Lucas Co. Board of Developmental Disabilities News You Can Use

Common Ground Social Group Jan. 8

Lucas DD's Common Ground and Friend Network is for people 18+ to gather together and build lasting, sustainable friendships and connections. The first session of 2024 is on January 8 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at our Larc Lane campus (Training Center). Click here for full details. Questions? Contact your Service and Support Specialist or click here to email Deborah Tyree.

SALUTE Meeting Jan. 8

The first SALUTE meeting of the year will be on January 8, 5:30 - 7 p.m. at our Larc Lane campus (Family First Zone/Blue Conference Room). Light refreshments will be served! In January's meeting, Healthy Lucas County for 2024 will be discussed. The guest speaker is Celia Williamson, PhD. For full details, click here. You can attend in person or via zoom. Contact Deetra Mitchell at dmitchell@lucasdd.org for the zoom link or if you have any questions.

Wealth and Wisdom Jan. 17 (virtual)

January's Wealth & Wisdom Topic is: STABLE accounts. This free class, from 6-7:30 p.m. on January 17, is presented by Lucas DD as part of our Wealth and Wisdom series. In January, this class is virtual only. Presenters: Lucas County Board of DD Community Work Incentives Counselor and Lucas County self-advocates. Click here if you would like to pre-register for the Zoom session. Those who pre-register have a chance to ask questions in advance!

Vaccine Clinic at Lucas DD on Jan. 18

The Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities, in partnership with ABC Health Care Inc., The Drug Store of Perrysburg, and the Area Office on Aging, is offering a flu and COVID vaccine clinic 2-6 p.m. on Jan. 18 at its LLC Training Center, 1155 Larc Lane (Door O) in Toledo. Vaccines are available for individuals served by the Board and their families/caregivers, providers and direct staff, as well as Board employees. If interested, please register by Jan. 12th by calling ABC Health Care at 419-893-9700. No walk-ins, and you must have a valid ID and insurance card with you on the day of the clinic.

Lucas DD Board Meeting Jan. 22

2024's first monthly meeting of the Board of Directors of the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities will be on January 22 at 5:30 p.m. The meeting is open to the public at Lucas DD's Larc Lane Training Center, 1155 Larc Lane (Entrance O) in Toledo.

Lucas DD Offering DODD Category ONE Certification

The Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities is offering DODD Category ONE Certification Course Delegated Nursing. The monthly classes are free of charge to area Providers and their Direct Care staff. The 2-day trainings will be at our Larc Lane Training Center. To achieve certification, you must attend both days of the course. Seating is limited to 12 per class. Click here to sign up! The Clearwater Council of Governments also offering the same course on alternative dates at our Larc Lane Training Center. Click here for more information.

Little Lightning Bowling Registration is Open

Registered Special Olympic Athletes, ages 8 – 16 who have a current medical/physical on file with SO staff that was signed by a physician within the past 3 years, can now register for a 6-week winter session of bowling. This will run on Thursdays from 4 - 5 p.m. starting January 18. Registration by January 15 required. The cost of shoes and bowling will be covered by Lucas County Special Olympics. Athletes are permitted to use ramps to assist them if needed. Click here for full details and to register!

Staff Person of the Month: Cindy Deye

Lucas DD Community Connections Trainer Cindy Deye is a walking example of the Board’s mission statement. Cindy makes sure every individual she knows, and she knows a lot of people, is aware of events taking place in the community. She continuously goes out of her way to make sure everyone feels included.

To read more about how Cindy is an asset to the Community Inclusion Department, to our Board, and above all, the reason we are all here, our individuals, click here. Congratulations, Cindy!

Introducing Family Ties, Parent Support Group!

Lucas DD is excited to announce a NEW Parent Support Group called Family Ties! We are currently asking for input from parents, guardians, and caregivers who are interested in attending. Family Ties will help families make connections build a network that they can lean on for support. Don't miss your chance to be a formative part the group - just click here and take the survey to help determine the details about Family Ties!

Board Closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day Jan. 15

The offices of the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities will be closed Jan. 15, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr Day. Lucas DD is still here to support you. For emergency assistance, or to report a MUI, please contact the On-Call Service & Support Specialist at (419) 380-5100.

Sensory Night at Urban Air on Jan. 8

Urban Air is transformed into a calmer atmosphere for those with special needs and their loved ones during their Sensory Friendly Play hours. From 4 - 8 p.m. on Jan. 8, there are no flashing lights, no music, and no whistles. These nights are the first Monday of the month (except January 2024, which is the second Monday). Click here for more details. Questions? Contact Melissa Huebner at melissa@urbanairtoledo.com.

Planning for the Future Webinar Jan.9

Parents and caregivers are invited to join The Arc of Ohio for a special webinar series! They will address questions and concerns about planning for the future of a loved one with a disability. January 9 at 6:30 p.m. they will cover Guardianship & Supported Decision Making; January 30 at 6:30 p.m. they will cover Special Needs Trusts, STABLE Accounts, Benefits & Waivers. Click here to register.

Family Implementation Series begins Jan. 10

Interested in learning more about Charting the LifeCourse and how to utilize tools? Then join the Family Resource Network of Ohio for the Family Implementation Series. This weekly series takes place over zoom, from 4 - 5:30 p.m. beginning January 10. Designed to guide you through the process of implementing Charting the LifeCourse, they will provide you with the information you need to effectively utilize their tools. Click here for full details. Click here to register.

