Blog

Idaho Council on Developmental Disabilities weekly webinars

By DRI

Weekly webinars
Idaho Council on Developmental Disabilities weekly and future webinars

Thank you for your interest in The Idaho Council on Developmental Disabilities weekly webinars. Each webinar* is created to answer your questions, and to share information and resources to help you during the COVID-19 crisis.

The first webinar, “Ask Art”, was held last Friday, April 17th.

Art Evans, DD Services Bureau Chief in the Division of Medicaid answered questions from individuals with I/DD receiving services and their family members about services during the COVID-19 crisis.

You can view a recording of the webinar HERE.

CLICK HERE for a summary of the Questions and Answers.
Haga clic aquí en español

*Spanish interpretation is provided for all webinars.

Today’s Webinar

“Managing COVID-19 Stress – Tips for Your Mental Health & Well-Being” – Dr. Ahbilash Desai – Friday, April 24th from 11:00-12:00 (Mountain Time) 10:00-11:00 (Pacific Time).

Dr. Desai who will be sharing information and resources about managing stress during COVID-19, lead a mindfulness meditation and answer questions about coping with stress and anxiety.

Register in advance for this meeting: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIkcO2vqj0sEtLF79lZkkRRrVA79OSTTL8U

If you missed today’s webinar, please check our website for the recorded session.

Upcoming Webinars

“Ask Dr. Stumph” – Wednesday, April 29th from 1:00-2:30 (Mountain Time) 12:00-1:30 (Pacific Time) the Council will be hosting Susan Stumph, Ph.D., Developmental Disabilities Program Manager with Family and Community Services, IDHW. Susan will present information about what the department has done to support children and families and make services more flexible. She will also answer questions that families pre-submit.

To submit questions CLICK HERE. You can ask up to three questions. Please submit your questions by 5:00 PM Monday, April 27th.

To register in advance for this meeting CLICK HERE.

“Ask Dr. Silva” – Friday, May 1st from 1:00-2:30 (Mountain Time) 12:00-1:30 (Pacific Time) the Council will be hosting Council member and State Special Education Director, Charlie Silva. Ph.D. Charlie will present information and current resources available and review the State Department of Education website to show people where to find resources. She will also be answering pre-submitted questions from families.

To submit questions CLICK HERE. You can ask up to three questions. Please submit your questions by 5:00 PM Tuesday, April 28th.

To register in advance for this meeting CLICK HERE.

2020 Census Extended to October 31st

By DRI

People with disabilities need to make sure they are counted. The 2020 Census determines how billions of dollars in federal funding is spent across every state – and how much goes to support people with disabilities and their lives in the community. Make sure your household’s census form is complete. Fill it out right at home. You Count! Be Counted! #DisabilityCounts2020

Due to the COVID19 outbreak, the U.S. Census Bureau has extended the self-response phase deadline for the 2020 Census to October 31st. Check out their website for up to date information: https://2020census.gov/en/news-events/operational-adjustments-covid-19.html

DRI Update on the Idaho Primary Election to be held on May 19, 2020

By DRI

The COVID-19 crisis has created many changes for Americans. In addition to the changes that have been made to events, businesses, employment, and education, many states across the country have also made changes to their elections.

As you may know, on April 1, 2020, Governor Brad Little issued a proclamation requiring that Idaho’s May 19, 2020 primary election be held by mail. This is a big change in the way Idahoans can vote and DRI wants you to be aware of this change so you can make sure you are able to vote in this election.

In order to vote in the May 19, 2020 primary election you will need to:

  • Register to vote by 8 PM on May 19, 2020!
  • Request an absentee ballot online, by mail or by in-person delivery from your local county clerk by 8 PM on May 19, 2020!
  • Return your absentee ballot back to your local county clerk’s office by 8 PM on June 2, 2020!

Please visit this website for more information or instructions on how to register to vote and request an absentee ballot: https://idahovotes.gov/.

You can also contact your local county clerk for more information about this process.

A complete list of Idaho’s county clerks can be found here: https://idahovotes.gov/county-clerks/.

You can also contact DRI at 208-336-5353 and we would be happy to provide you with that information.

Additionally, if you have questions or concerns regarding the accessibility of the May 19, 2020 primary election, or if you need to request an accommodation in order to be able to register or vote in this election, please contact DRI or your local county clerk as soon as possible! It is important that you be able to exercise your right to vote!

