Newsletter: Friday, September 4th
Direct Support Professional (DSP) Recognition Week Sept 13-19
Governor Brown declared September 13-19 as DSP Recognition Week!
“It has been an incredible year for DSPs, highlighting more than ever their dedication, determination and compassion for people with intellectual, developmental and other disabilities. We are so proud to support your organizations who employ these wonderful people.” –Lois Gibson, Executive Director, Oregon Resource Association
CPI thanks all the Direct Support Professionals who work in a variety of settings in our field. DSP’s are people who work in group homes, in job settings and with people living in their own and family homes. Individuals supported by CPI may have a DSP if their support person works for a provider agency. DSP’s are the people many individuals count on to be there for them on a daily, weekly or as needed basis. We appreciate them always, and even more now, during COVID. Make sure to say thank you to your provider(s) today!
Take a look at ORA’s Twitter and Facebook accounts for more information on DSPs and what they do.
National Suicide Prevention Month
September is national suicide prevention month, and it comes at a time where we are all facing very unique challenges. If you or someone you know is having a tough time, there are ways to find and give support. We all need a little help sometimes, especially right now.
Visit NAMI (National Association of Mental Illness) to learn more about knowing the signs that someone is contemplating suicide.
The national suicide prevention lifeline offers 24/7, free and private support for you or your loved ones. Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to speak with someone.
Medical Rights and Senate Bill 1606
Senate Bill 1606 was celebrated by our community when it passed with unanimous approval by Oregon Legislature in June! Why is this such BIG news?
Everyone has the right to medical treatment and the ability to make their own health care decisions. Senate Bill 1606, or SB1606, ensures that hospitals in Oregon respect these rights for individuals with disabilities.
This means:
Hospitals cannot deny medical treatment to anyone. Individuals with disabilities have the right to medical attention and care, just like anyone else.
Individuals are allowed up to three support persons with them in the hospital at all times.
If an individual is seriously ill and requires a life-sustaining treatment plan, a support person designated by the individual must be present for these medical decisions.
Hospitals are prohibited from directing individuals to complete a POLST, or Portable Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment. This is a document only used for people with serious illnesses in particular situations where the individual, their provider, and health care professional have discussed treatment. Read more about this form here.
Even with the approval of SB1606, it is important to prepare for communication with your health care professionals before an emergency takes place. This is especially relevant during the pandemic, when our community is more vulnerable to getting sick. Read this ODDS fact sheet on knowing your medical rights during COVID-19 and visit our emergency planning page for helpful tools to print and have at the ready in case of an unexpected hospital visit.
*If you are a provider or guardian, this guide can help navigate conversations about medical care with the individual you support.
Internet Safety During COVID-19
Understanding Scammers and Internet Fraud
Although the internet is a great tool for both work and play, we still need to be safe while using it. A “Scammer” or “Cyber Criminal” is someone who tries to steal your personal information or tries to trick you into sending them money using the internet. They may send emails or text messages including links to fraudulent websites. They may even call you pretending to be someone else, and will most likely be very persuasive. For more information on Cyber Crime, visit the USA.gov website.
Phishing
Phishing is a way for scammers to steal your personal information by using e-mail, text messages or fake websites. Their goal is to get debit card PINs, account passwords, credit card and banking information. Sometimes they may use threats, such as telling you they will disable an account or give you a fine. Real companies will never ask for your password or account number by e-mail, and would never use threats in this way.
How to Protect Yourself
Dos
Learn to recognize internet fraud
Contact the company if you’re not sure
Update your anti-virus and anti-spyware programs
Don’ts
Do not click any links or open any attachments in emails or text messages from unknown senders or numbers. This can be tricky as they may sometimes pretend to be someone or a business you know. If it seems out of place or unusual - don’t click it. Call the company or person instead.
Do not give out your personal information to anyone you do not 100% trust.
Contact Tracing and Possible Scams
It is important to also be aware of information that you give out over the phone. In our May 2020 newsletter, we talked all about contact tracing and why it is important. Talking to real contact tracers is important. Unfortunately, scammers have also picked up on this and may pretend to be a contact tracer to get your personal information. Below is some information to help you know if the person on the line is who they say they are.
A contact tracer’s job is to contact anyone who may have been in close contact with someone who is sick or was sick with the Coronavirus. This is very important during a pandemic, so we can slow the spread of the sickness and alert others who may have had contact with someone diagnosed with COVID 19. A contact tracer might call you to ask some personal questions, such as:
The county where you live
Your birthday
Your contact information
Your job
Your race, ethnicity or disability information
Whether you have any symptoms of COVID-19
A contact tracer will NEVER ask for your social insurance number, banking or credit card details. If you get a call from someone who claims to be a contact tracer asking for this information, hang up right away.
You can learn more about contact tracing by watching the CDC’s video all about it here.
Common Scams and Fraud During COVID
During the pandemic, scammers may use scare tactics and misinformation to take advantage of you. Protect yourself by not sharing personal, bank or credit card information on the phone, through e-mail or text message. There are some common scams you may see:
Information about “top secret” cures or vaccines
Guaranteed investments or financial help being offered (if it’s too good to be true, it probably is)
Fake Coronavirus maps sent as a link or e-mail attachment
Fake mobile banking apps
Health-care fraud (offers for free testing or health care)
Fake online companies offering low-cost hand sanitizer or masks
Pet adoption scams
Rental scams
Scammers posing as the IRS, SSA, OSHA or FDIC who may:
Ask you to pay back “excess” tax or stimulus check funds
Demanding money for a false fine
Threatening legal action if they are not paid
Another current scam that is going around is a text message saying that a package being delivered is being held and asks you to click on a link to find out more. This message sometimes even claims to be Fed Ex. Do not click the link and do not reply to the message. The best thing to do is to delete the message.
