On Sunday July 27, 2014 I had the pleasure of attending a concert at the Community United Methodist Church in Fairfield, California. The concert featured Holly Stell, a Direct Support Professional and member of the Dungarvin Vacaville team.
This concert, as well as Holly’s career as a talented vocalist was highlighted in a news article by the Daily Republic in Fairfield-Suisun, California. As noted in the article, Holly grew up in the spotlight. By the time she was a teenager she had performed three times for President George W. Bush and recorded a duet with Andrea Bocelli. She stayed in a Paris apartment while filming a PBS special and has been featured on “Oprah” and “Entertainment Tonight.”
Holly’s affection for the Dungarvin Vacaville team is evident as she wanted to include the people she serves in what she is considering her last concert in this area before her upcoming move to Los Angeles. The concert included a duet with Jenny Hillebert who attends the Dungarvin Vacaville program. They sang “Smile” by Charlie Chaplin. Jenny sang a solo of the song “My Heart Will Go On” from the movie “Titanic.” The audience gave her a standing ovation. Joseph Pacheco, who also attends the Dungarvin Vacaville Program, sang the solo “Fly me to the moon” by Frank Sinatra accompanied by Jerome Thweatt, Direct Support Professional on the saxophone.
Their performances were received very well from the audience of approximately 80 people. It was a lovely to see Holly, Jenny, Joseph and Jerome sharing the stage!
We will be sorry to see Holly go, but wish her all the very best with her new adventure.
Oregon is making big changes to its Employment services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Oregon’s Office of Developmental Disability Services (ODDS), Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), the Oregon Department of Education (ODE), as well as many other community partners and stakeholders, are working together to improve, streamline, and expand Oregon’s delivery of employment services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The purpose of this change is to promote individual integrated employment, or self-employment, for individuals accessing ODDS Employment Services, optimally with compensation at or above the state’s minimum wage, and not less than the wage and level of benefits paid for the same or similar work performed by individuals without disabilities.
These changes are in response to a number of factors including Oregon’s Employment First policy, Oregon’s Executive Order 13-04, as well as guidance and regulations mandated by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as the primary funding source of ODDS. These changes and the resulting expansion of services will benefit individuals with disabilities, their families, our communities, local businesses, the economy, and the state.
The presumption underlying the expansion in services is that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities are capable of working in an integrated employment setting that is consistent with personal and career goals as well as individual ability and choice. Employment services available through ODDS will serve to broaden employment choices and opportunities.
KEY TENETS OF OREGON’S EMPLOYMENT FIRST POLICY
- Everyone can work and there is a job for everyone. Our job is to be creative and tenacious in providing support.
- Not working should be the exception. All individuals, schools, families and businesses must raise their expectations.
- People will be hired because of their ability not because they have a disability.
- People are healthier, safer and happiest with meaningful work
- Everyone has something to contribute and needs to contribute.
As of July 1, 2014, ODDS offered employment services, including supported employment services and employment path services, through the Comprehensive Waiver and the Support Services Waiver. Additionally, individuals utilizing ODDS services will have an opportunity to work on a Career Development Plan (CDP) as part of the Individual Support Plan (ISP) process.
As of July 1, 2014, ODDS also started offering other non-employment day services through the Community First Choice State Plan Option (K-Plan).