Friday Update: April 14, 2023

Technical Difficulties With Phones at the Board

Lucas DD is undergoing a software upgrade on its phone systems. This could affect staff ability to receive text messages. Please call or email the staff person you are trying to reach to ensure communication is delivered. Text messaging is the only option that could be affected by this upgrade.

Super Saturday Dance Tomorrow

April's Super Saturday Dance and Bible Study is April 15. Due to the second Saturday falling on Easter weekend, it is the 3rd Saturday this month. This dance is just for special needs individuals and their caregivers, who must be present. Bible study starts at 6:15 p.m. followed by the dance with a light meal at 7 p.m. Registration is recommended. Click here to register.

DODD Retention Payment Program Opt-In Deadline

The deadline for Agency Providers to opt-in to the Retention Payment Program for the first quarter of 2023 ends April 18. Detailed instructions on how to participate in the program can be found here. Agency providers can automatically opt-in to future quarters when submitting retention payment details. Agencies that have selected automatic opt-in and no longer wish to participate in the program need to opt out by April 18. Please direct any questions to retentionpay@dodd.ohio.gov.

Wealth and Wisdom Hybrid Class on April 19

April's Wealth and Wisdom class is on April 19, 5:30-7:30 p.m. via Zoom or in person. The topic is “all about STABLE accounts". It will be a hybrid class, with in-person attendees offered a free dinner. Please register by April 18. Click here for more information or here to register.

People First of Toledo Self-Led Disability Advocacy Group April 20

Engage with your community, learn self-advocacy skills, meet other people like you at the People First of Toledo group on April 20 from 6-7:30 p.m. In this month's meeting, a guest speaker will be talking with attendees about ABLE/STABLE accounts. Meetings are held at The Ability Center on Monroe St. Click here for further details or here to email any questions.

Northwest Ohio Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention Month Recognition

The Northwest Ohio Children’s Trust Fund is recognizing April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month with a Zoom event, noon to 1 p.m. on April 20. The event will recognize the NW Ohio Hero Award winner, Genevieve Stults from The National Exchange Club. A keynote address will be delivered by Elizabeth Kregel, who works in the Family Engagement Office at the Educational Service Center of Lake Erie West. Elizabeth will share her personal experiences as a foster and adoptive mom of a child who has experienced significant childhood trauma. Click here to register!

Social Security Benefits Workshop at The Ability Center

Come learn the basics of Social Security benefits from Margaret Zotkiewicz-Dramczyk, MA, WIP, Youth-C, Community Work Incentives Counselor for Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities. Topics to be covered: The differences between SSI and SSDI, how income affects SSI income, the difference between SSI for Youth under age 18 and adults, and how to report wages to the Social Security Administration. There will be time for questions and answers. Who should attend: For parents, teens and young adults. Sign up: https://forms.office.com/r/rVLzCzS6UE

Assistive Technology Fair on April 21

Wood County Board of DD and Owens Community College are partnering to provide a day full of fun and education regarding assistive technology and remote supports. This event is FREE and open to the public on April 21 from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Click here for full details.

Lucas DD Annual Meeting is April 24

The Annual Meeting of the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities is scheduled for 6 p.m. April 24 at its South Toledo campus. This year's guest speaker is Michael Marshall, Provider Support Specialist for Nineteen Services. The public meeting is in-person only and will take place inside the LLC Training Center at 1155 Larc Lane (Entrance O) in Toledo.

Grant Workshop Wednesday$ with A Kid Again

Meghan Hawkins, program manager of the Northern Ohio chapter of A Kid Again, will join Lucas DD Parent Partner Tammy Eisenreich for the April edition of Grant Workshop Wednesday. The live conversation via Zoom is scheduled for 12 p.m. on April 26. A Kid Again offers cost-free, fun filled, year-round, group activities called Adventures for children living with life-threatening conditions and their whole immediate family including parents and siblings. Click here for more information and to get the Zoom link.

Partners for Inclusion at the Wranglers April 30

Join Partners for Inclusion at the Glass City Wranglers game on Sunday, April 30 at noon. The Wranglers are Toledo's professional basketball team. Tickets are $10 with pizza and beverages included. For more information, click here or to reserve tickets or click here to email Lon Mitchell.

Autism Walk on April 30

The Autism Walk is happening Sunday, April 30 at the Franklin Park Mall. This walk helps to raise funds, all of which stay here in Northwest Ohio to directly benefit services and programs for the mission of Autism Society of NW Ohio. Click here to donate or register! For full details, click here.

10th Annual Trauma Informed Care Summit

Registration is now open for the Trauma Informed Care 10th Annual Summit. The draft agenda is available: Pathways to Resilience, Healing, and Recovery is May 16-17 at the Hilton Polaris, 8700 Lyra Drive, in Columbus. Workshops will focus on Workforce Development, Organizational Leadership Development, and Cultural Diversity. Download the draft agenda at this link. Register online at this link. Registration will remain open until May 1 or until capacity is reached.

Nominate NOW! Disability-Friendly Awards 2023

The Toledo City Paper has partnered with The Ability Center for the Disability Friendly Awards. Please nominate your favorite Inclusive Family-Friendly Event, Disability-Friendly Workplace, Local Disability Ally, Most Accessible Restaurant/Bar, and Best Adaptive Outdoor Activity. Deadline is April 30. Click here to get your nominations in!

April Issue of Aging Gracefully

The April edition of Aging Gracefully, a monthly newsletter from the Lucas DD Senior Committee, is out now. Click here to read it!

Oregon City Schools/ East YMCA Present Project: Wellness

All OCS Kindergarten through 4th grade students and families are welcome to attend this event 5:30-7:30 p.m. May 3rd at the YMCA on Pickle Road in Oregon. Featuring bounce houses, behavior tips, counseling, games and crafts, t's a time for students and families to enrich their mind, body and soul with activities and resources. Email wwasserman@oregoncs.org for more information.

Lucas DD/ Mercy Health Bike Safety Fair

Bring your bicycle and helmet and head over to the Larc Lane Center 3-7 p.m. on May 15 for a Bike Safety Fair! This is an inclusive event for all ages and abilities. You can have your bike and helmet inspected, learn safety rules of the road, ride your bike on our bike rodeo, check out vendors and enjoy food from the food trucks. Get your activity station passport stamped and enter to win prizes! We're also raffling off a brand new bike! Registration is recommended via this link. 

Nationwide Children's Toledo Inclusion Resource Fair

Local organizations come together to connect with families for a day of fun, family resources, networking and more during the Nationwide Children's Toledo Inclusion Resource Fair. The event is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 20 at the Perrysburg Inclusive Playground. Resource and service providers will be on site to speak with parents and provide helpful information for children of all ages and abilities. There will also be family-friendly games, crafts, and food trucks. The free event is open to the public.

Lucas DD Spring Dinner Dance June 16

Adults are encouraged to their dancing shoes ready and join us for our spring dinner dance at 6-9:30 p.m. on June 16! Both attendees and any necessary caregivers are required to register! Only 500 tickets are being sold so click here to learn more and register now.