Friday Update: August 30, 2024

Lucas DD Offices Closed Monday

The Lucase County Board of Developmental Disabilities will be closed Monday, Sept. 2, in observance of Labor 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.

Special Olympics Softball State Games Sept. 7

Special Olympics Ohio is looking forward to another fun day on Saturday, Sept. 7 at the William P. Coontz Recreation Complex in Oregon, OH. Lucas County Lightning has several athletes competing in the Skills Competition from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Come cheer them on!

SALUTE Meeting on Sept. 9

Join Lucas DD's self-advocacy group for their monthly meeting from 5:30 - 7 p.m. on Sept. 9. September's guest speaker is Keith Jesse & “K9 Ian” Community Safety Program for People with Disabilities Jesse is a former Auxiliary Police Sergeant. Please contact Deetra Kelly at dkelly@lucasdd.org with any questions.

Lucas DD Family & Advocate Forum on Sept. 10

Join Lucas DD Superintendent Michele Myerholtz and other department directors for our quarterly Family & Advocate Forum from 9:30- 11 a.m. on Sept. 10.

The Lucas DD Family & Advocate Forum is open to individuals served, their families, providers, and any other advocates in the I/DD system to meet and have conversations with Board leadership. Can't make it in person? Click on the link above and join us live via Zoom.

Common Ground Social Group on Sept. 10

Lucas DD's Common Ground and Friend Network is for people 18+ to gather together and build lasting, sustainable friendships and connections. The next gathering is from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Sept. 10 at our Larc Lane Training Center. Questions? Contact your Service and Support Specialist or click here to email Deborah Tyree.

Lucas DD Family Fun Day on Sept. 15

Our annual Lucas DD Family Fun Day is back with something for everyone. Free and open to all Board staff and families, individuals served and families, and our provider partners, too! No registration required.

Wealth & Wisdom on Sept. 18

This free class is presented by Lucas DD as part of our Wealth and Wisdom series. The topic on Sept. 18 is SSI. You may attend in person or virtually. In-person attendees are offered a free dinner (must register) at 5:30 p.m. The presentation/zoom begins at 6 p.m. Click here to join the zoom meeting, or copy/paste: https://lucasdd-org.zoom.us/j/86538139753 Attendees can also receive 2.0 hours of DODD continuing education credits. Questions? Email us: wealthandwisdom@lucasdd.org.

August Board Meeting News

At its August 26 meeting, the Board of Directors of the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities gave a Special Recognition award to a local resident, who was moved to take action and donate time and goods to the Lucas DD FANs Network. The Board also recognized a Service & Support Specialist as its Staff Person of the Month.

iDance Updates

iDance Adaptive Performing Arts Center has a new location at 215 N Summit St. Dance classes begin Sept. 8, and the music program starts Sept. 16. The first 40 new students to enroll in Adaptive Sounds Music Program are eligible for scholarship funds! Call 419.309.1610 for details or click here to register.

Lucas DD Superintendent on the PinLeader Podcast

Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities Superintendent Michele Myerholtz was on the most recent episode of the Pinleader Podcast with Shanda Gore. Michele talked about servant leadership, how Lucas DD teams impact thousands of individuals, and what it means to be an effective advocate. 

Free Fun and Candy at Lucas DD on October 15

Lucas DD's third annual Trunk & Treat is on Oct. 15 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.! Put it on your calendar and we will see you there.

Lucas DD Transition Fair has been scheduled!

The 2024 Transition Fair is officially will be at St. Lukes Auditorium from 5 – 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 13. You'll find information about guardianship, graduation requirements, money management, and more. There will be speakers as well as vendors related to transition age youth. The focus is families with individuals over 16, but anyone who is thinking about the future for their child is welcome to attend.  

Special Needs Dance Tomorrow

Join the Autism Society of NW Ohio at the United Methodist Church for an End of Summer Special Needs Dance! On Aug. 31, doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the dance is from 6 - 8 p.m. Pizza will be served, caregivers are required to stay. Must RSVP.

