Posts by Oregon Support Services Association
Who is OSSA?
Dear Personal Agents, Brokerage office staff, Lead Personal Agents, Operations Managers, Fiscal Managers, accounting staff, Provider Coordinators, Resource Managers, and every other Brokerage staff member, At the start of February 2015, you hired me to serve as your Executive Director. Did you know that? The Oregon Support Services Association represents the 13 Brokerages around the state of Oregon. OSSA’s board of directors is comprised of the 13 Executive Directors of each Brokerage. But OSSA is so much more than that—our membership includes each and every person employed by a Brokerage to do the work of Support Services for individuals with intellectual and...
Read MoreOregon I/DD Advocates Testify to Senate Committee on eXPRS State Payment System Implementation Concerns
On Tuesday, Oregon Support Services Association’s Executive Director Katie Rose testified to a Senate committee regarding the state’s roll out and implementation of its payment system, eXPRS. Additional testimony was provided by Margaret Theisen (CEO of the state’s largest brokerage Full Access), Chris Burnett (Executive Director of Oregon Rehabilitation Association,) Gary Zenzen and Chris Schwartz (from provider organization Partnerships in Community Living,) Lilia Teninty (Director of Oregon’s Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Program,) and Don Erickson (Chief Operating Officer for Oregon’s Aging, Disability, and Developmental...
Read MoreBrokerage Association Announces Leadership Changes in 2015
In the spirit of the new year, the Oregon Support Services Association announces two changes in leadership. Larry Deal, Executive Director of Independence Northwest brokerage, has assumed the role of OSSA President. He follows in the footsteps of Margaret Theisen, whose tenure spanned the birth of the brokerage association and four incredible years of unprecedented growth and change. We are deeply indebted and grateful to Margaret for her influential and principled leadership. Margaret passed the torch to Larry after the association’s Board of Directors meeting in December. Larry brings with him 13 years experience in Oregon’s Support Services system,...
Read MoreeXPRS Trainings for Personal Support Workers Scheduled in Portland Metro and Mid-Valley Areas
In January 2015, the Oregon Department of Human Services is putting on a series of trainings on their electronic billing system eXPRS. The trainings are specifically geared toward Personal Support Workers. You may attend a training at any of the sites below, whether you serve individuals at the particular brokerage or county. Be sure to RSVP by emailing ODDS.training@state.or.us. Please note: RSVP-ing in the comments section below does not guarantee you a space at one of the trainings. Please email ODDS.training@state.or.us to reserve your spot. Thanks!
Read MoreToday: Brokerage Association Director, State DD Director and Provider Organization Director Talk I/DD System Changes on OPB’s Think Out Loud
Tune in today at noon on Oregon Public Broadcasting- OPB’s Think Out Loud. Listen in as brokerage association Executive Director Kathryn Weit, ODDS Director Lilia Teninty and provider organization director Shanya Luther discuss changes to Oregon’s intellectual and developmental disability services. From OPB: Oregon’s system for delivering home and community-based services to seniors and people with disabilities is in the process of being completely overhauled. The state has said that the new system will increase the amount of funding provided by Medicaid for disability-related services and give individuals more choices in how and where services are provided....
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