Friday Update: November 15, 2024

Wealth & Wisdom on Wednesday

The next Wealth & Wisdom will be a discussion about Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). If you have any questions about SSDI, this is the place to be! Want to learn more about how earning money will affect your benefits? Do you have questions about qualifying for Social Security Disability benefits? Do you need to know where to get help with your Social Security questions? This free class is presented by Lucas DD as part of our Wealth and Wisdom series. November's class will be held remotely from 6 - 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 20. Email wealthandwisdom@lucasdd.org with any questions.

Family Ties GAME NIGHT on Thursday

Join Lucas DD's new Parent Connection Group - Family Ties - for a night of FUN, from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. on November 21! This is the last meeting of 2024, so be there! Everyone is invited to game night, where there will be a variety of games to play and snacks to enjoy. No RSVP required! The goal of Family Ties is to help families make connections and build a network that they can lean on for support. Please email familyties@lucasdd.org with any questions, or if you have specific games you would like to play. See you there!

Lucas DD Free Tailgate Party/Pep Rally is next Friday!

Come enjoy fellowship, food and fun with our Annual Inclusive Pep Rally/Tailgate Party from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Nov. 22. Wear your OSU or Michigan colors, or Tennessee, or Alabama or whatever team you want to support. Click here to register your food choices so we can prepare for this free event! Register NOW, the deadline to reserve your spot is TODAY!

Family & Advocate Forum Dec. 3

Join Lucas DD Superintendent Michele Myerholtz and other department directors for our quarterly Family & Advocate Forum at our Lucas DD campus. This will serve as a public hearing for our 3-year strategic plan, which will be presented by the Superintendent. Also, SALUTE will be presenting its year in review. Additionally, it is an opportunity to ask about anything on your mind regarding our services. 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.

2nd Annual Snowy Social is Dec. 10!

Lucas DD's Early Intervention department is having their second annual Snowy Social, a celebration of all things snowy and hands-on! This inclusive, family-friendly event is geared towards children 6 and under. It is free and open to the community! All abilities are welcome. Due to the amount of interest and the space available, this year there will be TWO sessions on Dec. 10, from 10 a.m. to noon and 2 to 4 p.m. Register for this event to reserve your spot and have a chance to win a Kroger gift card! (Participants can attend one or the other, not both.)

Lucas DD In the News!

• Thanks to WTVG for covering our SALUTE meeting this week. Click here to watch the interview.
• Thanks to The Blade, which featured an individual served by the Board who started his own business with the help of a local company. Click here to read the article.
• Thanks to WTOL for having us on to talk about our Transition Fair. Click here to watch the interview.

TOPSoccer on Sunday

U.S. Youth Soccer TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a recreational sports program for children and adults with intellectual, emotional, or physical disabilities offered only through local U.S. Youth Soccer-affiliated soccer clubs. The next free session is 2 - 3 p.m. on Nov. 17. TOPSoccer provides people with diverse abilities an opportunity to play soccer in a structured environment that is safe, fun, supportive, and inclusive. They have a new registration program. Click headline for details.

RallyCap Sports Bowling Party on Sunday

The BGSU chapter of RallyCap Sports believes that people with special needs should be able to participate in and enjoy sports just like everyone else! Join them from 3 -4 p.m. on Sunday for a bowling party! This is a FREE event, but you must register to attend.

Roundabout Training on Monday

Roundabouts are proven to reduce the severity of intersection crashes, reduce emissions, and slow traffic while simultaneously reducing backups and delays. Does driving through a roundabout make you nervous? Sign up for a roundabout training session between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Nov. 18 and conquer that uneasy feeling There will be a driving instructor on site. If you would like to do a 15-minute training session, please sign up by 8 p.m. November 17. Click here to register.

Threads of Love: Winter Clothing Giveaway on Nov. 21

The Toledo-Lucas County Health Department's Office on Minority Health is hosting a Winter Clothing Giveaway from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 21! There will be various sizes of men, women and children's winter coats, jackets, gloves and hats, as well as hygiene products and community resources. Free and open to the public. Click headline for full details.

DSAGT First Steps Baby & Toddler Group on Nov. 23

Join DSAGT’s First Steps baby and toddler meet-up at 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 23 at Firefly Children's Dentistry! Visiting the dentist can be a little scary for little ones, especially those with Down syndrome. The goal is to offer parents an opportunity to ask the dentist questions and get tips on preparing for their child's dental visits and ways to keep their smiles healthy! The children will get a fun first exposure to the dentist office so that hopefully when it comes time for that first appointment, it will be a little less scary.

OSU vs UM Tailgate Party on Nov. 30

Connecting People & Places is kicking off their after-hours events with a OSU vs UM Football Tailgate Party. Wear your favorite team gear and come watch the game with your friends from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 30. There will be food, games and more. Cost is $25 per person (support staff may attend at no charge). Space is limited!

