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Share your thoughts!
We would like feedback from readers about our monthly newsletter, so we can make it better in 2016.
Please click here
to take our brief survey.
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Ever wonder how your tax dollars help people with developmental disabilities in Hamilton County? Our infographic/video helps explain the services and supports our agency provides in the community.
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A HUGE thanks to our staff who have donated or attempted to donate last year. In 2015, 171 lives were saved as a result of our donations. What an amazing contribution to our community!
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The HCDDS team had about a dozen brave souls who willingly jumped in a pool in early February to help raise money for the local Special Olympics. More pictures
on our Facebook page.
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Earlier this month, staff from the Hamilton, Butler, Clermont, and Warren county Help Me Grow and DD Early Intervention programs attended a training on "Behavioral Principles at Work --
Ohio's EI Evidence -Based model."
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Do you know someone who wants to participate in the Flying Pig Marathon? The CARA group has a free, five-week training program.
PigAbilities offers support and encouragement for people with disabilities of all ages who want to successfully walk, run or wheel in a marathon event.
Find more information on
the
Flying Pig website.
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People for DD Services is hosting a fluid station at Mile 25 for the Flying Pig Marathon on Sunday, May 1.
We need volunteers to help on race day. If you'd like to join us,
email Lisa Danford
for details.
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Did you see our promos during the Super Bowl? If you missed it, click on the picture below to watch!
We're also filming new 30-second
Employment Works commercials to air later this year on Local 12.
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Reminder:
Tuesday, March 15 is Election Day. You can vote early by mail or in person at your local Board of Elections.
This is a presidential primary year, and the Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program created a brochure outlining where all candidates stand on disability issues. Click here to download it
.
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The People First of Ohio Annual Conference is April 28-30 at the Roberts Centre in Wilmington.
Agenda and registration details coming soon.
More information
available online
.
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From the Superintendent
February 2016
"These times challenge us to design services in ways that make the most sense for each person served, no matter their level of need."
Federal and state
forces driving a future that looks different from our past continue to challenge us to plan for services in community settings that best fit each person's needs. We are moving toward community integration in everything we do and away from traditional ways of serving people. We are still figuring out what this looks like and do expect to have a more concrete plan this year.
One area of intense focus is the future of adult centers across the state. In several other counties, community providers of services have assumed operation of adult centers, which is called privitization. I have been asked many times if this will be Hamilton County's direction.
Every possible option is being explored, including privatization. You might have heard that some community agencies have been talking with us about this, and have been visiting our centers. This is all part of our planning process -
no decisions have been made - and we will let you know as soon as possible if/when decisions are made.
Last fall, we made a difficult decision to close Jackson Adult Center by March 1. We have been working since to support people served in making transitions to other community providers or one of our remaining three adult centers (Beckman, Franks, Kidd). The transitions have gone remarkably well with a few bumps and remain on schedule.
Our longstanding tradition of caring about people with disabilities and their families will continue. Some changes will go smoothly, and some may not. We will be at every step to help those we serve and their families through whatever transitions are necessary. I am counting on everyone to keep the best interests of people with disabilities and their families at the forefront as we walk through this together.
Alice C. Pavey
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Rost School Gives Back to Community
The students and staff at Rost School have come together to help those in need. Since the beginning of the school year, students in Kathi Spiller's class have been helping Sissy's Pantry.
Sissy's Pantry, a ministry of Oak Hills Methodist Church, which is just a few blocks from the school, engages with the community by serving others while collecting and distributing clothing, food and personal items to all who are in need, said Christopher stated using a prerecorded voice output device (VOD).
"We wanted to help those who have different needs than ours," added Nathan, one of the students who volunteers, using a VOD.
The staff was inspired to help the students find volunteer opportunities that could possibly lead to employment. In November, they gathered food to donate around Thanksgiving.
Samantha said, by using a VOD, her class made greeting cards and decorative tiles to sell, and her classmate Paige added, by using a VOD, "with the money we make, we purchase non-perishable items for the pantry."
Spiller said the decorative tiles and greeting cards had some holiday themes, but the main focus was on pieces you can use throughout the year including local sports themes.
"We are involving all the students in the building in various ways including donating clothing, food, and working one day a week at the pantry," she said.
Other classes in the building are also helping collect items for the pantry, including loose change to buy first-aid supplies or winter hats and gloves.
In February, the students put together bags of beans for bean soup. "We will be using a switch that will hold 1 cup of beans, and the student can activate a switch, and the beans will be poured into the bags," said Parth with a VOD.
Students will also collect peanut butter, jelly, juice, and snack bags in the spring so Sissy's Pantry has extra food for the summer break.
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- Empowering Families Symposium & Vendor Fair. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, March 4, at the Xavier University Cintas Center. Families can access community resources, learn information and network with others facing similar challenges.
here to register.
- Support meeting for parents of children who have behavioral challenges and/or an intellectual disability. 6:30 - 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 8 at Hyde Park Library, 2747 Erie Ave. Facilitator is Laura Srivorakiat, a psychologist at The Kelly O'Leary Center for Autism, who provides treatment for families who have children with co-occurring developmental concerns and behavioral challenges. More details on the Autism Society website
- CILO Life Series: Smoking Cessation. 11 a.m. to noon. Thursday, March 10 at Center for Independent Living Options, 2031 Auburn Ave. Click here for the flier and registration details.
- Family & Friends Night featuring STARS talent show. 3-5 p.m. Saturday, March 12 at Springdale Nazarene Church, 11177 Springfield Pike. Ted Kremer, famous batboy of the Cincinnati Reds, will be the celebrity judge and will perform an act as well. Click here for the flier or here to register for the free event.
- CILO Life Series: Eating Healthy on a Budget. 11 a.m. to noon. Tuesday, March 15 at Center for Independent Living Options, 2031 Auburn Ave. Click here for the flier and registration details.
- The Arc of Ohio Spring Conference. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 30 at Hollywood Casino in Columbus. Click here for the agenda and registration details.
- Incline to the Finish Line 5K. 9 a.m. Saturday, April 16 at St. Joseph Home in Evendale. Click here for registration and other details.
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