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May is Mental Health Awareness Month
For individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), mental health support is often overlooked or misunderstood, even though these needs are just as important. At the intersection of I/DD and mental health, connection to community and access to the right resources can play a powerful role in promoting well-being, reducing isolation, and supporting the whole person.
"When we invest in mental health for people with disabilities, we build stronger, more inclusive communities for everyone." — National Council on Disability
Below are some ways you can connect with us, to other members in your community and with each other. If you have additional ideas, resources or stories you'd like to share or if you'd like to connect with us call us at 360-823-2247 or info@peacenw.org.
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Mother's Day Tea Party
Friday, May 9 from 11 AM - 1 PM
Let every Mother feel Special Come enjoy time with other moms and pamper yourself with a self-care day!
Tea, cookies, and self-care goodies bags for all moms attending!
Space is limited, RSVP required. Contact Theresa to reserve your spot. Email: TheresaV@peacenw.org Call/text: 360-513-6682
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Putting it All Together - Community Resource Fair
Saturday, May 17th, 2025 - 10:00am - 1:00pm
Henrietta Lacks High School
9105 NE 9th St, Vancouver, WA 98664
Join us for a comprehensive transition community resource fair that you don’t want to miss! Meet a range of vendors and community partners to share information about employment, education, housing, parks and recreation, and building a whole life after school. Students encouraged and welcomed to join this day of community learning and connecting
To Register and learn more about this event Click here
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Save the Date: 2025 Virtual Community Summit
Community Summit 2025: Uniting for Impact, Engaging for Change, a free, all-virtual event hosted by DSHS Developmental Disabilities Administration. This summit brings together self-advocates, families, and community partners to foster inclusion through keynote speakers, interactive sessions, a virtual resource fair, and networking opportunities.
Please join us for the Clark County Community Summit Watch Party on June 4th!
Register using the link below & indicate you would like to be at the Clark event.
If you've already registered and indicated you'd like to attend in person, we'll be in touch soon with more details.
Please note: Space for the in-person event is limited and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Thank you for your interest in building community — we look forward to seeing you on June 4th!
To Register for Watch Party visit: 2025 Community Summit
📅 Date: June 4, 2025 | ⏰ Time: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
📌 Registration opens April 2025 – stay updated at www.communitysummit.ws or follow The Community Summit on Facebook.
| | Last Chance for a FREE Housing Review! | | |
Time is running out to take advantage of a FREE Benefits and Housing Review for Washington State residents, thanks to funding from the Dan Thompson Memorial Fund. If your family is exploring housing options for a Loved One with a disability, this is your opportunity to start the process with no commitment required.
This review helps you:
- Clarify your housing vision
- Identify support needs and services
- Access our Roommate Matching Pool
- Receive expert guidance on next steps
No need to commit to anything, just starting the process is a big step forward.
Don’t miss out, get started today while free reviews are still available! https://partners4housing.com/products/residential-assessment
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Lunch and Learn with PEACE NW
Every Tuesday 12:00pm
Inclusive Dungeons & Dragons Virtual Club
Every Wednesday 5:00pm -6:00pm
Cafe con PEACE NW - Group in Spanish
Thursdays 10:00am -11:30am
Building Independence - Resumes May 22
Supporting individuals 18 and Over to Build the Life of Their Dreams
Parent to Parent Journal Group
Last Sunday of every month 10:30am - 1:30pm
For more information and to register for these events visit: https://www.peacenw.org/events
For Flyers to print/share visit: https://www.peacenw.org/flyers
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Exciting possibilities to come from DSHS restructuring - Info from The ARC
The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) recently announced a series of changes to its organizational structure effective May 1st.
As advocates for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, we are excited for the possibilities that will emerge from the creation of a new state agency called The Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA), integrating home and community-based services within the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) and the Aging and Long-Term Support Administration (ALTSA). To continue reading Click here
Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA).
