To: Employment First Partners![]()
From: Allison Enriquez, Statewide Employment First Coordinator![]()
Re: Invitation to help plan Employment First Summit![]()
Oregon is hosting an Employment First Summit Oct. 1-2, 2025, for regional teams to share best practices from around the state and plan future collaboration regarding employment and career advancement for job seekers with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).![]()
The summit will be held in conjunction with the APSE Pacific Northwest Employment Forum, Sept. 29 – Oct. 1 in Portland.![]()
We will send out updates about the conference as we get closer.![]()
EF Summit Planning Committee
ODDS is seeking 8-10 committee members to help plan the EF Summit. Ideally members would be from across the state, and representing various partner entities such as self-advocates, DD, VR, Education, providers, and other entities with a strong interest in employment and career advancement for people with I/DD.![]()
We estimate that the planning meetings will be remote and occur every other week or monthly depending on the need.![]()
Please complete this planning committee interest form to express interest in participating on this planning committee by Friday, Feb. 14.![]()
* Due to limited capacity and the need for diversity on this committee, if you are not selected, there will be other ways to be involved.![]()
Thank you for your support for employment for people with I/DD.
As we head towards Random Acts of Kindness Day enjoy this inspirational video about how anyone can bring kindness to others! #randomactsofkindness #RandomActsofKindnessDay
Meet Norm: Coloring the World with Kindness
youtu.be
Meet Norm! Yep, he's the grey one. Always feeling quite low, stuck in his ways with nowhere to go.And where he did go, he'd be dragging his feet. Never seein...
The 2025 Oregon Legislative Session is Jan. 21 through June 29. ODDS will host regular meetings to update the I/DD community. These virtual meetings will begin Jan. 22 on Zoom.
Time: Noon–1 p.m.
Dates: Jan. 22, Feb. 12 and 26, March 12 and 26, April 9 and 23, May 14 and 28, June 11 and 25
To attend: Register in advance using this link or QR code:
After you register, Zoom will send you a confirmation email. It will have directions to join the meetings.
We want everyone to feel welcome and safe. We will provide free support for you to participate, including:
• American Sign Language
• Spanish interpreter
• Live captioning
• For other languages or supports, call ODDS at 503-945-5811 or email DirectorsOffice@odhsoha.oregon.gov. Please submit your request 48 hours before the meeting you will attend.