March 4, 2024

Remembering Dr. Terrence Ryan

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Former Cuyahoga DD Superintendent & CEO Dr. Terrence M. Ryan. Dr. Ryan began his work at Cuyahoga DD in 1977 as Coordinator of Physical Education and served in other roles, including Assistant Director of Instruction, Director of Children’s Services and Assistant Superintendent before assuming the role of Superintendent and CEO in 2002. He retired from Cuyahoga DD in 2013 after 35 years of service to the agency.

Dr. Ryan was a champion for people with developmental disabilities, advocating for changes to our system and pushing us to be innovative in our service model even before innovation was the buzzword it is today. He worked closely with providers, community agencies, and county commissioners to help our agency thrive – and is responsible for the continuing tax levy that we depend on for funding today.

While Dr. Ryan’s accomplishments were many, he would want to be remembered by the way he made people feel. Dr. Ryan was wonderful to be around; kind to everyone, he always had a funny story or anecdote to share. He knew the name of every Cuyahoga DD employee and remembered something personal about each one. He made people around him feel important. Most importantly, he genuinely loved the people that we served, developing many friendships with people with DD that would last a lifetime. Please keep Dr. Ryan’s loved ones in your thoughts during this difficult time.

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

Art by Lee Waters, Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month 2024 A World of Opportunities

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Join us in celebrating the people we support and their achievements.

Ways to be involved during DD Awareness Month:

Follow Cuyahoga DD on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn to stay up to date with our updates during DD Awareness Month.

Cuyahoga DD Awards $202,000 in community grants to support accessibility in Cuyahoga County programs and physical spaces

To support Cuyahoga County arts and culture organizations, libraries, and recreation and leisure organizations in making their programs and physical spaces more inclusive and accessible, Cuyahoga DD has announced community grant awards totaling $202,000. The following organizations will be receiving funding from Cuyahoga DD in 2024 to support their inclusion efforts:

Arts and Culture: ARTFUL Cleveland, Art of Me Productions, Berea Arts Festival, Broadway School of Music & Arts, Dancing Wheels, Future Ink Graphics, LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland, North Pointe Ballet, NPower Services/Rockability, Oh Sew Powerful, Inc., and Valley Art Center

Libraries: Cleveland Heights-University Heights Library and Westlake Porter Public Library

Physical Space and Access: BAYArts, Beck Center for the Arts, City of Independence Recreation, Lake Erie Nature & Science Center, Musical Arts Association dba The Cleveland Orchestra, Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, Parma Area Historical Society, Solon Recreation Department, and University Circle Inc.

Sports and Recreation: City of Bedford Parks & Recreation, Cleveland Metroparks, Empower Sports, Jacobs Ladder Special Needs Fitness, Rec2connect, Special Olympics Ohio, YMCA of Greater Cleveland, and Youth Challenge

Annual Legislative Breakfast

Cuyahoga DD kicked off DD Awareness Month with its annual Legislative Breakfast. This was an opportunity for state elected officials representing Cuyahoga County to meet Cuyahoga DD staff, representatives from Ohio Association of County Boards of DD and local providers (including VGS, Welcome House, Catholic Charities, I Am Boundless, Active Day, UCP of Greater Cleveland and more), and constituents with developmental disabilities. Cuyahoga DD Good Life Ambassadors and Leadership Council members were there, as well as people served by UCP of Greater Cleveland and Welcome House.

Reps. Bride Rose Sweeney (OH-16) and Sean Brennan (OH-14) and Senators Jerry Cirino (OH-18) and Kent Smith (OH-21) attended the event, during which Cuyahoga DD Superintendent and CEO Dr. Amber Gibbs thanked them for their support in the biennium budget and asked for their continued support moving forward.

Women with disabilities with a state rep

Cuyahoga DD Featured in Special Section in March Cleveland Magazine

Cuyahoga DD and the people we serve were featured in the March edition of Cleveland Magazine. Read all about how we create connections for families and independence.

Meet Mike, who started his volunteer activity through the board. Also, learn about how our teams are bringing innovation to housing through tiny homes. Click here to read the digital flipbook.

Cleveland Monsters Sensory-Friendly Game

Cuyahoga DD is a community partner for the Cleveland Monsters sensory-friendly game this month. Click the button below to purchase tickets at a discounted rate.

What: Cleveland Monsters vs. Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins

When: Monday, March 18 at 7 p.m.

