1. Happy holidays from the Board!
You are a true inspiration to our organization, and we appreciate you. From all of us at the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities, we wish you happy holidays and a new year filled with abundance in helping you and yours reach your full potential.
2. Holiday hours and emergency phone line
Happy holidays from the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities! During the holiday period (Dec. 24-Jan. 2), the Board will be here to support you and meet your needs. We will have staff on call at 419-380-5100 to respond to urgent requests from the individuals we serve, families and providers.
3. Free follow-up vaccine clinic for those with developmental disabilities
The Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities is working with ProMedica to help protect you and the community with a free COVID-19 vaccine clinic. This clinic is scheduled for Jan. 5, 2022, from noon to 5 p.m. at Flower Hospital in Sylvania, Ohio.
This clinic will offer initial doses of the Johnson & Johnson as well as second doses and boosters of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna.
All ages are welcome. For more information and to register, visit lucasdd.org/covid.
4. Updated guidance on COVID-19 vaccines and boosters
The Ohio Department of Health has issued the following updated guidance on COVID-19 vaccine booster doses:
- Certain recipients of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are eligible for booster doses to prevent serious outcomes from COVID-19. Eligibility for booster doses is currently limited to individuals at the highest risk for severe COVID-19 based on their age, certain underlying medical conditions, or occupational/institutional settings.
- Johnson & Johnson/Janssen booster doses are now authorized for all recipients of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine. Anyone age 18 or older who received a Johnson & Johnson vaccine can get a second booster dose at least two months after the initial dose.
- Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. Some people may prefer the vaccine type that they originally received, and others may prefer to get a different booster. This mix-and-match approach only applies to booster doses. A primary vaccination series should be completed using the same product.
Click here for the booster dose fact sheet.
In addition, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave final authorization of the pediatric dose for children age 5-11 in early November. Children can be vaccinated through many different providers, including local health departments, pediatricians, family physicians, community health centers, adult and children’s hospitals, and pharmacies. Click here to find a provider or here for the pediatric dose fact sheet.
5. Board issues urgent call for DSPs via new landing page
The Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities has called for more direct service professionals (DSPs) to assist individuals with developmental disabilities throughout Lucas County. The Board created a new webpage to help community members learn more and find open DSP jobs within the Board’s provider network.
According to the Board, DSPs are essential to the developmental disabilities service delivery system; they are the front line of assistance for individuals in need of support to live, work and participate in the community at their full potentials.
“We are facing a critical shortage of DSPs in Lucas County and throughout Ohio. The recruitment and retention of DSPs are top priorities. We’re hoping our new landing page will assist community members to find and apply for these much-needed DSP positions,” said Lisa Poiry, provider and development coordinator for the LCBDD.
“The mission of the Board is to improve life so individuals with developmental disabilities can reach their full potential,” Poiry continued. “In order for individuals with disabilities to live their lives in the same manner as we do, they require support services and the assistance of DSPs.”
6. January’s ‘Aging Gracefully’ now available
The latest edition of “Aging Gracefully” is now available. This issue covers MemoryLane Care Services’ new education and outreach coordinator, changes coming to TARTA, upcoming webinars and training opportunities, and more. Read the entire issue here.
7. Salute to meet Jan. 10
Salute will hold its next meeting Jan. 10, 2022, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the training room of the Lucas County Board of Development Disabilities’ Larc Lane Building. (Use door O.) During this meeting, Salute will plan its activities for 2022.
You’re welcome to bring another staff member or support person; please mention your guest when you RSVP.
If you do attend in person, you must wear a mask (when not eating or drinking) and maintain social distancing practices. Temperatures will be taken on arrival; those with high temperatures will not be allowed to enter the training room. If you don’t feel well that day, please stay home!
Doors open at 5 p.m., and light snacks will be provided. To RSVP, please contact Deetra Mitchell at dmitchell@lucasdd.org or 419-380-5141.