Central Oregon Disability Support Network

If you're between the ages of 14 - 26, experience a disability, and want a space to hang out, meet people, and just be yourself? Come hang with us at the CODSN office for a Youth Meetup this November! We'll have pizza, fun, and a chance to share what YOU are into!

We'll be hosting monthly gatherings from November through June, and we want YOUR ideas for our future meetups! Have ideas for activities, games, crafting, outings, or just ways to hang out? We want to hear them!

When: Sunday, November 22
Time: 2 PM - 4 PM
Location: CODSN Office
Address: 252 NE Twin Knolls Drive, Suite 7
Bend, OR 97701

Sign up with Cassidy! You can email, call, or text her.
Email: [email protected]
Call or Text: 406-531-2108

You're invited to rock painting with the Bend Chooses Kindness Facebook group! 🎨 Bring your kids to sit with their peers and paint rocks together. We'll have rocks and paint for everyone.

🗓️ Tuesday, October 20, 10 AM to 1 PM
📍 CODSN Office, 2525 NE Twin Knolls Drive #7, Bend
📞 541-548-8559

Questions? Email us at [email protected]]. See you there!

From our friends at Bend FC!

💜⚽ COMING TOGETHER FOR OUR COMMUNITY — FREE DAY CAMP
In the wake of the tragic events at Silver Rail Elementary, Bend FC is opening our doors to help support the children and families of our Bend community.
We know many families are facing uncertainty, and parents may need to return to work while children need a positive, welcoming place to spend their days.

Bend FC is offering a FREE Community Day Camp, October 19–23, for Silver Rail students and other children in our community who could benefit from this opportunity.

Our goal is simple: Give children a place to play, connect with friends, stay active, and simply be kids, while providing families with one less thing to worry about.

⚽ CAMP DETAILS
📅 October 19–23 | Monday–Friday
⏰ 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 Bend FC Soccer Complex or Futsal Center (location emailed to registered families Sunday evening, October 18)
💜 Cost: FREE
⚽ Soccer, games, activities, and time with friends.

Can't attend all five days? That's okay! Whether your child can join us for one day, two days, or the entire week, we encourage you to register.

🔗 REGISTER HERE:
https://www.bendfctimbers.com/free-community-camp

Please share this opportunity with any family who may benefit. You do not have to be part of Bend FC to participate.

We cannot take away the pain our community is experiencing, but we can come together, support one another, and provide a little comfort during an incredibly difficult time.

We are more than a soccer club. We are one community, and we are here for one another. 💜

Questions? Contact Brady Brent at [email protected].
Community. Compassion. Together. Support. 💜

Join Families in Community, a free gathering for those who love, support, and provide services for children with disabilities! 💙

Build community, connect with other families, and explore ways to strengthen support for children and families. Lunch is provided.

📅 Saturday, November 14, 2026, 9:15 am to 12:45 pm
📍 The Haven Coworking Space, 1001 SW Disk Dr, Ste 250, Bend, OR
📞 541-389-5468, option 2

Register by scanning the QR code on the flyer or calling the number above.

Join us Monday, October 19th for Crisis Support & Connection. Families can connect, learn about crisis support resources, and build community together. Refreshments and children's play spaces will be available.

📍 Alyce Hatch Center, 1406 NW Juniper St., Bend
🗓️ Monday, October 19th, 2-5pm
📞 541-548-8559

Questions? Call us or email [email protected].

Our hearts are with our Central Oregon community following Thursday's devastating tragedy.

We are thinking of the students, families, school staff, first responders, and everyone whose lives have been affected. We recognize that moments like these can bring a wide range of emotions and concerns, and that every person and family may need something different.

At CODSN, we believe that connection, compassion, and community matter, especially during difficult times. Please know that our community is in our thoughts, and we encourage families to give themselves and one another grace as we navigate this together.

You don't have to have the right words or know exactly what you need. Sometimes, simply knowing you're not alone can make a difference.

Crisis Counseling will be available for anyone who needs it Friday, October 16th at the Central Library (61956 SE Santorini St, Bend, OR 97702)

With care for our community,
The CODSN Team

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Nuestros corazones están con nuestra comunidad del Centro de Oregón tras la devastadora tragedia ocurrida el jueves.

