1. High Noon Showdown is this Sunday

This Sunday, September 19, come to Rolf Park in Maumee at noon to watch our Special Olympics athletes team up with the Toledo Police Department and the Lucas County Sherriff’s Department in a unified softball game. Click here for all the information.

2. Register for Special Olympics winter activities

Winter sports this year include swimming, basketball, powerlifting and pep. The deadline to register is October 4. Take this link for the registration form.

3. DSP Recognition Week

This week is Direct Support Professional (DSP) Recognition Week and DODD would like to celebrate the remarkable people who support, care for, and provide the most essential of services for people with developmental disabilities.

In honor of this event, Governor DeWine has shared a special video message and proclamation recognizing DSPs and shares this message.

Thank you for all you do for people with developmental disabilities and their families. Follow DODD on social media as we share resources and recognize DSPs this week.

4. TARTA is hiring paratransit drivers

TARTA is looking for hard-working, compassionate people to join its paratransit service, TARPS. Click here for details.

5. Registration for Future is Now Events Available

October 6, 2021, 1 - 2:30 PM or 5:30 - 7 PM

Planning for a good life for your loved one is a journey. Carolyn Wheeler, who has spent too many hours to count around kitchen tables assisting families to plan for the future, will highlight five areas to figure out as families plan as well as tools that may be useful along the way. Also hear from family members, including siblings, who know the “future is now” and have taken big and small steps to plan for a good life for their loved ones.

6. Nominations are being taken for OACB Awards

The Ohio Association of County Boards of DD Annual Awards program is back this year and will take place on Thursday, December 2 at the 38th Annual Convention in Columbus – and the deadline to submit award nominations is Friday, October 1 at 5pm!

As in years past, OACB will present a host of awards to professionals, advocates, and others who have made significant contributions to Ohio’s DD service delivery system—either over the past year, or over their entire careers—during an in-person awards ceremony at the Hilton Columbus at Easton on Thursday, December 2.

Awards that will be presented during this year’s ceremony and are currently accepting nominations include:

- DSP of the Year – Submit nomination
- Five-Star Customer Experience Award – Submit nomination
- Betty Macintosh Award for Professional Leadership and Advocacy – Submit nomination
- Kenneth Legats Award for Visionary Leadership in Administration – Submit nomination
- Distinguished Service Award – Submit nomination

7. Learn about OhioRISE in free online presentation

As a part Ohio Medicaid’s effort to launch the next generation of its managed care program, the Ohio Department of Medicaid will implement OhioRISE (Resilience through Integrated Systems and Excellence), a specialized managed care program for youth with complex behavioral health and multi-system needs.

Representatives from ODM will present and overview of this new program anticipated to serve approximately 22,000 children in Ohio. This is free opportunity, but advance registration is required. Register here.

8. Seminar scheduled on public transit

Public transportation is a lifeline for people with disabilities - a gateway to the entire community. Join us as we explore ways to make public transportation more available and accessible to those in northwest Ohio through a series of speakers and local panelists.

The ADA Seminar, September 30, is presented by The Ability Center annually and will provide an opportunity for professionals to learn about best practices in access to public transit for people with disabilities. ADA coordinators and anyone interested in disability rights advocacy should attend. Click here for the agenda and links.

9. Looking for a new career? The Board has several open positions.

Current open positions with the Board are listed on our website. In addition to finding links to apply online there is also a list of benefits. Open positions include: Service and Support Specialist, Assistant Director of Service and Support, Early Intervention Developmental Specialist, Speech and Language Pathologist, Data Analyst, and Service and Support Specialist Substitute.

10. Sight Center and Sylvania Lions Club co-host Drive-In Designer Purse Bingo

The Sight Center of Northwest Ohio and the Sylvania Lions Club present Drive-In Designer Purse Bingo fundraiser to support services for people in Northwest Ohio who are blind or visually impaired.

The 3rd annual Designer Purse Bingo event will take place at 6:30 PM on Thursday, September 23 at the Sundance Kid Drive-In, 4500 Navarre Avenue in Oregon, Ohio.

This ticketed event accommodates all social distancing comfort levels by offering guests the chance to fill a car with friends or attend alone. Space is limited to 250 cars. Tickets are $40 per person with advance purchase required, and guests must be at least 18 years old to attend. Purchase tickets online at www.SightCenterToledo.org/events or call 419-720-3937.