GO! Bulletin
Our Budget Priorities for the 2021 Legislative Session

Reinstate Regional Family to Family Networks
Family to Family Networks support 12,250 families experiencing disability, many who have barriers accessing the formal developmental disability service system. Family Networks partner with 1,800 businesses and non-profits to make Oregon communities welcoming to all people. The Networks leverage community relationships to help families find the resources, strategies and peer support they need quickly, as they wait for diagnoses or eligibility and navigate complex service systems. $1.3 million/biennium continues this essential support for families.

Establish DSP Wage Standards
Pass House Bill 2964 to finally resolve the DSP wage inequities by setting the wage for Direct Support Professionals at 150% above minimum wage going forward, stabilizing this diverse and marginalized workforce and while reducing turnover that places people with developmental disabilities at higher risk. HB2964 is the long-term solution to a long-term issue.

Fully Fund Case Management Entities
Ensure DD Case Management Entities are fully funded. DD Case Management funding has not kept pace with increased workload over the past three biennia. Currently funded in the low 70% range, a return to 95% of the DD Workload Model for overall operational costs and 100% of the DD Workload Model for Staffing FTE is needed to meet increased demands.

Develop Statewide Data System
Restore investment in a statewide, integrated data system needed to identify trends and inform policy decisions at the state and local level through one accessible system. Replace inefficient and disconnected databases used now. Provide transparency and access for people with I/DD and their families to upload records and track services through a secure online portal.  
Policy Bills and Hearings This Week

So far this session, there have been 1,929 bills introduced on a wide-range of subjects. Of those, there are around three dozen bills that the DD Coalition is currently monitoring that could potentially require some sort of advocacy or involvement by the DD community. We are still in the process of evaluating the bills and learning more about them, so keep an eye on future issues of the GO! Bulletin for more information. Please see our DD Coalition Priority Bills report if you want to learn more about these bills.
The following are the hearings scheduled for the upcoming week that might be of interest:

MONDAY — January 25, 2021

8:00 am / Remote B: House Subcommittee on Equitable Policing will hold an Informational Meeting on a group of bills that came from the recommendations of the Joint Committee on Transparent Policing and Use of Force Reform. That report issued, December 31, 2020, is available here .

1:00 pm / Remote C: House Committee on Early Childhood will hold an Informational Meeting with invited testimony only related to the work of an Early Childhood Task Force. The committee will be hearing from LPRO Staff, Dana Hepper of the Children’s Institute, Marie Simonds of the Wild Rivers Coast Alliance, and Elanna Yalow, Kindercare Education. The Committee will also be receiving information on Coronavirus Response/Impacts with testimony from Miriam Calderon, Early Learning System Director.

1:00 pm / Remote B: Senate Committee on Health Care will hold an Informational Meeting with invited testimony only related to COVID-19 Response Updates and COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution & At-Risk Populations. 

3:15 pm / Remote B: Senate Committee on Education will be holding an Informational Meeting with invited testimony only on K-12 School Reopening Efforts. Testimony is expected from Lindsey Capps, Senior Policy Advisor, Office of the Governor; Colt Gill, Director, Oregon Department of Education; Dean Sidelinger, State Epidemiologist, Oregon Health Authority; John Larson, President, Oregon Education Association; TBD, Oregon School Employees Association; Tenneal Wetherell, Superintendent, South Coast Education Service District, representing the Coalition of Oregon School Administrators; Erika Lopez, Hillsboro School District, representing the Oregon School Boards Association; Kristi Dille, President, Oregon PTA; Audrie Fox, representing Oregon Student Voice; Heather Godsey, President, Oregon School Nurses Association; and Kali Thorne Ladd, Executive Director, Kairos PDX.

TUESDAY — January 26, 2021

1:00 pm / Remote E: House Committee on Education will be holding an Informational Meeting with invited testimony only on the Oregon Department of Education Legislative Update. Testimony is expected from Colt Gill, Director, Oregon Department of Education; Carmen Xiomar Urbina, Deputy Director, Oregon Department of Education; Jessica Ventura, Government Relations Director, Oregon Department of Education; Grace Bullock, Senior Mental Health Strategist, Oregon Department of Education; and Katarina Mosely, Director, Health in Education, Oregon Health Authority.

