1. Board to cosponsor training series with the Dementia Coalition
As part of its ongoing partnership with the Dementia Coalition, the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities is again cosponsoring a training series with Dr. Phil McCallion, a world-renowned expert in dementia and intellectual/developmental disabilities. Click on any of the session names below for more information. Free social work, counselor and DODD certification credits are being offered for attending these sessions. The schedule is as follows:
- Redesigning Day, Employment and Living Situations for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Dementia – Monday, March 28, from 1-3 p.m.
- Ask the Expert Session with Dr. Phillip McCallion, Ph.D., director of the Temple University School of Social Work – Tuesday, April 12, from 1-3 p.m.
- Train-the-trainer for Basics of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Dementia – Friday, April 22, from 1-3 p.m.
2. Board to host ‘Nutrition Needs for Older Adults’ March 29
The Board’s Senior Committee will host “Nutrition Needs for Older Adults” on Tuesday, March 29, at 12:30 p.m. The session will take place over Zoom and will feature Rachel McAllister, renal dietician. To register, please contact Sara Gardner at sagardner@lucasdd.org or 419-380-5164.
3. OSDA to host F.E.A.R. Factor March 28
The Ohio Self Determination Association presents “Medicaid and Medicaid Buy In – Confronting Fears About Losing Benefits Due to Employment Opportunities” as part of its F.E.A.R. Factor series on Monday, March 28, at 1 p.m. If you’re interested in earning SSA CPDUs for attending this webinar, register here. If no CPDUs are needed, the webinar can be joined here. Please address any questions or concerns to Lisa Comes at lcomes@oacbdd.org.
4. TARTA seeks input about potential new service scenarios
TARTA Next has evaluated existing transit ridership, local market conditions and regional travel patterns. The project team has also gathered feedback from the community through an online community survey of existing transit riders, public meetings, and ongoing discussions with stakeholders. Using feedback received during the first phase of the project, two conceptual service scenarios have been developed. Learn more about these scenarios and provide your thoughts here.
5. Lucas and Wood county boards to host DSP retention workshops
Providers, if you are exhausted from the constant cycle of direct support professional turnover, if you want to hold on to DSPs like a magnet, the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities, in partnership with the Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities, has the workshop for you! The DSP Magnet Retention Workshop will provide simple, actionable and immediate steps for improved on-boarding/training experiences, strengthening your culture, and creating an ISP for DSPs so they get the support they need to succeed and stay. There will be two opportunities to attend these free workshops: March 30 in Bowling Green and April 27 in Toledo. Spots are limited. Learn more and sign up here.
6. Urban Air Adventure Park sensory-friendly event March 27
Urban Air Adventure Park will host a sensory-friendly event on Sunday, March 27, at 9 a.m. Urban Air is located at 5243 Airport Highway in Toledo and features trampolines, indoor climbing walls, interactive games and more.
7. Ohio Advocacy Taskforce Survey
The Ohio Advocacy Taskforce is conducting a survey to gather information about what Ohioans think about the state of advocacy. Your honest feedback will help in the taskforce’s future planning efforts and activities. The results also will help shape advocacy efforts and provide a better understanding of the needs in each community and across the state. The survey closes March 31. To take the survey, click here.
8. Coffee, Tea and Autism set for March 28
The Autism Society of Northwest Ohio invites you to a virtual chat Monday, March 28, 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.
9. Ohio Tech Ambassadors intro event March 29
Ohio Tech Ambassadors will host a virtual intro event on March 29 at 6 p.m. During this session, Ohio Tech Ambassadors will provide a glimpse inside the life of Tech Ambassador Jen Schlegel. Schlegel will talk about some of the technology she uses and how it makes her more independent. To register for this event, click here.
10. Save the Date! CCS Black and White Gala is April 22
The Courageous Community Services (CCS) Black and White Gala will be April 22 at the Parkway Place in Maumee.
During this fun-filled evening, CCS will recognize the individuals and companies that have gone above and beyond to support the advocacy and inclusion of individuals with disabilities in our community. The event also will include entertainment from dueling piano players. Proceeds from this event will ensure the continuation and expansion of the quality programs CCS offers for people of all ages with disabilities. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.
11. Social Security Administration issues scam alert
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has issued an alert urging the public to beware of scammers. The SSA will never threaten, scare or pressure you to take immediate action. If you receive a call, text or email that does these things, it is a scam. Do not give them any money or personal information. To learn more about protecting yourself from Social Security-related scams, click here.
