OSSA's Vision for the Future of Disability Services in Oregon
Sometimes, in the midst of change, it is hard to see the way forward. Oregon's system of services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities once felt like it had a clear identity as a national leader for progressive, community-based service. We closed down institutions. We gave control to the people using the services. We showed that giving people self-determination can not only be right, it can also be cost-effective, good business.
Who is OSSA?
Dear Personal Agents, Brokerage office staff, Lead Personal Agents, Operations Managers, Fiscal Managers, accounting staff, Provider Coordinators, Resource Managers, and every other Brokerage staff member, At the start of February 2015, you hired me to serve as your Executive Director. Did you know that? The Oregon Support Services Association represents the 13 Brokerages around the state of Oregon. OSSA’s board of directors is comprised of the 13 Executive Directors of each Brokerage.
Oregon I/DD Advocates Testify to Senate Committee on eXPRS State Payment System Implementation Concerns
Senator Sara Gelser, Chair of Senate Committee On Human Services and Early ChildhoodOn Tuesday, Oregon Support Services Association's Executive Director Katie Rose testified to a Senate committee regarding the state's roll out and implementation of its payment system, eXPRS.Additional testimony was provided by Margaret Theisen (CEO of the state's largest brokerage Full Access), Chris Burnett (Executive Director of Oregon Rehabilitation Association,) Gary Zenzen and Chris Schwartz (from provider organization Partnerships in Community Living,) Lilia Teninty (Director of Oregon's Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Program,) and Don Erickson (Chief Operating Officer for Oregon's Aging, Disability, and Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities Programs.)