End of the Summer Special Needs Dance tonight!
Do you like to dance? Come join us tonight at the Maumee United Methodist Church for the End of the Summer Special Needs Dance to enjoy snacks, drinks and dancing! Hosted in partnership by The Autism Society and Maumee UMC Special Needs Ministry, this event is open to ages 16 and up and lasts from 6 to 8:00 p.m. Females are asked to bring a snack and males are asked to bring a nonalcoholic drink to share. Caregivers are required to stay. Please RSVP to marthakreuz@aol.com and include the number attending.
Family Fun Day at The Ability Center tomorrow
The Ability Center is hosting a first-time, family-friendly event designed for families of all ages and abilities. Please plan to join us tomorrow on The Ability Center’s campus at 5605 Monroe Street, Sylvania, from 2 – 4:00 p.m. This free event includes bounce houses, bubbles, music, face painting, tree climbing, art activities, story time, snacks, a fire truck, and more! Family Fun Day is in support of the launch of the Center’s new service that encourages family growth through a network of support and is hosted in collaboration with community partners Toledo Lucas County Public Library, Metroparks Toledo, The Imagination Station, Toledo Museum of Art and The Toledo Zoo. Registration is encouraged! Please register here and/or RSVP on Facebook here.
LCBDD Workplace Sustainability Incentive Program
Applications for the Board’s Workplace Sustainability Incentive Program (WSIP) for providers continue to roll into LCBDD offices. We've seen almost consistent month over month increases in applications since launching the program in March. We are so happy to see so many providers taking advantage of this program designed to offer meaningful and substantial help to address the DSP and nursing staffing crisis across Lucas County. Learn more and apply for WSIP here.
In-person only LCBDD Board Meeting on Sept. 26
The LCBDD Board Meeting for September will be in-person only at the Larc Lane Training Center on our South Toledo campus at 1155 Larc Lane. The August meeting agenda may be viewed here.
SALUTE Adaptive Storytelling Workshop starts Sept. 27
SALUTE is offering an Adaptive Storytelling Workshop for self-advocates, instructed by University of Toledo Assistant Professor of Disability Studies Becca Monteleone. Participants will learn how to write and perform their personal stories in an impactful, entertaining way. From September 27 to October 13, the group will meet every Tuesday and Thursday from 5-6:30 p.m. at the LCBDD Training Center, 1155 Larc Lane (Door 0). Then, on October 17, participants will perform their stories for a live audience at the University of Toledo. Spots are limited so those interested should RSVP as soon as possible with Deetra at dmitchell@lucasdd.org or 419.380.5141.
Special Needs Trusts virtual webinar on Sept. 27
How does a special needs trust work and what are its benefits? This virtual webinar held in collaboration with The Ability Center and the Toledo Bar Association will cover some of the more common terms used in special needs trusts. Carol Sobczak of Shumaker, Loop and Kendrick LLP is presenting and will allow time for questions and answers. Register for the webinar here.
Grant Workshop Wednesday with iTaalk on Sept. 28
Brooke Olson, President of the iTaalk Autism Foundation (Interactive Technology Assisting Autistic Little Kids), will join Tammy Eisenreich, Parent Partner for the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities, for September's edition of Grant Workshop Wednesday$. iTaalk grants devices to children 0-22 with an autism diagnosis and provides educational apps to parents and professionals working with anyone with a special need. They also upkeep a database of close to 700 funding organizations that assist families with loved ones with special healthcare needs all over the country. Click on this Zoom link to join the session 12-1 p.m. on September 28.
Annual Voters Forum on Disabilities Issues on Sept. 28
Please plan to join the Toledo/Lucas County Commission on Disabilities, The Ability Center and Maumee Valley Chapter of Partners for Inclusion for the annual Voters Forum on Disabilities Issues. To be held September 28 from 6-8:30 p.m. online and in person at the TARPS building, 130 Knapp Street, the Voters Forum is an opportunity to discuss how your votes for county commissioner, state legislature and local levies will benefit the disabilities community.
Brain health education Zoom session on Sept. 29
The final session of the brain health education series offered by Senior Committee members Jenny Kinney, Amy Annarino and Claire Copa is on Thursday, September 29, 10:00-11:30 a.m. This session will explore living a brain-healthy lifestyle. Physical, emotional, cognitive and social engagement techniques will be shared. Continuing Education Units are being offered for LSW, LPC and DODD – SSA/AO. Register to attend by contacting Sara Gardner at sagardner@lucasdd.org or (419) 380-5164.
