1. Suggestions sought for ARPA Investments in Medicaid Home and Community Based Services

Ohio’s system of support has endured through the pandemic and has kept people with developmental disabilities and their families as safe as possible through innovative practices and supports provided in ways not imaginable just a few months ago. With enhanced federal funds to be allocated to better support Ohioans with developmental disabilities, it is important that the people receiving the services and those providing them give feedback on how those funds should be used.

ODM, ODA, DODD and ODMHAS are working together to gather your ideas for how to strengthen our supports and services for those in need of home or community services. Below please find a link to our survey. Feel free to share this with individuals, advocates, other stakeholders or your member organizations who have ideas to contribute. Responses are requested before the end of day, Friday August 19th.

Take the survey.

2. Have a disability? Want to know what it feels like to fly in space?

The Ability Center is letting us know about an opportunity for people with disabilities to go on a weightless flight to do experiments to see how people with disabilities can be accommodated on space vessels. Click here.

3. TARTA Announces Fall Route Changes

Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA) passengers will notice more frequent service for weekday evening commuters when service changes take effect Sunday, August 15.

Final departure time for any fixed bus route leaving from TARTA’s downtown Transit Hub Monday through Friday has been extended to 10 p.m. Service for all routes will run from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday.

There is no Sunday service for fixed routes or Call-A-Ride services. The TARPS paratransit service will continue to operate seven days a week, running from 4:55 a.m. to 10:49 p.m. on weekdays and 7:51 a.m. to 9:49 p.m. on weekends.

Other reminders for passengers:

- All TARTA vehicles remain free of charge until further notice
- Face masks are still required while on board all vehicles
- TARTA is no longer limiting the number of riders on each bus

More information on routes and route changes can be found at tarta.com/fall21

4. August is #ABLEtoSave Month

The goal of #ABLEtoSave is to increase public awareness around the benefits of tax-advantaged ABLE savings and investment accounts to increase the financial well-being of people with disabilities. ABLE accounts offer eligible individuals a path to “Achieve a Better Life Experience (ABLE)” through the ABLE Act legislation of 2014. This includes a focus on the ways ABLE accounts can help address the needs of all individuals with disability, including Black, Indigenous and other People of Color (BIPOC) community members with disabilities, who are eligible for ABLE accounts.

5. Job Postings

The Lucas County Board of DD has several open positions, including Service & Support Specialist and Data Analyst. See a list of all the open positions and review the benefits of employment with the Board at this link.

The Ability Center has the following openings. They can all be found via this link.

- Assistive Tech/Medical Equipment Coordinator (Full Time/Job Share)
- Assistance Dogs Trainer (Full time)
- Disability Rights Advocate, Healthcare and Public Access (Full Time/Job Share)

6. Aging Gracefully Newsletter

Read at this link.

7. Would you like to stay in a treehouse?

Have you been dreaming of staying in a Cannaley Treehouse at Oak Openings? Now's your chance! Courageous Community Services will draw one lucky winner to win a 2-night Family Adventure-themed weekend on September 17th & 18th! This prize includes accommodations, board games, a picnic basket, and a VIP tour of Nature's Nursery (featuring some adorable baby animals).

One raffle ticket costs $25. Six raffle tickets cost $100. Drawing will take place on August 16th. If you win, you'll have a month's notice!

All proceeds from the sales will support our summer camp and additional programming. Thank you for your support, and good luck! Click here to buy tickets.

8. Health Department Supports CDC Mask Guidance

Masks Recommended for Everyone Indoors

Due to the rapid increase in the number of COVID-19 cases nationally and the presence and spread of the Delta variant in the region, the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department supports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommendations for the use of face masks indoors and near others by all people in areas of substantial or high transmission regardless of vaccination status.

Lucas County has reached the CDC level of substantial COVID-19 transmission.

Vaccination is the best tool available to break the chain of infection and to slow or prevent surges in new infections that may increase COVID-19 related illness, death, and overwhelm healthcare system capacity. Everyone who is eligible to be vaccinated should do so as soon as possible. You may find the vaccination location nearest you by visiting Gettheshot.Coronavirus.Ohio.Gov.

Vaccination is even more effective when combined with masking, social distancing and other mitigation strategies, especially in crowded places or areas with significant COVID spread.

Healthcare facilities, businesses, and other organizations may require masks to ensure the safety of their employees and customers based on their individual circumstances.

Recommendations for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals include:

- All those who are medically able to do so, should wear a face mask, regardless of vaccination status, in public indoor settings when you are near others in areas of substantial or high transmission;
- The use of face masks is recommended for all teachers, staff, students and visitors to schools, regardless of vaccination status;
- Get tested if experiencing COVID-19 symptomsEveryone with a known contact to someone with confirmed COVID-19 disease should get tested 3-5 days following exposure;
- Isolate if you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the prior 10 days or are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms