1. Director Davis testifies before the House Finance Committee
Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities Director Jeff Davis provided oral testimony in support of Governor Mike DeWine's proposed two-year state budget. Speaking before the Ohio House of Representatives Finance Committee, Davis provided highlights of the DODD budget, which include the following:
- Funding for the recruitment, training, and retention of direct support professionals;
- A one-time, $1 million investment in supportive technology that would be accompanied by the creation of a "Technology First Task Force" comprised of state leaders and developmental disability advocates;
- $44.6 million over the biennium for Part C early intervention to support the continued eligibility of and services for children diagnosed with neonatal abstinence syndrome or lead exposure; and
- A $10.5 million increase over the biennium for "community, in-home, and short-term residential supports" for multi-system youth.
2. Registration open for all-virtual DD Awareness & Advocacy Day on March 2
Registration is now open for the 2021 Developmental Disability Awareness and Advocacy Day, which will take place virtually over Zoom on Tuesday, March 2. Pre-registration is free but required to attend.
The day will include remarks from several statewide DD advocates leading up to constituent meetings with lawmakers in which people and families are invited to discuss policy issues affecting their lives. This year's general session and all legislative meetings will take place online via Zoom. There will be no in-person attendance due to COVID-19.
A detailed agenda is forthcoming. Visit ddohio.wordpress.com to learn more and follow the event on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OhioDDAwareness.
3. Applications being taken for the Ability Center scholarship
The Ability Center and the Auxiliary to The Ability Center collaborates to award local students with disabilities scholarships. Ensuring that people with disabilities have opportunities to achieve higher education is critical. This year’s application is live and due on March 31. Please visit http://bit.ly/2MT8LxP to apply and for more information.
4. CCS plans camp
Courageous Community Services is scheduling camp for this summer Click here to register. CCS said in an online newsletter it plans to adhere to COVID-19 safety protocols. "While we are confident in our ability to run camp during a pandemic, it is being done with many changes to camp protocols and the overall program. Because of those changes, camp may not be appropriate for some individual campers and staff during a pandemic. Each individual and family must decide if camp, modified as detailed in our camp registration portal, is the right fit. If COVID-19 causes us to cancel the season, we will provide a full refund or apply funds to a future program as you wish."
5. February 15 begins Random Acts of Kindness Week
“Do something kind, just anything.”
That’s the challenge that Jennifer Krach, Director of Operations at Assured Health, gave to staff. The Kindness Challenge, as it became known, challenged staff and others in the local provider network in Lucas County to show kindness to people with disabilities, their families, and other providers.
During the early phases of the COVID-19 health crisis, the local provider network shared many fears about their patients getting COVID-19 and the disease spreading in their residential facilities. Krach felt like the Kindness Challenge might help ease stress and give providers in the network something positive to think about.
Krach and Andrea Jaworski, Residential Director of Services, worked together to start the challenge. Nine different providers in the network participated. Some dropped off goodie bags to fellow providers, others focused on showing kindness to direct support professionals, and some even spread kindness within Lucas county communities.
The movement was contagious and even spread to a provider from California who participated and spread the movement in their community. The Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities also got involved by thanking the providers and SSA’s in a video after hearing about the challenge.
Watch the Assured Health Kindness Challenge Video.
6. Online series to address personal safety begins March 1
The Lucas County Board of DD is partnering with the Ability Center to present a series of online presentations on personal safety. The first session is March 1. Follow this link for details.
7. CommUNITY FilmFest plans virtual event on April 25
Now is the time to be working on video entries for the 2021 CommUNITY FilmFest. Entries are due on March 12th. Click here for more information.
8. Acoustics for Autism Appreciation Party will be March 7
Follow this link for all the information. Listen to the podcast interview with Scott Hayes here.
9. T2 certificate helps prepare individuals for the future
Toledo Transition (T2) is a college-based, tuition, non-degree certificate program in the Judith Herb College of Education at the University of Toledo. T2 prepares individuals with intellectual, developmental disabilities, and autism for adult life through academic pursuits, peer socialization, career exploration and preparation. The program integrates inclusive classes, a typical college experience, and a transition curriculum to assist students in achieving adult roles and a quality of life in a community of their choice.
T2 is holding its annual informational meetings a little differently this year, hosting a virtual meeting via ZOOM on Saturday, February 27 beginning at 11:00 a.m. At this event students, parents/guardians, teachers/administrators, service providers, and community members will learn specifics about the T2 program as well as information on preparation for entering the program.
RSVP to patricia.devlin@utoledo.edu by Monday, February 22. Zoom invites will be sent Tuesday, February 23.
10. People First will meet on February 18
Valentine's Day is coming up but no need to worry if you're not sure who to celebrate with...People First is the place for you! We have an upcoming meeting on Thursday Feb. 18th over Zoom, and this month is a social night. Bring an item that is meaningful to you to share about (a gift you've received, your favorite stuffed animal, maybe even the record of your Covid vaccine for those who have gotten it!) If you would like to make an origami rose, be sure to bring a piece of paper. We will also play a virtual game of "Scattergories". See you at 6 pm on Feb. 18th at this link! https://zoom.us/j/92241667961?pwd=TE15dUZsQ0QrK2gwa0NLSTY1bkswdz09
Meeting ID: 922 4166 7961
Password: PFToledo
11. Special Olympics virtual calendar
Special Olympics/Recreation calendar for the week of February 15
12. Worth Repeating
"All the forces in the world are not so powerful as an idea whose time has come." -Victor Hugo