Highlights from February Board Meeting

At its monthly meeting, the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities welcomed its newest Board member, Conor Smenner. Special Recognition was given to Joe Stanford of LAWO and Alex Huffaker of TARTA. The Board also recognized more than 100 years of service among 4 recent retirees. SSA Coordinator Heather McVay was named the February Staff Person of the Month. Click the link to read more.

March Aging Gracefully Newsletter

You'll find a plethora of useful information, including details about the Ohio Association of Gerontology and Education annual conference, expansion of TARTA services, plus other events and resources! Click here to access the March newsletter.

Music Vine Concert Series on Fridays

Join Bittersweet Farms for the Music Vine Concert Series at the Grand Rapids Town Hall every Friday from 11:30am-1:00pm! This event is free and open to the public, so bring your favorite rhythm instrument and dancing shoes and join in the fun! Click here for more information.

NAMIWalks Chili Cook-off is this afternoon

The NAMIWalks season is kicking off with a chili cook-off at 2:30 p.m. on March 10! Cooks from all over Toledo will showcase their best chili for judging to celebrate another exciting year of NAMIWalks Greater Toledo. The event is free to attend, but $10 buys you a commemorative NAMI bowl and spoon for all you can eat chili. Registration required. For more information, click here. To register, click here.

SALUTE monthly meeting March 13

SALUTE, the self-advocacy group of the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities, is having its monthly meeting on March 13, 2023, from 5:30-7 p.m. Conor Smenner, Self-Advocate and newly appointed Lucas DD board member, will be the guest speaker. You can attend the meeting in person at the Larc Lane Center, 1155 Larc Lane (use door O) or click here to join via Zoom. Click here for full details.

Parent Training: Behavior Management on March 13

Join Anderia Ryley, M.Ed. for a free workshop on March 13, 2023, from 6-7:30 p.m.! Strategies that are easy and practical for teachers and families to implement across many environments will be discussed. Click here to register for the zoom meeting. Click here for full details. Questions? Contact Wendy Smenner here.

Family & Advocate Forum March 14

Join us for our quarterly meeting with individuals with I/DD, their families and advocates. You'll hear updates from Board leadership, and, since this DD Awareness Month, a special presentation on the history of developmental disabilities in Northwestern Ohio. The meeting is 9:30-11 a.m. on March 14 inside our Larc Lane Training Center, 1155 Larc Lane (Door O), Toledo, OH 43614.

"Raise the Bar" Open House on March 14

"Raise the Bar" is a sports program designed for individuals with special needs. Come learn more about this program at the Total Sports Complex in Rossford. Click here for more information, or click here to ask any questions.

Inclusion Resource Fair is March 15

The LCBDD's annual Inclusion Resource Fair offers something for everyone. By attending this free event, you'll get to network with specialized schools, after school activities, summer camps, transportation options, funding organizations, and more! The 2023 Inclusion Fair is Wednesday, March 15, from 5-7 p.m., at Bowsher High School. Click here to learn more.

OPRA seeking artwork to feature

The Ohio Provider Resource Association (OPRA) is seeking artwork to feature on the cover of its 2023 Spring Conference Guide. Individuals with disabilities can email their submission for consideration to mfannon@opra.org. Deadline is March 15.

Adult Autism Spectrum Board Game Night March 17

Come out for some FUN and games starting at 7:30 p.m. on March 17 at the Toledo Game Room, 3001 Sylvania Avenue, parking/entrance rear of building. Members bring their favorite non-traditional board and card games to play. Introductory games available for learning and play. Click here for more details.

Sibshops on March 18

Does your special needs child have a sibling, aged 8-16 years old? This free group is just for them! Sibshops provide young brothers and sisters with peer support and information in a lively, recreational setting. The meeting is on March 18, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 3939 Wrenwood Rd, Toledo. To register, click here. For more information, click here.

Bowling with Heroes on March 19

More than 100 individuals we serve will bowl with TFD, TPD and other local celebrities! Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz will make a special appearance. This FREE event will take place at Glass Bowl Lanes on Telegraph Rd from noon-2 p.m. on March 19.

RallyCap Sports Basketball starts March 19

Registration is open now for the BGSU chapter of RallyCap Sports basketball season! Sessions will be on March 19, 26, and April 2 from 3-4 p.m. at BGSU. Lots of fun for people with special needs, all abilities are welcome. Click here to learn more or click here to send an email if you are new to the program.

Wealth and Wisdom Class on March 22

March's Wealth and Wisdom class is on March 22, 5:30pm-7 p.m. via Zoom. The topic is “Spotlight on Social Security Disability Insurance.” This free class, presented by the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities as part of our Wealth & Wisdom series, will provide an overview of the SSDI program. Classes are free and print materials will be provided. Click here for more information or click here to register.

