CPI Newsletter: September 2023
Message from the director:
Greetings and happy end of summer! I hope everyone had an opportunity to enjoy some of the beautiful weather we had this summer. Here at Community Pathways, we continue to be involved with various projects that keep us busy. Here are a few of the bigger things we are working on with you all.
Medicaid redetermination continues to be a priority for all of us. If you are receiving services, please pay close attention to mail and requests related to redeterminations. If you have any questions related to this, contact your Personal Agent. To help the process of Medicaid renewals, Community Pathways has specially trained staff who can help support our team and customers understand what is needed.
Anna Lansky Interim DD Director, Lamar Wright DJ Lamar, Sophie PA, Rachel, PA
Many of our Personal Agents recently attended a statewide conference in Eugene for Personal Agents and Service Coordinators. The conference was held in person for the first time since 2019. Personal agents had a great time networking with other case managers around the state, state staff, and presenters! To the right are two of CPI's Personal Agents with two of the presenters.
Community Pathways has also improved our diversity, equity, and inclusion with our recently developed Service Equity Plan. We are currently heavily focused on ensuring diversity in language is not a barrier to services by providing all of our communication in people's preferred languages.
Please share your thoughts with us by sending us an email at info@communitypath.org. We are very fortunate to serve the communities that we do- thank you for being a part of that!
PA Profile: Sophie Wiseman
Can you tell us about your journey with the I/DD field?
My journey was largely inspired by my mom. She became a Personal Agent when I was in high school. Watching her endless drive to support her customers was really inspiring to me. I became disabled myself in college, and developed a fierce passion for advocating for myself. This quickly turned into a passion for advocating for others as well. After college, I started working at a brokerage as a provider coordinator. This experience was very valuable for me in learning the ropes of the brokerage world, but I eventually wanted to move into case management so I could support customers more directly. I am very excited to be a Personal Agent and love getting to know my customers and the people who support them!
What are some of your favorite things to do outside of work?
I love to create art and music – I crochet, draw, and play the piano. You might see me at a craft fair or two selling handmade stuffed animals throughout the year. I also love reading and could spend an entire day lost in a good book. And of course, I really enjoy spending time outdoors in the beautiful Northwest. I started birdwatching during the pandemic, and can often be found walking out in nature with my binoculars.
What are some things you’re looking forward to right now?
Fall is my favorite season and I cannot wait for it to arrive this year! My partner and I are already working on sewing our Halloween costumes, and have tickets to visit Halloweentown with friends. I plan on fully embracing the season with my coziest sweaters and many pumpkin spice treats.
What is one non-work related goal that you want to achieve in the next year?
I want to travel overseas. Before the pandemic, I would visit friends and family in Europe pretty regularly. Now, it has been over 4 years since I’ve even been on an airplane! I have a long list of places I want to visit, but Croatia tops the list. Hopefully I’ll be sending you a postcard from the Adriatic sometime in 2024.
I also have a goal to read 50 books by the end of the year. 30 down, 20 more to go!
PA Profile: Bracken Hibbard
Can you tell us about your journey into the I/DD field?
I have numerous work and volunteer experiences where I had the opportunity to explore different social services positions. I was interested in working in the education system, which led me to working as an Instructional Assistant with students with I/IDD. In this position, I learned that relationships and personal connections with students greatly impacted their ability to succeed in school and at home. I also noticed how many of the teachers did not know how to approach students with I/IDD. Ultimately, I wanted to be more involved in assisting people access the support they need, which led me to seeking employment as a Personal Agent with CPI. Additionally, in my previous experience as a skills trainer with youth in foster care, I learned about the value of supporting people to make their own decisions rather than making decisions that we think are best for them. At CPI, I appreciate how passionate my coworkers are about connecting their customers to needed resources and developing relationships with them.
What are some of your favorite things to do outside of work?
Outside of work, I enjoy doing all things outdoors, including hiking, camping, indoor rock climbing, and paddle boarding. I also enjoy traveling, both locally and abroad. I have a blue heeler named Jimmy who joins me on most my outdoor adventures. I am also really passionate about photography, especially film photography, and you can often see me walking around with a camera (or two).
What are some things you’re looking forward to right now?
Although I love summer, I am looking forward to the changing seasons and getting ready for fall. Part of me dreads the coming change in weather, but I am also excited for fall activities and new experiences. I am currently in the process of moving and I am looking forward to setting up my new place while it is still warm and dry!
What is one non-work related goal that you want to achieve in the next year?
I would really like to improve my rock climbing skills and go climbing outside, rather than at an indoor climbing gym.
community events
2nd Annual El Tigre Fest
https://www.tigard-or.gov/explore-tigard/community-events/el-tigre-fest
Hispanic Heritage Month celebration will culminate with the 2nd annual El Tigre Fest on Saturday, October 7 at Cook Park. Save the date and we hope to see you there!
DATE & LOCATION: Saturday, October 7, 2023 @ Cook Park 17005 SW 92nd Avenue
Tigard, OR 97224
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT: Join us for this family-friendly cultural event with authentic Latin American food, arts & crafts, dancing, live music, and children’s activities.