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Choosing Good Advisors.
by Eva M. Luchini, JD, Law office of Eva M. Luchini, PLLC
I just attended the annual Academy of Special Needs Planners conference – three long days of expert presentations on the latest developments in special needs trusts, benefits, and housing. The Academy is attorneys, financial planners, and tax professionals all focused on serving the disability community around the nation. We shared ideas and best practices. We learned of changes with Social Security. We drank a lot of coffee. -- Read more
| | Community Events and Opportunities | | |
An Evening for Autism | Star Wars theme: May the Fourth Be With You (even if we are late!) ARRO - Autism Research and Resourced of Oregon
Saturday, May 17th, 6:00 to 9:00 pm
Embassy Suites – Washington Square, 9000 SW Washington Square Rd, Tigard, OR 97223
Ror more info visit: ARRO – An Evening for Autism
Click here for the event flyer as a printable PDF.
Click here for the Starfield flyer as a printable PDF.
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LCRG's Multicultural Resource Fair 2025!
May 31 2025 Hudson’s Bay High School
Enjoy free entertainment, food, and activities for the whole family, while also gaining knowledge and awareness about issues that impact underrepresented groups in the community. Connect with representatives from nonprofit organizations and state agencies, who will share information about resources and services available.
For sponsorship opportunities, table registration or being a volunteer please visit www.lcrgwa.org for more details.
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Chuukese Cultural Festival
Saturday, May 24th at Esther Short Park in DT Vancouver. There will be music, entertainment, food, and opportunities to directly connect with this vibrant community.
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Washington State Community Connectors Substance Use Disorder Family Navigator Training
This training is for parents, family members, and caregivers who are interested in learning how to support their loved ones with SUD. Participants will learn about up-to-date information around SUD, addiction and its effects on the adolescent brain, skills for families navigating their relationship with someone with SUD, and systems navigation. For more information visit: Family Navigator Training.
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Swindells Resource Center supports parents and caregivers of children who have special health, behavioral or developmental needs. We provide video resources, information and education to communities throughout Oregon and southwest Washington.
For more information on their services and upcoming events visit:https://www.providence.org/locations/or/childrens-health/swindells-resource-center#tabcontent-3-pane-2
- Your Child’s Plan for Special Education: IEP Next Steps
- Supporting your Neurodivergent Child with their IEP Process for Parents and Caregivers
- Picky Eating
- IEP Binder Workshop
- Your Child’s Plan for Special Education: Addressing Behaviors
- Supporting your Neurodivergent Child through Visual Supports in the Home and Community Settings
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“Take a Break on ASO”
Take A Break on ASO program since 2007, has provided over 3,800 parents, foster parents, or legal guardians with gift certificates to wonderful local restaurants, tickets passes to first-run movies and paid for respite care for their Autistic children – including adult children.
Eligibility: Any parent/legal guardian/foster parent who is primary caregiver for an Autistic person anywhere in Oregon or SW Washington is eligible.
For more information visit: https://autismsocietyoregon.org/support/take-a-break-on-aso/
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You're Invited: "Uniquely Human" Book Study for Parents of Autistic Students
Join May 16 from 4:30–5:30 PM for a meaningful book study centered around Uniquely Human by Barry Prizant, a powerful read that rethinks how we understand and support Autistic individuals. Hosted by Miesha Oxley, SLP at Grass Valley Elementary, this gathering is designed to create connection, share insights, and spark thoughtful conversation among parents in the Camas School District.
The session will take place at the beautiful new GroWild Boutique Playroom in Camas, a kid-friendly space that allows parents to participate while keeping an eye on their children. Space is limited to 40 attendees.
📖 Learn more and RSVP on the Camas PTSO website: https://camasptso.org/index.php/event/uniquely-human-book-study-2/
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New! Community Groups Page on Our Website
We’re excited to announce the launch of a new section on our website: www.peacenw.org/community-groups This is where you’ll find and soon be able to share groups that support connection, learning, and belonging for individuals with disabilities and their families.
Do you lead a group you'd like us to feature? Email Tanya at tanyae@peacenw.org to get started!
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