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.

Grant Workshop Wednesday on Feb. 7

Join Lucas DD's parent partner, Tammy Eisenreich as she speaks with Dustin Horne, President of Team Easton Foundation, on Wednesday, February 7th at 9 p.m. You will learn how their organization is helping families with autism “Never give up!” Click here to join the online presentation.

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 on February 17 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.

Inclusion Resource Fair March 13

Lucas DD's Annual Inclusion Resource Fair is on March 13 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at St. Luke's auditorium. There will be fun activities, giveaways, food trucks, loads of information, and more!

Pre-register for a chance to win a Kroger gift card! (Must attend to win.) Click here to pre-register for this FREE event!

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.

Attention RNs! Delegated Nursing Informational Meetings Coming Soon

The Lucas DD Provider Support Department will be hosting two informational sessions for RNs interested in providing delegated nursing services to direct support professionals (DSPs) to completing tasks with our individuals. We are searching for RNs who might be willing to learn more about the process and what is needed in order to do this. Learn how you can make some extra money AND make a difference. Click here to learn more.

Wear Your Stripes for Rare Diseases Day on February 29

Rare Disease Day is the globally-coordinated movement on rare diseases, working towards equity in social opportunity, healthcare, and access to diagnosis and therapies for people living with a rare disease. Rare Disease Day is observed on February 29 - the rarest day (and on Feb. 28 on other years). Though Rare Disease Day is patient-led, everyone, including individuals, families, caregivers, healthcare professionals, researchers, clinicians, policy makers, industry representatives and the general public, can participate in raising awareness and taking action on Feb. 29 for this vulnerable population who require immediate and urgent attention. By sharing your stripes via social media, events, illuminating buildings, monuments and homes, by sharing experiences online and with friends, by calling on policy makers and shining the light on people living with a rare disease, collectively we aim to change and improve lives of the 300 million people worldwide. Click here to learn more. Wear stripes on February 29 and send your photos to marketing@lucasdd.org to be in a video!

Vendor Registration is 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.

Glass City TOPSoccer on Sunday

Glass City TOPSoccer is an adaptive soccer program for athletes with special needs (all ages 5+). This is a FREE program, happening on Feb. 4 from 2 - 3 p.m., but registration is required. For athlete registration and ful details, click here. Have questions or are you interested in volunteering? Email them at glasscitytopsoccer@gmail.com.

Sensory-Friendly Build-a-Bear on Feb. 6

Build-A-Bear is proud to support children with autism and other special needs by providing sensory-friendly events at all Workshop locations. Sensory-Friendly time is on February 6 from 11 a.m. to noon and is designed to provide a less-stimulating Workshop experience that’s still fun-filled and unforgettable. Their Bear Builders are there to make sure each guest goes through the Build-A-Bear experience in a way that’s comfortable for them. Click here to learn more.

Super Saturday Dance on Feb. 10

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. on February 10. Registration is recommended. Click here for more information.

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.

Apply for Autismazing Amazing Futures Grants

Autismazing Corporation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization providing micro-grant funding opportunities to reimburse grantees for expenses related to training, education and peer support. For many adults with autism, support and services need to continue in order to pursue college, career or entrepreneurship. Autismazing.org is committed to assisting by providing financial grants for services, technology or other items that are not covered/reimbursed by insurance or other providers. Click here to learn more or apply. Deadline is March 15.

Community Fund Ohio Grant Application Open

Community Fund Ohio has served as a nonprofit special needs trust advisor since 1993.The mission of Community Fund Ohio, a nonprofit tax-exempt organization, is to develop and make available trust vehicles, education, and related services that help enable individuals with disabilities to use private funds to enhance their quality of life while attempting to safeguard their eligibility for government benefits. Community Fund offers grants to nonprofits that serve Ohio residents with disabilities as well as three types of grants to individuals who reside in Ohio and have a disability. Quarterly deadline is March 31. Click here to learn more.

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

"No matter how long the winter is, spring is sure to follow."