1. Toledo Mayor to establish an Office on Disability

Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz will create a Mayor’s Office on Disability, a first-of-its kind initiative in Ohio.

“We believe this is the first office of its kind in the state of Ohio,” Mayor Kapszukiewicz said. “Every municipality must have an ADA coordinator, which Toledo has had for many years, with varied effectiveness. This office establishes a Mayor’s Office on Disability, which is a huge leap forward in ensuring that Toledo is the most disability-friendly city in the nation.”

“This goes beyond Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act,” Mayor Kapszukiewicz said. “This sets up Toledo to send the message to all residents and visitors with a disability that we are a disability-friendly community. This is a city where you belong, you can thrive, you can live independently, and everything we have is open and available to you.”

2. Circle the date for the Superintendent's next Family & Advocate Forum

Please join us at the next Family & Advocate Forum with Superintendent Lori Mariucci on March 9 at 7:00 p.m. It will again be held on Zoom. We will have log-in information in next week's Friday Update and also on the Board's website www.lucasdd.org.

These interactive sessions are not only an opportunity for the Superintendent to discuss issues that she deems important but a chance to also hear what families, advocates and providers feel are the major issues.

Some of the topics to be discussed at the Forum include:

Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month;
Status of our COVID-19 vaccination clinics; and
How Special Olympics is proceeding through the pandemic.

3. Work Benefits You class scheduled on March 3

Dollar Bill Confused about keeping your SSI/SSDI benefits while working? Your question will be answered in the next Work Benefits You class on March 3. It will held via Zoom. Click here for more information.

4. 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.

5. Ability Center plans summer programs for high school students with disabilities

The Ability Center is now accepting applications for their two summer programs for high school students with disabilities: Next Steps Summer Program and Youth Leadership Forum. Both programs will teach valuable skills used in a professional work environment and the opportunity to network with local leadership. More information and applications to both programs can be found at this link.

6. CATR will host forum on transportation

Community Advocates for Transportation Rights (CATR) is hosting a Transportation Forum on Tuesday, March 9 at 5:00 p.m. The focus will be to increase our understanding of how important public transportation is for our community. Speakers will include representatives from local and state organizations and individuals with a stake in ensuring adequate funding in the 2022-23 Ohio Biennial Budget. Register here. Captioning and ASL will be provided.

7. Director Davis Outlines DD Budget Request

Jeff Davis, Director of the Ohio Department of DD, recently discussed budget requests and priorities with the Ohio House of Representatives' Finance Subcommittee on Health and Human Services. If the governor's funding requests are granted, the department's budget from all funds would increase 5.2% next fiscal year and another 3.9% the year after. Follow this link to read Director Davis' testimony.

8. Share your EVV experience

The Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) is interested in learning about the electronic visit verification (EVV) experience from the stakeholder perspective. Feedback is important as we work to improve the program in Ohio. ODM introduced five small-group forums to collect thoughts and experiences regarding five areas of interest among stakeholders. Approximately ten participants have been selected for each small group. Additional interested stakeholders are encouraged to participate in the meetings as “Listeners” and to submit written feedback using the Question function in the webinars. Written feedback can also be submitted directly to EVVPolicy@medicaid.ohio.gov.