John's usual--
Just a reminder that CLI's June Summer Youth programs start after this week. These programs offer high school students the opportunity to explore different job/work types such as retail or custodial or food service or perhaps another sector. It's a good option for high school students to help them think about what they intend to do after graduation. There is a real need to reach out to students and their families even earlier around middle school age. If Ohio really is to be an "employment-first and we really want to help young people reach their potential in terms of personal choice, earnings, and independence– then we as a system need to do a better job educating parents about what resources will be available to their kids after graduation. That is not happening right now.
Unless Ohio undoes the current laws which prohibit segregation in favor of employment-first, and community-integrated services– sheltered workshops will not be an option for people. Philosophically, this might be ok because sheltered workshops often trade safe predictability for underemployment. This may be comfortable, but it does hold people back in many ways. However, sheltered workshops are not the only way that people with DD can be underemployed. I have 2 kids and we’ve been talking with them about what they want to do when they grow up since they were in elementary school. This discussion is more than just what job they want, but about what life they want. This process should be aspirational. Settling should come later.
I think that our system would be much better if we reached out to parents of kids with developmental disabilities much earlier-- so that when they have those conversations with their kids, they have a clear idea of the resources that they can expect and they can advocate within that framework effectively. Love them or hate them, sheltered workshops provided full first-shift coverage. This is a key point not just for families of people living at home, but also for people who live on their own with shared shared residential staff. It is much more affordable when people living together need staff at the same time.
Sorry for the tangent, but it's been very much on my mind lately as we try to straddle the gap between the community-based mandates vs. the facility based funding. Back to the month of June-- please be patient as CLI’s transportation services in June might be just a bit off schedule as we stretch to cover those extra Summer Youth services.
You can find more information in the bowling flyer below-- Kenilee Lanes will be offering special open bowling hours and bowling camps during the month of June to make sure that we have IRL experience for the Summer Youth participants who have chosen that site to be their CLI work experience.
We’re still taking names for people interested in a boat ride with All Ports Yacht Club at Venetian Marina on Friday, June 17th. This is always a fun day that starts with a powerboat cruise around Sandusky Bay, then an awesome lunch before they send us on our way with lots of swag. We'll be sending more information home with people a week or so ahead of time. For those of you who normally don't spend your day with CLI because you have a job in the community-- if you want to go with us on the 17th-- we'll probably have some extra spots. Let us know.
And-- another reminder that June 24th will be our 1st of 4 cornhole tournaments with prizes going to each individual winning team and for the series. The final Saturday event on September 24th will include a chili cook-off & reverse raffle tickets. We'll be selling those raffle tickets all summer for $25 each. We'd love to have your family & friends join us for these, but if you want to participate and need CLI supports to make that happen-- let us know.
I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend. Have a great week!
John