The Arc Lane County

10/14/2026

💙 Tomorrow is Neurodiversity Family Support Night!

Haven't registered yet? There's still time!

Join us tomorrow evening for an opportunity to connect with other families, build relationships, share experiences, and find support within our community.

📅 Thursday, October 15th
⏰ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Whether you're joining us for the first time or have attended before, we'd love to see you!

Don't miss out! Reserve your spot today! https://tinyurl.com/yc384d3u 💙

10/13/2026

Congratulations to Nick!

Congratulations, Nicholas Kaasa!

Yesterday at our monthly staff meeting, The Arc Oregon celebrated Nicholas Kaasa, winner of the 2026 Ross Ryan Employment Self-Advocacy Award. We were joined by guests from ODHS Office of Developmental Disabilities Services and Full Access Brokerage as we all recognized Nick together.

Julie Huber of the Oregon Department of Human Services, Office of Developmental Disabilities Services, shared that the award honors Ross Ryan's commitment to employment and his voice as an advocate. Nominations grow every year, and Nick's application stood out even in a fiercely competitive field.

Ryley Newport remembered first meeting Nick about 10 years ago, when Nick was named student of the year and then signed up as a peer mentor to help people move from sheltered workshops into community jobs. Ryley also shared a favorite Ross Ryan line: "I changed the space by being there."

Ashley Herberholz, last year's recipient, told Nick, "I couldn't think of anybody better to accept this award."

In his remarks, Nick said, "A job is more than just a paycheck. It is a reason to get up in the morning. It is a place to belong." He thanked his team, Ross Ryan, and Lindsay Dutton, who nominated him. Lindsay said Nick embodies the spirit of "nothing about us without us."

Nick is a Trainer with The Arc Oregon, and he now trains new services coordinators and personal agents to do their jobs even better. We see his work every day, and it is wonderful to see it honored.

Congratulations, Nick, and thank you to ODHS, ODDS, and Full Access Brokerage for celebrating with us during National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

10/13/2026

This Thursday! It's never too early or too late to start planning how to help your child achieve their BIG dreams.

10/12/2026

Families Connected & Familias en Conexión are hosting a Family Fun Day this Saturday! Come make a potion or a Halloween lantern and enjoy the fun!!

10/11/2026

10/08/2026

Medicaid Is More Than Just Health Insurance. It Is a Lifeline for Individuals with Disabilities and Families!

For millions of individuals with disabilities, children, and families, Medicaid provides more than just access to health care. It provides stability, independence, dignity, and access to essential services that allow people to live, work, and thrive in their communities.

Recent changes to Medicaid funding and requirements are creating additional challenges for individuals and families who already face significant barriers. Funding reductions, complicated paperwork, processing delays, and confusing eligibility requirements can make it harder for people to access and maintain the health care and services they depend on, even when they qualify for coverage.

Behind every Medicaid application is a real person. A child with a disability who depends on therapies and specialized care. A parent working hard to ensure their family has access to necessary medical services. An individual with a disability who relies on ongoing support to maintain their health, independence, and quality of life.

These are not just numbers or statistics. These are our neighbors, our friends, our children, and our families.

Changes to Medicaid can affect far more than

Act now to protect Medicaid by clicking here:

Tell Congress to Take Action!

10/08/2026

SNAP Is More Than Just Food Assistance. It Is a Lifeline for Families!

For millions of individuals with disabilities, children, and families, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides more than just help purchasing groceries. It provides food security, stability, dignity, and peace of mind.

Recent changes to SNAP are creating additional challenges for families who are already struggling to make ends meet. Funding reductions, complicated paperwork, processing delays, and confusing eligibility requirements can make it harder for individuals to access the food assistance they depend on, even when they qualify for benefits.

Behind every SNAP application is a real person. A parent trying to put nutritious meals on the table. A child who deserves to grow up without worrying about their next meal. An individual with a disability who relies on food assistance to meet their basic needs.

These are not just numbers or statistics. These are our neighbors, our friends, our children, and our families.

Food insecurity affects more than just physical health. It can impact a child's ability to learn, a parent's ability to provide for their family, and an individual's overall well-being.

No family should have to choose between putting food on the table and paying for other basic necessities.

Your voice matters!

Take a moment to learn about the changes to SNAP, share reliable information, and understand how these changes may affect individuals and families in our community.

Awareness, compassion, and access to accurate information can make a meaningful difference for families navigating these challenges.

Together, we can help build a community where individuals and families have access to the resources and support they need.

Tell Congress no one should go hungry by clicking here:

Tell Congress to Take Action to Protect SNAP

10/07/2026

Planning for Life After High School: What Families Need to Know

The transition years can bring lots of questions—and parents don’t have to figure it all out alone. Join us for our next Neurodiversity Family Support Night as we explore how families can help students prepare for their future and life after high school.

Josh Barbour, transition network facilitator for Linn, Benton, Lincoln, and Lane Counties, will join us on Oct. 15 to share transition information. Come learn, ask questions, and feel more prepared for the journey ahead!

Thursday, October 15
6-8 pm
Kelly Middle School
850 Howard Ave.
(Hybrid option also available if you cannot attend in person)

09/28/2026

Thank You for Making Carnival So Much Fun!

A huge thank you to all of the volunteers, donors, staff, community partners, and guests who helped make The Arc Lane County’s biennial Carnival a resounding success!

More than 500 guests visited The Arc Park on Saturday to soak up the sunshine and enjoy an afternoon filled with games, food, laughter and fun.

We couldn’t have done it without our incredible community coming together to celebrate inclusion and create a space where everyone belongs.

We hope you had as much fun as we did! We’ll see you at the next Carnival!

09/28/2026

🎉 Saturday Kids Social is coming back to the Bethel/Eugene area! 🎉

Parents and caregivers — could you use a few hours to run errands, relax, catch up on things, or simply enjoy a little time for yourself? 💛
Our Saturday Kids Social gives children a fun, welcoming place to spend the day while being supported by our caring and trained staff!
📍 Clear Lake Community Center – Bethel/Eugene
📅 Saturday, October 10, 2026
⏰ 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM
This FREE respite opportunity is open to Lane County children ages 5 and older who experience a disability, mental health concern, or behavioral health concern.
✨ Siblings are welcome too! They do not need to experience a disability, but they must meet the age requirement.

Kids can enjoy:
🎨 Fun activities and crafts
🎲 Games and social time
😊 A supportive and inclusive environment
🥪 Lunch, snacks, and refreshments

Space is limited to 30 children, and registration is first come, first served, so we encourage families to sign up early!

💙 Families do not need to already receive services from The Arc Lane County to participate — Families just need to live in Lane County.

👉 Register your child today and give yourself a well-deserved break while they enjoy a fun Saturday with us! E-Mail [email protected] to register.

Please share this post with families in the Bethel and Eugene area who may benefit from this free opportunity! 💛