Super Saturday Dance Jan. 13

The next Super Saturday Dance is on January 13 from 7 - 9 p.m.! The dance is on the Second Saturday of every month and is just for individuals with special needs and their caregivers, who must be present. The Super Saturday Dance at Five Lakes Church is a time for individuals with disabilities and their caregivers to enjoy an evening of music, friends, and food. Whether you prefer to wear a tie, a dress, or your favorite jeans and T-shirt, come enjoy an optional Bible study at 6:15 and then a light dinner and dancing from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Click here to register.

Night to Shine Toledo: registration open

Cornerstone Church is proud to be an official host church for Night to Shine, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation. Night to Shine is an unforgettable prom night experience on February 9, 2024, for people with special needs, ages 14 and older. If you would like to be an honored guest for this evening, click here to fill out the form. Space is limited, registrations will be honored on a first-come, first-served basis.

OpenSpot Theatre Workshop Registration is Open

The University of Toledo (Disability Studies and Theatre and Film) is collaborating with OpenSpot Theatre for a 14-week acting workshop for adults with developmental disabilities. Participants will work with UT students and trained facilitators to learn singing, dancing, and acting skills. The workshop culminates with a production written by and starring the students themselves! Classes start Jan. 18 and run every Thursday, 5:30-6:30 p.m., at the UToledo Center for the Performing Arts. To learn more and sign up, visit OpenSpot’s registration page. Please note there is a suggested class fee, but this is not required to participate.

Toledo Walleye Hockey Game Mar. 8 - Reduced Tickets Available

Partners for Inclusion has a limited supply of tickets for a Walleye game to sell at half-price to persons receiving services and their companions. Please contact Michelle at 419-476-6307 or connectingpeopleplaces@gmail.com to secure your tickets.

Did you know?

You'll find even MORE events on our online calendar, as well as further details on these highlighted events.

Click here to view our calendar of ALL upcoming events!

DODD's Wellness Project

In the spirit of the New Year and prioritizing wellness, Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities has launched a Wellness Project. The Wellness Project is a collection of resources and practices to support and enhance your individual and organizational wellness and resilience. It includes a holistic system of wellness activities such as reading, listening, watching, cooking, connecting, moving, breathing, and resting. Watch this short introduction video and then enjoy exploring! Click here to access the Wellness Project.

Public Speaking/Career Coaching Program for Disabled Women

Disability EmpowHer Network has opened applications for EmpowHer Expressions, a public speaking and career coaching program for disabled women to improve their public speaking skills and confidence in order to achieve success in the working world. EmpowHer Expressions is an 8-week virtual program with regular assignments, weekly 30 minute 1-on-1 mentor meetings, and 90-minute virtual class periods every Monday 7pm- 8:30pm ET starting March 4, 2024. Participants learn about and practice important soft skills including perfecting elevator speeches, presenting to various stakeholders, answering and asking tough interview questions, and negotiating their salary and benefits. Disability-specific topics are also covered, like disclosing disability at work and creating accessible meetings and presentations. Click here to access the application. Applications close today!

TARPS applications are open for Oregon residents

Find out more about what a qualifying disability is, if you qualify for paratransit travel and the interview process by clicking here (or type in http://bit.ly/TARPSapp). Paratransit service starts in Oregon Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024.

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)

HEAP helps Ohioans with a gross annual income of $22,540 for a single-person household and $30,485 for a two-person household to pay their heating bills. Applied directly to the customer’s utility or bulk fuel bill, the benefit can help manage heating costs. Ohioans can visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov to apply online, download a copy of the application or find contact information for a local Energy Assistance Provider (EAP). Applications must be received by May 31, 2024. Click here to learn more.

Ticket to Work Survey from Social Security Administration

Social Security Administration is conducting a Ticket to Work Beneficiary Satisfaction Survey. If you received a letter inviting you to participate, you are encouraged to use the link or QR code provided in the letter to access the survey and to take time (only about 15 minutes!) to share your feedback. The survey will provide valuable feedback about your experience, if any, with the Ticket to Work (Ticket) Program, including the services provided by Employment Networks (EN). Participation in this survey is voluntary but will help Social Security improve the Ticket Program, ensuring that Social Security is aware of the kinds of services that beneficiaries indicate they need. Click here for full details.

Inclusive Peer Buddies Program Registration is Open

In 2023, Courageous Community Services (CCS) launched a revolutionary Peer Buddies pilot program. Peer Buddies are neurotypical, non-disabled kids ages 7-17 who join CCS for their two-day camps. Peer Buddies act as friends and role models to our campers. The program was so successful last summer that they are opening enrollment again to the community. Click here to sign up (pick a session; cost is $100).

Night to Shine Volunteers needed

Volunteering at Night to Shine is an incredibly rewarding opportunity to serve others and make a difference in the lives of people with special needs. Night to Shine is on February 9, 2024 from 6 - 9 p.m. There are many opportunities to be a part of the big evening, from being a buddy to working behind the scenes. Join Cornerstone Church in spreading love and joy as they celebrate and honor each individual. Click here for full details.