Leadership Changes at OSSA: Sarah Noack

Leadership Changes at OSSA: Sarah Noack

Our organization is welcoming new leadership for the first time in nearly five years. We’ll be posting a series of articles over the next couple of weeks to introduce our new officers. We invite you to follow along and get to know us a little bit better.

Calling Sarah Noack “new” does not seem right. Truly, all of our new faces in leadership have been a part of important moments in Brokerage history from our inception. Sarah has always been ready for more–more responsibility, more progress, more challenge, more growth. She visualizes her goals with a clear and steady eye; the entirety of the Brokerage community has benefited from her vision. Sarah brings her thoughtful, considerate leadership to OSSA’s Vice President position.

Read More
Leadership Changes at OSSA: Jennifer Santiago

Leadership Changes at OSSA: Jennifer Santiago

Our organization is welcoming new leadership for the first time in nearly five years. We’ll be posting a series of articles over the next couple of weeks to introduce our new officers. We invite you to follow along and get to know us a little bit better.

In August, the Oregon Support Services Association elected Jennifer Santiago as our new President. Jennifer may be new to the position, but she is not new to the field, or to the Brokerage community. She has been bringing her thoughtful contributions based on lived experience, shrewd insight, and tireless dedication to her work for years. We are excited to have Jennifer step into this new leadership role, and look forward to many productive years to come.

Read More
Leadership Changes at OSSA: Larry Deal

Leadership Changes at OSSA: Larry Deal

Our organization is welcoming new leadership for the first time in nearly five years. We’ll be posting a series of articles over the next couple of weeks to introduce our new officers. We invite you to follow along and get to know us a little bit better.

The association of the 14 Brokerages (Oregon Support Services Association) formed back in 2010, as a way to work together to achieve our common goals. Since 2015, Larry Deal has served OSSA as its President, offering wise counsel and thoughtful planning to the association as we have grown. Elected at the same time as Executive Director Katie Rose was hired, the two have worked closely together to negotiate the best possible way forward at every fork in the path.

Read More
Blueprint Project Has Designs On Improving Case Management

Blueprint Project Has Designs On Improving Case Management

If you or someone you care about receives developmental disability services in Oregon, then they have a case manager through a Brokerage, a Community Developmental Disability Program, or the state of Oregon Department of Human Services. And, chances are, you have some thoughts on how we can improve the process of connecting people to resources, advocating for their needs, supporting their goals, and helping them to navigate the service system in support of a good life.

Read More
Check-In: Oregon Needs Assessment

Check-In: Oregon Needs Assessment

If you or someone you care about receives DD services in Oregon, chances are that you have or will receive an Oregon Needs Assessment (ONA) before the end of June 2019. And maybe that has left you wondering, what was that about, and will it affect my services? Hopefully you feel comfortable asking your Personal Agent any person-specific questions you might have, but let’s talk a little about the general ONA project, and OSSA’s advocacy on the subject.

Read More
Want a Better Planning Experience? Share Your Thoughts!
2019 changes, Advocacy, ISP, Planning Kathryn Rose 2019 changes, Advocacy, ISP, Planning Kathryn Rose

Want a Better Planning Experience? Share Your Thoughts!

Oregon services for people with Developmental Disabilities have changed a lot over the past several years. As is usually true, there have been some improvements, and some losses. The Office of Developmental Disabilities (ODDS), along with many stakeholders, is poised to begin work on improving the current service planning process, including ISPs, assessments, and the other important planning components. In order to make things better for you, we need to know more about your individual experiences.

Read More