Regional Smart Home now open
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Pictured: Shirley Riggs, Executive Director of the Southwestern Ohio Council of Governments, Lisa Guliano, Superintendent of Butler County Board of DD, Dan Ottke, Superintendent of Clermont County Board of DD, and Alice Pavey, Superintendent of Hamilton County DD Services. Photo by Warren County Board of DD.
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Our regional Smart Home highlights how technology, such as two-way talk devices, pressure mats and stove sensors, can alert staff who can support a person from a remote location. Remote support helps increase independence for people with developmental disabilities while also ensuring health and safety.
"We wanted to develop a space that would offer individuals, professionals and community members an opportunity to have a hands-on experience with the technology available through the remote support service," said Allison Leedy, a service and support administrator supervisor for HCDDS.
It has four living spaces - a kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and living room - that showcase various technology available for people interested in remote support services and assistive technology.
The Smart Home is located at 412 S. East Street in Lebanon. Guided tours are open to the public and others who are interested in learning more about remote support services and assistive technology.
Tours available
Wednesdays through June.
This project is a collaboration among HCDDS, Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Clermont County Board of DD, Total Homecare Solutions and Rest Assured, and was made possible thanks to generous support from The Ohio State University Nisonger Center.
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DD Awareness Month
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March has been busy with celebrations for DD Awareness Month.
Our 30-second commercials highlighting our services and people we support are airing now on Local 12.
Click here to see the HCDDS commercial.
We also had a wonderful opportunity to chat with Sheila Gray, a Local 12 anchor, about how we help support people so they can fully participate in their community. Big thanks to Lisa Davis from the Clermont County Board of DD and Beth Lohner and Susie Prigan, who receive services from HCDDS, for representing us! You can watch the interview by clicking the image above.
This month we're also celebrating our partnerships with local museums. We participated in events at Cincinnati Museum Center and the Cincinnati Art Museum to share information about our services and their accessibility programs, which make our community more inclusive for all.
Our last DD Awareness Month event is at the Contemporary Arts Center. From 10 a.m to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 30, we'll be part of ArtsWave Days and the Family Festival, a day filled with family-friendly activities, including a scavenger hunt and art-making in the UnMuseum, an interactive gallery space.
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New initiative
Providers are critical to supporting people with DD in our community. This year, we are increasing our efforts to highlight the work of local providers and are planning to feature submitted photos and stories on HCDDS social media pages.
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Beckman Center Turns 40!
Our Board recognized the Beckman Center for 40 years of dedicated service to the community at the Mar. 12 meeting. Beckman opened in 1979 in Colerain Township when the state institution for people with DD closed.
A framed resolution will be presented to Active Day Beckman at a celebration on Thursday, April 4.
Click here for details about the anniversary open house.
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State budget proposal includes DD initiatives
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Gov. Mike DeWine recently unveiled his proposal for Ohio's biennial budget. The proposed state budget includes a number of issues related to the developmental disabilities system, such as a pay increase for direct support professionals.
"In this biennium, we will provide a critical increase in wages to the people who provide the hands-on delivery of care. These people are everything to our system. Without them, our system does not exist," said Jeff Davis, director of the Ohio Department of DD.
"We also will invest in Early Intervention, modernize our transportation rates to increase access to communities and employment, and work with our stakeholders to develop better ways to serve youth with complex needs. This budget puts us on a pathway to achieve these priorities and initiatives."
Click the image to watch a video of Director Davis explaining the budget initiatives or click here to read his full testimony before the Ohio House of Representatives' Finance Committee.
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TechSummit 2.0
The Ohio State University Nisonger Center is hosting a TechSummit on Friday, Jun. 21 in Columbus. Hear from families and experience innovative technology to help support people with DD.
For more information, please visit their website
here
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Family Leadership & Advocacy
The LEND program is accepting applications for family members who would like to participate in leadership and advocacy training.
Click here
to learn more about the program and how to participate. Applications are due by May 13.
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- Transition Bootcamp: IEP Preparation & Participation. 6 p.m. Thursday, Mar. 28 at Children's Hospital. Learn how the transition plan will prepare your young adult for postsecondary life. For information, please click here.
- Southwest Ohio Family Engagement Series. 9 a.m. Mar. 27-28 & Apr. 24-25 at the Montgomery County Board of Developmental Center. Unlock your strength, build a foundation, and learn skills to manage family stressors. For information, please click here.
- Paper Bag Puppets. 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Mar. 28 at V+V Visionarium. For more information, please click here.
- Special Needs Family Night. 6:30 p.m. Friday, Mar. 29 at the Green Township Branch. Families with children and youth with special needs are invited to a special night at the library to experience activities in a stress-free accepting space. Click here for information.
- Sensory Friendly Cincinnati Ballet Aladdin. 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Mar. 31 at the Cincinnati Ballet. Enjoy a sensory friendly performance of Aladdin. For information, please click here.
- Visions for Accessibility in the 21st Century. 6:30 p.m. Monday, Apr. 1 at the Mayerson JCC. Join us for an engaging conversation with disability rights activist and lawyer Emily Seelenfreund, and Cincinnati Council member P.G. Sittenfeld. For information, please click here.
- Home Think Tank. 10 a.m. Wednesday, Apr. 3 at HCDDS. Learn about using technology to create a smart and safe home. For information, click here.
- The Future is Now.9 a.m. Thursday, Apr. 4 & 11 at Starfire. Both sessions are planning sessions for families with an older caregiver. For more information, please click click here.
- Empowering Families Symposium 2019. Friday, Apr. 5 at Xavier University Cintas Center. Save the date for this workshop and resource fair. For more information, click here.
- Special Education Law and Advocacy: A Workshop with Carla Loon Leader. 6:30 p.m. Monday, Apr. 8 at the Mayerson JCC. Anyone with questions about IEPs, 504 plans, extended year services or just daily school services should attend. For information, please click here.
- Positive Art Workshop & Chat. 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Apr. 11 at the Cincinnati Art Museum. Open to people with and without disabilities who want to create art and learn about the museum. For more information, please click here.
- Bobbie B. Fairfax School Spaghetti Dinner. 5 p.m. Friday, Apr. 12 at Fairfax School. Join us for games, food and raffles! For more information, please click here.
- Addressing Mental Health Concerns among Individuals with ASD. 9:15 a.m. Monday, Apr. 15 at LADD. This training provides an overview of co-occurring mental health disorders among individuals with ASD. For more information, please click here.
- Transition Bootcamp: Educational, Training & Vocational Options after High School. 6 p.m. Monday, Apr. 15 at Children's Hospital. Booster sessions provide information on the transition from school to adult life for youth with disabilities. For information, please click here.
- LIFT Caregiver Training (Formerly SOAR). 6 p.m. Wednesday, Apr. 17 at CVG Airport. LIFT is designed for those on the autism spectrum to provide airport familiarization and encouragement to travel by air. For more information, please click here.
- Care Connections: Understanding DDBP & Community Support Options. 5:30 p.m. Monday, Apr. 22 at Children's Hospital MOB. Learn about the resources available within the Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. Please click here to learn more.
- Connect: A Program for Adults with Developmental Disabilities and Caregivers. 9 a.m. Saturday, Apr. 27 at the Cincinnati Art Museum. A guided tour on the fourth Saturday of the month. For more information, please click here.
- Su Casa Health Fair. 12 p.m. Saturday, Apr. 27 at AMIS School. Please see the attached flyer for information on the various health screen opportunities available.
- Margaret Rost School Spaghetti Dinner. 5 p.m. Friday, May 3 at Rost School. Join us for games, food and raffles! For more information, please click here.
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