This is the weekly newsletter from the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities
January 27, 2012
- Superintendent John Trunk addresses rumors
- Advocates tout new Ohio special needs scholarship
- Almost 300 athletes are expected to compete in the Ohio Special Olympics Winter Meet
- Jewish Disability Awareness Month
- Practical Solutions Follow up workshop on the Discovery Process for Customized Employment
- Rec Jam is February 15
- More upcoming events
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1.
Superintendent John Trunk addresses rumors
The following letter was sent today to families and caregivers from John Trunk, Superintendent:
Happy New Year. As we begin the new year, we see many opportunities in our community for the individuals served by the Board. However, this new year is bringing with it some unprecedented challenges, as well. As our administration works to identify these challenges and to develop solutions to rectify them, I have become aware of several rumors that are circulating through “the grapevine.” As part of my commitment to keep everyone informed and updated I would like to respond to some of the issues that I am hearing.
We’ve heard that the Board is planning to make huge cuts. Is it true? There is no doubt that we are facing significant budget challenges. During the past couple of years we have lost millions in federal, state and local funds. It is a trend that is likely to continue. We have planned carefully and have been successful stretching our Fund Balance. However, given greater cuts than expected and the changes with Medicaid funding, we are using up our fund balance much quicker that expected. The fund balance is used to extend our levy. This year alone, we will spend millions more than we get in revenue. As a result, I have been instructed by the Board to design a plan to reduce the deficit spending. Over the next several months we will be looking for ways of reducing our expenses without jeopardizing services. The reality of our finances is difficult to face, yet easy to interpret. If we do not begin making changes in how we do business now, we will be out of funds in 2-3 years and then forced into a position of needing to make drastic changes. We have always maintained a frugal budget, but now we are going to look even deeper into the budget to identify ways of operating more efficiently, eliminating duplication of effort, and increasing the utilization of community resources to reduce expenditures over the next 3 years. We know this will not be an easy task and will require the involvement of not only my administrators, but also the staff, families being served, and our community.
We’ve heard that Holland is closing. Is it true? There are no plans to close Holland at this time. More than 250 people are supported in that location.
We’ve heard that all production is being moved from Holland. Is it true? One proposal under consideration is to shift the “production work” to Hill and to offer those at Holland the opportunity to move to Hill. The service model for people choosing to stay at Holland would involve exploring new opportunities for people to do things that are meaningful to them and meet their needs. This might include more community outings, more personalized skill development, volunteer work, etc.
We feel like we always hear things through the grapevine. Where can we turn for accurate information? It is my intent to keep open and honest communication a priority. That means sharing our successes (and we have many to be proud of) as well as the difficult news when necessary. During the next several months I will do the following to improve the amount of information available to families: • Include updates in the weekly Friday Update e-mail sent out by Lon Mitchell (If you are not receiving the Friday e-mails and would like to be on the mailing list, please send your e-mail address to Lon Mitchell at
); • Provide additional written updates such as this one; • Record messages that will be included on our website www.lucasdd.org; and • Include regular updates as part of my monthly Family and Advocate Forums.
My next Family and Advocate Forum will be on Tuesday, February 14, at 9:30 a.m. in the Administration Building, 1154 Larc Lane. Attendance at the forums is open to family members, providers, advocates and citizens interested in services for persons with developmental disabilities. I try to keep a relaxed atmosphere that allows for lots of questions and answers.
As stated earlier, we face some rather significant financial challenges that will require some difficult decisions. However, the Board and all of the staff remain committed to working together with families and the community to maintain a system that provides quality services now and into the future.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
Sincerely,
John J. Trunk Superintendent
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2.
Advocates tout new Ohio special needs scholarship
Advocates of expanding school vouchers in Ohio are touting a new state program that awards scholarships to students with special needs to help pay tuition at private or public schools that would better serve them.
School Choice Ohio pushed for the scholarship's inclusion in the state budget that took effect this past July.
The scholarship amount is based on the severity of the student's disability, but couldn't exceed $20,000. State officials will likely begin accepting applications next month for the 2012-2013 school year.
Eligible students must be between the ages of 5 and 22, and identified by the public school district as having a disability.
The money could be used to support the student at another school or participating provider if the student's public school couldn't cover needs.
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3.
