1. Support the LCBDD and the FANS Network with your Goodwill donations
Support the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities (LCBDD) by donating to Goodwill. On Nov. 14 and 15, drop off your gently used items to one of the locations of Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio listed below. Tell them you’re donating on behalf of the FANS Network through the LCBDD, and your donations will then provide Goodwill vouchers to individuals we serve who need clothing and household items.
These five Goodwill locations are open Sunday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Monday from 10 a.m.-8 p.m.:
- 2021 S Reynolds Rd, Toledo, Ohio
- 2600 W Sylvania Ave, Sylvania, Ohio
- 3550 Executive Pkwy, Toledo, Ohio
- 5917 Weckerly Rd, Whitehouse, Ohio
- 3249 Navarre Ave, Oregon, Ohio
These three Goodwill locations are open Sunday from noon-5 p.m. and Monday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.:
- 3022 Glendale Ave, Toledo, Ohio
- 7634 W Sylvania Ave, Sylvania, Ohio
- 5810 Monroe St, Sylvania, Ohio
2. Equipment available at The Ability Center
The Ability Center of Greater Toledo has a variety of equipment available through its Equipment Loan Program to assist kids and adults with physical disabilities, including:
- Rifton Blue Wave Toileting System
- Rifton Medium Wave Shower Chair
- Shower Buddy
- Stander Buddy Roamer
- Tumble Forms Feeder Chair
- ARJO Standing and Raising Aid
- EasyStand Bantam
- MJM International Aqua Float
- Otter Bath Seat
- Pacer Rifton 501 Gait Trainer
To learn more about sizes and specs, call the Ability Center at 419-885-5733 or click here.
3. Lutheran Social Services announces food pantry hours
Lutheran Social Services of Northwestern Ohio (LSSNWO) has announced its Toledo Emergency Choice Food Pantry hours for November.
The dates for distribution are Nov. 16, 18, 23 and 30 from 10 a.m. to noon as well as Nov. 24 from 4 to 6 p.m. In observation of Thanksgiving, pantry will be closed Nov. 25-26.
All visitors to the food pantry must preregister by calling 419-283-9178 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in November. To receive food, visitors will need a photo ID, proof of Toledo residence, and a social security or Medicaid number.
The Toledo Emergency Choice Food Pantry is located in the LSSNWO offices at 2149 Collingwood Blvd. in Toledo. This is not a drive-through pantry. You will need to enter the building; therefore, masks are required.
Further information can be found on the LSSNWO website.
4. Coffee, Tea and Autism set for Mondays in November
The Autism Society of Northwest Ohio invites you to a virtual chat every Monday in November at 7 p.m. Coffee, Tea and Autism is designed as a resource for people feeling overwhelmed, alone or confused about what to do next. If you seek others who understand your situation, join Coffee, Tea and Autism every Monday to chat.
Coffee, Tea and Autism can be joined via Zoom here.
5. OSDA plans Wednesday Advocacy meetings
The Ohio Self Determination Association partners with We Thrive Together to hold Wednesday Advocacy meetings every week at 11 a.m.
This week’s meeting is scheduled for Nov. 17.
If you would like to present on Advocacy Wednesday, please contact Dana Charlton at osda2011@gmail.com or 614-563-0788.
Join these weekly meetings via Zoom here.
6. State Leadership Team on Early Childhood Inclusion needs your input
Ohio’s State Leadership Team on Early Childhood Inclusion is developing an electronic resource guide for families, caregivers and professionals. This resource guide will offer reliable, strong and diverse messages on how to engage, build and support relationship building between families and professionals. The group’s goal is to empower parents, caregivers and professionals to collaborate and help each child develop to their full potential.
The information collected by this survey will be used for toolkit resource planning purposes only. The survey is both brief and confidential, with no link between individuals and their responses. Please share this link with any family member of a young child. You can access the survey here.
7. Become a direct support professional
Employers across Lucas County are now hiring direct support professionals (DSPs). DSPs support people with developmental disabilities by helping them live, learn, work and play in their communities. If you or someone you know is interested in this fast-growing career, please click here to learn more.
8. DODD encourages the use of individualized emergency strategies
While acknowledging the crisis caused by reduced staffing, the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) has recommended that county boards of developmental disabilities have important conversations with people receiving services and their teams to develop individualized emergency strategies that will ensure health and safety in the event of a staffing emergency. The DODD has developed a template that can be used to develop and revise these individualized emergency plans. In addition, the DODD encourages the use of technology to bridge the gaps created by the staffing shortage. The full statement from the DODD can be read here.
9. LCBDD to present Work Benefits You session
The LCBDD presents Work Benefits You on Wednesday, Nov. 17, from 5:30-8 p.m. This free Zoom session will feature local experts who will answer your questions about keeping SSI or SSDI while working, keeping your health benefits, and reporting your income. Registration is required. To do so, please contact Sherrie Hathaway at shathaway@lucasdd.org or 419-380-4021 before 10 a.m. on Nov. 17. If you live in Lucas County and would like training materials delivered to you, please register before 10 a.m. on Nov. 16.
10. Sibshops begin Nov. 13
Brothers and sisters of individuals with special needs are invited to attend monthly Sibshops meetings starting Nov. 13.
These free gatherings give kids the chance to meet other kids whose brothers and sisters have special needs and talk about the good and not-so-good parts of having a sibling with a disability. Sibshops also feature fun games, cooking activities and hands-on activities that will keep your kids engaged in an energetic way.
Sibshops are for 8- to 16-year-old brothers and sisters who have a sib with special needs. The events are run by a team whose members have a professional or personal understanding of the impact a child’s special needs can have on brothers and sisters. Equally important, they have great kid skills!
After the first meeting on Nov. 13, the next Sibshops will take place Dec. 18, 2021; Jan. 15, 2022; Feb. 19, 2022; March 19, 2022; and April 9, 2022.
All Sibshops take place at the Alternate Learning Center at 3939 Wrenwood in Toledo, Ohio. CDC prevention guidelines will be followed.
For more information and to register, contact Wendy Smenner, Lucas County parent mentor, at 419-214-3066 or wsmenner@esclakeeriewest.org. Space is limited, so register today.
11. ‘Lead in Toledo’ documentary trailer released
Lead Safe Toledo has released the trailer for its Lead in Toledo documentary, which can be viewed here. The documentary’s first part also is available.
Lead in Toledo presents the compelling story of one family’s struggle with lead poisoning in Toledo. Using this narrative, Lead Safe Toledo hopes to spread the word and educate Toledoans about the risks of lead poisoning as well as ways to get help.
For more information about Lead Safe Toledo, visit the group’s website, which also contains a searchable lead-safe map and guidelines for rental owners.
Lead Safe Toledo is a joint effort of the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department, the City of Toledo and the Toledo Lead Poisoning Prevention Coalition.