1:00 pm / Remote C: Senate Committee on Housing and Development will be holding an Informational Meeting with invited testimony only on Community Groups and Legal Aid. Testimony is expected from Ryan Fisher, Lobbyist, Housing Authorities of Oregon; Alison McIntosh, Convener of Oregon Housing Alliance and Policy and Communications Director of Neighborhood Partnerships; Sybil Hebb, Director of Legislative Advocacy, Oregon Law Center; John VanLandingham, Attorney, Lane County Legal Aid and Oregon Law Center; Molly McGrew, Lobbyist, Multifamily NW; and Kim McCarty, Executive Director, Community Alliance of Tenants.

3:15 pm / Remote B: Senate Committee on Human Services, Mental Health and Recovery will be holding an Informational Meeting with invited testimony only on COVID-19 Vaccination Phase 1a Population: Update on Progress, Barriers and Successes. Testimony is expected from Dr. Dana Hargunani, Chief Medical Officer, Oregon Health Authority; Laura Hennum, Chief Executive Officer, Good Samaritan Hospital; Lilia Teninty, Director, Office of Developmental Disabilities Services, Department of Human Services; and Leslie Sutton, Executive Director, Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities.

WEDNESDAY — January 27, 2021

3:15 pm / Remote F: House Committee on Human Services will be holding an Informational Meeting with invited testimony only on the Department of Human Services (DHS) Overview. Testimony is expected from Fariborz Pakseresht, Director, ODHS Overview; Rebecca Jones Gaston, Director, Child Welfare Programs; Dan Haun, Director, Self-Sufficiency Programs; Keith Ozols, Director, Vocational Rehabilitation; Lilia Teninty, Director, Office of Developmental Disability Services; and Mike McCormick, Interim Director, Aging and People with Disabilities.

3:15 pm / Remote 170: House Subcommittee on COVID-19 will be holding an Informational Meeting with invited testimony only on several topics with multiple speakers: COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan Overview and Status Update; Engaging Low Income and BIPOC Workers in the Vaccination Process; and COVID-19 Vaccines and How They Work. 

3:15 pm / Remote B: Senate Committee on Education will be holding an Informational Meeting with invited testimony only on K-12 School Reopening, as well as a Public Hearing on K-12 School Reopening. 
See how to sign-up to provide testimony below.
 

THURSDAY — January 28, 2021

1:00 pm / Remote F: House Committee on Judiciary will be holding a public hearing on HB 2502, a bill that adds five members representing “historically disadvantaged groups” to the Task Force on School Safety.

INTERESTED IN GIVING TESTIMONY AT A PUBLIC HEARING? 

In order to prevent the transmission of COVID-19, entry to the Oregon State Capitol is for authorized personnel only until further notice. The Oregon Legislative Assembly has established a process to accept remote verbal public testimony on bills by video or phone during this time, in addition to written public testimony.  For more information, see the helpful information posted on the Oregon Legislative Information System. 
INTERESTED IN TRACKING BILLS OR HEARINGS?

Use the Oregon Legislature's Capitol e-Subscribe service to receive bill alerts for individual bills as they move through the legislative process, receive committee agendas, news from members of the legislative body and more.

You can also watch or listen to live or archived video and audio of Oregon Senate and House chamber sessions and Committee hearings. 
Please join us in advocacy during the 2021 Legislative Session. The Oregon Developmental Disability Coalition’s GO! Project Advocacy Team will be available online by registering here to attend an advocacy event. Our GO! Staff will be available from 10AM to 1PM on each of the following Tuesdays to provide information and support:
  • February 10th 
  • March 10th 
  • April 15th
  • May 12th
  • June 9th


We have created a series of training videos to support your preparation for remote legislative advocacy. Visit our You Tube Channel or Facebook Page to view these videos. You can expect to learn about the following topics:

  • Why Is Advocacy Important?
  • How To Develop Your Message
  • Making a Legislative Appointment
  • Preparing For a Virtual Visit
  • Expecting the Unexpected
  • What to Do After a Legislative Visit
  • Advocacy Via Email

To participate in GO! Advocacy Days:  
  • Watch our recorded training series to help you get prepared
  • Schedule visits with your legislators on these dates
  • Wear something yellow to show unity in advocacy
  • Log-in to the GO! Video event before and after your visits for support and important advocacy updates!

It’s quick and easy to find out who your State Senator and State Representative are at www.oregonlegislature.gov.
About the Oregon DD Coalition
The Oregon DD Coalition advocates for DD services on behalf of and with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, and support organizations in Oregon.

We influence DD service and community support systems and legislation by communicating with a common, consistent voice – creating better opportunities for Oregonians with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Interested in signing up for the GO! Bulletin or
becoming a member of the Oregon DD Coalition?
 1775 32nd Place, Suite F, Salem OR 97301