April 2021
Empowering people with disabilities to lead independent and inclusive lives in the community.











A Message from Our Executive Director


Dear Friends,

CILO has spent the past few months planning for our first Ohio Youth Leadership Forum to be held June 14-18 via Zoom. This is an incredible opportunity for youth with disabilities (incoming juniors and seniors) in Southwest Ohio.

Our forum is one of eight forums taking place across Ohio. We have already lined up several excellent presenters for the program that will focus on areas such as goal setting; self-advocacy; community leadership; technology; citizenship; and the experience of disability and independence.

Learn more by attending one of our two virtual outreach events this month (see flyer here). There is no charge for this program thanks to the generous support of Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) and the Ohio Statewide Independent Living Council (OSILC).

For additional information about eligibility and registration, please contact Jeanne Menke, Site Coordinator, at 513-338-5101 or by email. Stay tuned to our social media channels as well for updates.

As always, I want to hear from you. You may contact me by calling 513-338-5100 or by email.

Regards,

Rob Festenstein

P.S. I once again have a $10 Starbucks gift card to the first person to contact me by email indicating you have read my message. 

Download the Youth Leadership Forum flyer here.
CILO Needs Your Opinion!
 
CILO is committed to providing quality and innovative services that promote independent living for people with disabilities. In order to identify the issues and services important to people with disabilities in Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky, CILO needs your help!

Please fill out our two short, online surveys on Advocacy Needs and Independent Living Skills and Peer Support Needs. Tell us what YOU think are important independent living and advocacy needs CILO should work on for people with disabilities this year and in the future! Your response is appreciated by May 1, 2021.
 
If you have any questions, or would like a paper version of the survey or other accommodation, please contact Patrick Ober, Disability Rights and Advocacy Specialist, at 513-241-8046 or by email.
 
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CILO Services Spotlight: SOAR Program

CILO is happy to announce that we now have two staff trained and certified through the SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access and Recovery Program (SOAR). Funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), this program assists individuals who are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness and have a serious mental illness, medical impairment, and/or co-occurring substance use disorder to apply for the Social Security Administrations's (SSA) disability programs: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). These services are currently only offered to consumers in Ohio.

To learn more contact Patrick Ober, Disability Rights and Advocacy Specialist by calling 513-241-8046 or by email.

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From our Partners at Housing Opportunities Made Equal:

Join Housing Opportunities Made Equal on April 22 and 23 for “Fair Housing: Accessibility, Design, and Construction” a 2-day summit featuring experts in a variety of fields discussing the ways in which the law, technology, design, and more contribute to creating the best homes for people with disabilities. Continuing education hours for social workers pending. 
 
HOME will also take this opportunity on April 22 to present Charles Judd Founder’s Award to local housing advocate Mr. Brian Garry.

Register here: 
 





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