Deadline today! DODD workforce taskforce survey
Last week DODD announced the formation of a new statewide taskforce, largely composed of the state's executive agencies to address the workforce shortage. The taskforce consists of:
- Ohio Department of Medicaid
- Ohio Department of Aging
- Ohio Department of Health
- Ohio Department of DD
- Ohio Department of Education
- Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
- Ohio Department of Veterans Services
- Ohio Department of Job and Family Services
- Ohio Department of Higher Education
- Ohio Department of Administrative Services
- Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation
This taskforce was developed to take a statewide administration-based look at the issues pertaining to the state’s workforce issues. The effort will be led by The Department of Job and Family services.
The first step of the taskforce is to conduct a survey of stakeholders. Please take some time to complete the survey and share the survey with providers and other appropriate stakeholders. The survey should be completed by Friday, June 17, and can be found here.
LCBDD closed on June 20 for Juneteenth
Please note that the LCBDD will be closed on Monday, June 20, in observance of Juneteenth.
The next LCBDD Board meeting is June 27
The next LCBDD board meeting is Monday, June 27. Log on to the Board calendar here to find the Zoom link 24-48 hours before the meeting.
Grant Workshop Wednesday$ with Small Steps in Speech on June 29
This month’s edition of Grant Workshop Wednesday$ will be at noon on June 29 and features Amanda Charney, Founder and Director for Small Steps in Speech. The mission of Small Steps in Speech is to help children ages 3–22 with speech and/or language disorders take the steps needed to be better communicators. On the last Wednesday of every month, the Board's Tammy Eisenreich profiles a different organization that helps families find funding for specialized schooling, alternative therapies, summer camp, respite, sensory items, home modifications and other items not covered by medical insurance. The live event can be accessed via Zoom.
DODD seeking input from fathers of a child with developmental disabilities
DODD, with partners throughout Ohio, is working toward a vision of collaboration among state agencies, communities, and networks of support, where fathers of people with developmental disabilities are valued, engaged, and empowered. Ohio fathers with a child of any age with developmental disabilities are encouraged to participate in a brief survey and join one of two virtual Father's Forums.
Survey: Simple, 18-question survey that shouldn’t take more than 5-10 minutes. Participating fathers will have an opportunity to win one of two $50 gift cards. The survey, which will be open until July 10, 2022, can be found here.
Father’s Forum: An opportunity for fathers to chat via Zoom with other Ohio fathers to share their experiences and what supports and resources they want and need. Afternoon and evening sessions are available:
- Evening Session: Tuesday, June 28, 2022, from 6 – 7:00 PM (Register here)
- Afternoon Session: Thursday, June 30, 2022, from noon - 1 PM (Register here)
Let’s Glow prom night is June 18
Adults who receive services from the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities (and their guests) are invited to iDance APAC’s Let’s Glow prom night on Saturday, June 18, at 6:30 p.m. The event, which will include dinner and dancing, will take place at the Stranahan Theater and Great Hall at 4645 Heatherdowns in Toledo. The cost is $25 per person.
For more information about Let’s Glow, click here.
DODD to provide free provider training
The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities’ Office of System Support and Standards is offering free online provider training on the last Thursday of the month from 10 to 11 a.m.
All training will be recorded and available to view any time after the event via the same registration link. For more information and to register, click the title below.
June 30, 2022 – Maintaining Compliance
July 28, 2022 – Medication Administration
Aug. 25, 2022 – Billing & Claims Process and Cycle
Sept. 29, 2022 – Behavioral Supports
Oct. 27, 2022 – Unusual Incidents and Major Unusual Incidents
Please address any questions to OSSAS@dodd.ohio.gov.
Wood County Board of DD and BGSU Football Clinic is June 30
The Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities and Bowling Green State University (BGSU) will team up to present a football clinic on Thursday, June 30, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Any individual age 8 and above who is served by any board in northwest Ohio is invited to learn about football from current BGSU players, coaches and staff.
This clinic will take place on the BGSU practice fields near Doyt L. Perry Stadium in Bowling Green. For more information, contact the Wood County Board of DD at 419-352-5115. To register for this clinic, click here.
Affordable Connectivity Program provides internet access discounts to SSI recipients
The Federal Communications Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) gives Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients access to reasonably priced internet services. The ACP provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households. Eligible households also can receive a one-time discount of up to $100 toward purchasing a laptop, desktop computer or tablet from participating providers. To qualify for this one-time discount, households must contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price. Any household with an individual who receives SSI is eligible to receive discounted internet service through the ACP. To learn more, click here.
DODD offers OhioISP information session for families
The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities has developed an Ohio Individual Service Plan (OhioISP) that Ohioans with developmental disabilities can use to outline the services and support they receive. To learn more about the OhioISP, join a free virtual information session June 22 from 6 to 7 p.m. To register, click here.
Lucas County Special Olympics Golf Scramble to be held August 28
The 3rd Annual Lucas County Special Olympics 18-Hole Golf Scramble is happening on Sunday, August 28, at the South Toledo Golf Club at 3915 Heatherdowns Rd. Registration fee is $320 per team and $80 per person. Lucas County Special Olympic athletes benefit from 100% of the proceeds raised, which will help cover the cost of sending athletes to the annual State Special Olympics Summer Games in Columbus, Ohio. Registration forms and payment should be returned by August 19 to:
Lucas County Special Olympics
Attn: Kelley Watson
1154 Larc Lane
Toledo, OH 43614
The Epilepsy Center to hold Practically Golf event June 17–18
The Epilepsy Center of Northwest Ohio has announced that its Practically Golf event is taking place June 17–18 in downtown Toledo. In partnership with The Blarney, they will be closing Huron St. for an 18-hole mini golf course to take over Washington and Monroe streets for the weekend. Open play is welcomed, and participation will help fund Purple Day®, Family Camp (since 1989), the prescription assistance program and many others.
Find more information, register to play or sign up to become a sponsor of the event here.
Golf outing fundraiser for Gabbey Segura’s service dog on July 30
Gabbey Segura, an individual served by the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities, is putting on a golf outing fundraiser to help bring a new service dog home. The event is scheduled for July 30 at South Toledo Golf Club. Wilbur, as the dog is named, will allow Gabbey to live a more independent life as she starts her journey as a freshman at Ohio State University in the fall. The family is looking for golfers, hole sponsors and anyone who can donate items for gift baskets as part of a silent auction. Click here for more information on Gabbey’s story and the golf outing.
Financial advice webinar will be hosted on June 22
Register today for the upcoming financial advice webinar on trusts, wills, Social Security income, Social Security disability income and financial management. The event will take place on Wednesday, June 22 from noon to 1 p.m. Guest speakers will include:
- Margaret Zotkiewicz, Incentive Counselor, Community Inclusion at the Lucas County Board of DD
- Josh Didion ESQ, Attorney at Semro Henry, and Barga LLC
- Jim Burnor, Wealth Manager at Croak Asset Management.
Avenues for Autism 9&Wine + The Party IS to be held August 5
Join Avenues for Autism on August 5 at Brandywine Country Club for the 9&Wine + The Party IS event. The event will allow golfers to enjoy 9 challenging and unique holes with prize opportunities and wine tastings on selected greens. Afterwards, players and other guests will get to attend The Party IS and enjoy delicious food and drinks, as well as opportunities to win prizes, enjoy a photo booth and dance.
The shotgun start for the scramble is scheduled for 4pm, with the party starting at 7pm. Cost is $500 for a foursome or $125 for an individual, and The Party IS tickets are $75 each. Click here for more information on the outing and party. Scholarships are available; for more information, email Stacy at sharper@avenuesforautism.org.