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 cosponsoring a training series with Dr. Phil McCallion, a world-renowned expert in dementia and intellectual/developmental disabilities. Click on either session name below for more information. Free social work, counselor and DODD certification credits are being offered for attending these sessions. The remaining schedule is as follows:
- 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. CDC introduces new Quarantine and Isolation Calculator
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have introduced a new interactive tool that allows users to input their symptoms, along with dates their symptoms started, to receive information about how long they need to isolate or quarantine. Hopefully, this Quarantine and Isolation Calculator will clarify the new CDC guidelines. The calculator can be accessed here.
Additionally, the Food and Drug Administration authorized second booster doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines that can be given four months after the first. The second booster has been approved for adults aged 50 and older and for individuals 12 and older who are immunocompromised.
3. The next Sibshop is April 9
Brothers and sisters of individuals with developmental disabilities are invited to attend the next Sibshop meeting on Saturday, April 9, 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.
4. Coffee, Tea and Autism set for April 11
The Autism Society of Northwest Ohio invites you to a virtual chat Monday, April 11, 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.
5. Courageous Community Services offers parent support group meetings next week
Courageous Community Services will present online parent support group meetings next week for parents and caregivers of children and adults with disabilities. These meetings will cover topics such as managing emotions, self-care, relationships and building a support system.
The meeting on April 5 at 10 a.m. can be joined here. The meeting on April 7 at 7 p.m. can be joined here.
For more information, contact Korinne Ritenour at korinner@ccsohio.org.
6. Super Saturday of Toledo to hold monthly dance
Super Saturday of Toledo will hold its monthly Super Saturday Dance on April 9 from 7 to 9 p.m.
This dance is for individuals with developmental disabilities and their caregivers. (Caregivers must be present.) All Super Saturday Dances take place in the Five Lakes Church gymnasium at 4765 McCord Road in Sylvania. Admission is free, and a light meal will be served. A bible study will precede the dance at 6:15 p.m.
For more information, check out the Super Saturday of Toledo Facebook group.
7. Autism Provider Network to host job fair April 6
The Autism Provider Network of Northwest Ohio will host a job fair April 6 from 2-6 p.m. The fair will take place in the atrium of the Toledo Lucas County Public Library at 325 Michigan St. in Toledo. Employers will conduct interviews on site for board certified behavior analysts, direct support professionals and behavior technicians. For more information, click here.
8. The Arc of Ohio to present ‘Wonderful World of Waivers Update’
The Arc of Ohio will present “The Wonderful World of Waivers Update” on April 7 at 6 p.m. This online parent information and resource event will feature Gary Tonks and David Lewis, who will discuss Ohio’s developmental disability waiver system, current advocacy and recent changes. To attend this event, please register in advance here.
9. Urban Air Adventure Park sensory-friendly event April 10
Urban Air Adventure Park will host a sensory-friendly event on Sunday, April 10, at 9 a.m. Urban Air is located at 5243 Airport Highway in Toledo and features trampolines, indoor climbing walls, interactive games and more.
10. People First to host Wednesday Walks
People First will host the first of six free social walks at Side Cut Metropark on April 6 at 5:30 p.m. The group will walk the 0.6-mile Blue Trail. Walkers should meet in the Silver Lake parking lot. For more information about Wednesday Walks and to register, click here.
11. 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.
12. CCS Black and White Gala to be held 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.
13. 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.
14. The Sight Center launches Blind Ambition employment project
The Sight Center of Northwest Ohio has announced a new resource for sight-impaired job seekers: the Blind Ambition Project.
This pilot project will serve working-age adults who are blind or visually impaired who reside in the metropolitan Toledo area. Specifically, the focus will be on those seeking to become newly employed, those trying to transition from a sighted career to a sight-impaired career, and those seeking to gain meaningful part-time employment while retaining current disability benefits.
As part of the Blind Ambition Project, the Sight Center will host an intensive quarterly workshop series consisting of three weekly day-long workshops. The first session will be April 14, 21 and 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The workshops will take place at the Sight Center at 1002 Garden Lake Parkway in Toledo.
Registration is free, but space is limited. Attendance at all three sessions is required. Lunch will be provided, and transportation assistance is available. To register for the three-session April series, complete the online form here or call 419-720-3937.
