Advocate Diana Mairose gave testimony about the state budget during an Ohio Senate hearing earlier this month. Her testimony, which you can read here, was given on behalf of the Ohio Self-Determination Association.
Mairose is president of that statewide organization.
In related news, The Arc of Ohio is hosting a session for families and professionals about various aspects of the state budget including Medicaid, waivers and independent providers.
The session is June 25 at the Hollywood Casino in Columbus. Find registration and other details by clicking here.
Ohio's Statehouse News Bureau recently aired a story about the state budget and shifting strategies for providing care for people with disabilities. Click here to listen to the story.
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Upcoming Events
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An Enemy of the People. Theatrical play open to people with and without disabilities. Rehearsals are 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. on various dates in June at the Friendship Methodist Church, 1025 Springfield Pike. Performances are July 12 and July 17.
Click here for more information.
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Group Story Time. 10 - 11 a.m. Saturdays, June 13 to July 25. Community Room at the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati. For ages 4-7 years old. $20 fee for six classes.
Click here for details.
- Disaster and Preparedness Training for People with Disabilities and their Caregivers. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 13 at Cincinnati Children's Liberty Campus, 7777 Yankee Road. Click here for registration details.
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The Arc of Ohio state budget update session. 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, June 25. Hollywood Casino in Columbus. Topics include independent providers, Medicaid and waivers.
Click here for registration details.
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Kristee Griffith, Tanya Godbold and Robert Shuemak recently talked to students during Career Day at Hays Porter Elementary, which is part of Cincinnati Public Schools.
Ohio Sen. Cecil Thomas also participated that day.
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Agency earns CARF re-accreditation
Strong advocacy efforts and quality services earned Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services another three-year accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).
 The review covered everything from accessibility to strategic planning, with a focus on community integration, service coordination and transition services.
"Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services (HCDDS) shines as a proactive, rather than just reactive, entity. It leads, instead of lags, among its peers in the field of services and advocacy on behalf of persons with disabilities," the final accreditation report states.
"The organization cares deeply about the persons it serves, and its staff members are on a constant quest for more effective services with ever higher levels of excellence." Surveyors cited the format of representing the rights of people with disabilities and Leaders in Action, an advocacy team composed of people with disabilities and an agenda of inclusion, as two examples of exemplary conformance to CARF standards.
Read the full CARF report on our website. |
| Basketball and bonding "Hey, Jimmy!" yells a voice from the indoor track above the gym at the College Hill Recreation Center. "How you doin'?" calls back James Ferguson as he heads down the ramp to the gym floor, where players are in the middle of an intense pick-up basketball game.  Ferguson, who attends Beckman Adult Center, has been coming to the games since early spring.
"I love coming here and I love basketball," he said. "I like to watch them play and I hang out with my brother sometimes." It began as just another activity during the week, said Direct Support Specialist Lairamy Wiley, but Ferguson has been making friends and meeting people at the open gyms. He also had a chance to reconnect with his brother, who works at the rec center. Dwayne Wilkins, who helps organize the weekly games, said Ferguson keeps score, brings Powerade for the wining team, and sometimes helps referee. "He's been a resident of College Hill and knows the guys in the neighborhood," Wilkins said, adding it was easy for Ferguson to become part of the regular group. Roman Hill, who also plays in the basketball games, said it's great to have Ferguson around while they play. "He's like family," Hill said. "We got love for him and respect him." 
James Ferguson, center, with his group of friends at the College Hill Recreation Center. |
 Congratulations to Linda Kunick! She graduated from the Teaching Artist Program at
Visionaries and Voices
earlier this month!
Linda is an advocate and started working for Hamilton County DD Services last year after retiring from Envision (formerly Resident Home).
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Annual Pasta Dinners
Both the Margaret B. Rost School and the Bobbie B. Fairfax School held their annual pasta dinners this spring and fun was had by all!
Click on either picture to see more photos from the events.
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What questions do you have?
With changes touching almost every aspect of Ohio's DD system, many people have questions about what the future holds. Now is your chance to ask.
Superintendent Alice Pavey will answer your questions about what is happening at the federal, state or local level. Her answers will be recorded and posted on our website and social media sites.
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Did you know Hamilton County DD Services has a blog
focused on employment ?
It features success stories highlighting individuals' contributions to the workplace, as well as ideas for businesses and people with disabilities.
Click here to read the blog.
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