March is Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Across the United States, more than 5.2 million adults and children live with developmental disabilities, including approximately 67,000 Oregonians.
In Multnomah County, the Department of County Human Services' Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) Division provides many essential services to these individuals to help them build full lives as part of the wider community.
The division conducts outreach to make connections to people with disabilities; determines whether those potential clients are eligible for service; provides case management; and even investigates allegations of abuse. It also links clients and families with Medicaid-funded residential, employment, in-home, transportation and support service brokerages (community-based services), as well as critical resources like rent assistance.
While the work can be challenging, team members such as Sara Ashback, an emergency preparedness program specialist, also experience immense joy as they help improve client’s lives or help clients prepare for emergencies like severe weather. Ashback, along with project manager and liaison Glorie Gary, was part of a team that has distributed over 3,600 seven-day emergency kits to I/DD clients over the past year.
“Many of us remember December 2023, when the region experienced severe weather and power outages,” said Gary. “We worked with case managers who asked families and individuals, ‘What do you really need?’ One of the many things that families said over and over and over was this.”
Each kit contains food, water, first-aid supplies, hygiene items, emergency blankets, water purification tablets, waste bags, emergency ponchos and mylar sleeping bags. The team also included water filtration straws, toilet waste bags, solar-powered lanterns, wool blankets, and 300-watt portable power stations.
"Many of the people we serve live in a state of constant crisis," Ashback explained. "Every day is an emergency, or they are anticipating one. When you're dealing with daily struggles, natural disasters or other emergencies may not be a priority. We work to connect our clients with community resources and activities, and engage them in the community, where they are."
From October 2024 to February 2025, I/DD held weekly events to distribute kits and power stations. Ashback and her team prioritized accessibility, considering clients' locations and transportation needs — drive-through and walk-up events were strategically located at places like Portland Community College and community centers, for example. Community members could also choose between roller bags or backpacks for storing their emergency kits.
Each event distributed roughly 200 kits.
“There’s a lot of challenges that can occur for I/DD clients,” said Gary. “Individuals or families may use cell phones and tablets to help regulate behavior because it can help with focus or communication. When those tablets and things lose their charge, that family is in utter chaos during a power outage.
“Many don’t have expendable income, so this helps with a child’s or adult’s well-being.”
The County distributed the kits through an Emergency Preparedness Grant from the Office of Developmental Disabilities Services (ODDS) and $1.47 million from the American Rescue Plan Act.
In addition to emergency kits, the grant also funded 15 large portable power stations for warming centers,16 generators for clients with high medical needs who need equipment like ventilators, suction and refrigeration for medication, six air conditioners for newly housed clients and 5 automated external defibrillator (AED).
"After the events, people would email or text, expressing how amazing the kits were, especially parents of young adults with I/DD," Ashback said. "Many were surprised by the quality."
Ruthie Johnston is one of those parents.
“When my son was in grade school, we heard a lot about the Great Oregon ShakeOut. That was when he was in elementary school. His big plan was to walk home. Now that he’s older, we have different plans in place for power outages or earthquakes.”
The kit, Johnston says, offered her family more than supplies. “When we got the kit, it launched a conversation about safety. If mom’s not home, or I’m at work — this is your support. He knows how to use the power source. He is very mechanical. So this was immensely helpful and provides peace of mind as a working parent.”
“It shows that someone cares,” Ashback added.
The I/DD team, in coordination with Multnomah County Emergency Management, also hosted three in-person (and one virtual) emergency response trainings for clients, covering general emergency preparedness, as well as earthquakes and power outages.
The team simultaneously hosted resource fairs to connect clients with utility providers, local government agencies and nonprofits relating to emergency preparedness.
“The training was a huge hit. People wanted more," Ashback said. “It wasn't just about handing out kits. It was about building relationships with community partners and starting conversations about emergency preparedness.”
Extreme weather and other natural disasters like earthquakes can hamper emergency response efforts. That’s why preparing by having supplies ready to go, being trained to navigate these situations and having the tools to take care of your emotional well-being are important.
While Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is an annual, one-time observance, “our program is aware of it every day. We do great work and I’m really proud,” said Gary.
As part of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities this month, the division is hosting a Housing Equity Panel at the Holgate Public Library, from 5:00 to 6:30 PM on March 26.
The event, featuring local housing experts, will educate community members with intellectual and developmental disabilities about housing laws and advocacy, with options for both in-person and virtual attendance. The 15th annual Employee & Program Participant Art & Craft Show, featuring a public art reception and showcasing the creative talents of IDDSD staff and participants, will follow on June 5, 2025, at the Five Oak Office in downtown Portland.
They’re forums for people to come together; learn about the resources available to them; and connect.
“When people hear about the government or government programs, some have trust issues or they may not hear about all the positive impacts,” Gary said. “But the people behind this work are deeply committed and just putting smiles on people’s faces, helping people and building relationships is so important.”
