Central Oregon disability providers warn federal funding cuts will reduce services; committee moves to coordinate advocacy

The City of Bend Accessibility Advisory Committee heard detailed reports from local disability providers that recent federal actions tied to diversity, equity and inclusion language have cut or threatened major funding streams — putting services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities at risk across Central and eastern Oregon.

Amanda Hamer, a member of KOBAC speaking from Council Chambers, said the Central Oregon Disability Support Network (CODSN) was notified with “very little notice” that it would lose a large portion of federal funding and that the loss would mean services — from support with Individualized Education Plans to community activity and behavioral supports — will be reduced or terminated for rural communities that rely on CODSN.

The committee discussed immediate advocacy steps. Cassandra (staff) and committee members proposed drafting a letter to elected representatives, making phone calls, and organizing a trip to Salem to press lawmakers for action; Liz Diether Martin suggested signing as an organization and also sending individual letters. Liz Diether Martin (remote) said, “I think disability and accessibility are bipartisan issues,” and urged members to contact representatives in multiple forums.

Why it matters: Speakers said the funding losses are not limited to Bend: CODSN serves multiple counties in eastern and southern Oregon. Amanda Hamer said smaller organizations have already merged or ended Medicaid-funded programs because “unfunded mandates” and rising administrative costs make those programs financially unsustainable. Diversability Inc., a local nonprofit, has ended some Medicaid-funded programs and merged others; the organization is continuing three programs (a sibling support program, the Happening Hub youth program and a resource site called Diversability Village) while seeking new partners.

Committee members and local providers described the consequences as immediate and tangible: lost advocacy in school systems, fewer employment supports, reduced community integration and increased vulnerability for the population served. Liz Woodfin emphasized the human impact: CODSN “provides a sense of security and navigation through systems that are wholly complex,” and losing that creates emotional and practical hardship for families.

What the committee decided and next steps: The group did not take formal legislative action, but members agreed to coordinate advocacy. Liz Diether Martin recommended drafting and sending a letter signed by the committee, and several members suggested creating a letter template to speed future correspondence. Amanda Hamer and Cassandra agreed to coordinate next steps and to support outreach, including phone calls and potential travel to Salem. No formal vote or binding directive was recorded; the committee treated the items as committee-level advocacy and coordination rather than a regulatory action.

Details and constraints: Speakers repeatedly emphasized the limits of local authority — KOBAC is an advisory body and does not control federal funding. Committee members asked for clarity about which elected officials to contact and suggested addressing both state and federal representatives. Members also discussed mutual-aid and interagency collaboration as short-term strategies while pursuing policy and funding remedies.

Committee context: Several local providers and nonprofit leaders joined the discussion (Diversability Inc., CODSN). Members emphasized both immediate advocacy (letters, calls) and longer-term coalition work (mergers, shared service arrangements) to maintain service continuity for affected individuals.

The committee concluded the item by asking staff to draft a template letter and return with recommended contacts and an outreach timeline so members can take coordinated action.