Bynum, Merkley, Wyden Demand Funding for Kids with Disabilities in Central Oregon Be Restored

Washington, DC - Today, after the Trump Administration announced the termination of a grant for the Central Oregon Disability Support Network, Inc. (CODSN), Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (OR-05) led a letter to the U.S. Department of Education demanding the reinstatement of the federal funding. CODSN is an organization that has provided essential support to families in rural Oregon raising children with disabilities for decades. Rep. Bynum has continued to advocate for children and students with disabilities, including by introducing the IDEA Full Funding Act.

Rep. Bynum was joined by U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden as cosigners on the letter. Merkley and Wyden also both co-sponsor the Senate version of Rep. Bynum's IDEA Full Funding Act.

"Terminating this grant fundamentally undercuts that mission and leaves thousands of rural families, who are already too often overlooked, without a lifeline they have come to trust and depend on to ensure their children's success," the Members argued. "Accordingly, we urge the Department to immediately reinstate the Community Parent Resource Center grant funding for CODSN. … At a time when rural communities in Oregon and across the nation face growing challenges, we ask that you restore the vital support they desperately need and rightfully deserve."

The sudden termination of grant funding for CODSN jeopardizes critical services relied on by over 4,000 families in Oregon, and reduces educational opportunities for disabled children in rural counties, including Deschutes, Crook, Grant, Harney, Jefferson, Klamath, Lake, and Wheeler.

"The Central Oregon Disability Support Network (CODSN) supports more than 4,000 rural families navigating special education across eight Oregon counties," said Dianna Hansen, the Executive Director of the Central Oregon Disability Support Network."The loss of our IDEA Part D funding means families already facing poverty, isolation, and complex disabilities will lose the peer-led support helping their children graduate, pursue higher education, and live independently. Without these services, families will face overwhelming barriers and greater dependence on costly state and federal systems."

Full text of the letter can be found by clicking hereand below:

Dear Acting Assistant Secretary Diaz,

We write regarding the appeal to reinstate a Community Parent Resource Centers grant award (H328C210016) for the Central Oregon Disability Support Network, Inc. (CODSN). Since 2004, CODSN has provided essential peer support for families raising children with disabilities in rural Oregon. The sudden termination of this funding not only jeopardizes critical services that nearly 4,100 families rely on, but also significantly reduces educational opportunities for disabled children in eight rural counties - Crook, Deschutes, Grant, Harney, Jefferson, Klamath, Lake, and Wheeler - in Oregon.

In many of these areas, disability services are scarce and accessing the few services that are available often means driving several hours one way. CODSN helps fill this gap with local, trusted advocates who understand the obstacles families face because they themselves have faced similar challenges in their own lives.

CODSN's services help vulnerable families navigate complex systems, advocate for their children, and set these children on a path to do the things most of us take for granted: earn a degree, begin a career, and gain their independence. Because of their work, CODSN has helped create stronger families and individuals who are less reliant on state and federal systems.

Furthermore, CODSN states that its work is not only impactful to countless families, but it also fully aligns with the Education Department's requirements set forth under IDEA Part D§§1471-1472, which specifically call for services to "underserved parents of children with disabilities, including low income parents, parents of limited English proficient children, and parents with disabilities," as well as for "families who experience significant isolation from available sources of information and support."CODSN believes that the program not only meets those requirements, but also directly advances the Department's fundamental mission to "promote student achievement … by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access."

Terminating this grant fundamentally undercuts that mission and leaves thousands of rural families, who are already too often overlooked, without a lifeline they have come to trust and depend on to ensure their children's success.

Accordingly, we urge the Department to consider immediately reinstating the Community Parent Resource Center grant funding for CODSN. CODSN has a proven track record of delivering results that empower families, reduce long-term public costs, build local capacity, and foster educational excellence in rural Oregon. At a time when rural communities in Oregon and across the nation face growing challenges, we ask that you consider restoring the vital support they desperately need and rightfully deserve. Thank you for your full and fair consideration of this request, consistent with applicable statute and agency guidelines.

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