Remember, when in doubt, don’t click the link! Check the internet for popular scams, or better to call the actual company to find out if there really is an issue.
Complaints
If you think you have been a victim of fraud, you can file a complaint with the Department of Justice here. It is important to report these scams so the DOJ can track them and help keep us safe. Scammers can be very persuasive, so don’t feel embarrassed if you are tricked by them. We are all in this together!
Reliable News Sources and Media Bias
Finding Reliable News Sources
There are endless resources online, and many people are writing about Coronavirus right now. Remember, not everyone online is a qualified journalist. Be sure to read reliable websites to get your information. Websites such as the CDC, and Oregon.gov are the best and most reliable sources for COVID-19 related news and updates.
Make sure to read multiple sources for your everyday and world news as well – some publications may not be legitimate, or may not have the correct research backing them up. The most reliable and neutral world news sources are discussed here.
News and Media Bias
When someone is biased, it means that they are in favor of, or against, a thing, person or group (in an unfair way). We collect these biases from our families, friends and community over time.
Media bias is unfairly favoring one side in events or stories that are reported, instead of being neutral and simply reporting the facts. You can view a chart on media bias in the US which explains which publications are the most neutral.
The direction and degree of news and media bias in different countries can vary. In the 1950s in the United States, people usually got their news from a few respected television news channels, as well as their local publications or radio stations. Since social media and the internet came onto the scene in the late 1990s/early 2000s, this has largely changed. There are now many ways that we get our news. For more information on the decline of neutrality in the news media, watch PragerU’s video here.
DRO Voting Guide
Election Day is coming up soon – this is a very exciting time, but can also be confusing. Disability Rights Oregon has put together a handy voting guide to help people understand the contents of the larger voter’s guide! The guide can help you learn about ballot measures and what the candidates stand for. It will not tell you how to vote. The guide is available here to view online. You can order a copy for yourself by filling out their online form. The deadline to order your own copy is September 21, 2020. CPI will also have copies available soon in our office lobby. Contact your PA if you need help ordering or getting a guide!
Happy Voting!
CPI Spotlight of the Week
Patricia (Trish) Canlon
A sunset view from Trish’s new home in Norway
Trish has never had her own highlight in the newsletter, and she is leaving CPI after almost a year. Because of the Coronavirus and travel ban, she was not able to see her fiancé for 7 months as he is from Norway. She moved there as soon as she was permitted to!
Trish loves to travel and has friends and family all over the world. She is looking forward to having big celebrations with them when she can see them again! Before the pandemic, she lived with her brother and sister-in-law in Portland, and they had very busy schedules. She really enjoyed spending quality time with them when they were quarantined together, and it was especially meaningful since she left so quickly for Norway.
We are so sad to see Trish go, but we are excited for her to continue her adventures in Europe and hope she keeps in touch!
Along with Trish’s departure, I wanted to introduce myself (Liz Kuth) as the new Communications Manager and
Executive Coordinator at CPI. I’ll be writing your newsletter and updating you through Facebook and our blog! If you have any questions, concerns, suggestions or comments, please feel free to contact me directly at ekuth@communitypath.org. Looking forward to connecting with you!
Upcoming Events
As We Are: Disability Justice and Community Care Conference
Date: September 12 and September 13, 2020
Time: 11:00AM to 3:00PM PST
Place: Webinar, information to be shared closer to the conference date
Register: You can register here. If you are interested and need help registering, contact pdxdjcollective@gmail.com OR call 971-325-5434 (Rebel Black, one of the organizers, who will get back to you). The first 20 people with a disability to register will receive a gift package!
This conference is FREE. If you would like to donate to this organization, contact them at pdxdjcollective@gmail.com.
PHAME Event – One Community Virtual Breakfast
Date: September 16, 2020
Time: 8:00AM to 9:00AM PST
Place: Virtual event, details to be shared after registering
Register: You can register here for the event.
“PHAME’s One Community Breakfast is a virtual opportunity for business leaders to learn about the benefits of hiring people with developmental disabilities, and gain practical knowledge about how you can make it happen.”
Self-Advocates Taking Action Presents: BAM! (Build a Movement)
Register: To register (or if you have any questions), contact Glenna Hayes at UCP connections (Glenna.hayes@ucpconnections.org or 503-522-0409).
Meeting with Senator/Representative to be announced in the fall.
$20 gift certificate for self-advocates who attend the series!
Brainstorming Session
Date: Today! Friday, September 4th
Time: 11:00AM – 1:00PM
Place: Zoom Meeting, Meeting ID: 735 560 8520, no password
Identifying Key Issues
Date: Friday, September 18th
Time: 11:00AM – 1:00PM
Place: Zoom Meeting, Meeting ID: 735 560 8520, no password
How to Talk to Legislators
Date: Tuesday, September 22nd
Time: 2:30PM – 4:30PM
Place: Zoom Meeting, Meeting ID: 735 560 8520, no password
LABOR DAY CLOSURE
Community Pathways will be closed on Monday, September 7th for Labor Day. We will reopen at 9 AM on Tuesday, September 8th - maintaining our COVID-19 operations.