Personality
Who they are, not just what they need. The kind of company that feels easy.
Oregon IDD Support Services
Empowering Lives, One Person at a Time.
Person-centered support for individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) across Oregon — matching them and their families with trained Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), trusted caregivers, and local Care Coordinators who build care around real relationships.
Need support? Start with intake. Want to serve? Apply as a DSP.
Or call us directly: 503-855-3581
Licensed Oregon ODDS Agency
ODDS Standard Model Agency
11 Oregon counties · expanding
Bilingual English & Spanish
Support that feels personal.
We look beyond availability — matching support around personality, routines, language, location, and trust.
200+ Families
Currently Supported in Oregon
200+ DSPs
Trained & Matched 1:1
11 Counties
Currently Served • Statewide Vision
Bilingual
English & Spanish Care
Find Your Path
What brings you here today?
Choose what fits you best — we'll guide you to exactly the right next step.
I need support
I'm exploring IDD support for myself or a loved one.
Start intakeI want to choose my caregiver
I'd like a trusted family member or friend to be paid as my DSP.
Learn about Empowered ChoiceI want to become a DSP
I'm called to do meaningful work supporting people in our community.
Become a DSPI'm a referral partner
I'm a Services Coordinator, Personal Agent, school, hospital, or community partner.
Get in touchFrom Our Founder
Hear our story in John's words
Empowered Services was founded by John D. Marvin and his late first wife, Sarah, with one belief: that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities deserve more than care — they deserve dignity, opportunity, and people who actually see them.
Today, that legacy continues across Oregon — through dedicated Care Coordinators, person-centered DSP matching, and an Empowered Choice Program that turns trusted relationships into paid, professional care.
The Match That Matters
Support works better when the match is right.
We don't just match by availability. Seven things shape every great DSP placement — because real-life support depends on more than a calendar.
Three commitments at the heart of every match: Inspiration Opportunity Support
Daily Routines
Morning rhythms, evening rituals, the small things that make a day feel like home.
Communication Style
How they express themselves and feel heard — words, signs, devices, or quiet presence.
Personal Goals
Independence, community, employment, growth — what does flourishing look like for them?
Language
English, Spanish, ASL, or another preferred way to connect with confidence and dignity.
Location
Same neighborhood, same county, or just a short drive — local support, locally rooted.
Support Style
Hands-on coaching, gentle company, or somewhere between — meeting people where they are.
Browse our Oregon IDD library
What are you trying to figure out today?
Pick a topic — we'll surface the right Oregon IDD resource for where you are.
Recommended for you
Browse IDD Resources for Oregon Families
County-by-county guides, monthly community newsletters, and curated supports beyond direct services — for individuals, families, Services Coordinators, and Personal Agents across Oregon.
Explore IDD ResourcesWant to talk it through first? Speak with a Care Coordinator — no intake required.
What We Do
Our core services
Personalized support tailored to individual needs — coordinated locally, grounded in real relationships, delivered across our 11 Oregon counties.
Life Skills Training
Build independence through daily practices — personal care, household management, and healthy habit reinforcement.
Explore
Community Involvement
Stay connected through social activities, events, and meaningful relationships that enrich daily life.
Explore
Meal Planning Support
Achieve health goals with practical support around meals, routines, and food choices.
Explore
Cooking & Self-Sustenance
Learn to prepare nutritious meals independently with hands-on guidance and steady support.
Explore
Shopping & Budgeting
Gain financial independence through budgeting skills, shopping support, and money management.
Explore
Movement & Daily Activity
Support healthy routines, walking, recreation, and active participation in daily life.
ExploreHow It Works
From hello to ongoing support
Realistic timing, no surprises. Here's exactly what to expect from your first call onward.
Day 1
1
Submit Your Intake
A short online form (about 5 minutes), or a phone call if you'd rather talk first.
Days 1–2
2
Care Coordinator Connects
Your Care Coordinator reaches out within 1–2 business days to understand needs, goals, and preferences.
Week 1
3
DSP Matching
We match thoughtfully, then arrange a meet-and-greet so you can confirm the fit feels right.
Ongoing
4
Support Begins
Your DSP starts. Coordinator stays in touch. We adjust as life changes — because life always does.
Empowered Choice Program
Already have the right person? We can help make it official.
The relationship was already there. We just make it official. Through the Empowered Choice Program, eligible Oregon families can bring a trusted family member or close friend into the official care team — fully trained, fully supported, fully paid.
