Central Oregon Disability Support Network

09/12/2025

Do you want to know more about Healthier Oregon?
Visit our webpage here: https://www.codsn.org/apply-for-healthier-oregon-health-coverage/! ⁠
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Or contact us at 541-548-8559 or info@codsn.org; or contact your local Community Developmental Disability Program for more information.

09/11/2025

Last November, we had the honor of hosting Erin Taylor for a powerful talk on Understanding School Behaviors.

For many families, the start of the school year feels smooth—but once the “honeymoon” phase ends, challenging behaviors can pop up again.

Now’s a great time to revisit our behavior video series and build your toolkit before concerns arise.

Check out these helpful recorded trainings on our website:

• Understanding School Behaviors
• Person-Centered Behavior Support Strategies
• Understanding Challenging Behaviors Part 1
• Draw the Line Boundaries and Communication Part 2
• Creating Rhythms and Routines

You can find them at https://www.codsn.org/recorded-trainings/

Let’s stay proactive and prepared—because every child deserves support that sees the whole picture.

If you have any questions about your child’s behavior or are looking for other resources, please reach out to us. We are here to help.

09/10/2025

Do you have a young child experiencing disability? Our friends at FACT Oregon are hosting FREE weekly 1-hour virtual sessions on Tuesday evenings from September 16 – October 14 on a variety of topics focused for families with young children! The weekly 1-Hour Virtual Sessions will run from 6:00–7:00 PM on zoom.

Families will hear from guest speakers who are parents, advocates, and experts and they will share real-life tips, helpful tools, and stories families can relate to. What You’ll Take Away:

-A better understanding of your child’s strengths and needs.
-Easy ways to support learning in everyday routines.
-More confidence working with EI and ECSE services.
-Support for big changes, like starting kindergarten.
-A bigger picture of your child’s full life and future.
-Encouragement to speak up and be part of bigger conversations.

To learn more and register, visit:

The Early Years, Together by Christy Reese | This newsletter was created with Smore, an online tool for creating beautiful newsletters for educators, businesses and more

09/10/2025

Did You Know - that Did You Know - that Sensodyne shares that for "for estimated 1- in 4 people with sensory needs which include sensitivities to sounds, lights, or textures - a visit to the dentist can be stressful and, for some, even painful which is why Sensodyne – in partnership with the American Dental Association (ADA) – is sponsoring a suite of CE-accredited courses to educate dentists and dental professionals on neurodiversity and sensory sensitivity.

Dentists and dental professionals can register for the CERP-certified training by visiting the ADA curriculum website.

The ADA training, which includes a learning module from sensory accessibility experts, KultureCity, will also cover:

*Diversity & Inclusion

*Preparing Sensory Sensitive and Neurodivergent Patients for a Dental Visit

*Common Medications and Interactions

Once you’ve completed the ADA training, you can register with KultureCity to receive the Sensodyne x KultureCity Sensory Inclusive™ Certification, as well as:

*Inclusion in the searchable KultureCity App to let patients know you’re prioritizing sensory sensitive care

*Sensodyne x KultureCity Sensory Inclusive™ Certified signage and window cling

*Sensory Bags inclusive of tools like sunglasses, noise-canceling headphones, fidgets, etc., to help support people during the in-office experience

To learn more about KultureCity and the Sensodyne x KultureCity Sensory Inclusive™ Certified program and supporting tools, please visit www.KultureCity.org."

09/09/2025

Important! Please visit the front page of our website for an important message about our Loss of Federal Funding to Support Families Navigating Special Education. Visit codsn.org.

09/08/2025

Reminder: Today is the first of two Telephone Town Hall that Congressman Cliff Bentz is hosting for the counties we serve. Both are at 5:30 PM and the sign-in for both is Bentz.house.gov/live.

Monday, September 8th: Klamath, Deschutes, Crook, Jefferson, Wasco, and Sherman Counties

Wednesday, September 17th: Umatilla, Union, Baker, Gilliam, Malheur, Grant, Harney, Lake, Wallowa, Morrow, and Wheeler Counties.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1JzSuHyK7f/

09/08/2025

Calling all female caregivers in Prineville -- our next meetup is Tuesday, September 16th!

Need a break, a laugh, or just to connect with others who get it? Join us at our new monthly Caregiver Meetup in Prineville! A welcoming space to share stories, sip coffee, and build community.

Where: Pips Coffee House, 2751 NE 3rd St
When: Every 3rd Tuesday | 12:30–2:00 PM
RSVP or Questions: info@codsn.org | 541-548-8559

Let’s lift each other up!

09/07/2025

Speaking of AI, we need your help! CODSN and GuideAI are testing a new IEP Support Tool.

Will you help us test it so that we can make it a great tool for you to use to answer questions and find information about Individualized Education Plans?

How do you sign up?
We are happy you asked! Register below, and you will receive a confirmation email with the link to the App. The first round of testing must be completed by September 30, 2025.

What do I do?
Open the App and use the AI tool to ask questions that help you with your child's IEP. Send your feedback on what worked well and what didn't work well, or what you would like to see it do. Your feedback will be kept confidential. Send it by September 30th and be entered to win a $50 Visa gift card!

How do I share my feedback?
Click here to register and receive your free link to try out the new educational AI system: codsn.app.neoncrm.com/eventReg.jsp?event=7617&. Then, please send an email with your feedback to us at info@codsn.org and you will be entered in to the gift card drawing.

09/07/2025

Today let's talk about AI, Artificial Intelligence. It's here and it's helping. It's also a bit daunting and some aspects are unsettling. But from the perspective of helping people with and without disabilities, there are a lot of benefits.

We were recently traveling overseas and were having trouble with deciphering some of the languages to order food and travel. My older son, pulled out his phone and had it translating what he saw as he scanned his phone camera around. It was like magic!

Take a look at this video showing how AI can be used to help those visually impaired with details and compliments. youtu.be/tTg8QT4NjvA?feature=shared

It was embedded in this article from our friends at the Center for People with Disabilities that provides a good overview of AI and accessibility: cpwd.org/blog/how-ai-is-changing-accessibility-progress-challenges-and-the-path-ahead

How might AI help you?

09/06/2025

Watch the Emergency Tools Video here
https://www.codsn.org/emergency-preparedness-videos/

09/05/2025

Apply early! Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) assists people with any disability to find jobs matching their skills, abilities, and interest. They provide assistance with career explorations, job development, and some job coaching and accommodations development in the first three months of a new job. Visit oregon.gov/odhs/vr for more details.

09/05/2025

Share Your Voice: Oregon Department of Education's Special Education Parent Survey Listening Sessions - Virtual

Join CODSN and FACT Oregon as we co-host the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) to hear from families like yours. We would appreciate your feedback on the special education parent survey—specifically, its materials, how it’s shared, and the response rate among families.

Pick a time that works for you:

Tuesday, September 23 12:00–1:00 PM (Lunch session)

Wednesday, September 24 6:30–7:30 PM (Evening session)

Your input helps make the survey better and more inclusive for all families. We hope to see you there!

Register on our website here: https://www.codsn.org/events-and-calendar/