IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 16, 2025
Bridges Oregon Advocacy and Case Management Services Contract Ends June 30, 2025: A Call for Community Action
Dear Community,
Salem, Oregon — May 2025 — Bridges Oregon, the only culturally and linguistically specific nonprofit organization serving Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing Oregonians, announces the scheduled conclusion of a vital advocacy and case management contract on June 30, 2025, due to the lack of renewed funding from the Oregon Legislature.
Advocacy and case management services for Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing individuals ensure access to essential resources like healthcare, housing, education, family, public benefits assistance, incarceration and reentry support, and legal support—delivered in their preferred communication mode, such as ASL. These culturally responsive services help clients navigate complex systems, secure interpreters, and resolve barriers that often go unaddressed in mainstream programs. Since launching in early 2025, the program has helped individuals secure safe housing, access medical care, and advocate for their rights. Without continued funding beyond June 30, 2025, these vital services will disappear, leaving the community vulnerable to miscommunication, isolation, and systemic inequities.
This specialized program was created after years of tireless advocacy and collaboration by the community with the Oregon’s Department of Human Services (ODHS). Initially, in 2022, Bridges Oregon responded to a Request for Proposals (RFP) by ODHS to serve Oregonians who are Deaf, DeafBlind, Deaf with additional disabilities, or are Hard of Hearing. While the original process was halted due to a lack of funding, Bridges Oregon successfully advocated for $1 million in funding through House Bill 5026 during the 2023 legislative session that concluded in June 2023.
In November 2024, ODHS awarded Bridges Oregon a contract funded by that allocation. The program officially launched in January 2025 with a team of seven professionals providing critical, culturally responsive case management services. These services were first limited to the I-5 corridor, but after further advocacy, expanded to statewide coverage in February 2025.
Unfortunately, despite the growing need and positive impact of this program, ODHS leadership confirmed in December 2024 that no additional funding is planned after June 30, 2025. Without legislative action, these essential services will be discontinued.
During the 2025 session, the Oregon Legislature received nearly $5 billion in public funding requests but had less than $1 billion available after budget allocations to state agencies. Bridges Oregon’s request was among the $4 billion in unmet needs.
“This program fills a serious gap in services for Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing community members,” said Chad A. Ludwig, Executive Director of Bridges Oregon. “We are deeply disappointed, but not defeated. This is not the end — this is a call to action.”
Bridges Oregon is now urging the community to unite and support a new legislative bill in the 2027 Legislative Session that will provide permanent, stable funding for advocacy and case management services. Bridges Oregon is currently gathering data and outcomes to demonstrate the program’s impact.
How You Can Help:
- Contact your local state legislators and tell them you support permanent funding for these critical services.
- Share your story about how these services have helped you or someone you know. You can submit your thoughts anonymously through our online comment box. We also welcome video testimonies, which can be emailed to info@bridgesoregon.org, or you can call us at (971) 202-1500, and we will assist you in recording your testimony.
- Partner with us — If you’re a community member, organization, or advocate not part of the government system, we welcome your collaboration. Let us know via our online comment box.
This fight is not over. With your help, we can continue providing life-changing support to Oregonians who are Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing.
With gratitude and partnership,
Chad A. Ludwig, MSW, ADAC, CDI
Founder & Executive Director
Bridges Oregon