Horizon Project provides residential, employment, and community living supports for adults experiencing intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) living in Umatilla County, Oregon.

Programs & Services

Residential Program

The largest component of Horizon services is our Residential Program. Support services are provided in small, community-based homes operated by Horizon Project. Services are prioritized based on each individual’s choice and needs. Located throughout the cities of Hermiston, Pendleton and Milton-Freewater, Horizon Project means “home and family” to over 60 individuals who choose to live in one of our many group homes.

Horizon’s Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) provide direct care in our group homes and are the core of our mission. DSPs assist with daily living skills, transportation, shopping, medication management, medical appointments, and safety supports. Many residents come to Horizon Project with no remaining family, or their friends and family live far away. Living in our small, community-based homes increases quality of life, encourages interaction and socialization, and offers individual bedrooms for privacy.

Supported Living

Supported Living offers people access to Horizon Project supports in their own homes. Most individuals live in their own rented apartments though some have purchased their own homes. Currently serving over a dozen people, this program is experiencing increased demand by many who are transitioning from family homes to independent living.

Horizon Project DSPs visit daily, providing the customized supports to help each person live safely and while pursuing their goals. DSPs follow individualized care plans, assisting with everything from transportation to shopping and managing medical appointments — whatever is needed or desired by the person to facilitate increased independence.

STEP Center for Independent Living – Integrated Employment & Community Living

To meet escalating demand for our services, in Fall 2021 HPI expanded our independent living services – rebranded and enhanced as the STEP Center for Independent Living.

Over 70 individuals participate in Horizon Project’s community integration activities, many of which are employment related. Offerings include recreational and socialization activities, creative arts, volunteer opportunities, life skills mentoring, career development planning, skill building, and job coaching — all in a customized mix intended to help each person fulfill their own aspirations. Working one-on-one to determine each person’s goals, Horizon professionals provide the resources to help people succeed.

  • Discovery/Career Exploration Services: This is a person-centered, time-limited service that is a precursor to job development. Individuals explore their employment options and identify their interests, strengths, abilities, transferable skills, and conditions for success.
  • Employment Path Services: After people have identified their employment goals, Horizon professionals help people develop the skills needed to realize their goals. Focusing on abilities rather than disabilities, learn new skills and obtain work experience, which often includes volunteer opportunities.
  • Job Development/Placement: After successfully completing Discovery and Employment Path training, individuals work with Horizon Job Developers to identify appropriate job opportunities. Job seekers are involved in every aspect of the job placement process.
  • Supported Employment Services: After placement, Horizon Job Coaches work with individuals to maintain or advance their employment. Job coaching supports are based on the individual’s needs and goals, short- or long-term, are identified and implemented to ensure successful employment.
  • Community Living Program: Horizon Project offers daily activities and skill building for people who are of retirement age, who have chosen not to pursue employment opportunities, or who are preparing for the Employment Discovery Process. Community Living activities are offered in all three Horizon Project locations. Horizon DSPs mentor individuals in several areas such as safety in the community, socialization, and education.

Horizon Project’s Job Coaching Success

At Horizon Project, we’re proud to be providing personalized job coaching to 10 clients across our three locations. Our dedicated team is working hard to equip each individual with the skills and confidence needed to succeed in the workforce. Our Job Developer Aaron Harris has been a fantastic addition, currently coaching 3 clients and continually developing new connections within our communities.

Our team’s commitment and expertise have made a significant impact, helped clients not only secure employment but thrived in their new roles. We look forward to continuing our mission of supporting individuals in achieving their career goals with the guidance and support they need to succeed.

Celebrating Our STEP Center Academy

Celebrating Our STEP Center Academy This year we celebrated the graduation of our very first class from the STEP Center Academy! After completing an immersive 8-week course focused on independent living and employment readiness, these individuals are now equipped with the skills and confidence needed to succeed. Looking ahead, we’re excited to host another class at the STEP Center Academy, continuing our mission to help individuals achieve lasting career success.

Community Development & Affordable Housing

As one of Umatilla County’s larger employers, Horizon Project is committed to being a collaborative community partner. Beginning in the late 1990s, Horizon began working with local and state agencies to leverage public and private funds to improve the community and local economies. Horizon began with the development of Pioneer Commons in 1998, one of the first housing developments in Oregon to integrate Residential and Supported Living units within a larger affordable workforce housing development. Now this model is considered a “best practice model” across the country.

South Hill Commons in Pendleton will integrate a new 3-bedroom residential group home and several supported living apartments for people experiencing IDD into a larger 70-unit affordable housing for families. With generous grants from the Kuni Foundation and the Fairview Trust at the Oregon Community Foundation, strong support by the City of Pendleton, and funding from Oregon Housing and Community Services, South Hill Commons will be both affordable for working families and will incorporate universal design principals – making the entire site more accessible to people of all abilities. Construction began in the fall of 2022 and is slated opened in 2024.

Access our services

To find out if you or a family member may qualify for supports through Horizon Project, start by contacting the Umatilla County Community Developmental Disabilities Program (CDDP). The assessment and intake process starts here.

More resources for families and individuals are available from the Oregon Department of Disabilities Services at
www.oregon.gov/dhs/seniors-disabilities/DD/Pages/

Horizon Project Impact Report 2022/2023.

Impact-Report-2022-2023Download