Regional Family Network Services

Regional Family Network Services

Supporting Families. Building Connections. Strengthening Communities.

We offer free, family-centered support for parents and caregivers raising children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). We know that navigating systems – whether it’s the medical system, school system, or the formal disability support system – can be overwhelming. You don’t have to do it alone.

Our services are rooted in peer support—connecting families with others who have walked a similar path. Whether you’re looking for information, emotional support, or help building a more inclusive life for your child, we’re here for you.

What We Offer:

Health Equity Initiatives
Parent Education & Training
Family Fun Events
Peer Support
Person-Centered Planning
Respite Program
Sensory Zone
Healthier Oregon Program
Oregon Developmental Disabilities Services

Education & Training

Families Connected provides monthly parent trainings. The Neurodiversity Family Support Night, hosted in collaboration with other local parent advocates, is held on the third Thursday of every month. On odd-numbered months, the event is hosted at The Arc Lane County, located at 4181 E Street in Springfield, and on even-numbered months, the event is held at ECCO High School, which is located at 200 N. Monroe St. in Eugene.

If you have a training topic you would like to recommend, please send your suggestion to Nancy or Laura.

Familias en Conexión also has a group of parents that meet on the fourth Saturday of every month. This group typically has a parent support group meeting one month, and then a training the next month.

Family Fun Opportunities

At Families Connected and Familias en Conexión, we believe that connection starts with joy. That’s why we host monthly family fun gatherings designed to bring parents, children, and youth together in a welcoming, inclusive environment.

Whether we’re kicking off the school year with an ice cream social, painting pumpkins in October, or celebrating Earth Day with creative outdoor activities, our events offer a chance to relax, have fun, and build lasting relationships.

These gatherings aren’t just about fun—they’re also a great way for parents to connect with others who understand their journey, and for children and youth to engage in safe, supportive, and inclusive play.

Peer Support

We know there’s nothing more powerful than connecting with someone who truly understands. That’s why peer support is at the heart of everything we do.

Our team includes trained family leaders and parent mentors who have firsthand experience raising children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). They’ve faced similar challenges, celebrated similar victories, and are here to walk alongside you with empathy, encouragement, and real-world knowledge.

What Peer Support Looks Like:

One-on-one conversations with someone who gets it
Emotional support during tough times or transitions
Guidance navigating services, systems, and resources
Someone to help you find your voice and advocate for your child (i.e., IEP advocate)
Encouragement to build a vision for the future—and take the next step

Whether you’re just starting your journey or facing a new challenge, our peer supporters are here to listen, share, and support you without judgment. You are not alone—and your story matters.

Ready to connect? Contact us to get started.

Person-Centered Planning

Helping You Build a Life Rooted in Choice, Strengths, and Possibility

At Families Connected and Familias en Conexión, we believe that every person—regardless of ability—deserves the chance to live a life that reflects who they are, what they care about, and what they hope for. That’s where Person-Centered Planning comes in.

We support families and individuals in creating a vision for the future that is grounded in their strengths, goals, and unique identity—not just a list of services or systems.

How We Can Help:

Facilitate Conversations: We guide families through meaningful conversations that explore what’s important to and for your child—focusing on dreams, preferences, culture, relationships, and community.
Build a Supportive Team: We help bring together the right people—family, friends, neighbors, teachers, and community members—to support your child’s goals and be part of the planning process.
Create Action Steps: With your vision at the center, we help map out next steps, identify natural supports, and connect you with local resources to help make the plan real.
Support Across Ages and Stages: Whether your child is newly diagnosed, transitioning into school, preparing for adulthood, or navigating a life change, we’re here to help ensure the planning stays personal, flexible, and meaningful.

Why It Matters:

Person-centered planning isn’t just about services—it’s about building a whole life in community. It helps individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities:

Make informed choices
Stay connected to their culture and values
Strengthen natural relationships and support networks
Live, learn, work, and thrive in the places they choose

You know your child best. We’re here to support you in planning a future that reflects who they are—and all they have to offer.

Ready to begin a person-centered plan or learn more? Contact us to get started.

Respite Program

Need a break? We’ve got you covered.

The Arc Lane County and Families Connected/Familias en Conexión are proud to offer the Kids Saturday Social – a FREE respite event for eligible families in Lane County!

Held on the fourth Saturday of every month from 10 AM to 2 PM, this program gives parents and caregivers a chance to take some well-deserved time for themselves while their children enjoy a fun, safe, and supportive environment.

What to Expect

Kids will participate in engaging activities, enjoy lunch and snacks, and socialize in a welcoming space. Our trained staff are experienced in supporting children with disabilities, mental health needs, and behavioral health concerns, ensuring your child is well cared for.

Who Can Attend?

This program is open to:

Children age five and older who experience a disability, mental health concern, or behavioral health concern.
Siblings of eligible children are also welcome (must be age five+), even if they do not have a diagnosis.

You do NOT need to be a part of The Arc Lane County to participate, but your family must reside in Lane County.

Event Details

When: Fourth Saturday of every month
Time: 10 AM – 2 PM
Where: The Arc Lane County, 4181 E Street, Springfield
Cost: Absolutely FREE!
Includes: Lunch, snacks, and refreshments

Important Registration Information:

Space is limited to 30 children per event.
Registration is first-come, first-served.
We cannot accept late registrations, so don’t delay!

Ready to Register?

Take a break—you’ve earned it. Let us care for your kids while you recharge. Register for next month’s respite event opens immediately after last month’s respite event ends. Register here.

For questions or more information, contact Sina.

Sensory Zones

Creating Inclusive Spaces for All Ages

Looking for a more inclusive way to enjoy summer festivals and community events with your family?

