP

The Self-Advocate Leadership and Ambassador Program is a virtual training program for new self-advocates. You will learn important advocacy skills and work with a peer mentor to advocate for something you care about.

There will be seven training sessions held on Zoom. The sessions will take place every other Monday from 3:00 PM-4:00 PM. The first training session is on Monday, August 10.

This program is open to all adults with IDD who live in Oregon. If you want to join, fill out the application form before August 5, 2026.

07/27/2026

Why do we so often become curious only after someone with an intellectual or developmental disability has reached breaking point?

We remind ourselves that challenging behavior is communication but by then, a wall has been damaged, someone has been hurt, or a relationship has been strained. Perhaps the better question isn't, "What is this behavior telling us?" but, "What did we miss before it became necessary?"

People deserve to be understood long before distress becomes impossible to ignore. When we take the time to know the person, notice the quieter signs, and build lives filled with purpose, belonging, and genuine relationships, challenging behavior often becomes less necessary.

If you'd like to explore these ideas further, Open Future Learning has a range of learning modules that look at understanding behavior through a person-centred lens rather than simply managing it.
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ID: Image shows someone sat leaning against a wall looking isolated. Text reads: "All behavior is communication." After someone puts a hole in the wall. Do: Ask why someone had to rely on challenging behavior before we understood something wasn't right.

07/24/2026

Apply now to join The Arc Oregon's Self-Advocate Leadership and Ambassador Program!

Application Form: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/rpQL5mPSDP

The Self-Advocate Leadership and Ambassador Program is a virtual training program for new self-advocates. You will learn important advocacy skills and work with a peer mentor to advocate for something you care about.

There will be seven training sessions held on Zoom. The sessions will take place every other Monday from 3:00 PM-4:00 PM. The first training session is on Monday, August 10.

This program is open to all adults with IDD who live in Oregon. If you want to join, fill out the application form before August 5, 2026.

07/22/2026

The Oregon Special Needs Trust's monthly info sessions are coming up next week! Learn more and sign up here: https://oregonsnt.org/webinars/

Trust Talk Tuesday will be held on July 28 at 10:00 AM (PST). This is an opportunity to learn how special needs trusts can help you plan for your financial future.

Find Out Friday will be held on July 31 at 1:00 PM (PST). OSNT account holders are invited to learn more about using their trusts.

07/21/2026

Alan met the team at Marie Mills Center in Tillamook today. We delivered a car full of emergency preparedness supplies for The Arc Tillamook County! Stay safe out there!

07/14/2026

Mark your calendars! Our Refuling Resilient Compassion training returns on August 20 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Register here: https://thearcoregon.org/training-details/?event-id=1867

If you do any kind of care work, you know the emotional toll it can take. Join Lindsay Dutton to learn the signs of compassion fatigue and gain trauma-informed self-care strategies to help you sustain compassionate, ethical care.

07/09/2026

July is Disability Pride Month, and this year’s theme is “The World Works Better With Us.” Chosen by people with disabilities nationwide, it’s a reminder that when people with disabilities are included, respected, and supported, communities work better for everyone. Want simple ways to celebrate and take action? Start here: https://bit.ly/DisabilityPrideBlog

07/05/2026

If you support youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and mental health needs, the Youth IDD & Mental Health Summit on August 5th is an opportunity to connect with professionals from across Oregon who are working toward the same goal: stronger, more coordinated support for young people.

Whether you work in healthcare, mental health, education, case management, advocacy, or policy, this Summit offers a space to learn from one another, strengthen partnerships, and build connections across systems. Join us in Corvallis on August 5th and be part of the conversation.

Registration is open now: https://iddmhsummit.com/

07/02/2026

A new self-advocate group is starting in the Salem area! If you have been looking for a local self-advocate group to join, the Salem Disability Rights Alliance might be the group for you. Check out the post below for more details about their first meeting.

📣Calling all advocates in the Salem and the surrounding areas—A new self-advocacy group, DISABILITY RIGHTS ALLIANCE, is starting up in Salem‼️Save the date and plan to join on THURSDAY, JULY 9 at 4 PM for the first meeting!
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📍Where: IKE Box coffee shop (299 Cottage St. NE, Salem 97301))
🗓️When: July 9th from 4:00-5:30 pm in the Community room.

Want to know more? Email: [email protected]