We would also like to share a video that the Idaho Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing has released in regards to May 19, 2020 primary election – please access it here: https://cdhh.idaho.gov/coronavirus/ or by inserting this link into your browser: https://youtu.be/LyfRJZAJxxE.

As an American, your right to vote is one of the most important rights you have! Please make sure your vote counts!

Again, if you have any questions or concerns about the changes to the May 19, 2020 election process or if you need to request an accommodation, please contact DRI or your local county clerk as soon as possible!

DisAbility Rights Idaho

Boise Office – 4477 Emerald Street, Suite B-100, Boise, Idaho 83706

Pocatello Office – 1246 Yellowstone Avenue, Suite A-3, Pocatello, Idaho 83201

COVID-19: Protecting our staff, clients, and community

By DRI

Disability Rights Idaho is closely monitoring the coronavirus (COVID-19) developments and following the recommendations published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. Information is rapidly evolving, and we are working quickly to identify how we can support our staff, their families, our clients and our community.

Given the seriousness of the situation, we created the following health and safety guidelines to support and protect our staff and clients. These guidelines will be in place for the foreseeable future, but we will reassess as new information emerges.

Please know we are equally committed during this time to continuing our services to protect and advocate for people with disabilities.

Starting March 23, 2020 until further notice:

  1. At this time our office is closed, however, our staff members are working. Our phone lines will remain open during regular business hours, 8:00am – 5:00pm. We accept intake calls 8:30am – 2:00pm. Please understand that we may return calls from blocked numbers, as some of our staff may be working from home.
  2. If you are an Idaho resident and are seeking assistance from our office, please contact us by phone at 1-866-262-3462. Please be aware that messages left directly on personal extensions looking for new assistance will have a delayed response – new requests for assistance should go through the intake line. You may also complete and submit the Apply for Services form on our website. We will do our best to respond in a timely manner. We appreciate everyone’s patience as we navigate these unprecedented circumstances.
  3. All in-person meetings will either be rescheduled or held by phone or video conference. We believe this is the most responsible action we can take to safeguard the health and safety of our staff while protecting the wider community.
  4. All non-essential staff travel is suspended.
  5. All staff speaking engagements and exhibiting events are cancelled. We would be glad to send our brochures upon request. Email: info@disabilityrightsidaho.org

For more information about the coronavirus pandemic, we recommend following the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, and your county public health department for news about your local area.

You can click here to download an information page about the virus. This information page was provided by SARTAC, the Self Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center https://selfadvocacyinfo.org

Moratorium on Evictions in federally subsidized housing, Stay at Home, & COVID-19 information

By DRI

Provided in partnership from Idaho Legal Aid Services and the Public Housing Authorities of Idaho.

Recently the federal government passed the CARES Act in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. This new law imposes a 120-day moratorium on tenant evictions in most federally subsidized housing properties/programs. Tenants in qualifying properties cannot be evicted for nonpayment of rent and cannot be charged late fees until after July 24, 2020. For more information about the CARES Act and Evictions, visit: https://www.nhlp.org/wp-content/uploads/2020.03.27-NHLP-CARES-Act-Eviction-Moratorium-Summary.pdf

Even though evictions are suspended, rent is still due.

Here is some general advice:

  1. If you are able to, pay your rent. We are all in this together and if you can and do pay your rent, it may help your landlord to more easily work with someone who truly can’t pay. If you can only pay a portion of your rent, you should contact your landlord to discuss how much you can pay and when you can pay it. If you are able to secure a ‘partial payment’ agreement, put it in writing. Include these key details: when payments will be made, how much the payments will be, how much will still be owed after each payment, the date of the agreement and the signatures of you and your landlord. You and your landlord should each keep a copy.
  2. If you receive rental assistance and your income has decreased, report those changes to the agency that administers your assistance as soon as possible. Your portion of the rent may be decreased as a result. Failure to pay your portion of the rent can be considered a violation of family obligations for which you could lose your assistance.
  3. If you need help paying your rent, you can call 2-1-1 to find out about financial assistance programs in your area. If your work hours have been reduced or eliminated, you can apply for unemployment insurance online in English or Spanish at https://www2.labor.idaho.gov/ClaimantPortal/Login. You can also report to or call your closest Idaho Department of Labor Office.

