Dear Legislator: Meet Deb Bryant

 

Dear Senator Olsen and Representative Hunt, my name is Deb Bryant. I am a provider of support services and provide adults with disabilities the following supports: Accessing their community, supporting them in their employment, assisting them with promoting their independence, money management, and preserving their overall health and safety. I am writing you today to ask that you oppose the proposed cuts to brokerage budgets.

Dear Legislator: Meet Kaaren Londahl

 

Dear Senator Chip Shields and Representative Lew Frederick,

My name is Kaaren Londahl. I am one of the (700) support service brokerage customers who lost my brokerage services in October 2011 as a result of the last legislative session budget cuts.  My life has changed dramatically since I lost my services in October. I now have to private-pay for any disability-related supports I receive and I no longer have the support of my brokerage Personal Agent or providers to help me live safely and independently in the community.  I have a lot of medical expenses and struggle to meet all my needs.

I believe we are all human beings alike and I want my brokerage services back.  You must listen to the needs of people with disabilities in the community.

I am writing you today to ask that you oppose the proposed cuts to developmental disability services budgets in the upcoming February short session.  Thousands of Oregonians with disabilities depend on it.

 

Check out Kaaren’s advocacy efforts in 2011 here.

Dear Legislator: Meet Joy’e Willman

Dear Senator Diane Rosenbaum and Representative Caroline Tomei, my name is Joy’e Willman and I am a provider through a support service brokerage.

I work for someone who uses a service brokerage. She was without services for quite a while and she had some problems with people taking advantage of her. We have created a great team through the brokerage and she is now living independently and is happy with her situation. She has fewer issues and goes into hospital crisis less often which saves a lot of money for her and the state. If these brokerages were cut then we would have some serious problems that would in turn cost more to deal with in the long run.

I am writing you today to ask that you oppose the proposed cuts to brokerage budgets

Dear Legislator: Meet Ruth Geislinger II

 

Dear Senator Charles William Thomsen and Representative Patrick Sheehan, my name is Ruth. I am a customer of a support service brokerage. I have people that come over to help me with my food, and going grocery shopping.  My providers also help me to keep my house clean and support me.  They also help me to pay my bills so that I don’t get lost in the shuffle.  I would be lost without them!  I would probably be in an adult care home, and I would freak out there.  I like living in my own home.  I also go to Port City, a day program that supports me to make pottery and weaving.  I have been able to meet a lot of people and make new friends there.  I go one day a week, and I really look forward to that day because it gets me out of the house!

I have a Personal Agent that comes over and helps me to make sure that I have what I need to live on my own.  People who know me can see the growth that has come with working with the brokerage.  I have become more independent, and I feel safer with the support that I have.  I didn’t know where to go for help and support before.  Now, I have the support that I need to keep myself safe.  People see a difference in me, I have more confidence.  My church friends notice that I have come through some tough times a winner!!!

I am writing you today to ask that you oppose the proposed cuts to brokerage budgets.

Ruth recorded a video to her legislators last budget cycle. Check it out here.

Dear Legislator: Meet Tracey Brown

 

Dear Senator Chip Shields and Representative Lew Fredrick, my name is Tracey Brown, I am a provider for support service brokerages located in your district. I am writing you today to ask that you oppose the proposed cuts to brokerage budgets.

Dear Legislator: Meet Keith Jocsing

 

Dear Senator Laurie Monnes Anderson and Representative Greg Matthews,

My name is Keith Jocsing. I am a customer of a support service brokerage located in your district. In case you don’t know, brokerages now serve more than half of the adults with developmental disabilities in Oregon. Brokerages have a lot going for them:

• Brokerages draw millions of federal matching dollars to Oregon.
• Brokerages support thousands of jobs across the state.
• Brokerages cost taxpayers far less money that other disability programs.
• Brokerages give people like me a lot of choice about my supports.

I go to On the Move for community inclusion to get involved in my community. I work with a Personal Agent, Rachel, at Community Pathways and she helps me find resources and knows a lot about me. I also receive a monthly bus pass. These services are very important to me. I am writing you today to ask that you oppose the proposed cuts to brokerage budgets in the upcoming February short session.  My services and the services of thousands of other Oregonians with disabilities depend on it.

Dear Legislator: Meet Hector Pelayo-Guzman

 

 

Dear Senator Laurie Monnes Anderson and Representative Greg Matthews, my name is Hector Pelayo-Guzman.  I am a customer of a support service brokerage. With my brokerage services, I am able to access community programs like On the Move Community Integration, where I am able to explore activities of interest, learn new skills, and  give back to my community through volunteer work in a safe and supported way. I am writing you today to ask that you oppose the proposed cuts to brokerage budgets.