Lucas Co. Board of Developmental Disabilities News You Can Use

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 is also offering the same course on alternative dates at our Larc Lane Training Center. Click here for more information.

Little Lightning Rock Climbing Feb. 6

This is your chance to give rock climbing a try! If you are between the ages of 8-17 with a special needs diagnosis and did not sign up for the last session, then you are invited to join us for a FREE rock-climbing session! Must register and sign waiver. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER! (If you click on this link and it doesn't work, that means the session is filled.)

SALUTE Feb. 12

The next SALUTE meeting will be on February 12, 5:30 - 7 p.m. at our Larc Lane campus (Training Room). Light refreshments will be served! In February's meeting, Wood County will be facilitating a technology focus group. They are seeking feedback regarding technolgy needs in Northwest Ohio. Click here for details. 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.

Common Ground Feb. 13

Lucas DD's Common Ground and Friend Network is for people 18+ to gather together and build lasting, sustainable friendships and connections. The second session of 2024 is on Tuesday, February 13 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at our Larc Lane campus (Training Room). Click here for full details. Questions? Contact your Service and Support Specialist or click here to email Deborah Tyree.

Family Ties Q & A Meeting Feb. 15

The first Family Ties meeting will be on Thursday, February 15 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Lucas DD. This parent support group is for parents, guardians, and caregivers of individuals (no matter their age). The inaugural meeting will be a basic question and answer format with light refreshments. Click here for full details.

Community Movie Event Feb. 17

Come one, come all! Join us for this free community event from the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities. Open to people of all ages and abilities! Doors open at 1 p.m. and we'll be showing Disney/Pixar's Elemental starting at 1:30 p.m. Click here for full details.

Support Group for Parents with Disabilities Begins Feb. 20-21

This new support group is for people with any type of disability who are parents or interested in becoming parents. Participants will learn from other parents on all things pregnancy and parenthood. The group will run for 7 weeks, two times offered each week. Have questions? Contact Jessica at jzydorczyk@lucasdd.org. To register, click here. To see the informational flyer, click here.

Wealth & Wisdom Feb. 21

The next Wealth & Wisdom is titled, "A House Divided: SSDI and SSI. What's the same? What's different?" In this session, we will take a closer look at the 2 major disability programs administered by the Social Security Administration. We will answer questions such as: How do I know which benefit I receive? What if I receive both benefits? What happens to my benefits if I get a job? This FREE educational class will be online only on February 21 from 6 - 7:30 p.m. Click here to pre-register! Any questions, please click here to email the organizers.

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 and build a network that they can lean on for support. Don't miss your chance to be a formative part the group - click here and take the survey to help determine the details about Family Ties!

Board Closed for Presidents Day

The offices of the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities will be closed on Monday, Feb. 19 for Presidents 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.

Vendor Registration Now Open for Inclusion Resource Fair

Save the Date! Our Inclusion Resource Fair will be from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. on March 13, 2024 at St. Luke's Auditorium. Lucas DD is currently registering inclusive programs to participate in this event. It is FREE for everyone to participate but registration is required for vendors (stay tuned for pre-registration for families). Click here if you are a vendor and would like to reserve a spot at the Inclusion Resource Fair.

Congratulations to Lucas County provider Friends for Life

Its “IDD Health Matters with Dr. Craig Escude” podcast recently received a Media Award from the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. The award recognizes “significant contributions in depicting Americans with disabilities in a positive light.” Check out all the FFL podcasts at https://friendsforliferc.com/podcast/

Open Sensory Play This Weekend

Come have some fun with Special Ninjas! Take advantage of their therapeutic equipment and enjoy open play with your special needs child. Work on social skills and fill sensory needs. Have fun while climbing, crawling through the tunnel, and balancing on the beam. Get deep pressure with weighted balls, jump and weave through obstacles, and have a relaxing time on the swings. All in their sensory friendly environment! Full details here. Click here to register for your one-hour block (various hours available January 26-28).

SibShops tomorrow

Does your child with special needs 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 next meeting is on Jan. 27, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 3939 Wrenwood Rd, Toledo. To register, click here. For more information, click here.

Guided Implementation Series for Families Jan. 31

Interested in learning more about Charting the LifeCourse and how to utilize tools to achieve a good life? Then you should join the Family Resource Network of Ohio for a virtual presentation on January 31 from 4 - 5:30 p.m. They are hosting the Family Implementation Series, which is designed to guide you through the process of implementing Charting the LifeCourse. They will provide you with the information you need to utilize their tools and develop resources to achieve a good life. Click here to register.

Inclusive Storytime on Feb. 1

Join the Toledo Lucas County Public Library, in partnership with the Ability Center, from 10 - 11 a.m. on Feb. 1 for an inclusive story time where parents and children are invited to talk, sing, read, write and play as we share stories, music and movement. Parent discussion and play will follow story time. Ideal for children ages 5 and under. Click here for full details.

Toledo Walleye Hockey Game Mar. 8 - Reduced Tickets Available

Partners for Inclusion has sold out of their half-price tickets to the Walleye game, but have some left at the group discount price of $17. Please contact Michelle at 419-476-6307 or connectingpeopleplaces@gmail.com if you are interested!

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!

Computers for Ohioans with Disabilities

Assistive Technology of Ohio has a statewide program that helps people with disabilities obtain their own computer for a very reduced cost. Knowledge of how to use a computer, the Internet, e-mail and social networking are becoming fundamental, basic skills necessary for community living, employment and education. Recent studies have shown that, due to financial considerations, people with disabilities are among the most likely group of people to not own a computer. Any legal Ohio resident with a disability, any age, with a need for a computer, is eligible for the program. Click here for full details, including the cost and the application process.

Small Steps in Speech Grant Deadline Thursday

Small Steps in Speech in a nonprofit organization that assists children with speech and language disorders by funding supplemental therapies and treatments. The goal is to give children the chance to better express themselves in the world in which we live. Grants are awarded to individuals from age 3 to 22 who are U.S. citizens living in the U.S. Please note when applying for a grant that the child must be 3 years of age at the time of the application deadline (next deadline is February 1). Click here for details and/or to apply.

The Orange Effect Application Deadline Thursday

Founded in 2014, the Orange Effect Foundation is a 501(c)3 foundation that empowers children and young adults with speech disorders to effectively communicate through technology and speech therapy. Every quarter, OEF receives grant applications from both providers and families. Applications are open to any and all families. The leadership team researches and reviews each case and delivers financial grants to those who need it most. Click here to learn more about applying for funds.

Connecting Families to DODD and Family Resources

The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities has a page on their website to help connect families to the resources they need. You'll find links to the DODD Facebook page, Family Advisory Council, Family Resource Network, and more. Click here to see DODD's resource page.

The Autistic Self Advocacy Network

The Autistic Self Advocacy Network is a nonprofit organization that seeks to advance the principles of the disability rights movement with regard to autism. ASAN believes that the goal of autism advocacy should be a world in which autistic people enjoy equal access, rights, and opportunities. We work to empower autistic people across the world to take control of our own lives and the future of our common community and seek to organize the autistic community to ensure our voices are heard in the national conversation about us. Nothing About Us, Without Us! Click here to learn more.

Quote of the Week

"Don't be limited by the limited imaginations of others."