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Date: September 18, 2025
Contact: Communications.odhs@oregon.gov
Welcome to the Partner Update. Here’s a compilation of recent news you can use. You can expect the Partner Update in your email the third Thursday of every month.
Five years after the devastating 2020 Labor Day wildfires, the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) is honoring survivors, remembering those who were lost and lifting up the communities that continue to recover.
The wildfires impacted 20 Oregon counties and burned more than 1 million acres, destroyed 5,000 structures and tragically took nine lives. Not everyone is fully recovered, and ODHS remains committed to supporting them as recovery continues.
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Oregon has received approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to extend the 10-day time period allowed to request replacement of food purchased with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits that were lost or destroyed due to the Flat Fire that started Aug. 21, 2025, in Deschutes and Jefferson counties. Households in these two counties now have until Sept. 22, 2025, to report food losses and request replacement benefits.
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Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield today warned Oregonians about an uptick of scams involving card skimmers placed on payment machines at grocery and convenience stores across the state, especially in rural areas. These devices allow thieves to steal data from Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, which are used by thousands of Oregon families to access food and cash assistance.
“This is theft from Oregon families who can least afford it,” said Attorney General Rayfield. “Families rely on programs like SNAP to feed their kids, and those who depend on these benefits deserve dignity and security – not to be preyed on when they’re just trying to get by.” Law enforcement has identified a traveling group targeting Oregon retailers, especially discount stores and small markets, by installing skimmers that capture card and PIN information.
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Join the Oregon Department of Human Services, the Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities (OCDD), Grapevine and Latina Leaders in Oregon at a conversation about the new Spanish Language Resource Guide for Families and Individuals with Developmental Disabilities from OCDD.
This event will include information about what is a developmental disability, different resources available and a demonstration on how families and individuals with Developmental Disabilities can use and benefit from this new guide.
When: Thursday October 9 at noon (12 p.m.)
Where:
No need to register, people interested can join the event by visiting the at the date and time of the event. See you there!
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October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, a time to recognize the contributions people with disabilities bring to Oregon’s workplaces and economy. It’s also a time to recognize businesses with supportive workplace policies and practices for people with disabilities.
“Celebrating value and talent” is the theme of the 2025 national campaign, led by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy. In Oregon, we see this theme play out every month of the year in the countless ways people with disabilities bring value to their jobs and communities.
In recognition of NDEAM, Oregon Department of Human Services, Oregon
Commission for the Blind and Oregon Department of Education have organized a webinar series to educate the community about disability employment services and celebrate the many workplace successes. Please share this message and our event flyer. There will also be shareable posts on the Employment First and ODHS Facebook pages and on the ODHS LinkedIn page.
All webinars will be Tuesdays from 12 to 1 p.m. on Zoom: Oct. 7, Oct. 14, Oct. 28
Oregon's new Brain Injury Program invites people to subscribe to Brain Injury Program updates. Please share this link with anyone who might be interested!
This program launched in January to help people with brain injuries connect with services and supports. It's a free resource for people of all ages and income levels. Here's how you can help get the word out:
- Share information about the referral phone line on your website or in your resource guides.
Let us know about upcoming outreach opportunities where we could share information by emailing apd.braininjury@odhs.oregon.gov.
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The Oregon Eligibility Partnership (OEP) and the Office of Information Services (OIS) received the Best Use of Technology for Operations Award from the American Public Human Services Association for creating the Oregon EligiBot.
EligiBot, launched in June 2025, is an AI-powered assistat that helps eligibility staff quickly find reources, tools, and answers so they can better serve people in Oregon.
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