Family and Advocate Forum Sept.12

Join us for our quarterly meeting with individuals with I/DD, their families and advocates. The meeting is on Tuesday, September 12, from 9:30-11:00 a.m. at our headquarters in South Toledo.

The Family & Advocate Forum is a quarterly event hosted by leadership of the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities. It provides an opportunity for individuals served by the Board and their families, advocates, and providers a chance to have a conversation about topics pertaining to the Board and the DD community. Guest speaker for the September meeting will be Alaina Bowers, External Affairs Manager for the office of Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague. You can attend in person or online via the Zoom link, found here. Light breakfast will be provided!

Special Olympics Fall Sports Registration CLOSES TODAY!

Have some fun with Lucas County Special Olympics this fall! See the latest newsletter here. Registration for Flag Football, Walking Group, Healthy Athletes, and Powerlifting closes today. Click here to register! Please note, to participate in a sport, you must be at least 8 years old, reside in Lucas County, have a qualifying diagnosis and have a current Special Olympics medical form on file with our office. (You do not have to be receiving services from the Board.) Click here to download the New Athlete Packet for Special Olympics.

Little Lightning Golf Clinic Registration is OPEN

Lucas County Special Olympics' Little Lighting program is offering free youth golf clinics! Three dates available (October 6, 20, November 3). Must register, space is limited. First come, first served. For individuals with special needs, ages 8 - 16 years old. (They do not have to be receiving services from Lucas DD to attend.) Clinics will take place from 5 - 6:30 p.m. at First Tee in Toledo. All equipment will be provided! Clinics are weather permitting; if there are any changes, you will be notified. Click here to reserve your spot.

Roll and Stroll on tomorrow

Please join Sunshine Communities for the 26th year of their annual Roll and Stroll! Everyone is welcome to come and create community, as they support people with developmental disabilities, on their beautiful Maumee campus. This free family-friendly event is on September 9 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Enjoy activities like food trucks available for food purchases, music, kids' activities, a scavenger hunt on the boardwalk, and more! No registration required. For full details, click here.



Recovery is Beautiful Festival tomorrow

Celebrate Recovery Month with Mental Health & Recovery Services Board of Lucas County! They are having a Recovery is Beautiful festival, which is free and family-friendly, on September 9 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.! You'll find face painting, bouncy houses, snacks, music, games and more! No registration required. Click here for full details.

Toledo TOPSoccer on Sunday

The Toledo TOPSoccer Program is a free program that offers soccer for anyone (ages 5+) facing special cognitive, physical and/or emotional challenges, including those who are blind, confined to a wheelchair, and those who have autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, or other conditions that impair mobility, strength, and/or comprehension. Free soccer sessions this month are on September 10 and 24 from 2 - 3 p.m. Registration required. Click here for more information and to register.

Free Sound and Vibration Therapy

Avenues for Autism is offering free sound and vibration therapy sessions, on September 10 and 13. Registration required. Click here for full details.

SALUTE Meeting on Monday

SALUTE, Lucas DD's self-advocacy group, will have its monthly meeting from 5:30 - 7 p.m. on September 11. You can attend in person at our Larc Lane Center or via Zoom. Guest Speaker this month is James Kesler, Occupational Therapist and Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist, who will bring a modified vehicle, used in driver’s training, with him for demonstration. Questions or want the Zoom link? Contact Deetra Mitchell at 419-380-5141 or dmitchell@lucasdd.org. Click here for full details.

ODCY Regional Family Listening Session on September 11

The newly created Ohio Department of Children and Youth invites you to a Regional Family Listening Session in Maumee from 6 - 8 p.m. on September 11. State leaders need your help making plans on how the agency should function and be structured to better serve children and families. Your opinion and ideas are crucial. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for you to make a difference in helping leaders create this agency to better meet your needs. Must RSVP- child care, meal, and stipend provided.  Click here for full details.

Dad Support Group begins September 12

Do you desire to improve your relationships with your children, partners and family? Mercy Health is featuring a new, FREE 24/7 Dad group that will help you learn how self-awareness, self-care, and positive fathering skills can lead to better relationships and a healthier, happier life. Participants receive a $20 gift card for each session attended. Dinner and childcare provided. This is a six-week course that meets on Tuesdays from September 12 to October 17. Please park behind Fresh Wind Church and enter through the back door. Click here for full details. To register, contact Tammy McKittrick by emailing Tamara_McKittrick@mercy.com or calling 419.251.2469

Sled Hockey Webinar on September 13

Join Adaptive Sports of Ohio for their Rookie Series, a series of webinars each month where they will provide an introduction to one of their upcoming adaptive sport programs! Intro to Sled Hockey will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 13. During this webinar, you'll get an overview of the sport, learn about Adaptive Sports Ohio's upcoming programs, and have a chance to ask questions to Adaptive Sports Ohio staff. Click here for more information.