Families Connected and Familias en Conexión have a mobile Sensory Zone designed to make events more welcoming and accessible for individuals of all ages who experience sensory sensitivities—whether they are sensory seeking or sensory avoiding.

What Is a Sensory Zone?

Our mobile Sensory Zones are specially designed areas that offer both stimulating

activities and calming environments to support self-regulation and comfort. These spaces help individuals take a break, reset, and return to the festivities when they’re ready.

Each mobile Sensory Zone includes:

Hands-on sensory equipment for those who are sensory seeking
Quiet, low-stimulation areas for those who need to decompress
Fidgets, weighted lap pads, noise-reducing headphones, and more
Supportive staff to create a welcoming, judgment-free zone

Who Can Use the Sensory Zone? Everyone is welcome! The Sensory Zone is especially helpful for:

Individuals with autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorders, or anxiety
Children and adults who may feel overwhelmed in crowded or noisy environments
Families looking for a more inclusive, accessible way to enjoy public events

You don’t need a diagnosis to benefit—if a break would help, the Sensory Zone is for you.

Where Can You Find Us?

Families Connected and Familias en Conexión partners with local festivals, fairs, and community events across Lane County to bring the mobile Sensory Zone where families need it most. Look for the mobile Sensory Zone at our upcoming calendar of events.

Healthier Oregon Program

Free Health Coverage and Support Services

Healthier Oregon offers free health coverage and essential support services to people living in Oregon who meet certain income and eligibility requirements. Whether you’re looking for medical care, disability support, or help finding a job, this program can help you access the services you need to live a healthier life.

What’s Included?

Healthier Oregon provides access to the Oregon Health Plan (OHP)—Oregon’s free health coverage.

With OHP, you can get:

Medical care, including doctor visits, tests, and hospital care
Mental health services and substance use treatment
Dental care
Prescriptions
Rides to and from your health care appointments

In addition to health coverage, eligible individuals may also qualify for:

Disability services
Vocational rehabilitation to support employment goals

Watch Our Videos to Learn More

Developmental Disabilities Services

This course will help you understand how Oregon Developmental Disabilities (DD) Services support people with developmental disabilities and their families in living full, meaningful lives.

You’ll learn:

How to access DD services
What types of support are available
How DD services can complement family, community, and personal strengths

Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or advocate, this course will give you the tools and knowledge to better navigate and utilize Oregon’s DD service system.

+ Take Course in English + Take Course in Spanish

People of any age who live in Oregon and meet income and other criteria may now qualify for full Oregon Health Plan benefits—even if they were not eligible in the past.

Need Help Applying? We’re Here for You!

Families Connected and Familias en Conexión are here to help you apply for OHP and Healthier Oregon services. Our support is free, and we’ll walk you through every step.

Want to share this information or keep it handy? Download the Healthier Oregon Flyer in English, Spanish, and French.

Health Equity Initiatives

Creating Inclusive Access to Health & Safety for All

The Arc Lane County is proud to be one of the Oregon Health Authority’s community-based organizations. In collaboration with Families Connected and Familias en Conexión, we are working together to improve health equity across Lane County—ensuring that individuals with disabilities and their families have access to the care, support, and information they need.

Together, we’ve launched innovative, culturally responsive, and inclusive initiatives that break down barriers and promote equity in public health and safety.

What We’ve Accomplished Together

Here are some of the meaningful ways we’ve supported health equity in our communities:

Sensory-Friendly Vaccine Clinics: During the COVID-19 pandemic, we hosted sensory-friendly vaccine clinics to ensure people with disabilities could access life-saving vaccines in a calm, supportive environment. We also brought these clinics to rural communities to reach families who might otherwise have limited access.

Advocacy for Hospital Access – Senate Bill 1606: We advocated for the passage of Senate Bill 1606, which guaranteed that people with disabilities could have family members or support people with them in the hospital—a critical protection during pandemic-related restrictions.

Emergency Preparedness Support: We distributed sensory and communication toolkits to local first responders, helping them better support individuals with disabilities during emergencies.

Health Education for Families: We offered bilingual trainings (English and Spanish) for parents raising children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, highlighting the dangers of smoking and vaping to better protect their families’ health.

Responders & Resources Fair: Created in partnership with the JumpStart Preschool, the annual Responders and Resources Fair creates a safe, welcoming space for:
- Children with disabilities to meet local first responders in a low-stress environment
- Families to connect with local support services and resources
- This event builds trust, promotes inclusion, and improves emergency response outcomes for the disability community.
Resilience Ready Workshops: We believe everyone deserves to feel safe and prepared during an emergency. We have created an accessible, person-centered emergency preparedness tool using the Cognitopia self-management software suite, and we are training people on how to personalize the tool to be better prepared in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.

Our Commitment

Our work is driven by a shared belief that health equity means everyone—regardless of disability, income, language, or location—deserves access to quality care and information.

Through community partnerships, advocacy, and outreach, we continue to expand opportunities, remove barriers, and promote dignity and respect for all Oregonians.

Want to Get Involved or Learn More?

Reach out to The Arc Lane County, Families Connected, or Familias en Conexión to learn more about current projects, upcoming events, or ways you can support health equity in your community.

Let’s keep building a healthier, more inclusive Lane County—together.

Regional Family Network

Empowering Families. Building Community. Creating a Life of Possibility.

Raising a neurodiverse child comes with unique challenges, and you shouldn’t have to do it alone. We connect families like yours with trained peer navigators—parents and caregivers who’ve walked a similar path and are ready to listen, guide, and support. We are here to walk alongside you with support, guidance, and resources rooted in lived experience.

At Families Connected and Familias en Conexión, the Regional Family Networks serving Lane County, and Families Engaging and Thriving Together (FEATT), the Regional Family Network serving Douglas County, we believe in the power of family, connection, and community.

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