Community integration for all people with developmental disabilities
Hamilton County  Developmental
Disabilities Services
August 2015



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Local athlete brings home gold!
 
Sheryl Fairbanks came back to Cincinnati as a decorated Olympian. In July, Fairbanks competed in several bocce ball events at the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles.

She won a gold medal with Team USA and a silver medal in the singles match.
Fairbanks said the competition was tough, but it was all worth it. "I had fun in LA and made a lot of friends," she said.  

Fairbanks is a sports enthusiast who loves playing basketball, volleyball and bowling. She's been competing in the Special Olympics for 35 years.  Janet Smith, executive director of Special Olympics Hamilton County, said Fairbanks worked hard leading up to the World Games and it was exciting to see her win.

Fairbanks also offered some advice for other athletes who hope to make it to the World Games: "Work hard, try your best and even if you don't win, be happy."
New mural at Jackson


It took about a year, but the mural at Jackson Adult Center is finished! Direct Support Specialist Caleigh McManaman, with some help from the people who attend Jackson, painted the main hallway with Cincinnati icons. 

While she was working on the mural, McManaman said, "I noticed a lot of individuals who don't talk to others started talking to me about painting."

Board member updates
 
HCDDS Board Member Jill Meyer was recently named the new president and CEO of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. She starts her new role in September. Congratulations, Jill! 

Board Member Cindy Molloy recently resigned from her position to dedicate more time to Impact Innovation, a program at the University of Cincinnati aimed at young adults with autism. Molloy served on the HCDDS Board since 2012. Best wishes in your new venture, Cindy! 
Kim, Cheryl and Michelle visit the garden

Did you know the Kidd Center has a beautiful garden planted outside the center? The garden group at Kidd picked out the flowers and help maintain it throughout the year. Activities Supervisor Kim Neff said it's called a sensory garden because the variety of plants and other features encourages people to use all of their senses. 

Many of the flowers have different textures, smells and colors, and the garden also includes a bird bath and chimes. "We encourage everyone to visit the garden, relax and enjoy it," Neff said. 


Upcoming Events
  • HCDDS Board Meeting. 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8. Support Center, 1520 Madison Road.
  • Common Threads Network.  9 a.m. to noon Thursday, Sept. 10. "Planning for Your Best Life." Miami University Wilks Center, 1601 University Blvd. in Hamilton. Click here for details. 
  • Harvest Home Parade. 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10. HCDDS is participating in the parade, which goes along Harrison Avenue and North Bend Road. Email Lisa Danford if you'd like to join us.
  • Buddy Walk 2015.  10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 12 at Sawyer Point. One-mile walk and celebration for Down syndrome awareness. Click here for details.
  • Families In The Know. 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Sept. 16. Organizational and service delivery updates. Interact For Health, 3805 Edwards Road.
  • Jazzed About Art. 6-10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18. Belterra Park, 6301 Kellogg Ave. Supports Art Beyond Boundaries, a fine art exhibition gallery where artists with disabilities can enhance their artistic and professional skills. Event includes dinner, music and more. Click here for details.
  • Poetry Group. 3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22, at Crossroads in Oakley. New members welcome to share their poetry, join discussions or just listen. Email Holly Watson-Otto for details.
  • Saturday Kids Club. 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26. Stepping Stones, 5650 Given Road. For ages 5-16. Click here for details.
  • Saturday Young Adult Club. 4-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26. Stepping Stones, 5650 Given Road. For ages 15-25. Click here for details.
  • Weekend Respite Program. Oct. 2-4 at Stepping Stones Allyn Campus in Batavia. For ages 12 years and older. Click here for details.
  • The Arc National Convention. Oct. 3-5 in Indianapolis. The featured speaker is Timothy Shriver, chairman of the Special Olympics.  Click here for event details. 
  • Synergy Ohio 2015. Oct. 7-9 at the Embassy Suites in Dublin, Ohio. Conference for DD professionals, individuals with DD, parents, guardians, family members, county board staff and providers. Click here for details.
From the Superintendent 

In our ongoing desire to share relevant information, we recently asked people served and their families to tell us about any concerns or questions they have regarding our present or future.

