Frequently Asked Questions

1. What makes CSB Oregon different from other agencies that provide residential support to people with disabilities?

CSB Oregon is licensed with the State of Oregon as what is called a “supported living” agency. That means we provide an array of residential supports to individuals who need that assistance to live in the community as independently and productively as possible. However, we believe that there are several features of what CSB Oregon provides that – taken together – make us different from most other agencies authorized to provide similar services. First, we believe that people with disabilities and their families are “the experts” about what types of services would be most supportive. We are not wedded to any one type of living arrangement or service model. We listen to what the individuals and families tell us and try to design services that will honor those preferences. 

Second, we do not own or rent property of our own. We provide supports for individuals in their own homes or those of their families. Third, we use “personal support agents” to work with each individual and family, to coordinate much of the daily arrangements needed to put a support plan into action. This personal support agent works as an advocate both with and for the individuals with disabilities to help them achieve the lifestyle and community activity they choose. Fourth, we have a special commitment to supporting individuals with more significant intellectual and multiple disabilities. Finally, we are committed to remaining small enough to put this flexible, family-focused, person-centered philosophy into operation with everyone we serve.

2. What does “CSB” stand for in your name?

When CSB Oregon first began, we called ourselves the Community Support Brokerage. The “community support” part of that is probably clear enough: we support people with disabilities and their families to lead active and productive lives in the community. However, the “brokerage” term was confusing. The original idea was that CSB would operate as the “middle man” between individuals and service providers, matching up the supports needed and wanted by individuals with the agencies and individuals who could provide those supports. We would “broker” agreements for services between support providers and consumers. However, we quickly found that this term was probably more confusing than helpful to most people. 

So, we now operate as just “CSB Oregon” and emphasize the unique array of community-based living supports that we offer to people with disabilities and their families.

3. How does CSB decide which people to support?

CSB is authorized by the State of Oregon to serve people with developmental disabilities (and their families). Eligible individuals are usually referred to us by a case manager from the Lane County DD Services (get the accurate name). Working with the individual and the family, the program director and the Board of Directors decide whether or not there seems to be a good fit. We also believe that our program needs to limit the number of individuals it serves at any one time in order to provide the flexible, family-centered, self-directed type of supports that is the core of our mission. This means that we sometimes have to say no to someone who is otherwise eligible, simply because we do not have the capacity to serve them.

4. Where does the money come from the CSB needs to operate? 

Almost all of CSB Oregon’s funding comes from state and federal dollars designated for agencies serving individuals with developmental disabilities. The amount of funding is determined by individualized budgets approved for the supports received by each of the people we serve. A small amount of funding comes from donations.

5. How does money get spent?

Most of the funding (more than 85% of our budget in most years) goes to cover direct support provided to the individuals we serve. This covers wages and benefits for our wonderful support providers as well as some of the transportation and living expenses of each person. The remaining amount goes to cover the administrative costs to run CSB Oregon. We are committed to running an efficient but effective organization. We rely a lot on volunteers who are generous with their time and resources.

6. If your money comes from the government, then why do you ask for donations?

The funding that we receive from federal and state programs does indeed provide most of the funding we need for the direct support of the individuals we serve. However, there are strict (and appropriate) limits on the types of expenses for which this funding can be used. Donations from our friends in the community allow us to fulfill a number of needs that otherwise go unmet. Some of these needs are the kind of boring but essential items that help us operate efficiently (e.g., up-to-date office equipment and software, furniture, staff support). Other costs involve the type of ongoing training and professional development activities that we think help our staff be knowledgeable providers of the best support possible (e.g., training materials, conference travel, special workshops and seminars). Other items are not so much necessities as hopes and wishes that would help make the quality of life for the people we serve that much better (e.g. support for vacations and other special community activities, family gatherings, crisis funding for family emergencies).