Pensamos en los estudiantes, las familias, el personal escolar, los socorristas y todas las personas cuyas vidas se han visto afectadas. Reconocemos que momentos como este pueden despertar una amplia variedad de emociones y preocupaciones, y que cada persona y cada familia puede necesitar algo diferente.

En CODSN, creemos que la conexión, la compasión y el sentido de comunidad son fundamentales, especialmente en tiempos difíciles. Queremos que sepan que nuestra comunidad está presente en nuestros pensamientos, y alentamos a las familias a brindarse paciencia, comprensión y apoyo mutuo mientras atravesamos esta situación juntos.

No es necesario tener las palabras perfectas ni saber exactamente qué necesitan en este momento. A veces, simplemente saber que no están solos puede marcar una diferencia.

Habrá servicios de apoyo psicológico en situaciones de crisis disponibles para cualquier persona que los necesite el viernes 16 de octubre en la Biblioteca Central (61956 SE Santorini St, Bend, OR 97702).

Con cariño y apoyo para nuestra comunidad,

El equipo de CODSN

Tips for talking with children with disabilities
These are the strategies I would emphasize most in a family handout:

- Start with what your child knows. “Have you heard anything about what happened?”

- Use concrete, short sentences. Avoid euphemisms and unnecessary details. Answer only what they ask.

- Adapt how you communicate. Use pictures, visual schedules, social stories, AAC devices, signing, or choice boards when helpful.

- Allow processing time. A child may need to hear the same explanation multiple times.

- Look for behavior changes. Increased anxiety, repetitive questions, disrupted sleep, withdrawal, irritability, or sensory changes may signal distress.

- Offer comfort in the way that works for your child. This might be movement, a familiar activity, quiet space, a favorite object, or time with a trusted adult.

- Keep routines predictable and limit repeated exposure to news footage and social media.

These recommendations align with the American Academy of Pediatrics and NCTSN guidance on supporting children after traumatic events:

“You may have heard that something very scary happened in Bend. Someone hurt people, and some people died. It is okay to feel sad, confused, or worried. The adults at your school are working to keep students safe. You can ask me questions, and I will help you. You don't have to talk about it right now.”

Adapt the amount of information to your child's understanding and communication needs. If the child asks a question you cannot answer, it's okay to say, “I don't know, but I will tell you what I know.”

From our friends at Oregon Employment First!

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), and the 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.

Join us on Tuesday, October 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Zoom for "What is ableism and why it matters in the workplace."

Presented by: Todd D. Woodward, Vice Chair of the Oregon Disabilities Commission

This session explores what ableism is and the many forms it takes, trace its historical roots, and examine how it shows up in employment today. Come prepared to reflect on two questions about your own workplace: What are you already doing well? What could you do better?

Register in advance: https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_4QBbSNLWTnOJ7YQZ-jKZdw?fbclid=IwY2xjawU-CUpleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mBWJyaWQRMXlhdnVwRzhJVG1tWlVLZUdzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe4-ItBufHbJKapM9F8-v9Gox-_eUhdA_QjY8cakRHBnG1x6zlWr4VTXfT9kU_aem_IhG12UvoTrJjLUeTiZZGfg #/registration

Captioning, American Sign Language interpretation and Spanish language interpretation will be provided. To request an accommodation, contact [email protected].

Learn more about NDEAM: https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/providers-partners/Pages/celebrating-ndeam.aspx

Join FACT Oregon and Guy Stephens, a nationally recognized expert on restraint and seclusion, for a virtual presentation on a new way to understand children’s behavior. You’ll learn:

- Why children’s behavior is so often misunderstood
- Why many common methods of addressing behavior aren’t working
- How trauma-informed approaches can change how we see and respond to behavior

Get Details & Register:
https://factoregon.org/training-calendar/beyond-behaviorism

From our friends at Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities (OCDD)!

View the announcement here: https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Tell-the-CDC-that-People-with-Intellectual-and-Developmental-Disabilities-COUNT.html?soid=1119468769711&aid=26hjHEoj_ag