Friday Update: January 3, 2025

Law Enforcement Appreciation Day Celebration Jan. 9

Area law enforcement officers, and individuals served by the Board and their families, are invited 9-11 a.m. Jan. 9 for a special National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day event at Lucas DD. The open house style event at our Larc Lane Training Center, 1155 Larc Lane in Toledo, is a chance to show local law enforcement our gratitude for the work they do in our communities. Coffee and doughnuts will be provided.

Common Ground Jan. 14

Lucas DD's Common Ground and Friend Network is for people 18+ to gather and build lasting friendships and connections. The next meeting is 5:30-7:30 p.m. Jan. 14 at our Larc Lane Training Center. Questions? Contact your Service and Support Specialist or click here to email Deborah Tyree.

Family Ties Jan. 16

Lucas DD's Parent Connection Group, Family Ties, aims to help families make connections and build a network that they can lean on for support. The next meeting is 6:30-7:30 p.m. Jan. 16. Light snacks will be served. We hope to see you there! Please email familyties@lucasdd.org if you have questions, or if you need to bring your child(ren) with you.

Board Closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

The Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities will be closed Jan. 20, 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 call the On-Call Service & Support Specialist at (419) 380-5100.

Board Meeting Jan. 27

The next monthly meeting of the Board of Directors of the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities is at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 27. The meeting is open to the public at Lucas DD's South Toledo headquarters.

Tech Room Open House Jan. 30

Join Lucas DD's tech team for a drop-in event from 2-3 p.m. Jan. 30. You can ask questions, try out various adaptive technology, and figure out if there are ways technology can help you live your best life. Free and open to individuals, staff, providers, families, and anyone with an interest in technology. Any questions or want to come at a different time? Just reach out to our tech team at technology@lucasdd.org

Lucas DD Community Movie Day Feb. 22

Mark your calendars because you won't want to miss seeing Inside Out 2 at the Maumee Indoor Theater! Doors open at 1 p.m. on Feb. 22. Invite your friends, this event is free and open to the community! No registration required.

2025 Waiver Changes

Effective Jan. 1, 2025, following CMS approval, a new DODD waiver service has been added and updates have been made to a few others. Click here to learn more about the changes or reach out to your Lucas DD Service & Support Specialist.

DODD Cross System Behavioral Health Webpage is Live

The Cross System Behavioral Health team of the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities aims to set the standard for behavioral health services and supports for individuals with both mental health and intellectual/developmental disabilities through innovative programming and cross system collaboration. Learn more about the team and its programs via this link or email CSBH@dodd.ohio.gov.

Sensory-Friendly Hour at Build-a-Bear Jan. 7

Build-A-Bear Workshop means fun for everyone, and they are proud to support children with autism and other special needs by providing sensory-friendly events at all Workshop locations. The first sensory-friendly hour of 2025 is from 11 - noon on Jan. 7 and is designed to provide a less-stimulating workshop experience that’s still fun-filled and unforgettable.

Sibshops on Jan. 11

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 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. tomorrow at 3939 Wrenwood Rd, Toledo. To register, click here.

Accessible Communications Webinar

From 10 - 11 a.m. on Jan. 15, OOD will share best practices for creating communications that are accessible to everyone, including individuals with disabilities. This webinar will address why it’s important to create and distribute accessible communications, what guidelines and key elements help to make materials accessible to a broader audience, and what tools and resources are available to prioritize accessibility and create accessible communications.

Parent Cafe this month

The Lucas County Family & Children First Council, in partnership with the Mercy Health Foundation and Lucas DD, are proud to present Parent Cafe, part of the Marian Brannon Parent, Advocacy, and Leadership Project. Enjoy great round table conversations with other parents and caretakers facing similar concerns in raising children. Meetings are from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Jan. 16, 23, and 30 at Lucas DD's South Toledo headquarters, 1154 Larc Lane (Door A). Breakfast and childcare will be provided. Transportation is available. Click here to go to the registration page. Questions? Call 419-251-2469 or email tamara_mckittrick@mercy.com.

OADSP TRAINING SERIES

Join us 9 a.m. - noon Jan. 22 for the first of our monthly OADSP training sessions: Module #118: The Profession of Direct Support in Disability Services. This module focuses on the role of the DSP and their ability to demonstrate basic work readiness skills. The purpose and importance of the 12 competency areas will be examined, as will the importance or Ethical Practice Skills. 3 hours of CEUs for IA, EI, SSA, Adult Services, and Superintendent have been requested. The training meets the requirements of OAC 5123-2-08 Appendix C Annual and OAC 5123-2-09 Appendix A Annual under Components of Quality Care. To register, please e-mail drussell@lucasdd.org.  

Is Your Vehicle Ready for Winter?

Winter has arrived! It's essential to ensure your car is equipped to handle icy roads and frigid temperatures. Ready.gov provides a plethora of winter safety tips including a quick guide to staying safe while driving this winter. From ensuring proper winter maintenance to preparing an Emergency Car Kit, this site will help prepare you for the risks and rigors of winter driving. For more details, visit Ready.gov and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Winter Weather Safety.

Winter Communication Board Available

The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities created this new communication board filled with everything winter! Communication boards help people communicate with others by using symbols, pictures, or photos. They can be used by people to express their needs, preferences, and decisions.

FANs Network Diaper & Wipes Drive

Our FANS network is hosting a Diaper & Wipes Drive for families in need this holiday season and beyond. There is an Amazon Wishlist already set up if you’d like to donate. If you prefer to drop them off, please bring them to the Board and let the front desk know it's for the Diaper & Wipes Drive.

Anthony Wayne Inclusive Sports League

A new Anthony Wayne Inclusive Sports league is forming! Anthony Wayne Inclusive Sports will offer accessible youth sports and activities as an inclusive unit within the Anthony Wayne and Greater Toledo Community. You do not have to live in the Anthony Wayne district to participate! AWIS is for children with (any and all) disabilities, or children who may not otherwise participate in recreational or competitive sports. The program is expected to launch in fall 2025 and will begin by exploring a few sports, with the goal of developing into leagues in future years. Parents, guardians, and caregivers of children who may be interested in participating are asked to complete a survey to assist in planning the pilot season: https://forms.office.com/r/QqXZ1z1WYH. Contact awinclusivesports@awyf.org with any questions you have regarding the program or if you are interested in volunteering.

Autistic Adults Needed for Focus Group Study

Michigan Technological University is looking for volunteers to take part in a study exploring how autistic adults use AAC in social and community contexts. The focus group will be conducted online over the course of 5 weeks through an anonymous, text-based discussion board. You will be asked 2-3 questions per week and will post your answers on an anonymous discussion board. You will also be encouraged to reply to the posts of other participants. This will take approximately 1-2 hours per week. Participants will be paid $40 per week, for a total of $200. Participants must meet certain requirements. Please contact email bwfrisch@mtu.edu or vertanen@mtu.edu for full details.