Week Without Driving Debrief on Dec. 4

The Week Without Driving challenge was created so that those who have the option to drive can learn firsthand about the barriers and challenges that nondrivers face. If you can drive or afford a car, you may not understand what it’s like to rely on walking, rolling, transit and asking for rides. But for nearly a third of people living in the United States – people with disabilities, young people, seniors and people who can’t afford cars or gas – this is their every day. The 2024 Week Without Driving took place September 30 - October 6, and you can participate in the debriefing about the challenge at 2 p.m. on Dec. 4. Click headline for the registration link.

Jingle Bell Bash on Dec. 7

Join the Ability Center for a FREE, inclusive, and accessible holiday celebration for kids of all abilities! From 10 a.m. to Noon on Dec. 7 there will be a morning filled with holiday magic and fun including games, prizes, sensory-friendly Santa, cookie decorating, and more! Everyone is welcome to share in the joy, with activities designed for children of all abilities. Let’s make this season bright for everyone!

Super Saturday Dance Registration is Open

Five Lakes Church's Super Saturday Dance is for adults with special needs and their caregivers, who must be present. The dance 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 - 9 p.m. on Dec. 14. Registration is now required!

Collaborating to Support Survivors on Trafficking who Have Been System Involved

This program, presented by Futures Without Violence beings at 2 p.m. on Dec 11. This is an engaging webinar that delves into the complexities of human trafficking, particularly within the context of youth and adult survivors who have been system involved. Many aspects will be considered through a multidimensional lens, including risk factors, protective strategies, and collaborative approaches to support survivors navigating the nuances of an already complicated system. Registration closes Dec. 4.

Grants Available for Lucas County Businesses!

Lucas DD is offering grants of up to $20,000 to help local businesses create more inclusive restrooms! Adult Changing Table Grants were established to award Lucas County businesses/agencies the opportunity to develop inclusive spaces with the ability to install or modify changing tables in restrooms for all individuals. Click the headline to learn more and apply! 

Ohio Parent to Parent (P2P) Statewide Mentoring & Support Program

Ohio Parent to Parent (Ohio P2P) is a statewide parent support program. It matches parents, siblings, self-advocates, foster parents, grandparents, etc. who have a family member, of any age, with a disability or special health care need, with an experienced, trained, volunteer support parent. The support parent provides support on needs and issues related to parenting and providing care to a loved one with a disability or special healthcare need. Support is provided via email, phone, virtual communication (e.g. Skype, Zoom, etc.) and/or in-person. Questions or interested in receiving support? Fill out this form and/or contact Marion, marion.cosgroverauch@cchmc.org or 513-803-5557.

OACB Seeks Your Input

The Ohio Association of County Boards (OACB) of Developmental Disabilities is working on its 2025-2026 Policy Agenda, and needs your help to choose the best policy goals to support your county board and the people it serves. This survey will help OACB understand different needs and challenges from all over the state. This policy agenda will also guide efforts in the last two years of the DeWine Administration, covering the state’s two-year budget, new laws, rule discussions, and other important issues. OACB seeks input from people with disabilities, family members, county board members, superintendents, and other leaders to share ideas in these areas.

Support the End of Subminimum Wage in Ohio

Take action to ensure workers with disabilities receive a fair wage! Join The Ability Center and the Ohio 14(c) Task Force in taking a stand against subminimum wage by supporting HB 427. Ohio law allows people with disabilities to be paid less than minimum wage and we've come too far to continue this blatant discrimination in our state. Some Ohioans with disabilities make between $1-4 an hour! Let our legislators know that you support eliminating the subminimum wage in Ohio. Click headline for full details.

Petition to bring Special Olympics USA Games to Cleveland

Help show Special Olympics USA why they should come to Cleveland in 2030. Destination Cleveland and the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission are preparing a bid for Cleveland to host the 2030 Special Olympics – the largest inclusive sports event in our history bringing over 125,000 athletes, coaches and spectators to Ohio – and they need your help. Hit the headline and sign the pledge to show your support for Cleveland hosting this event!

Ohio's peer mentorship project seeks mentees

The Ohio Statewide Independent Living Council's Peer Mentorship Project is seeking people with disabilities to join as mentees. The program is designed to connect people with disabilities across Ohio, offering support, encouragement, and guidance through trained peer mentors. Mentors will help mentees better understand their disabilities, develop self-advocacy skills, and create meaningful connections.

Mentees — anyone age 18 or older with a disability — will have the opportunity to be paired with a mentor who shares similar experiences. Whether someone is new to living with a disability, seeking guidance, or wanting to strengthen their advocacy skills, this program is designed to provide a supportive partnership Ideal candidates for the program are those open to sharing, learning, and receiving feedback. The deadline to apply is Dec. 1. For questions about this program, contact mentoring@ohiosilc.org.