1. DODD Director Jeff Davis discusses new state budget

Last week, Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 110, the state’s operating budget for fiscal years 2022 and 2023. This bill includes funding for the next two years for initiatives that build on historic investments in the previous budget. Governor DeWine’s first budget invested $370 million of new funding, which was the most ever for Ohio’s developmental disabilities system. This budget maintains every one of those investments and invests an additional $173 million.

In the latest Director's Corner, Director Jeff Davis discusses the new budget and what it means for the developmental disabilities system.

2. Discussion to focus on accessing services

Join The Arc on June 19 for a free opportunity to discuss how to access county board of DD services and eligibility. The leader of the discussion will be Lisa Comes from the Ohio Association of County Boards. Time 6:30 to 8:00. Register here.

3. Still time to take the Ohio DD Council Transportation Access Survey

This survey asks questions about your transportation needs, transportation challenges, and what kind of access you currently have to transportation. The survey will remain open through July 31. The survey is for Ohio residents, 19 and older, with disabilities. A family member, friend, or caregiver may respond on behalf of a person with a disability. Take the survey.

4. Blind Wine Event Takes Flight July 22

The Sight Center of Northwest Ohio is pleased to introduce The Blind Wine Event, a new way to experience a wine-tasting. This ticketed fundraiser will combine wine, food, and fun awareness activities to engage the senses and change the way vision loss is seen.

Guests will participate in a series of wine-tasting comparisons while sampling tasty food parings prepared by Toledo native Tracy May, a local cook whose blindness doesn’t keep her from doing what she loves to do. The Blind Wine Event also features several experiential activities that demonstrate some of the many solutions used every day by people who live with permanent vision loss.

Tickets are $45 per person and include wine samples, food pairings, and a personal blindfold. Attendance will be limited to 60 people for this event. All proceeds from The Blind Wine Event will help The Sight Center empower independence and enrich the lives of people who are blind or visually impaired.

5. ADA Anniversary is July 26

July 26 is the 31st anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Throughout July, share what the ADA means to you on social media. Use the hashtags #ThanksToTheADA, #ADA31

6. Podcast focuses on Special Olympics

You can find out the latest about Lucas County Special Olympics activities in Conor Smenner's latest podcast. His guest is Coordinator Kelley Watson. You can listen here.

7. Announcement About Individual Resources and Supports

The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities, Division of Residential Resources and Policy and Strategic Direction would like to announce:

Individual Resources and Supports for youth ages 3-17 years of age are available from the Division of Policy and Strategic Direction Cross System Regional Team. Their focus is on youth with complex behavioral health needs with co-occurring MI/ID and multi-system involvement. They provide recommendations to helpful resources, such as clinical referrals, education and training, supportive state and local options, and cross-agency linkages.

The Cross-System Regional Liaisons will be the contact for Individual Resources and Services for youth (3-17 years of age).

Individual Resources and Support for adults 18 years of age and older are available from DODD’s Residential Resource Division’s Community Resource Coordinators (CRCs).

The CRC will be the contact for Individual Resources and Supports for adults (18 years of age and older).

Counties are encouraged to access these teams to help explore supportive options prior to a crisis. The Individual Resources and Supports will continue to:

- Assist the person to remain in the residence of their choice, by providing support to and enhancing the work of their team.
- Use a Person-Centered approach.
- Provide a holistic approach for resources and recommendations that includes recognizing the person’s trauma history.
- Encourage team collaboration to help enhance the services provided to the person.

8. TARTA Seeks Community Feedback at Upcoming Virtual Public Meeting on July 21

The Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA) will host a virtual public meeting on July 21, 2021 from 6p.m. – 7p.m. The forum is open the public and all TARTA riders including those who use the Toledo Area Regional Paratransit Service (TARPS) and Call-A-Ride. The webinar-style public meeting will discuss changes that were made in the past year due to the coronavirus pandemic and receive feedback on the following topics:

- A review of fare elimination, reduced service hours and frequency, and express service elimination due to the coronavirus pandemic.
- Spring service changes to eight of TARTA’s fixed route services including routes 2, 5, 19, 51, 52, 12, 14 and 31.
- Service changes related to TARTA’s new fixed bus route 10L.

The virtual public meeting will include a question-and-answer session with TARTA staff.

Meeting registration and details are available at www.tarta.com or by calling 419-243-7433. Customers and the public should submit their comments and questions ahead of time by sending them to customer-relations@tarta.com by 12p.m. on July 21, 2021.

9. Ability Center hosts canine graduation

The Ability Center hosted a graduation event last night recognizing 2020 and 2021 graduates of service, therapy, and school therapy dogs. The “passing of the leash” ceremony marks the end of the two year training period for assistance dogs in training.