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April is Autism Acceptance Month , a time to move beyond awareness and focus on meaningful inclusion, understanding, and support for individuals with autism and the broader Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) community. At Northwest Mental Health Management Services (NWMH), we believe acceptance means action—creating opportunities, building relationships, and empowering individuals to live full, independent lives. Awareness vs. Acceptance (important shift) Whi

Northwest Mental Health Management Services acknowledges March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Every March, communities across the country celebrate Developmental Disabilities (DD) Awareness Month , recognizing the contributions, leadership, and achievements of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities while encouraging inclusion in all aspects of community life. Awareness month is also an opportunity for families, caregivers, Direct Support Profe

Caring for the Hearts of the I/DD Community—and the Caregivers Who Support Them February is Heart Health Month , a time to raise awareness about heart disease and promote healthy habits for people of all ages and abilities. For those of us in the I/DD community , heart health awareness carries a dual responsibility: supporting the individuals we serve while also protecting the well-being of caregivers and Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) . At Northwest Mental Health Manag

Supporting the Hearts of the People Who Care for Others February is Heart Awareness Month , a time to focus on cardiovascular health and raise awareness about heart disease—the leading cause of death for women in the United States. At Northwest Mental Health Management Services , this month is also an opportunity to pause and recognize the heart health of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) and caregivers who spend their days supporting others. Caregiving is meaningful work,

January often arrives with pressure—new goals, big resolutions, and expectations to change. For caregivers, Direct Support Professionals, and individuals within the I/DD community, that pressure can feel especially heavy. This January, we want to offer a different message: You do not need a resolution to be valued. You are already enough. Self-care does not have to be dramatic or life-changing. It does not have to look like a “new year, new you” moment. Sometimes, the most me

Each January, communities across Oregon pause to honor the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. . His birthday and the national day of service that follows are more than a moment of remembrance—they are a call to action grounded in dignity, inclusion, and hope for a more just world. At Northwest Mental Health Management Services, these values are central to the work we do every day in partnership with individuals, families, caregivers, and Direct Support Professionals ac