News, Views and Notes A bimonthly newsletter from Kelly A. Petty, Superintendent & CEO  This first edition of the new year contains information on how our youngest citizens, our children, are getting a strong start in life, thriving in school and preparing for graduation, competitive employment and community membership. Be sure to review the information on Healthy Start, the county's health insurance program, and CCBDD's Cuyahoga Campership Program. News, Views & Notes

DD Awareness Day at the Ohio Statehouse Every year Ohio celebrates March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness month. The 2018 DD Awareness and Advocacy Day’s theme is Comm unity and is being held on Wednesday, March 7 at the Ohio Statehouse. (You can watch the event live at: http://ohiochannel.org/live/special-events . ) The purpose of this event is to educate and empower people with developmental disabilities, their family members and other community allies to come together on a single day to advocate policy issues which impact the lives of people with developmental disabilities. Visit us on Facebook ( www.Facebook.com/CuyahogaBDD ) each day during the month of March as we highlight 31 inclusive places and events in our community.

Reminder: It's never too early to begin planning for summer- Cuyahoga Campership Program  CCBDD’s Cuyahoga Campership Program assists individuals who do not have a Support Administrator* or who are not enrolled in the Family Supports Program** with the cost of attending a summer camp. To access the Cuyahoga Campership Program: Select and register with any camp that meets your needs. Complete and submit the Cuyahoga Campership Program application prior to attending the camp. CCBDD will not fund any camp that has not had prior approval. The application is available HERE. CCBDD will review your application and will inform both you and the selected camp if your application was approved or denied. The maximum campership amount is up to $700 per individual for the camp season. Campership funds are distributed on a first come, first served basis. * If you have a Support Administrator, please contact him/her to explore camp funding options.  ** If you are enrolled in the Family Supports Program, please contact NEON at 1(800) 237-6828 to explore camp options. Click on the image below to access the 2018 Summer and Beyond Directory. This handy resource contains helpful information on day and residential camp programs, recreational and arts programs, therapeutic programs, and so much more.

Next hiring event planned for March 22 at Hyland Software The Employment Collaborative of Cuyahoga County is hosting its second hiring event of the year on March 22 at Hyland Software (28500 Clemens Rd. in Westlake) from 10 AM to 12 PM. This is a great opportunity for people with developmental disabilities who are interested in competitive employment to interview with local businesses eager to hire and promote an inclusive workforce. If you or someone you know with disability is interested in attending, review the information on the image to the right and be sure to register. Registration is required: Call (216) 931-7348 If you know a business that might be interested in enhancing the diversity of its workforce, contact the Collaborative at EmploymentCollaborative@cuyahogabdd.org or (216) 931-7348. Photos from the February 20 hiring event at Quicken Loans Arena:

Interested in improving your public speaking and presentation skills? CCBDD's Good Life Ambassador Training Program offers hands-on instruction to assist advocates (people with developmental disabilities) develop presentations and improve communication skills. Participants learn different ways to share topics of interest with various people and groups in the community. Participants also receive a flash drive with their presentation(s) and contact cards. Day and evening hours are available. There is no cost. Space is limited. RSVP soon. Click HERE For more information.

Mobility News by the Northeast Ohio Mobility Coalition Learn about updates on the Coordinated Public Transit- Human Service Transportation Plan and other timely mobility topics impacting Northeast Ohio. Click HERE for the Winter 2018 edition.

Fix the List. campaign underway People with developmental disabilities and their families have repeatedly stated that Ohio's waiting list for Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers is overly complex and in need of simplification. The current waiting list confuses people with developmental disabilities and their families, misleads advocates, and hinders efforts by policymakers to direct resources to where they are needed most. To better serve Ohioans with developmental disabilities, a group of coalition members has been collaborating for more than 15 months to modernize Ohio's failed Medicaid Waiver waiting list. The coalition believes that replacing the current system will greatly improve the way Ohio's waiting list for HCBS waivers operates. Click Fix the List to learn more and watch an informational video- "The Waiting List is Broken."

ProviderGuidePlus: Families helping families learn about local provider agencies A sibling shared this comment on ProviderGuidePlus about the provider agency that supports his brother: “Every time I visit my brother at his group home, he is clean and nicely dressed, calm and content. The staff stay for years, providing the stability of long-term relationships for my brother. Every weekend and more, when possible, they take him and his roommates on outings, to parks, for ice cream, clothes shopping for them, the barber, and nice restaurants." Do you have experiences about your provider agency that can help others? Click on the image to the right to rate your provider or read the reviews others have shared.

Coming Up!

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March Events Calendar Like us on Facebook. Watch our videos on YouTube. Learn more at our website.