Oregon Employment First

05/08/2026

Please join us in congratulating two outstanding businesses who were recognized by the Oregon State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) for their exceptional partnership with ODHS Vocational Rehabilitation (VR): Elkton Community Education Center (ECEC) and Coos County Fair & Rodeo!

Through SRC’s Partner Awards, the council recognizes employers who open doors for people with disabilities — not only by hiring and supporting disabled workers, but also by creating meaningful work experiences that help students explore careers and build confidence.

ECEC has partnered with VR to provide paid work experiences for students with disabilities for about a decade. Each summer the community center hires 10–20 local students, including students with disabilities, to work throughout the 43-acre property, home to a butterfly pavilion, gardens, gift shop and replica Hudson’s Bay Company trading post.

The Coos County Fair and Rodeo has been partnering with VR and Myrtle Point High School (Myrtle Point School District 41) for the last eight years to provide hands‑on work experience for students with disabilities. Each summer, students help prepare the fairgrounds, support fair‑week activities and assist with cleanup afterward.

Learn more about the awards and these awesome business partners in this blog post: https://apps.oregon.gov/oregon-newsroom/OR/ODHS/Posts/Post/blog-oregon-src-may-2026-partner-awards

05/05/2026

¡Estamos reclutando a un nuevo director o directora ejecutiva para el Consejo de Discapacidades del Desarrollo de Oregon (Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities)!

La persona en este puesto trabajará en colaboración con el Consejo para liderar esfuerzos a nivel estatal, implementar el plan estatal requerido a cinco años y apoyar cambios importantes en los sistemas que promuevan la inclusión y las oportunidades para las personas con discapacidades del Desarrollo:https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/news/directors-messages/odds-2026-04-30-director-ocdd-director-recruitment-es.pdf

05/01/2026

We're recruiting a new executive director for the Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities! The executive director partners with the Council to lead statewide efforts, implement the federally required five-year state plan, and support meaningful systems change that advances inclusion and opportunity for people with developmental disabilities.

Think you'd be a good fit? Check out this ODHS Office of Developmental Disabilities Services community update for links to the job announcement and details about an upcoming virtual info session:https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/news/directors-messages/odds-2026-04-30-director-ocdd-director-recruitment-en.pdf

05/01/2026

04/16/2026

Do you or someone you know get intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) services? Do you work in Oregon’s I/DD system? If so, the Oregon Department of Human Services Office of Developmental Disabilities Services (ODDS) wants to hear from you. We’re hosting a series of meetings in April and May. Learn more in this story and come join us: https://apps.oregon.gov/oregon-newsroom/OR/ODHS/Posts/Post/odds-hosts-community-meetings-to-guide-budget-decisions
¿Usted o alguien a quien usted conoce recibe servicios para personas con discapacidades intelectuales o del desarrollo (I/DD)? ¿Usted trabaja en el sistema I/DD de Oregon? Si es así, el Programa para Discapacidades Intelectuales y del Desarrollo (ODDS) del Departamento de Servicios Humanos de Oregon quiere conocer su opinión. Realizaremos una serie de reuniones en abril y mayo. Obtenga más información sobre esta historia y únase a nosotros: https://apps.oregon.gov/oregon-newsroom/OR/ODHS/Posts/Post/odds-realiza-reuniones-comunitarias-para-orientar-las-decisiones-sobre-el-presupuesto

Do you or someone you know get intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) services? Do you work in Oregon’s I/DD system? If so, the Oregon Department of Human Services Office of Developmental Disabilities Services (ODDS) wants to hear from you. We’re hosting a series of meetings in April and May. Learn more in this story and come join us: https://apps.oregon.gov/oregon-newsroom/OR/ODHS/Posts/Post/odds-hosts-community-meetings-to-guide-budget-decisions

04/14/2026

We invite you to meet the new ODDS leadership! We’re hosting meetings across the state and online in April and May. We will also discuss the state’s budget process. Your feedback will help us create guiding principles for our 2027‒2029 budget requests. Read this message for the full meeting schedule:https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/news/directors-messages/odds-2026-04-14-director-budget-meetings-en.pdf
¡Le invitamos a conocer al nuevo equipo directivo de ODDS! Realizaremos reuniones en todo el estado y en línea en abril y mayo. También discutiremos el proceso del presupuesto del estado. Sus comentarios nos ayudarán a crear los principios guía para nuestras solicitudes del presupuesto de 2027 a 2029. Lea este mensaje para obtener el horario de las reuniones:https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/news/directors-messages/odds-2026-04-14-director-budget-meetings-es.pdf

04/14/2026

‼️Our next 5-Year State Plan Public Comment period is now open‼️ Click the link to read our draft plan and tell us what you think: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8326379
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Every five years, we develop a state plan to guide the work that we do to improve the lives of people with IDD and their families.

We surveyed almost 800 people with IDD, family members, and people working in DD services to find out what is most important to them. We also looked at statewide and national data and talked with agency partners to make sure we understand what opportunities there are to improve the lives of people with IDD, improve DD services and systems, and create positive change.

We are asking the public to share feedback on our drafted plan. We are accepting public comment until May 18, 2026. This survey should take about 10 minutes to complete.

If you have any questions or want support providing feedback, please email [email protected] or call (971) 225-3659.

04/14/2026

OCDD contracted the Oregon Self-Advocacy Coalition to produce seven videos featuring self-advocates telling their advocacy stories. This is video 1...