“Mommy, why is that boy in a wheelchair?” “Hey Dad, that girl talks funny.” These are common phrases your young, curious child might say out loud when first encountering a person with a disability or special need. As a parent how do you reply? This question took me off-guard when my own daughter first […]
Orion Associates, in partnership with Headwaters Relief Organization, recently organized an art installation showcasing people from the Minneapolis Somali-American community, their personalities, sacrifices, creativity, hard work, and patriotism. Inspired by the global Inside Out Project, the installation features 100 large format portraits temporally affixed on a three-story building at 133 1st Avenue North in downtown […]
In honor of National Volunteer Appreciation Week we are highlighting our employees that are making a difference in the world. Brandi Osborne, Program Administrator for Morning Sun Financial Services of Tennessee, is a passionate volunteer for her church, Long Hollow Baptist Church, a staple in the rural community where she lives outside of Nashville. Brandi […]
Sesame Street, the beloved children’s show for over 50 years, is introducing its first character with a developmental disability. The character’s name is Julia who has autism. The show aims to portray the day to day reality of having autism and how friends and family can better understand autistic children. Julia has been a part of […]
A new study suggests that when tailored to address the unique needs of people with autism, Project SEARCH can dramatically increase the odds that individuals on the spectrum will find and maintain employment. Project SEARCH is a one year high school transition program that takes place entirely at the workplace. Total workplace immersion facilitates a […]
With the start of the new legislative session begins the efforts to inform our elected officials what we hope for in the upcoming year. On 2/28/17, Disability Matters Day is being held in the rotunda at the state capitol. Our organization will be participating in this event and we hope you will too. Here is […]
We have some exciting news here at Orion ISO. All our forms are available online and can be signed electronically, saving you literally hours of paperwork completion time! Whether you are new to self-directed services or changing over from another provider, it is now incredibly simple for you to begin services with us. Long gone […]
Staff and volunteers from Morning Sun Financial Services and its related non-profit, Headwaters Relief Organization, recently spent several days assisting with the cleanup efforts from the wildfires that devastated east Tennessee in December. Morning Sun serves as the statewide financial management service and supports brokerage agency for individuals who self-direct their services on the Self-Determination […]
Orion ISO’s related company, Meridian Services, was founded in 1980, in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. Meridian focused on providing services in greater Minnesota where access to quality services were not as readily available as in the Twin Cities area. In 1993, Meridian expanded to the Twin Cities, but the heart of the company remains where it […]
New Year’s resolutions are a beautiful thing. In America, almost half (45%) of us set them each year with lofty dreams of changing and bettering ourselves. Unfortunately those great intentions are short lived as only 8% of us actually stick with them. Resolving to do something positive may be an easier resolution to stick […]