What if your care could come from someone who already knows your routines, your communication style, your heart?
Need IDD support for a loved one? A Care Coordinator responds within 1–2 business days.
Start Your IntakeReady to make a difference? We're hiring DSPs across Oregon.
Apply as a DSPWhere We Serve
Local support across 11 Oregon counties.
Empowered Services organizes support around real Oregon regions, with Care Coordinators who live and work in the communities they serve.
Oregon Coverage
Four active regions. One team across Oregon.
See where we currently serve and where we're expanding next. Counties are grouped by Oregon's natural regional structure, with local Care Coordinators in each region.
11
Counties Served
4
Active Regions
+18
Priority Counties
11 counties currently served
Start intake
Washington ★ HQ
Multnomah
Clackamas
Clatsop
Columbia
Yamhill
Polk
Marion
Benton
Linn
Lane
Don't see your county? Contact us — service availability may vary, and we may still be able to help.
For DSPs
Meaningful work that changes daily life.
Become a Direct Support Professional and help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities build independence, connection, and confidence — across the 11 Oregon counties we serve.
Paid Training
Full onboarding and ongoing learning
Coordinator Support
You're never alone — local backup, every day
Purpose-Driven Work
Real relationships, real impact
Common Questions
What people ask us first
Quick answers about services, eligibility, and getting started.
What does Empowered Services do?
We provide person-centered support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) across Oregon — including 1:1 Direct Support Professional (DSP) matching, life skills coaching, community integration, personal care, meal planning, and the Empowered Choice Program for families who want a trusted person providing care. See all services →
Where in Oregon do you serve?
We currently serve 11 of Oregon's 36 counties through dedicated Care Coordinators — including Washington, Multnomah, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Yamhill, Polk, Marion, Benton, Linn, and Lane. Statewide inquiries are accepted; service availability may vary by county. Bilingual English/Spanish intake is available statewide. Our strategic vision is to expand to all 36 Oregon counties.
How do I start services with Empowered Services?
Submit our Customer Intake form and a Care Coordinator will respond within 1–2 business days to walk you through eligibility, services, and matching with a Direct Support Professional. Most inquiries receive a response sooner. Bilingual English/Spanish intake is available.
Can a family member be paid as a caregiver?
Yes — through the Empowered Choice Program (ECP), eligible Oregon individuals can choose a family member or trusted friend to become their official paid Direct Support Professional. We handle training, payroll, compliance, and ongoing support.
How is Empowered Services licensed and funded?
Empowered Services is licensed by Oregon ODDS as a Standard Model Agency. Services are available to eligible Oregon residents receiving services through ODDS, a Community Developmental Disabilities Program (CDDP), or a Brokerage / Personal Agent. We do not currently offer private-pay services. Start an inquiry or call 503-855-3581 if you're not sure whether you qualify.
I'm a Services Coordinator or Personal Agent — how do I refer a customer?
Case managers and brokerage Personal Agents can refer customers via our Customer Intake form or by calling 503-855-3581. Our Care Coordinators work directly with CDDPs and Brokerages across the 11 counties we serve, and we accept statewide inquiries.
How do I apply to work as a DSP?
Visit our Become a DSP page to start with our 5-minute Interest Form, or our Careers page to view current openings. We provide paid training, full benefits eligibility (medical, dental, vision, 401(k), PTO), and a clear, supported onboarding process. Oregon residents only.
Need Oregon IDD resources?
County-by-county guides, monthly newsletters, and curated supports — for individuals, families, Services Coordinators, and Personal Agents across Oregon.
Already with us?
Find your next step.
Whether you're a DSP referring another caregiver, a family referring someone who may need support, or just looking for resources — here's where to go.
For DSPs · Referral bonus
Refer another DSP and earn up to $1,000.
$500 when your referral is matched and works 20+ hours per month for 3 months. Another $500 at 6 months — $1,000 total.
The best DSPs come from people we already trust. If you know someone who'd be great at this work, refer them — and earn the bonus when they're matched and working consistently.
For Customers & Families
Already part of our family? Help us grow it.
If someone you know could benefit from IDD support like yours, refer them through customer intake. Or find Oregon IDD resources — eligibility guides, forms, and county info — for your own family.
Customer and family referrals are word-of-mouth and are not part of the DSP referral bonus program.
Take The Next Step
Ready to be part of something meaningful?
Whether you're seeking support for a loved one or called to serve as a Direct Support Professional — there's a place for you here.
Because when care starts with heart, everything changes.