Latest News from OFSN
Disability Rights for Oregon Children
Here are some steps you can take to get compensatory education for your child. This “Know Your Rights” resource details the steps you should take if you would like to request compensatory education for your child. Step 1 – Contact the school district /// Step 2 – The IEP meeting /// Step 3 – Get the results of the IEP decision in writing /// It includes a sample letter for you to use when requesting compensatory education from the School District Special Education Director for your child. Learn more about your child’s educational rights during COVID-19 here: Know Your Rights:Click to Read More
Eviction Protection
Beginning February 1, 2021, Multnomah County renters who sign and return a Declaration of Financial Hardship for Eviction Protection form (click to view) to their landlord stating that they are unable to afford their rent will be protected by Oregon’s statewide eviction moratorium (HB 4401). The statewide eviction moratorium makes it unlawful for landlords to evict people who are unable to pay their rent and for landlords to evict renters without cause. Renters must sign and return the form in order to be protected by the moratorium. Renters do not have to provide proof of their inability to pay.
OHA (Oregon Health Authority) News and Information Available Here
The Oregon Health Authority News and Information page is resource that can enable families to stay up-to-date with changes in policy in our state. OFSN supports advocacy for Oregon families raising children with behavioral, emotional and mental health challenges, and staying informed enables you to be an advocate too. A link to the OHA’s News and Information newsletter sign-up can be found at this link (click here.) The OHA announces its news releases and meeting information at this link (click here.)
Big Changes Needed – Secretary of State’s Audit of Children’s Behavioral Health System in Oregon
The Secretary of State Audits Division has reviewed the chronic and systemic issues in Oregon’s mental health treatment system and found a range of problems that leave children and their families in crisis. The office of the Secretary of State found (1) data shortfalls, (2) workforce shortages, (3) statutes that fail to support effective and efficient delivery of mental health treatments, (4) inadequate monitoring of General Fund dollars for community mental health programs, and (5) a lack of consistent leadership, strategic vision and governance, which creates system disarray. The report makes 22 recommendations to OHA to address these problems. Click to Read More
Finding Helpful Responses to Back-to-School Anxiety During COVID
Are your children experiencing back-to-school anxiety? This article from the Child Mind Institute has some useful ideas about we can respond to our children’s feelings. “Parents have a complicated mission dealing with all this anxiety and uncertainty: reassuring children that it’s safe to be away from them, while also encouraging them to be careful and preparing them to be flexible in case the situation changes. How do you do that? Here are some pointers.” Click here to read more. Back-to-School Anxiety During COVID
Federal Court Ruling Supports Children and Youth with Disabilities
Children and youth with disabilities and other challenges are finally seen and heard in court; on the way to being better understood. Disability Rights Oregon reports today that in Portland, Oregon “on Tuesday, a federal judge denied a motion by the State of Oregon to dismiss a federal lawsuit brought on behalf of children with disabilities throughout the state who have not been allowed to attend a full day of school because of behavior…. In the ruling, U.S. District Court Judge Ann Aiken clearly spelled out the State of Oregon’s obligation under federal law to ensure that children with disabilitiesClick to Read More
How Trauma Affects Kids in School
The Child Mind Institute offers some important thoughts on how trauma affects kids in school. This informative article by Caroline Miller is based on the work Dr. Nancy Rappaport (pictured) and Jessica Minahan. “Dr. Rappaport offers tools for understanding and managing disruptive behavior in the classroom in her book, The Behavior Code : A Practical Guide to Understanding and Teaching the Most Challenging Students, written with behavioral analyst Jessica Minahan. Click here to read more. How Trauma Affects Kids in School
Preparing Kids for Back to School Success
There’s still a great deal of uncertainty surrounding school openings this fall. Remote learning, in-person classes, some of both? But even if you don’t know quite what school will look like this year, there are still things you can do to set your child up to succeed. Click here to read more.
Five Reasons Students Aren’t Engaging in Distance Learning
Whether you call it remote learning, online learning, or distance learning, school looks different during the COVID-19 pandemic. While some students are thriving with this way of learning, many students don’t seem to be engaging in it. Click here to learn more at Childmind.org (external link).
September 4th Discussion Group: Back to School
Join us at Reach Out Oregon for a lively discussion on sending youth “back to school” on Friday, September 4th. Click here to register for our Reach Out Oregon event.
Calm Starts At Home – Teaching Regulation Skills
Emotional regulation skills help children with ADHD tame meltdowns, outbursts, and other negative behaviors. Here, learn how parents can become emotional role models to their children and help create supportive environments. We found this article about teaching emotional regulation skills to children with ADHD to be very helpful. Click here to read more (attitudemag.com, external link) .
The Lighter Side of Covid19 – Captain Quarantine to the Rescue
Quarantine can be hard, but Captain Quarantine from Reach Out Oregon is here to help. Also, Reach Out Oregon hours have expanded since the Captain made this video – we’re now open Monday through Friday, from 12 to 7 PM.