Salem, Oregon. – Bridges Oregon was awarded approximately $250,000.00 through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding project overseen by Oregon’s Office of Developmental Disability Services (ODDS). COVID-19 has had an extremely negative impact on capacity for all services in the intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) system. ARPA funding is intended to support COVID-19 recovery needs and strengthen service equity across the state through expanding capacity to service individuals with I/DD.
The Bridge’s Employment and Independent Living (IL) Services team will be utilizing the awarded funds to support the start up of our newly established services and increase our capacity to serve deaf individuals with I/DD to achieve their employment and independent living goals. We are thrilled to accept this grant funding as we work to design and implement a sustainable Employment and IL services department with a special focus on serving our deaf community’s most vulnerable and underserved. Initially, we will operate from Bridges’ Salem location and serve people living in Marion and Polk counties. Once established and sustainable, we anticipate the expansion of these services to additional locations statewide.
About Bridges Oregon:
Bridges Oregon is a linguistically and culturally specific and responsive statewide nonprofit organization for Oregonians who are Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing or face other communication barriers. It is in our mission to facilitate equity, inclusiveness, and to provide a bridge to opportunities through advocacy, education, and communication.