1. Annual Unity Celebration set for Jan. 17
As part of its celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 17, Human Relations Commission: Toledo has scheduled its annual Unity Celebration for 10 a.m.
Co-hosted by the University of Toledo, this fully virtual event will feature a keynote address from Andre Gaines, renowned producer, director and financier.
In addition, the event will include speeches from Toledo Mayor Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz and University of Toledo President Dr. Gregory Postel as well as special performances by Madd Poets Society, the Scott High School Choir and the Toledo Opera.
For more information, click here.
2. Learn about the REV UP Network’s voting campaign Jan. 19
The REV UP Network presents “Join the REV UP Network” on Wednesday, Jan. 19, at 2 p.m. During this virtual event, participants will learn how the REV UP Network organizes to get out the disability vote, and how you can join this work. This webinar will be led by the REV UP team at the American Association of People with Disabilities along with members of REV UP coalition and partner organizations across the country. To learn about REV UP, visit aapd.com/revup.
To register, click here.
3. White House schedules community update call for Jan. 20
The next community update call from the White House Office of Public Engagement will be Jan. 20 at 2 p.m. During this 30-minute call, Emily Voorde, the White House liaison to disabled Americans, will provide policy updates that affect people with disabilities. For more information and to register, click here.
4. Toledo Adult Autism Tabletop Group meets every Friday
The Toledo Adult Autism Tabletop Group meets every Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Toledo Game Room. This group is for individuals aged 18 and over. Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase. This January’s schedule is as follows:
Jan. 14: Dungeons & Dragons
Jan. 21: Dice, cards and board games
Jan. 28: Dungeons & Dragons
The Toledo Game Room is located at 3001 W. Sylvania in Toledo. For more information about the Toledo Adult Autism Tabletop Group, please contact Margarette Webster at mrsmwebster@aol.com.
5. Coffee, Tea and Autism set for Jan. 17
The Autism Society of Northwest Ohio invites you to a virtual chat Monday, Jan. 17, 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 to chat.
Coffee, Tea and Autism can be joined via Zoom here.
6. Arc of Ohio to present trust-planning webinars
The Arc of Ohio will present a two-part financial planning webinar series this month. Scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 18, the first part will cover special needs trusts. The second part, scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 25, will cover the successful use of trusts. Both sessions begin at 6:30 p.m. To register for this webinar series, click here.
7. People First to meet Jan. 20
People First of Lucas County will hold its first meeting over Zoom on Thursday, Jan. 20, from 6 to 8 p.m. A guest lecturer will speak about affordable dental care options in the area. People First meeting can be joined via Zoom here.
8. Ohio’s No Surprise Medical Billing Law takes effect
A new Ohio law went into effect this week that shields patients from receiving and paying surprise medical bills after certain unanticipated treatment. Surprise medical bills typically range from hundreds to thousands of dollars, and a recent national study indicates that unexpected medical bills, including surprise medical bills, lead the list of expenses most Americans fear they cannot afford.
The law protects patients from receiving and paying surprise medical bills above the patient’s in-network rate from health care providers for emergency care or, in certain circumstances, unanticipated out-of-network care, such as at an in-network health care facility from an out-of-network provider and including lab/pathology services. Cost-sharing amounts, which include coinsurance, copayments and deductibles, are limited to the patient’s lower in-network amounts.
The Ohio Department of Insurance is responsible for administering and enforcing many of the law’s provisions and addressing complaints from consumers who receive surprise medical bills. The department established a payment reconciliation process for health care providers and health insurers to work through billing discrepancies instead of surprise billing the patient.
The department, which is conducting a statewide consumer education campaign informing consumers of their rights under the new law, created a surprise medical billing toolkit at www.insurance.ohio.gov to help consumers, health care providers, health insurers and other stakeholders understand the law and its requirements, and to access the department’s surprise billing services. The department’s consumer hotline is 1-800-686-1526.
9. The next Sibshop is tomorrow, Jan. 15
Brothers and sisters of individuals with developmental disabilities are invited to attend the next Sibshop meeting on Saturday, Jan. 15, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
These free gatherings give kids the chance to meet other kids and talk about the good and not-so-good parts of having a sibling with a developmental 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 developmental disabilities. The events are run by a team whose members have a professional or personal understanding of the impact a child’s developmental disability can have on brothers and sisters. Equally important, they have great kid skills!
All Sibshops take place at the Alternate Learning Center at 3939 Wrenwood in Toledo, Ohio. CDC prevention guidelines will be followed. Sibshops are free!
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.
10. 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.”