Where: Rocket Mortgage Field House

1 Center Court, Cleveland, OH 44115

Tickets

Fundraiser Basketball Game: Cuyahoga County Rockets VS. Cuyahoga DD Tigers

Cuyahoga Rocket basketball players and their coaches holding a sign

Cheer on the Cuyahoga County Rockets (Cuyahoga County’s Special Olympics basketball team) as they take on the Cuyahoga DD Tigers! Proceeds from ticket sales and concessions will be split to support the Rockets and Cuyahoga DD’s Harvest for Hunger campaign.

When: Friday, March 15 at 6 p.m.

Where: Green Road Center, 4329 Green Rd., 44128

Admission: $5.00

In-Person Independent Provider Meet and Greet

Independent Provider Meet & Greet with a graphic of people talking

Meet independent providers (IP) who can support you at our In-Person Meet and Greet. Here you will be able to learn what services, availability and certifications each IP has.

Date: Wednesday, March 6

Time:11:15 a.m.

Where: Cuyahoga County Public Library - Garfield Heights Branch

5409 Turney Rd.

Cuyahoga DD Staff Awards

Cuyahoga DD will be giving up to three (3) employees a Customer Service award at its annual All-Staff meeting in May. We want to hear from YOU – who on our staff provides excellent customer service? Nominate a Cuyahoga DD employee by March 15 below.

Nominate Staff

Become A Library Program Facilitator

Enhance your career by becoming a Library Program Facilitator. If you like to read, want to meet new people and want to promote inclusion, this role is for you. Create positive change in your community in 2024.

This paid, contracted role is open to people with developmental disabilities, ages 18 and older, who live in Cuyahoga County. Applicants should be comfortable presenting to and speaking with a variety of people in the community, individually and in group settings.

Click here to review the full details and requirements. Click the button below to apply by March 22 at 5 p.m.

Application

On-Demand Library

On-Demand Video Library with the circular icon of play video

Cuyahoga DD surveyed people with developmental disabilities, their families, and caregivers about topics important to them. Based on survey responses, we created various videos featuring Cuyahoga DD experts.

You can come back to these videos at any time to learn about Cuyahoga DD supports and services and how we can meet your needs. Videos will be added all year long.

Partnering with Exodus Pro Wrestling

Get ready for the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) Exodus Pro Wrestling Ides of March at When In Rome event.

Cuyahoga DD is offering only 50 discounted tickets at $5.15 each using the code cuyahogadd. Click here for a step-by-step to use the code. Click the button below to purchase your tickets.

Event details:

Date: Friday, March 15

Time: Doors at 6:05 pm, Bell at 7:05 pm

Location: The Treelawn

15335 Waterloo Rd.

Cleveland, OH 44110

Once the 50 tickets are purchased, the discount code will no longer work. At the time, tickets can be purchased at full price. Learn more about Exodus Pro Wrestling by visiting their Facebook page. For questions, contact Morgan, Community Development Specialist at McParland.Morgan@cuyahogabdd.org.

Tickets

Family Supports Program and the 2024 Summer & Beyond Directory

Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio State Support Team Region 3 has released its 2024 Summer & Beyond Directory. Click the button below to view the directory.

Cuyahoga DD's Family Supports Program can provide summer camp assistance to eligible individuals. To find more information regarding the program and our easy online application click here. If you are already enrolled in the Family Supports Program and need assistance with the camp application process call 216-736-2947.

Contact your Support Administrator to explore camp funding. New to Cuyahoga DD? Learn about the eligibility process by visiting our website.

2024 Summer & Beyond Directory

Cleveland State University RISE Program Informational Nights

The Reciprocal Inclusion Student Experience (RISE) program is an inclusive post-secondary education opportunity for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The program will allow students to earn industry-recognized certificates to increase their independence, career readiness, and quality of life.

To learn more if this program is right for you, join a virtual Wednesday Informational Night from 6 - 7 p.m. Click on the date below to attend a meeting.

March 20

Seeking Participants for Psychology Study

Grace Blatt, Good Life Ambassador and Cleveland State University Psychological Sciences MA student is conducting a psychology study for her graduate thesis.

What?

They seek to investigate differences between autistic and non-autistic individuals in their ability to perceive and reproduce time intervals.

Who?

Autistic and non-autistic individuals
Must be 18 - 40 years of age
Must be able to independently operate a computer

How?