15. OCECD to present ‘Reducing Barriers Through Advocacy’ April 4
The Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD ) will host “Reducing Barriers Through Advocacy” on April 4 at 6 p.m. This webinar will provide attendees with strategies that will enable them to become confident advocates for their child’s special education needs. The parent’s role before, during and after the IEP meeting will be explored. Suggestions for recordkeeping and for effectively communicating with school district personnel will be discussed in detail. This free training will be led by Brandi Muhammad, information specialist/trainer for OCECD. To learn more and to register for this webinar, click here.
16. Monthly legal workshop to focus on ‘Understanding Autism’
The Special Education Legal Clinic will present “Understanding Autism,” a virtual workshop and Q&A panel, on Monday, April 11, at 7 p.m.
Participants will learn about the current diagnostic criteria for the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The discussion will address individual education program (IEP) goals along with strategies and possible methodologies for educating children identified on the autistic spectrum. A comparison between services received through the Autism Scholarship Program and public-school IEP programs also will be discussed.
The Clinic is a public-private collaboration between three independent organizations: Disability Rights Ohio, the OCECD and Albeit Weiker LLP.
In addition to monthly workshops, the Clinic offers individual guidance sessions to review specific situations with advocates or attorneys. For more information, to register for a monthly workshop or to schedule an individual guidance session, click here.
17. 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.
18. 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.
19. 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.
20. 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 7 and can be taken here.
21. March Board meeting recognitions
During the March 2022 Board meeting, the Lucas County Board of Development Disabilities recognized several groups and individuals.
Stacy Jackson named Staff Person of the Month
The Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities recognized Stacy Jackson as the March 2022 Staff Person of the Month.
Jackson is a passionate advocate for all those served by the Board, especially those on her caseload. She is dedicated to the individuals she directly supports and is driven by the Board’s mission. With 14 years of experience as a service and support specialist, Jackson has become an irreplaceable asset to the department and the Board.
During the trying times of the pandemic, Jackson worked with a family whose son found his own home where he felt safe and secure as well as a provider agency that could support his needs. Jackson supported and advocated not only for the individual served, but also the family, being there for the parents when they just needed someone to listen.
Jackson has been a leader in the SSA department for many years. She serves as a mentor to new staff, often mentoring multiple new people while attending to the needs of her own caseload. She continues to teach and train coworkers after their mentor program has ended because she truly wants the best services and outcomes for those the Board supports. She is focused on ensuring that individuals know their worth, feel dignified and can make their own choices. Jackson instills these passions in those she mentors to help inspire a legacy of passionate and person-centered service and support specialists.
Michele Shepler retires after 32 years
Michele Shepler retired from the Board in January 2022 after 32 years of service to the Board.
Shepler began her career with the Board as a behavioral management specialist in January 1990. Four years later, she became a community travel specialist, a position she held for the next 28 years until her retirement. During this time, Shepler made it her mission to ensure individuals with IDD had access to the safest, least restrictive method of travel, including public transit, bike, and on foot. To achieve this, she developed and maintained extremely knowledgeable trainers, established tried and true processes, built relationships (both internally and externally), and provided countless educational sessions for individuals to increase their knowledge of safety concerns and how to deal with them. Shepler continually went above and beyond to meet the needs of others, e.g., starting the collection and distribution of hygiene kits, hats and gloves for the individuals the Board serves, often spending her own time and money to do this.
Shepler’s career has been highlighted by many awards, including the Safety Spotlight Awardee in 1999, Josina Lott Awards in 2006 and in 2019, and the Staff Person of the Year in 2018.
Heartbeat of Toledo receives Special Recognition Award
During the past few months, the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities has partnered with Heartbeat of Toledo.
The initial contact with Heartbeat was made by Jennifer Wolfe, provider training coordinator, who wanted to collaborate with the agency to provide opportunities for new parents to receive newborn behavioral observations on their babies. Heartbeat quickly assessed who would benefit from this need and communicated the best times for providing this service.
During the ensuing assessments, one of the children was diagnosed with Down Syndrome. The child’s family was thrilled to discover that the Board offered early intervention. This discovery may not have been possible without the Heartbeat partnership. The Board looks forward to growing the program and is thankful for this collaboration.