Here's what we heard:
  1. Do you know the fate of the developmental centers? Several people from Hamilton County are very happy living there.
  2. Will people with multiple disabilities be able to find a job with an employer who will take the time to understand and work with them so that they are kept safe?
  3. If my grandson works, he will make too much money and lose Medicaid. Medicaid is the only thing that has kept him healthy. It's given him health care he wouldn't otherwise have.
  4. What is the plan for a student who is on a waiting list and deemed ineligible for competitive employment? 
I will answer the first question and have asked members of our management team to answer the other three questions.

1. Developmental Centers
 
The Ohio Department of DD (DODD) oversees several developmental centers throughout the state for people with disabilities whose needs cannot be currently met in their own homes or communities. At this time, DODD is planning to close the Montgomery and Youngstown centers by July 2017, not the Southwest Ohio Developmental Center in Batavia.
 
More information about the future of these centers is available on the DODD website. DODD also has a Budget and Developmental Center Closure toll-free hotline for families to call with questions and concerns : 855-611-6446.

2. Employment First and people with multiple disabilities
 
Answered by Matt Briner, Director, Office of Integrated Services
 
If someone wants to work, we will do everything possible to support them and to ensure successful employment. The person served and their team, which includes family and others who support that person, will determine what work situation will best fit their needs. Our staff will also work with the employer to make sure proper supports are in place for the person's health and safety.
 
Under Ohio Gov. John Kasich's Employment First Initiative, which was passed in 2012, we must discuss with every person served who is of working age where they are on the path to employment. Having this discussion, which occurs at each person's My Plan or Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meeting, does not mean that the person has to work.
 
There are several steps on the path to employment with varying levels of support based on the person's needs and wishes. Details about Ohio's Employment First are available online.
 

3. A job might cause loss of Medicaid

 
Answered by Antonio Akins, Benefits General Manager, Office of Medicaid, Contracts and SSA
 
Working rarely causes someone to lose Medicaid. In fact, several work incentives are available to support those who wish to achieve competitive community employment while maintaining their health insurance as well as other disability benefits. For instance, the Medicaid Buy-In for Workers with Disabilities (MBIWD) allows individuals with disabilities to earn money from a job (income) and to keep their Medicaid health care coverage.
 
Each person served with a job or exploring work receives a benefits analysis. To learn more about how work incentives apply to your particular situation, call 513-794-3300 and ask for the HCDDS Benefits Department.
 

4. Students who are on a waiting list and deemed ineligible for work

 
Answered by Kristee Griffith, Director, Office of Inclusion and Collaboration
 
Decisions about a student's fitness for work are not made lightly. Students are given many opportunities to explore options for their life after high school, starting at age 14. HCDDS Transition Coordinators arrange visits to potential employers, service providers and community programs to help the student successfully transition after school. Just like in the path to employment, the student and his/her family drive that student's plan for the future based on individual needs. These discussions occur throughout the IEP process and beyond.
 
For those on the waiting list, our team of specialists determine immediate needs for individuals on the waiting list and connect them with resources.
 
Our Commitment to You
 
These topics and many more are driving our state and local system of services to look very different than they have in our past. We know we have to change and services will likely be delivered in different places and in different ways. Change can be hard and we are committed to supporting a smooth process. We will walk this journey together staying focused on what is best individually for each person. Please stay connected so you can receive information and updates!

Alice C. Pavey
Star 64 At The Movies

If you missed the Star 64 movie marathon last month, here's the segment we filmed with Andy, who works at Everybody's Records. 


Click here to see all the clips from the four county boards of DD.
Integration in Action


This summer, the HCDDS Integration Team has been taking crucial steps to carry out the agency's mission. This includes securing commitments from providers to join the initiative, solidifying its own core team, meeting with families to both inform and receive feedback and, most importantly, finding community partners and inclusive neighborhoods where all citizens are valued for their presence and gifts. 

The collage above features Walk of Joy, Northwest Community Church members, Melodic Connections, Family Alliance session participants, community dinner attendees at My Neighbor's Place in Westwood, and members of the team.

Back to school!
  
Robbie on his way into school
Bobbie B. Fairfax School and Margaret B. Rost School welcomed students back to class on Aug. 19. Click on either picture below to see more photos from the first day. 

Rachel in Cultural Arts class

Both schools are now on Facebook, and you can "like" the pages for updates.