1. Staff working diligently to maintain service
A message from Rick Henzler, Board President
“What counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight - it's the size of the fight in the dog.” Perhaps those words by General Eisenhower were never more relevant. We are facing some incredible challenges in a situation we never imagined.
As the parent of a person with developmental disabilities I can empathize with you on the added stresses presented by the coronavirus outbreak. But, we will, together make it through. I want to assure you that the Board, Superintendent Lori Mariucci, and her leadership team are working diligently to maintain service delivery and to ensure the safety and health of the people we serve and our staff.
We are in close coordination with state and local officials. We are receiving new information about coronavirus information, guidelines and directives daily. As soon as we get updated, we will pass the information along to you. Please check our special coronavirus webpage regularly. While Board staff are working from home, they are available to you by phone and email. Our after-hours emergency number is also still effective at 419-380-5100. Supplies, especially personal protective equipment, is in short supply.
We are working with state and local officials to locate the supplies our service providers need. I won’t sugar coat it. It’s a challenge, but we are working to get our story told.
Thank you for your support. We are working for you. Let me know how you’re doing by using this email address
2. I hear there is now a STAY AT HOME ORDER what does that mean?
Hats off to Recreation Specialist Mary Beth Olender who has summarized in easy-to-understand information from various information documents. We have this summary for you at this link.
3. Special Olympians are working to stay healthy
Even though Special Olympics programs and activities are suspended, the athletes are working to stay healthy. Many have posted videos to Facebook to challenge each other by doing stay-at-home exercises. You'll want to see these at this link.
4. Special Olympics Ohio newsletter
Read the latest newsletter from Ohio Special Olympics at this link.
5. Autism Prevalence Rate Increases
A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that the number of eight-year-old children diagnosed on the autism spectrum is now 1 in 54, up from 1 in 59 in 2018.
The latest findings draw on data from two separate reports on both eight-year-old and four-year-old children, where previous findings only drew from a report on eight-year-old children. It continues to show that the prevalence rate estimates vary by state, from 1 in 76 children diagnosed in Colorado, to 1 in 32 in New Jersey. Similarly, it showcases that boys have a higher incidence of ASD than girls, and for the first time, data shows that there is no disparity between the number of black children identified with autism compared to white children. Read more here.
6. Job postings
Many providers in Lucas County are adding staff. We have up-to-date information on who is hiring on the welcome page of the Board of DD website.
7. Instant messages from the Board of DD - how to do get them
The Lucas County Board of DD has two ways for you to receive instant messages on your smart phone.
To receive free text messages text to 40404 this message: Follow LucasDDAlert. Make sure you have enabled SMS messaging in your phone settings.
You may also receive free text messages from our mobile app. Download here. If asked to enable push messaging, respond yes.
8. Worth Repeating
“Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after another." -Walter Elliot