|
Congratulations,
Class of 2016!
Both Fairfax and Rost schools held graduations this week. Isaac, pictured above with Educational Administrator Rob Moody, was one of seven Fairfax graduates.
Parth, pictured above with teacher Kathi Spiller and Director of Integrated Services Matt Briner, was one of three Rost graduates.
Special thank you to Board Member Paul Haffner for speaking at the Fairfax graduation ceremony and to Hamilton County Commissioner Dennis Deters for speaking at the Rost graduation.
Videos of both ceremonies are on the schools' respective Facebook pages, or you can click on the pictures to watch. We'll share more pictures soon on Facebook!
|
Disability Rights Ohio has received many questions about the timing for their lawsuit against the state of Ohio and recently issued a second fact sheet.
Click here to learn more
.
A lawsuit was announced at the end of March against the state of Ohio, Ohio Dept. of DD, Ohio Dept. of Medicaid, and Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities. Read more in this article from The Columbus Dispatch.
|
Have an unwanted electric sewing machine, in good working condition or needing minor repairs? The machines will be used for a future sewing class for individuals working in the adult centers.
If you want to donate your sewing machine or have questions, contact Mayla Ates at 513-559-6837 or
by email.
|
|
Kidd's Got Talent
Kidd Center was filled with talent May 19-20 during the Kidd Idol performances that included everything from singing and dancing to telling jokes or playing instruments.
In the pictures below, Jim Dwyer shows off his piano playing chops and Julia Doyle channels her inner rock star as she sings Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'."
We'll share more pictures on Facebook soon!
|
|
Coming Soon: A redesigned Reflections newsletter
Thank you to everyone who took time to fill out the Reflections survey. We are working on the new design and plan to unveil an updated newsletter with the June issue.
|
|
|
From the Superintendent
In her most recent column, Superintendent Alice Pavey gives an update on how HCDDS is preparing for the future.
"One area of intense focus is the adult centers. In several other counties, community providers of services have assumed operation of adult centers, which is called privatization. In the last few weeks, we have stepped up the exploration of a community agency coming in to operate the centers."
We've asked for providers to submit qualifications to take over the three remaining adult centers. The Request for Qualifications (RFQ) was made public on May 26. See below for more details.
Click here to read Alice's column about the RFQ process and our future, published earlier this month.
|
| The RFQ process started with the release of the notice by the Hamilton County Purchasing Department May 26. All contact by interested providers must go through representatives of Hamilton County. Any provider interested can access the RFQ in the following ways:
- Visit Bidsync.com (free registration with Hamilton County ONLY)
|
Disability inclusion in the workplace
The House Small Business Committee May 19 held a hearing about employment for people with disabilities. Testimony came from (pictured above) Terri Hogan, a Cincinnati entrepreneur; Joe Steffy, who owns a gourmet kettle corn business in Kansas; Lisa Goring of Autism Speaks; and Rajesh Anandan of ULTRA Testing in NY. We
captured some of the conversation using Storify.
Read the testimony or watch the hearing by
clicking here
.
Earlier that week, Franks Adult Center conducted a business brunch and tour aimed at increasing  awareness about customized employment and hiring people with disabilities.
In the picture to the left, Mollie Jimmar, manager at Franks Adult Center, shows adapted work equipment to Harriet Greene and Tom Braun from the City of Cheviot and Kate Doyle, of Impact Innovation at the University of Cincinnati.
The final business brunch is scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 14 at Beckman.
Email Nathan Beck or call 513-559-6852 to RSVP.
|
|
At the end of April, the Hamilton County PTA Association hosted its annual dessert reception and awards ceremony at Bobbie B. Fairfax School in Madisonville.
Cyndie Imfeld, cultural arts teacher at Rost, was honored as Educator of the Year for Hamilton County DD Services; Chad Hale, adapted physical education teacher for Rost and Fairfax, was awarded the Special Education Scholarship; and both Elimane Seck, a student at Rost, and Robby Fessler, a student at Fairfax, were awarded the Vocational Readiness Scholarship.
Congratulations to all!
|
Upcoming Events
- Fishing Derby for people with DD. 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 4 at the Hamilton Optimist Club, 567 Beissinger Road. Click here for more information.
- Common Threads Network. 9 a.m. to noon Monday, June 6, at Crossroads Mason, 990 Reading Road. Topic is setting the course for a good life, with guest speakers Lori Horvath of the Ohio Dept. of DD, and Gary Tonks, Executive Director of The Arc of Ohio. Click here for the flier and here to register. Free for families.
- Opening Reception of ROYGBIV. 5-8 p.m. Thursday, June 9, at Visionaries & Voices, 3841 Spring Grove Ave. The show, curated by Linda Kunick, runs through July 22.
- Assistive technology session for caregivers. 7-8 p.m. Friday, June 10, or 2-3 p.m. Saturday, June 11, at the Apple Store in Kenwood Towne Center. Free session for families about the latest technology tools to assist in enhancing communication. RSVP to [email protected]. Space is limited.
- Wampler's Ascent Encore Screening. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 14, at Kenwood Theatre. Tickets are $10 and can be bought online. Steve and Elizabeth Wampler will participate in a Q&A session following the film, which documents Steve's attempt to be the first person with a disability to climb El Capitan in Yosemite.
- HCDDS Board Meeting. 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 14, at the Support Center, 1520 Madison Road.
- The ARC of Ohio Summer Conference. Begins at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 29, at Hollywood Casino near Columbus. Topics include ABLE accounts in Ohio, waiver updates, and other issues. Click here for registration and agenda details.
|
|