Almost 300 athletes are expected to compete in the Ohio Special Olympics Winter Meet
Almost 200 athletes from around Ohio, including Lucas County, are expected to participate in the 30th annual Special Olympics Ohio State Winter Games, to be held Wednesday and Thursday, February 1 and 2, at Brandywine Ski Resort, in Peninsula; at the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, in Brecksville; and on the Kent State University campus, in Kent. Competition will be in Alpine Skiing, Nordic Skiing, Speed Skating and Figure Skating.
Opening Ceremonies are scheduled February 1 starting at 5:15 p.m. at the Clarion Inn and Conference Center, in Hudson. Opening Ceremonies are followed by an awards ceremony for Alpine and Nordic Skiing events, which are held earlier the same day, and a dinner and dance.
Alpine Skiing events are at Brandywine. Time trials are Wednesday at 10:45 a.m. Finals in the glide and slalom events are Wednesday at 1:45 p.m. Finals in the unified giant slalom, giant slalom and downhill events are Thursday at 9:30 a.m. Presentation of awards for Thursday’s finals events is the same day at 11:30 a.m.
Nordic Skiing events are at the Cuyahoga Valley National Park’s Ledges Area. Time trials are Wednesday at 11 a.m., with finals in the 100-meters being held the same day at 1:45 p.m. Finals in the three-kilometer, 500-meter, one-kilometer and unified race are Thursday at 9:30 a.m. Presentation of awards for Thursday’s finals events is the same day at 11:30 a.m.
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4.
Jewish Disability Awareness Month
The Jewish community is celebrating Jewish Disability Awareness Month in February and wants to extend an invitation to your constituents to our program on Sunday, February 12 to hear author/editor Tom Fields-Meyer who documented his journey with his autistic son, Ezra, in his moving book,
Following Ezra: What One Father Learned About Gumby, Otters, Autism, and Love from His Extraordinary Son. Full of hilarious stories and touching moments, Following Ezra is a testament to the power of humor and love to overcome obstacles and bind a family. Tom’s book focuses not on an illness but a relationship, celebrating the rich, textured life that emerges from a father’s choice to embrace, love and follow his unique son. Tom Fields-Meyer has been a writer and journalist for more than 25 years. He spent twelve years at People Magazine as an associate editor and senior writer, specializing in human-interest stories and profiles of newsmakers. Previously, he worked as a news reporter and feature writer for the Dallas Morning News and was a senior editor at the Chronicle of Higher Education. Feedback from other communities that have brought Tom in to speak have given him rave reviews. The first 50 registrants will receive a free copy of his book which he will sign after his talk.
The program will be at Temple Shomer Emunim, 6453 Sylvania Ave., Sylvania, OH. Registration required by Monday, February 6 to Jill Lane at 419-724-0354 or
.
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5.
Practical Solutions Follow up workshop on the Discovery Process for Customized Employment
Date: Mar 28, 2012; Time: 6:30 - 8 pm; Location: Lucas County Board of DD Family First Zone, 1155 Larc Lane, Toledo, OH 43614. Cost: This is a free session, but you must pre-register with the Autism Society of Northwest Ohio.
Download the registration flyer.
This workshop will be a follow-up to the workshop on customized employment with Joe Steffy (Poppin' Joe's Kettle Korn) and family. Jen Benfeldt of the Lucas County Board of DD will discuss the Discovery process that she uses to help develop customized employment for individuals with autism or DD.
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6.
Rec Jam is February 15
Join us at the Friendship Park Center (2930 131st, Toledo, OH) from 7 - 9 PM for a fun night of dancing and socializing. Cost is $3 at the door, no registration required.
See the attached flyer for details.
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7.
More upcoming events
Focus Group for caregivers, county board staff, providers about relationships, dating and sexual health for individuals ages 26+ on January 31 at 2:30 pm.
Flyer attached.
Another in the Accessible Communities Education Series will be Feb. 17.
Read the attached flyer. This series is sponsored by the Lucas County Board of DD, the Ability Center and the Lucas County Commission on Disabilities.
Ohio Public Images (OPI) and the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) again will collaborate with other statewide organizations to host the annual Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (March) Kickoff Event at the Ohio Statehouse Atrium in Columbus on March 1, 2012, from 10 a.m. – noon.
People First of Ohio Conference, "Blazing New Trails," March 22-24, at Robert's Convention Centre, Wilmington, Ohio. Who should attend? SSA's, providers and other professionals, families, County Board staff, and self advocates. CEU's will be awarded for trainings. Registration materials available via U.S. Mail and on the People First website at
www.peoplefirstohio.org, or by calling (740) 397-6100.
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