Salvation Army 9th Annual Red Kettle Run on October 1
The Salvation Army of Northwest OH cordially invites you to participate in the 9th annual Red Kettle Run on October 1. This event both promotes its Red Kettle campaign and serves as a kickoff for the Red Kettle season. This year the Salvation Army is working alongside Dave’s Running to provide participants with measures to meet their fitness goals. Register to run or volunteer for this race by clicking here or you may fill out this form, print and mail it in. The entry fee is $25 + a service fee for online registration. Race-day registration is $30. The race is free for high school runners or younger!
21st annual Toledo Buddy Walk on October 1
Join the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Toledo (DSAGT) for the 21st annual Buddy Walk at Owens Community College on October 1. The Toledo Buddy Walk is an exciting awareness and fundraising event that brings over 1,200 people together to recognize the abilities of individuals with Down Syndrome. Family, friends, and community supporters come together each fall to share stories, build friendships, and raise money to support the services and programs of the DSAGT. Interested in becoming a vendor? Contact Administrative Director Krista Huff at krista@dsagt.org or Buddy Walk Co-Chair Leah Hughes at leah@dsagt.org, or by phone at 567.742.4004.
See BMX wheelchair athlete Aaron Fotheringham on Oct. 12
Internationally renowned BMX wheelchair athlete Aaron “Wheelz” Fotheringham is visiting a series of local school systems, the Toledo Zoo and the Imagination Station in October, and will be stopping at Highland Park at 1737 South Ave., Toledo, on October 12 from 9:30 – 10:00 a.m., to educate and entertain children about disability while demonstrating his athletic abilities. Aaron was born with spina bifida, and these appearances promote inclusion and normalize disability, plus present the opportunity for interviews. View his latest jump on America’s Got Talent here.
Little Hands Sensory Group starts October 17
YWCA Child Care Resource and Referral has started a new program for families with children who are developmentally delayed. The Little Hands Sensory Group is a once-a-month program offered multiple times in multiple locations in the county to reach more families, starting at the Waterville Library on October 17 at 2:00 p.m. Designed for children 2–5 years of age with developmental delays, the program provides an opportunity for families to connect with each other and engage in fun activities related to sensory needs and play. For more information, contact Parent Outreach Specialist Charlene Brady at 419.255.5519 or cbrady@ywcanwo.org.
LCBDD Trunk or Treat on October 19
Halloween is right around the corner and the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities is excited for our very first trunk or treat for all ages. This event takes place on October 19 from 6 to 8:00 p.m. and offers individuals and families a safe and fun way to go trick or treating. Coffee and hot cocoa trucks for you to purchase your favorite beverages will be available. Try your luck at our technology scavenger hunt featuring vendors showcasing the latest and greatest in adaptive technology. Put on your costume and join us at our South Toledo headquarters! For more information, contact Community Inclusion Manager Lori Balogh by email lbalogh@lucasdd.org or call 419-381-5213.
Flu Vaccine Clinics on October 20 and November 3
The Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities and the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department are partnering up once again for their annual Flu Vaccine Clinic. This year, there will be two dates to choose from: Oct. 20 and Nov. 3. For more information, please contact LCBDD Nursing Supervisor Amy Annarino via email at aannarino@lucasdd.org.
Free monthly Sibshops program starts October 22
Brothers and sisters ages 8-16 who have a sibling with special needs now have a program that’s just for them! At Sibshops, they’ll have a chance to meet other kids whose brothers and sisters have special needs and talk about the good and not-so-good parts of having a sibling with a disability. Sponsored by the Autism Society of Northwest Ohio and Education Service Center of Lake Erie West, gatherings are free and run by a team of people who have a professional and, in some cases, personal understanding of the impact a child’s special needs can have on their siblings. Sibshops will have fun, outrageous games, cooking activities and hands-on activities that will keep kids engaged in an energetic way. Gatherings will be in person from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Alternate Learning Center, 3939 Wrenwood, Toledo, with the first to be held on Saturday, October 22. Spaces are limited! For more information and to register, contact Wendy Smenner, Lucas County Parent Mentor, at wsmenner@esclakeeriewest.org or 419-214-3066.
Registration deadline today! Trunk or Treat with LCCS
You’re invited to join us for the Lucas County Children Services’ Trunk or Treat on Saturday, October 22, from noon to 2 p.m. at the former Libbey High School site at 1250 Western Ave. This event is for everyone, not just for children and families served by LCCS. We’re expecting 1,000-1,500 kids to attend, with 100+ trunks stretching from one end of the property to the other, so it’s a great family outreach opportunity if you have giveaways, info, etc. to bring along with candy. There are still slots open for 20-30 community partners. If you plan to participate, register with Kevin Milliken by EOB on Friday, September 23, by email or phone at 419.213.3634. Please plan to arrive to the event by 10:30 a.m. for parking and setup.