Discovery Night at Imagination Station on March 22

Join Sunshine Communities for a free, sensory friendly night of discovery at Imagination Station on March 22, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. This is a night meant to give people with developmental disabilities special access to all of the exhibits they love! All exhibits will be open and café food will be available for purchase. This is a free, family-friendly event! Click here for more information.

Officer Training For Encounters With I/DD Individuals on March 23

“Encounters with People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities” is the only OPOTA-approved course of its kind in Ohio. This 4-hour interactive course will help participants gain an understanding of the characteristics of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and how this relates to encounters with officers. They will also learn tactical steps to respond to an individual with I/DD in crisis to improve communication and increase safety for all parties involved. Officers can choose from one of two sessions on March 23, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. or 1-5 p.m. at the Board's South Toledo headquarters. Registration costs will be covered by the Board for any law enforcement officers employed by a jurisdiction within Lucas County. Click here for more information.

Peanut Butter Falcon Movie Event on March 25

As part of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, Lucas DD is hosting a movie event at the Maumee Indoor Theatre on March 25 from 3-7 p.m. The movie "The Peanut Butter Falcon" features a main character with a disability. This event is free and open to the public.

Greater Toledo Challenger Little League Fundraiser on March 25

Eat some spaghetti for lunch (noon-2 p.m.) or dinner (5-7 p.m.) on March 25 to support the Greater Toledo Challenger Little League, a baseball league for all people with disabilities. Any age, any ability gets on the team. Everyone bats, everyone plays, and everyone wins! The event will take place at the Springfield Township Community Building. For additional information, click here.

Lemonade Stand at Tarta Transit Hub on March 28

In honor of DD Awareness month, the LCBDD staff will be out in the community offering free lemonade to refresh travelers between 9:30-11 a.m. on March 28, at Tarta Transit Hub, 612 N. Huron St, Toledo. Click here for more information.

Cops and Conversation on March 28

SALUTE, the self-advocacy group of the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities, is providing an opportunity for law enforcement and people with developmental disabilities to get to know one another and ask questions. This virtual meeting is on March 28 from 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. Click here for more information..

Rec Jam on March 29

Lucas DD presents ‘Rec Jam’ from 7-9 p.m. on March 29 at The Venues, downtown Toledo. This fun event is for our individuals 18 and over to come together to dance and socialize. Light concessions will be available for purchase, but admission is free — just show up as you are and have fun! Click here to register or here for more information.

Grant Workshop Wednesday$ on March 29

Grant Workshop Wednesday$ is a monthly series of a live virtual conversation on resources to help find funding for children with developmental disabilities. This month, at 7:30 p.m. on March 29, Toledo-area mom Elizabeth Maher will share how she got her son’s iPad and students' iPads covered through insurance and other funding sources. We will talk about the process and how to get the process started. We will explore companies who bill insurance, information you need, who needs to be involved, what you need to do, accessories, etc. Click here to join this month's session! or Click here for more information or to watch past sessions.

Lunch and Learn on March 30

The Ability Center will welcome representatives from Ohio STABLE accounts for a hybrid Lunch and Learn, sharing resources about the tax-free savings for disability related expenses on Thursday, March 30 at 11:00 a.m. Through this account, people with disabilities can save and invest without fear of losing their benefits. Click here for full details.

Best Buddies Bowling Event on March 30

Best Buddies is an international, volunteer organization, ran locally by a partnership with University of Toledo students to build peer relationships and lasting friendships. Click here for general information. The next social meet up is on March 30 from 4-6 p.m. at Bowlero Bowling Alley, Toledo. $10 for bowling and shoes (additional cost for refreshments). Click here for information about the event or click here to ask any questions.

Immersive DD Experience on March 31

Come learn more about developmental disabilities through interactive DD Awareness activity stations between 12:30-4:30 p.m. on March 31. This event is free and held at Larc Lane Training Center, 1155 Larc Lane (Entrance O) in Toledo.

Ability Center offering scholarship opportunities

The Ability Center and its Auxiliary is once again offering college scholarship opportunities to area students with disabilities. Open to all students with a disability and a permanent address in Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Lucas, Ottawa, Wood, or Williams counties in Ohio and Monroe or Lenawee counties in Michigan. Click here to learn more and download an application. Application deadline is March 31.

Save the Date! Miracle League Registration Day is April 16

The 2023 Miracle League of Northwest Ohio baseball league will be starting in May! Player registration day is on Sunday, April 16 from 1-3 p.m. at the Northwood AAA building (the old high School) at 700 Lemoyne Rd, Northwood. The $25 registration fee is waived for players who register on or prior to April 16th. Click here to learn more.

ConnectEBT mobile app now available

The ConnectEBT mobile app is now the official mobile app of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Ohio is rolling out the ConnectEBT mobile app for SNAP benefit cards. The other EBT apps you may be using are not associated with Ohio’s contracted EBT vendor. You can now use the secure ConnectEBT app, which is associated and connected directly with your official account. You can view your balance and purchase history, change your PIN, activate your card, and report your card lost, stolen or damaged.