12. OCALICON call for proposals now open
As the premier autism and disabilities conference, OCALICON is committed to providing informative, engaging, applicable, interactive, world-class sessions presented by leaders in the field and content experts from across the nation and around the world. This year’s conference takes place Nov. 15-18.
To learn more about joining OCALICON as a presenter, click here. The deadline for submissions is March 31.
13. Register for the 2022 Disability Policy Seminar
The 2022 Disability Policy Seminar is scheduled for March 28-30 in Washington, D.C. Attendees can join in-person or virtually.
The Disability Policy Seminar offers the chance for advocates, self-advocates, experts and professionals in the field to come together and learn about key issues that affect them most. Attendees leave with the tools to bring strong advocacy to virtual meetings and other follow-up actions as efforts are made to raise awareness among members of Congress about issues important to the disability community.
For more information, including registration, click here.
14. Register for the 2022 Autism Walk
The ninth annual Autism Walk takes place at the Franklin Park Mall on Sunday, April 3, at 10 a.m. Participants will walk the hallways of the mall before enjoying post-walk festivities in the food court area. There will be games, crafts and an Autism Resource Fair featuring service organizations in the area. All proceeds from the Autism Walk fund programs that support, advocate and educate on behalf of the autistic community. To register or donate, click here.
15. The Ability Center offers college scholarships
Ensuring that people with disabilities have opportunities to achieve higher education is critical. That’s why, in partnership with its auxiliary, The Ability Center of Greater Toledo has provided nearly $500,000 in college scholarships to area students with disabilities. 2022 scholarship applicants must meet all eligibility requirements and apply by March 31. For more information and to apply, click here.
16. Register for Courageous Acres
Registration is now open for summer 2022 camp sessions at Courageous Acres. Each session is themed and tailored for a specific age group. Dates are available from June to August. To learn more and to register, click here.
17. Providers invited to join OhioISP
The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) is actively preparing for the release of OhioISP and wants to assure all providers that the OhioISP is available to them, even those working with a county board that uses a third-party vendor. With OhioISP, providers working with multiple counties can find all the assessments and ISPs for the people they support in OhioISP with one simple login. Also, there is no cost to use the OhioISP. There’s more information to come, including training videos and materials. If you have any questions about using the OhioISP, contact OhioISP@dodd.ohio.gov.
18. Preferred Properties looks to fill Board of Directors vacancies
Preferred Properties Inc. is seeking to fill several vacancies on its Board of Directors. The mission of Preferred Properties is to develop, manage and maintain accessible and affordable housing for persons with disabilities, seniors and others in need that will facilitate opportunities to reside in livable communities. Applicants should be residents of the state of Ohio, and the appointments will serve a three-year term. Interested applicants should contact Cheryl Wilson, executive director of preferred properties, at cwilson@preferred-properties.org.
19. The Ability Center seeks opinions on public transit
The Ability Center seeks opinions on public transit from Lucas County residents with disabilities. Do you desire countywide public transit? Do you prefer one TARTA service line over another? The results of this short survey will help the Ability Center understand how citizens use TARTA. The survey closes April and can be taken here.
20. Next Grant Workshop Wednesday is March 30
The Next Grant Workshop Wednesday is scheduled for March 30 at 7 p.m. The featured guest this month will be Beth McIntosh from NWO Apraxia Support, a regional nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting families impacted by and raising awareness about Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) and other invisible disabilities. NWO Apraxia Support also provides grants to fund supplemental therapies, treatments, activities and equipment that will enhance the lives of children impacted by CAS and other invisible disabilities. Learn more here.
21. TARTA announces start of Sunday service
TARTA has announced its spring service changes, including the introduction of Sunday and holiday service. Beginning Sunday, March 27, customers will be able to ride TARTA on Sundays and holidays; the schedule for both will run from 6:25 a.m. to 8:21 p.m.
Updated schedules can be found at www.tarta.com/routes, or for more information, call TARTA’s information line at 419-243-7433.
22. Megan DeSloover named to Board
The Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities has named Megan DeSloover to its Board.
DeSloover was appointed by the Board of Lucas County Commissioners and will serve a four-year team as one of the seven volunteer members of the Board.
DeSloover is the curriculum and instruction coordinator at L. Hollingsworth School in Toledo. A native of Sidney, Ohio, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in literature and Master of Education from the University of Toledo. She lives in Lucas County with her husband and two children, Cyril, age 3, and Scout, age 11 months. Both of her children receive services from LCBDD, which was a big part of her inspiration to apply.
“My oldest child will likely rely on Board services for the rest of his life,” she said. “I want to take on that active community member role and be a voice in what is offered for all individuals who rely on Board services.”