QUESTIONS? Email Leandro Barrientos at leandro.barrientos@tigard-or.gov
At Come Thru Market, you can shop a variety of goods from local Black and Indigenous farmers and makers.
The market supports BIPOC growers who are taking their small business dreams to the farmers market environment.
The market also offers a farmer training program, which supports beginning farmers of color in Portland by building their farmers market readiness and success.
This summer and fall, you can shop at this market and support your local BIPOC growers and creators.
More than 25 local vendors will be showcasing their goods during this outdoor market from May through October.
The event features produce and homemade items from local producers and growers as well as healers who specialize in food and herbal wellness. You can pick up all your favorites veggies along with tea, pasta, ceramics, medicinals, and more.
The Black and Indigenous Market is taking place on the first and third Monday of the month. The event is open from 3-7 p.m. at The Redd.
Here are the Fall 2023 upcoming dates:
September 4
September 18
October 2
October 16
The Black and Indigenous Market is taking place at The Redd on 831 SE Salmon St. in Portland. Dogs on leash are welcome.
For more information, visit the market’s webpage at https://www.comethrupdx.org/home.
You can now spend your SNAP dollars at the Come Thru Market, and receive an extra $20 to spend on fresh fruits and vegetables each market day!
Upcoming CPI Events
Game Night
advocacy
Email: Glennah@UCPConnections.org
resources
Planning for Emergencies
The most important thing to focus on when preparing for emergencies are health and safety. The 4 main areas of importance are:
1. Shelter
2. Food
3. Water
4. Medical Supplies (medications, equipment)
Evacuations:
Where will you go? How will you get there?
Who will be able to support you while you are there? How long will you be able to stay?
What are you going to take with you and can you gather it and be out of your home within 15 minutes?
If you have a pet, you will need to plan for care for that pet. Some evacuation centers may not allow pets or if the pet comes with a lot of equipment (i.e. fish or a reptile in a tank) what will you do?
Shelter in Place (3 days minimum, 2 weeks preferred):
Do you have food that does not need to be refrigerated?
Do you have enough water? 2 gallons per person per day – this is for drinking, cooking, and bathing.
Do you have batteries and a source of light? The best is a flashlight or other battery operated light. If all you have are candles, watch them closely because there is a risk of fire.
How will you keep the temperature in your home at a safe level (warm in the winter, cool in the summer)?
If you need daily in person support, who will provide that? The support person will likely have to shelter in place with you.
Sign up for Public Alerts
You will be prompted to enter your address or you can choose which county you want to receive alerts from by clicking on the map. You can sign up for multiple counties.
The Public Alerts Website also has resources with suggestions on how to prepare, what to include in an emergency kit, and other important considerations. https://www.publicalerts.org/get-ready
The Public Alerts Website includes specific situations for individuals with additional needs. https://www.publicalerts.org/additional-needs
Earthquake Preparedness
Portland Only
BEECN (basic earthquake emergency communication nodes) – a temporary radio communications site staffed by at least two volunteers after a major earthquake that takes down phone lines.
BEECNs are places community members can go to report severe damage or injury or ask for emergency assistance when phones are down.
To find the nearest BEECN use this interactive map https://www.publicalerts.org/beecn-embed-map
Help Me Home
Washington County
A voluntary program for anyone who may become lost and have difficulty communicating with others, the individual’s photo and relevant information are stored in a database managed by the Washington County Sheriff’s office and all Washington County law enforcement has access to it.
The registry form is found here, this is not a free program; it costs 20 dollars to register and must be updated every 2 years. https://www.beavertonpolice.org/231/Help-Me-Home
Clackamas County
No additional county specific resources that we are aware of at this time
Green Bean Soup Recipe
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 35 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
This colorful green bean is delicious for any time of the year. It is easy, budget friendly and clean. It is healthy and comforting, takes less than 45 minutes to cook and you can use fresh, frozen or even canned green beans and tomatoes.
Ingredients
2 tbsp olive oil
1 small chopped onion
2 cloves garlic chopped
2 medium potatoes diced
1 medium chopped carrot
2 cups diced tomatoes — (fresh or canned)
3 cups green beans — (fresh or frozen, thawed) cut into pieces
5 cups chicken — (or vegetable) stock (can use hot water and chicken base)
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp salt - or more depending on taste
1/4 tsp dry basil
Instructions
In a large saucepan, over medium heat sauté onions and carrots in olive oil for 3 minutes.
Add chicken stock, potatoes, tomatoes and garlic and bring to a boil. Add salt, pepper and basil.
Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Add green beans and simmer for 15 more minutes, until tender. (I do not like overcooked green beans, that's why I add them 15 minutes after all the other vegetables.).
Cook soup until all vegetables appear cooked through, it usually takes me 30-35 minutes. Cooking time depends on the king of pot used, stove, vegetables amounts of stock used.
Serve hot. You can garnish with chopped parsley or dill.
Source: https://cookinglsl.com/green-bean-soup/#wprm-recipe-container-25204
holiday closures
Labor Day - Monday, September 4th