Sunshine Concert with Girl Named Tom on Sept. 7

Sunshine is celebrating 75 years of supporting people with developmental disabilities by inviting you to see The Voice winners and Fulton County natives, Girl Named Tom, in a live, free performance in the streets of Uptown Maumee. The celebration takes place at the intersection of Conant and Dudley streets from 5:30 - 9 p.m. on Sept. 7.

ADA Seminar: Accessible Cultural Spaces on Sept. 13

Join The Ability Center at the Toledo Museum of Art's Glass Pavilion on Friday, Sept. 13 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to hear from state and national experts on how to make your cultural space accessible and welcoming to patrons with disabilities.

OpenSpot and Inclusive Theatre This Fall At UT

OpenSpot is coming back to the University of Toledo this fall! The University of Toledo (Disability Studies and Theatre and Film) is collaborating with OpenSpot Theatre for a 6-week acting workshop for adults with developmental disabilities. Work with UT students and trained facilitators to learn singing, dancing, and acting skills. The workshop ends with a performance that you will write and star in! Fall classes run Thursdays 5:30-6:30 at the UT Center for Performing Arts from Sept. 12 through Oct. 24. To learn more and sign up, visit OpenSpot’s registration page. There is a suggested class fee, but no one is turned away if they are not able to pay. 

Tips for planning accessible trips

Planning an upcoming weekend or fall getaway? Travel can be a bit more complex for those with accessibility needs. Learn about how to plan an accessible trip and check out helpful resources like ChangingSpacesCampaign.com which maps out universal changing tables.

We Thrive Together

We Thrive Together is an Ohio based non-profit organization that hosts virtual programs including games, classes, virtual trips, advocacy training, educational presentations, arts & crafts, discussion groups, parties, and so much more. Individuals in all 88 counties in Ohio and from over 18 states, Canada, and Mexico have participated in We Thrive Together programming. Check out all the free virtual programming available to at no cost to anyone served by Lucas DD. To see a list of upcoming events click here,

Bed Bug Resources

Are bed bugs driving you buggy? Recent outbreaks of bed bugs across the U.S. have been reported by multiple news sources. Here in Lucas County, we have had numerous infestations of individuals' homes and many providers have inquired about resources available for dealing with infestations of these bloodthirsty little critters. The Environmental Protection Agency offers a variety of informational resources related to bed bugs. These include tips on how to identify and treat for bed bugs; including a Do-it-yourself guide, as well as a searchable list of EPA approved bed bug eradication products. You will also find myth-busting information and Top Ten List of tips related to the control of bed bugs. 

Special Olympics Ohio needs Volunteers

Special Olympics Ohio is looking forward to another fun day on Sept. 7 in Oregon, OH for the State Softball Tournament and Skills Competition! They need help during the softball games with scoring, keeping books, etc. as well as a large number of people to help with the skills competition! Shift times are approximate and could vary slightly based on play time. Experience is required to keep books. You must be at least 14 years old to volunteer at this event. Feel free to pass this sign-up link to friends and family!  

Lucas DD is looking for some trunks with treats!

Sign up to decorate your trunk and hand out treats to all the Trunk & Treat attendees on October 15! Email Lori Balogh to sign up.

DSP Appreciation Week Prize Drawings

Do you know a Direct Service Provider who deserves a prize? Then click here to enter their name into daily drawings that will take place during DSP Appreciation Week (September 9-13). Prizes range from $25-$125!

Courageous Community Services Survey

Did you attend a CCS camp over the summer? They are asking for feedback about your experience. Please click here to submit your opinion.

Ohio Family Resource Network Survey

This survey will help the Ohio Family Resource Network better understand the experience of families and community partners as they connect with the Ohio Family Network organizations. Family Networks help connect families who have family members with disabilities, so they feel less isolated and better supported. They encourage families to have high expectations for their family members with disabilities and envision bright futures where they are active community members. They also work within local communities to help community resources better welcome and support all families.

Friday Update is the weekly newsletter of the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities.

Was this email forwarded to you and you want to receive it directly?

Click here to receive the Friday Update.

Have some news or an event to share? Contact Us!

419-380-4000

marketing@lucasdd.org