Oregon Employment First

Oregon Employment First When people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) work in their communities, everyone succeeds.

Oregon Employment First, an Oregon Department of Human Services' initiative, promotes community jobs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. With the right job and supports, everyone can work. I Work We Succeed is part of the outreach efforts by Oregon’s Employment First initiative to promote the benefits of paid, integrated work in community jobs for people with I/DD.

08/20/2026

UPDATE: The office has reopened. Thank you for your patience!

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The ODHS Vocational Rehabilitation office at 305 NE 102nd Ave in Portland is closing for the rest of the day today, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, due to a construction issue. We will update this post when the office reopens.

If you need help while we wait for the office to reopen, consider one of these options:

- Call the Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC of Oregon) at 1-855-673-2372 or visit https://adrcoforegon.org

- Call the Oregon SAFEline (855-503-7233) to report suspected abuse, neglect or maltreatment.

- Visit https://benefits.oregon.gov/, use the Oregon ONE Mobile app, or call the ONE Customer Service Center (800-699-9075) to manage your medical, food, cash and child care benefits.

08/18/2026

UPDATE: The office has reopened. Thank you for your patience!

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The ODHS office at 18 Shelton McMurphey Blvd in Eugene is closing immediately today, Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, due to a nearby wildfire. We will update this post when the office reopens.

If you need help while the office is closed, consider one of these options:

- Call the Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC of Oregon) at 1-855-673-2372 or visit https://adrcoforegon.org

- Call the Oregon SAFEline (855-503-7233) to report suspected abuse, neglect or maltreatment.

- Visit https://benefits.oregon.gov/, use the Oregon ONE Mobile app, or call the ONE Customer Service Center (800-699-9075) to manage your medical, food, cash and child care benefits.

08/17/2026

Did you miss out on Oregon's webinar series celebrating the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)? Were you able to attend and wish you could relive the fun? We're excited to announce that recordings and materials from all four sessions are now available online: https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/providers-partners/Pages/ada-celebration.aspx #2026

This year's sessions included:
- Exploring cross-disability experiences and support needs
- Building inclusive and accessible emergency management systems
- ADA: How far we've come and what comes next
- Understanding DOJ's ruling on digital accessibility

Recordings from 2024 and 2025's celebrations are also on this webpage.

Thank you to everyone who attended! We're looking forward to celebrating the 37th anniversary with you in 2027!

08/14/2026

UPDATE: The ODHS VR office in Grants Pass has been cleaned and has reopened. Thank you for your patience!

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The ODHS Vocational Rehabilitation office at 725 NE 7th St in Grants Pass is closing for the rest of the day today, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, for cleaning due to possible MRSA exposure. We will update this post when the office reopens.

If you need help while we wait for the office to reopen, consider one of these options:

- Call the Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC of Oregon) at 1-855-673-2372 or visit https://adrcoforegon.org

- Call the Oregon SAFEline (855-503-7233) to report suspected abuse, neglect or maltreatment.

- Visit https://benefits.oregon.gov/, use the Oregon ONE Mobile app, or call the ONE Customer Service Center (800-699-9075) to manage your medical, food, cash and child care benefits.

08/02/2026

UPDATE: 211info hours are changing

ODHS and 211info are continuing to work together to monitor wildfire-related needs as they change.

Starting today, August 7, 2026, 211info will be available from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Pacific Time for help with wildfire and clean air-related information and support. These updated hours will be in effect through this weekend. We will provide another update on Monday, August 10.

The Wildfire Assistance Hotline (1-833-669-0554) will remain open 24/7.

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If you need wildfire information or support, we want to make sure you get help as quickly as possible. Part of that is knowing which phone numbers to call and when.

- Call 211: For evacuation updates, wildfire and clean air shelter information, livestock resources, reentry and preparedness. ODHS is currently working with 211info to extend their hours while there are many active wildfires. You can now call 211 for wildfire and clean air info and resources 24/7. We will update this post when normal hours resume.

- Call 1-833-669-0554: For help with ongoing and long-term needs caused by wildfire and smoke impacts.

- Call 911: If you are in immediate danger, have a medical emergency or need emergency help evacuating.

One more thing - If you want to find human services and general community resources not related to wildfires and clean air, please call 211 during standard operating hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.). This will help make sure people who need wildfire and clean air support during evenings and weekends will be able to connect with help quickly.

07/30/2026

People anywhere in Oregon who have been affected by wildfires or wildfire-related air quality can call 1-833-669-0554 for support. The hotline is available 24/7 and is staffed by 211info.

Anyone experiencing any wildfire-related impact can call, including those who:
- Lost a home or property
- Evacuated and have ongoing needs
- Are sheltering in place and have wildfire-related needs
- Are affected by wildfire smoke or poor air quality
- Have another need or concern caused by a wildfire

There's also a web form that people can fill out with wildfire related needs. ODHS staff review the information and follow up. You can access the web form here: https://uniteus.com/networks/oregon/get-help/oregonwildfires/

One more thing - the hotline and web form should not be used for emergency evacuation assistance or locating immediate shelter. If you are in immediate danger, have a medical emergency, or need emergency help evacuating, call 911.

Learn more in this news release: https://apps.oregon.gov/oregon-newsroom/OR/ODHS/Posts/Post/statewide-hotline-available-for-oregonians-affected-by-wildfires-and-smoke

07/30/2026

UPDATE: We're pleased to announce that two additional counties, Baker and Harney, are now eligible for the extended deadline! We have updated the below post to reflect this change.

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If you lost food you purchased with SNAP due to recent wildfires and live in one of 12 Oregon counties, you may have extra time to request replacement benefits: https://apps.oregon.gov/oregon-newsroom/OR/ODHS/Posts/Post/snap-recipients-in-10-oregon-counties-have-more-time-to-replace-food-lost-during-recent-fires

Residents of the following counties now have until August 14, 2026 to request replacement food benefits:
Baker
Crook
Deschutes
Gilliam
Harney
Jackson
Jefferson
Sherman
Umatilla
Union
Wasco
Wheeler

Learn more in the press release linked above, or visit https://bit.ly/replacebenefits to start your request.

Please note - If you live outside these counties, the usual rule still applies. You must report food losses within 10 days of the incident, and you may be asked for proof.

Reminder: Happening tomorrow, July 28, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.This session highlights the Department of Justice’s...
07/27/2026

Reminder: Happening tomorrow, July 28, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

This session highlights the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) latest ruling on digital accessibility and what it means for public agencies. Attendees will learn about compliance with timelines, WCAG-related resources, and enforcement trends related to digital access. This session will also feature a panel discussion with individuals working to implement digital accessibility practices, including examples of current efforts and resources in Oregon communities.

Learn more and register: https://bit.ly/OregonADA36

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