1. Mask Advisory Issued for Indoor Use Regardless of Vaccination Status

Masks In response to the substantial community spread of COVID-19, the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department is issuing a mask advisory urging everyone to wear a mask indoors and in crowded areas regardless of vaccination status until further notice. The advisory follows the Center of Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) guidance for areas with substantial spread.

As of Thursday, August 5, Lucas County’s COVID-19 community transmission is now at the Substantial level according to guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC’s threshold for substantial transmission is 50 or more cases per 100K people in a 7-day period or a test positivity rate of 8% or higher. Lucas County has recorded 70.04 cases per 100,000 people in the past seven days (247 total cases) and has a test positivity rate of 5.46%.

"Evidence shows that masking works to slow the spread of COVID-19,” said health commissioner, Dr. Eric Zgodzinski. “We are stressing that our community mask up again to slow the transmission rate and save lives.”

CDC recommends that everyone, including fully vaccinated people, wear masks in indoor public settings in communities with substantial or high transmission. This includes employers, retailers, restaurants and bars, fitness and recreational centers, libraries, governmental entities, healthcare facilities and other public venues. Adding a mask indoors will help further protect those who can’t yet get the vaccine, including children under 12 and people with health conditions that prevent them from getting the vaccine.

2. We welcome Latosha Gullatt as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager

LaTosha LaTosha brings to the Board a strong employment and educational background that make her well-suited to guide us in encouraging representation and participation of diverse groups of people, including people of different genders, races and ethnicities.

Latosha comes to us from Harbor, where she was the Vice-President of Diversity & Inclusion and of Risk Management. In that position she advised on diversity and inclusion best practices, made training recommendations, and worked to build community partnerships to support diversity and inclusion.

Her experience with Harbor also included quality management and supervision.

Latosha also experience in the private sector as an insurance agent and customer service representative. She currently sits on the Board of Directors for Adelante and for four years served on the Inclusion Council of the Lucas County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board.

Latosha has a Master’s from Spring Arbor University in Family Studies and a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Toledo. She resides in Toledo with her husband Terry, daughter Terri, and son Tyler.

3. TARTA Announces Fall Route Changes

TARTA bus 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.

A podcast with Board member and self-advocate Naate Turner for #AbletoSave Month with the Able National Resource Center is live on its website. Click here to listen.

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. Mental Wellness & Suicide Prevention Resources Available

The challenges and stress among people with disabilities and families throughout the pandemic have been tremendous. Unfortunately, unanticipated hospitalizations and suicides have increased throughout Ohio. Because of this, DODD has developed a kit of various resources that can be shared, which can be accessed here.

7. Emergency Broadband Program

Need Assistance with Broadband? The Emergency Broadband Benefit is a program helping make the internet more affordable by providing up to $50/month discount for broadband services, a one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet purchased through a participating provider, and more.

8. Former Board member Pariss Coleman dies

Pariss Coleman We are sad to report the passing of former Board of DD member Pariss "Mike" Coleman. The former principal at Old West End Junior High served on the Board of DD from 1983 through 1988.