march 8, 2022 – connections case management, star of hope

Audio recording here

 Connections Case Management (formerly Southern Oregon Regional Brokerage)

  • Emily McConathy (emcconathy@connectionscm.org), Julie Henderson (jhenderson@connetionscm.org)

    • Serving Coos, Curry, Douglas, Klamath Counties since 2001 - case management services for adults 18+ who have intellectual or developmental disabilities

    • Self-determination/person-centered focus: What are their goals, what services do they need, how will they access services?

    • Benefits: low caseloads, scholarship opportunities, peer-to-peer group offering life enriching activities – CCM truly listens (“extension of family”), helps clients develop their voice and their goals

    • Julie: Service needs assessor working with persons in transition from youth to adult – this can be a stressful and scary transition and CCM services provide hope, advocacy, connection with PSWs/provider agencies, education, support, employment connections

    • To access: go through eligibility process with Community Living Case Management who determines eligibility (~90 day process, depends on availability of existing records or getting new records developed), person can then choose brokerage to work with

    • Can also call CCM directly first to talk through options

    • Office location: 445 Elrod, Coos Bay

 Star of Hope – Danny Stoddard (dstoddard@sohoregon.org)

  • “Independence – Productivity – Integration” – promoting independent living to help individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities live their best lives

  • Serving Coos County since 1964 – creating support opportunities for families wanting to support family members with intellectual or developmental disabilities

  • Coos County – activity center, 10 residential homes (9 adult, 1 youth), supportive employment department, supportive independent living programs

    • 150 employees supporting 15 programs – NOW HIRING!

  • Curry County – expanded in 2021 to 3 residential homes, day program, supportive independent living programs

 New Attendees

  • Steve Sanders (ssanders@bafs.org) – Bay Area First Step: substance use disorder treatment and peer services growing, opening recovery center @ Bayview (group sessions, workshops, trainings, fun activities for individuals in recovery)

  • Victoria Velazquez – Adapt certified recovery mentor providing outreach with community partners for individuals with mental health challenges

  • Max Murphy (Mmurphy@youthera.org) – new program manager at Coos Drop (safe space for youth 16-25 to work on current challenges, receive peer support, hang out), hoping to open up for services soon

  • James Poteet (Co-Located Advocate at Oasis Advocacy & Shelter, james.p@oasisadvocacy.org, 541-200-0189, pronouns are he/him/they/them)

  • Joshua Sowers (joshuas@adaptoregon.org) - Adapt Certified Recovery Mentor, just starting with outreach into the community and will be working primarily with homeless

Community Partner Updates

  • Beth Barker-Hidalgo (Curry County Homeless Coalition/So Oregon Coast Resource Center, director@curryhomelesscoalition.org)

    • MOU with Housing Authority to help community apply for emergency housing vouchers (medically fragile, unstably house, survivors of human trafficking)

  • Commissioner Boice – great to work with other counties and learn about the organizational supporting the south coast!

  • Mellanie Caldera (South Coast Business (SCBEC) based in Curry, mcaldera@scbec.org, 541-373-7772) – providing Oregon Project Independence, Family Caregiver Support Program, Employer Resource Connection, Meals on Wheels and the new Veterans Directed Care Programs in Curry County.

  • Amber Jordan (Core Advocate, Oasis Advocacy & Shelter)

    • Kicking off resiliency program next week – working on roadmaps to success for survivors, support and empowerment, breaking isolation

    • Youth prevention education program (healthy relationships, boundaries, safety) coming to Gold Beach High School

    • 24hr DV crisis line - 1-800-447-1167 or 541-247-7600. Business line - 541-425-5238

  • Connie Thompson – working on two summer youth crews with Forest Service, also planning youth/adult job fair in April

  • Teri Moore

    • Harbor Freight @ Pony Village Mall hiring for all positions

    • On the job training program for public

  • Michelle Martin (mmartin@tfff.org) – The Ford Family Foundation

    • Households with income less than $65,000 can call VITA at 541.670.5054 for free tax assistance for Coos Bay, Roseburg & Reedsport

    • Contact Michelle to start to address barriers/gaps for social services in Reedsport

  • Doreen Kelly (South Coast Hospice, 541-297-3241, d.kelly@schospice.org) – hiring for LNPs, CNAs, Social Worker, Thrift store warehouse, driver, floats

  • Jen Shafer

  • Starla Paris (ODHS, STARLA.K.PARIS@dhsoha.state.or.us)

  • Starla Paris – representing South Coast Together: in person/virtual free trainings on Understanding ACEs, Self-Regulation and Resilience