All participants will be entered to win one of three Amazon gift cards ($30.00 each)
CSU students enrolled in a psychology class that requires research participation will also receive 1 research credit
This study will be conducted online
Will take approximately 45 minutes
Email g.blatt@vikes.csuohio.edu for more information and to participate

Online Resource Guide to Inclusive Places, Jobs and Events

Discover inclusive places, jobs, and events near you on our Online Resource Guide. Our community experts verified organizations and places as part of our All Means All initiative, ensuring they are inclusive and accessible.

Find your perfect job match with our Workforce Development team's assistance, as they can connect you with local businesses. Don't miss out on year-round fun events, both virtual and in-person, to build connections and experiences.

Check out the places, jobs and events listed in each category below to learn more.

Making the Most of the Inclusive Booklist Webinar

child and mother smiling while reading a book

Each month we share books with inclusive stories, messaging, and representation. We want to inform parents how to make the most of this inclusive booklist with their children.

Join a free webinar on Tuesday, March 19 from 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. to learn how to promote diverse developmental disability representation in your child's literature.

Hear from Corrie Locke-Hardy, Founder of The Tiny Activists; Kelly Bullock, Founder of inclusivestorytime.com; Natalie Bota, Disability Resources Librarian at Westlake Porter Public Library; and Ryan Hoffman and

Brigid Balogh, Cuyahoga DD Library Facilitators.

We Want to Hear from You!

Supporting Staff Survey

Have you recently interacted with Cuyahoga DD staff as part of receiving services and supports from the board? Please let us know how we are doing. Complete the short survey below for each staff member you worked with.

Survey

Shout Out Your Provider

Providers play an important role in the lives of the people we serve. Now is your chance to recognize them for all the amazing work they do. Complete the form below to shout out the provider that supports you. The shout-out may appear on Cuyahoga DD's social media pages and e-News.

Form

March 19 Primary Election

The March 19 Primary Election allows voters to determine which candidates compete in the general election in November. It is also a chance to make choices about various government offices and local levies and issues. Review FAQs about the March 19 Election here.

Important Dates:

3/17: Voting in-person at the Board of Elections ends at 5 p.m.
3/18: All Vote-by-Mail/Absentee ballots must be postmarked on or before this date and received at the Board of Elections on or before 3/23/24 to be counted.
3/19: Election Day at polls from 6:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
3/19: All Vote-by-Mail/Absentee ballots returned in person must be received at the Board of Elections by 7:30 p.m. to be counted

Ensure you are ready to vote at the November 5, 2024, Presidential General Election by registering to vote or updating your address by October 7 here.

Prepare for the Total Solar Eclipse

On Monday, April 8, starting at approximately 3 p.m., Northeast Ohio will be in the path of a total solar eclipse. A total eclipse occurs when the moon appears to totally obscure the sun. Click here to learn from NASA about the solar eclipse. Join in on the viewing fun at the Great Lakes Science Center at the three-day Total Eclipse Fest.

Safe Eclipse Viewing

It is never safe to look directly at the sun without the appropriate eye protection. It is safe to view the eclipse with specially designed “eclipse glasses.” Homemade filters and ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for looking at the sun. Viewers should ensure they have appropriate eyewear for eclipse viewing.

What to Expect

On the day of the eclipse, many communities in the path of the eclipse will see heavy tourist traffic. We encourage people to view the eclipse from open spaces closer to home if possible. If you do decide to view the eclipse in your community, be sure to plan ahead. Click here to view the Ohio DoDD Solar Eclipse resource.

Cuyahoga DD Employee Spotlights

Sue smiling bright while holding a painting

Sue Madal, HR Information System Administrator

“Working in HR allows me to assist our staff with their questions as quickly and efficiently as possible, enabling them to do the wonderful work they do every day.”

Barbara Boswell,

Health Services Coordinator

“I enjoy the cohesiveness of staff can be seen when all the subject matter experts pull together and positively change lives.”

Provider Spotlight

A parent of a person we serve wants to shout out instructor Brittany from Rec2Connect Foundation.

"We absolutely love Brittany! She is patient, kind, supportive, inclusive, and always pushes our daughter to reach her potential," said the parent. Their family is very appreciative of Brittany's time and energy. They believe as an instructor, Brittany has made a huge impact on the quality of their daughter's life. Swimming lessons have become their child's favorite night of the week.

Learn more about Rec2Connect at rec2connect.org.

Books with Inclusive Stories, Messaging, and Representation

These books are inclusive in their messaging, stories and representation. These books are joyful, fun to read, and selected from an anti-bias and anti-racism perspective. Check out these books at your local library.

Read Aloud, 0-8 Years