 

  1. If paying rent is an extreme burden for you, consider contacting your landlord in writing to explain why and request a payment plan. You may ask for a delay or reduction in rent, a stop to rent increases and late fees, a 6-month period for repayment of rent, and the ability to break your lease if necessary. We suggest you add to your letter specific information about why you will have difficulty paying rent. Keep any papers you have about why you are unable to pay rent–for example, if you received a letter or an email about losing your job or working fewer hours.
  2. Low income Idahoans can call Idaho Legal Aid Services Covid-19 Legal Advice Line at 208-746-7541 for free legal advice about their specific housing situation.

Eviction suspension:

The CARES Act stops covered landlords from filing new eviction cases for nonpayment of rent beginning on March 27, 2020. This protection will continue until July 24, 2020. It also stops those landlords from charging fees and penalties related to nonpayment of rent. When eviction cases are allowed again, covered landlords must give tenants 30 days’ notice to vacate (lease) the home before filing an eviction case.

The Act does not cover the following eviction cases:

  • Evictions that were filed before March 27, 2020, or after July 24, 2020;
  • Tenants who live in properties that are not covered by the act; and
  • Evictions for reasons other than nonpayment of rent (such as termination of tenancy or for violations of lease terms);

There may be cases where landlords don’t give a reason for the eviction. However, covered tenants who believe their eviction is even partially related to nonpayment of rent should bring up the CARES Act as a defense.

If your property is not covered by the CARES Act or if the eviction is for a reason other than nonpayment, then the CARES Act moratorium does not apply and your landlord can file an eviction against you. However, based on restrictions on the types of hearings that are being held in state court, it is possible that the eviction proceeding will be delayed. If you are served with a summons and complaint for an eviction action, you should contact a lawyer immediately.

Low income Idahoans can call Idaho Legal Aid Services Covid-19 Legal Advice Line at 208-746-7541 for free legal advice about your specific situation.

Stay at Home order. For more information about Idaho’s Stay at Home order please see:

Idaho Legal Aid Services—free and confidential Covid-19 Legal Advice Line. Idaho Legal Aid Services has created an attorney staffed Covid-19 Legal Advice Line to its existing domestic violence, housing and senior legal advices lines. Low income Idahoans and seniors of any income can call 208-746-7541 for services.

May 2020 Elections

By DRI

DRI Update on the Idaho Primary Election to be held on May 19, 2020

 

The COVID-19 crisis has created many changes for Americans. In addition to the changes that have been made to events, businesses, employment, and education, many states across the country have also made changes to their elections.

As you may know, on April 1, 2020, Governor Brad Little issued a proclamation requiring that Idaho’s May 19, 2020 primary election be held by mail. This is a big change in the way Idahoans can vote and DRI wants you to be aware of this change so you can make sure you are able to vote in this election.

In order to vote in the May 19, 2020 primary election you will need to:

  • Register to vote by 8 PM on May 19, 2020!
  • Request an absentee ballot online, by mail or by in-person delivery from your local county clerk by 8 PM on May 19, 2020!
  • Return your absentee ballot back to your local county clerk’s office by 8 PM on June 2, 2020!

Please visit this website for more information or instructions on how to register to vote and request an absentee ballot: https://idahovotes.gov/.

You can also contact your local county clerk for more information about this process.

A complete list of Idaho’s county clerks can be found here: https://idahovotes.gov/county-clerks/.

You can also contact DRI at 208-336-5353 and we would be happy to provide you with that information.

Additionally, if you have questions or concerns regarding the accessibility of the May 19, 2020 primary election, or if you need to request an accommodation in order to be able to register or vote in this election, please contact DRI or your local county clerk as soon as possible! It is important that you be able to exercise your right to vote!

We would also like to share a video that the Idaho Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing has released in regards to May 19, 2020 primary election – please access it here: https://cdhh.idaho.gov/coronavirus/ or by inserting this link into your browser: https://youtu.be/LyfRJZAJxxE.

As an American, your right to vote is one of the most important rights you have! Please make sure your vote counts!

Again, if you have any questions or concerns about the changes to the May 19, 2020 election process or if you need to request an accommodation, please contact DRI or your local county clerk as soon as possible!

DisAbility Rights Idaho

Boise Office – 4477 Emerald Street, Suite B-100, Boise, Idaho 83706

Pocatello Office – 1246 Yellowstone Avenue, Suite A-3, Pocatello, Idaho 83201

Governor Little’s 4/1/20 Proclamation

Click on the button below to download Governor Little’s proclamation regarding the May 2020 elections.

Click Here To Download