This is the weekly newsletter from the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities
May 25, 2012
- Workshop on the new SELF Waiver scheduled on June 27
- Auditors give the Board of DD a "clean opinion"
- Trish Branam appointed to the Lott Industries Board
- State Councils accepting applications
- Art Walks in Downtown Toledo include Shared Lives Studio
- Win a tickets to Cedar Point
- Register for the next Ready-to-Work Academy
- Online Survey to Provide Information Concerning Down Syndrome
- More upcoming events
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1. Workshop on the new SELF Waiver scheduled on June 27
There has been a lot of chatter about the new SELF Waiver which becomes available on July 1. A workshop will be held on June 27 to discuss the new waiver with guest speakers Peggy Martin, Family Advocate with Ohio Department of DD, and Gary Tonks, Executive Director of Arc of Ohio. For more information, please review the attached flier. The workshop will be sponsored by the Autism Society of Northwest Ohio, The Arc of Lucas County, the Lucas County Board of DD, and Maumee Valley Civitan.
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2. Auditors give the Board of DD a "clean opinion"
Independent auditors have given the Lucas County Board of DD what they call a "clean opinion." Again this year, the auditors stated there were "no audit adjustments or management letter recommendations."
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3. Trish Branam appointed to the Lott Industries Board
The Lucas County Board of DD has appointed Trish Branam to the Lott Industries Board of Trustees. Ms. Branam most recently served as the Executive Director of the Toledo Bar Association and is a former member of the Lucas County Board of DD. She served on the Board of DD from 1990 to 1996.
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4. State Councils accepting applications
The Ohio Governor’s Council on People with Disabilities is accepting applications for appointments effective September 1, 2012. The Council exists to: Advise the Governor and General Assembly on state wide disability issues; Educate and advocate for partnerships at the state and local level; Promote equality, access and independence; Develop employment opportunities; Promote the value of diversity, dignity and the quality of life for people with disabilities; Be a catalyst to create systemic change on issues that ultimately benefit all Ohio citizens. Visit http://gcpd.ohio.gov for an application form and details on Council membership.
The Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council (‘DD Council’) is currently seeking applicants for membership. Terms begin January 2013, and applications are due by June 29, 2012. More information about DD Council and membership qualifications is at: http://ddc.ohio.gov/new%20membership.htm
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5. Art Walks in Downtown Toledo include Shared Lives Studio
The Thursday Art Walks will take place on May 10th, June 15th (this Art Walk in on a Friday in conjunction with the Gallery Hop), July 12th, August 9th and September 13th. The Art Walks take place from 6pm-9pm with the exception of the June Art Walk which is from 6:30pm-10:30pm. Art Walks are a great way to explore the Toledo arts scene and purchase original fine art, and/or locally produced and handmade art, crafts, goods and wares. These events are free and open to the public. Visit www.acgt.org for more information.
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6. Win a tickets to Cedar Point
Maumee Valley Civitan is giving away three passes to Cedar Point. The passes are good for all-day admission anytime until Labor Day. To be eligible for the drawing for these tickets, purchase a raffle ticket from any Civitan member or call 419-380-4049 and speak with Mary Pat at Ohio Public Images. Tickets are $2 each or three for $5.The drawing for the tickets will be June 19th. All proceeds will be used to support the development of community-based activities for persons with developmental disabilities.
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7. Register for the next Ready-to-Work Academy
Registrations are now being accepted for the next Ready-to-Work Academy sponsored by the Arc of Lucas County and the Lucas County Board of DD. The Ready-to-Work Academy provides young adults and graduating seniors (ages 17-25) with information and tools about they need to get a job. It will be June 18-28. See the attached brochure.
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8. Online Survey to Provide Information Concerning Down Syndrome
The Ohio State University Nisonger Center is conducting a survey of the health status, and access to healthcare, of adults with Down syndrome. Data from the survey will help the Center learn more about specific risk factors and any special medical needs of adults with Down syndrome. Information obtained by the survey also will be used to look for ways to improve access to healthcare for people with Down syndrome.
Potential participants in the online survey may include parents, caregivers, grandparents, adult siblings, and direct support staff. The survey may be completed only once for each adult with Down syndrome. All answers are anonymous and confidential. The Nisonger Center notes that as a token of appreciation for completing the survey, they will offer participants a $5 gift card to a sporting goods store, and enter the adult with Down syndrome for one chance to win one of three Wii + Wii Fit bundles.
The survey is online and accessible at www.surveymonkey.com/s/DS_Health_Survey For more information, contact Marc Tasse at
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9. More upcoming events
2nd annual 5K Run/Walk to benefit the Autism Society of Northwest Ohio will be June 9 at the Cherry Fest in Whitehouse. This year you can run, walk, build a team to walk and get pledges, or just donate! Start and finish near the Village Park at Cycle Werks Bike Shop, 6760 Providence Street, Whitehouse, OH 43571. Flat & fast 5K course on Village streets and the Wabash Cannonball Trail. To register and for more information follow this link.
An informal night of outdoor fun is planned for June 13 at Toledo Botanical Gardens, sponsored by the Board of DD Community Inclusion Unit. Registration is not necessary and there will be no charge. See the attached flier for more information.
The Lucas County Board of DD in collaboration with the Autism Society of Northwest Ohio is developing a five-week theater workshop for 13-18 year olds to start on June 22. For more information contact Cheryl Roderick at 419-380-5107 or Linell Weinberg at 419-578-2766.
The Fifth Annual Golf Scrambles sponsored by the Spina Bifida Association will be June 23. Read the attached flier for more information.
The annual Josina Lott Lawn Games and Family Picnic will be June 23 presented by Savage and Associates. The race/walk registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. at 120 South Holland-Sylvania Road. Live music by Dan & Don.