Teen Game Night on September 14

The Ability Center invites you to a TRIVIA and GAME NIGHT with pizza! Gather together for fun, food, laughs and lots of games! There will be trivia, video games, cards and board games. This FREE event is from 6 - 8 p.m. on September 14 and is just for teens, from 13-17 years old. Must register. For questions, contact Laurie Kimura at Lkimura@abilitycenter.org or 419-885-5733 ext. 145. Click here to register.

Play Group and Parent Talk on September 15

Weather permitting, from 10 - 11 a.m. on September 15, the Ability Center is having this event at the Inclusive Playground Perrysburg Rotary Community Park. Rain/bad weather location is the Heatherdowns Library. Ideal for families with children 6 and under. Everyone is welcome to this accessible and sensory-friendly experience. Call Jennifer at 419-855-5733, jengelmann@abilitycenter.org if you have any questions or concerns. Click here to sign up.

Glass City Glow-Tacular on September 16

Light up the night with glow skating, rock climbing, mountain biking, paddling and more at this family-friendly event at Glass City Metropark from 7 - 11 p.m. on September 16. Metroparks outdoor skills experts will be on hand to guide you as you discover your next outdoor passion – regardless of ability. This is an inclusive event and staff are trained and ready to make accommodations. A quiet and low sensory zone will be available at the Glass City Pavilion. Metroparks outdoor skills experts will be on hand to guide you as you discover your next outdoor passion - regardless of ability. Registration not required. For more details, click here.

Special Education Free Legal Clinic on September 18

The Special Education Legal Clinic (a collaboration between Disability Rights Ohio, the Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children With Disabilities, and AW Law) offers parents and guardians an opportunity to meet with a special education advocate or attorney in an open and welcoming environment to ask questions and discuss specific challenges related to education. Clinic staff members and volunteers will help guide parents and guardians through the special education process and provide resources to request and secure special education services. The Clinic includes a group workshop followed by a Q&A panel from special education professionals. Attendees participate virtually. Free 30-minute individual guidance sessions with attorneys are available for scheduling as well. The topic for September 18 from noon - 1 p.m. is Transition Planning and Section 5 of the IEP by OCECD. Click here to reserve your free spot.

Parent Advocacy Training Series begins September 19

Mercy Health is offering a Parent Advocacy Training Series on Tuesdays between September 19 - October 24. Sessions run from either 9-11 a.m. or 12:30-2:30 p.m. Participation is free and space is limited. Registration is open now! Please contact Tammy at 419-251-2469 or tamara_mckittrick@mercy.com to register. Click here for full details.

Lucas DD Common Ground Social Group on September 19

Lucas DD's Common Ground and Friend Network is for people 18+ to gather together and build lasting, sustainable friendships and connections. The two meetings were a wonderful success! The last gathering for this session is at our Larc Lane campus on September 19 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Stay tuned as additional dates will be announced. If you are interested in joining this group, please click here to sign up today! (If you previously registered, there is no need to re-register.) Questions? Contact your SSA or click here to email Deb Tyree.

People First of Toledo meeting on September 21

People First of Toledo, affiliated with Courageous Community Services and People First of Ohio, invite you to a Self-Led Disability Advocacy Group on September 21 from 6- 7:30 p.m. at the Ability Center. Engage with your community, learn self-advocacy skills, meet other people like you! At this month's meeting, healthy relationships of all sorts will be discussed: romantic, platonic, familial, and even professional. Meetings are $5 (or $50 for 12 months) and open to everyone. Questions? Click here to email Quinn Thomas. Click here to see more from People First of Toledo.

Best Buddies Buddy Match Up on September 22

NOW is your chance to register for Best Buddies, which is an international, nonprofit program designed to empower the special abilities of people with IDD by helping them form meaningful friendships with peers, secure successful jobs, live independently, improve public speaking, self-advocacy and communication skills, and feel valued by society. The University of Toledo's Best Buddies chapter has monthly social events and more! Program is for individuals ages 18-30 years old. Buddies will be matched up on September 22 at 5:30 p.m. Click here for full details. Click here to register.

Family Fun Day on September 23

The Ability Center is having a Family Fun Day on September 23, from noon - 3 p.m. Experience a fun-filled afternoon with the whole family at this inclusive event. Bounce houses, bubbles, music, face painting, tree climbing, art activities, story time, snacks, a fire truck, and more will be at The Ability Center’s campus. Learn about their family services and network of support. Families with and without disabilities encouraged to attend. Click here to RSVP.

Family Fall Outing on September 24

The Down Syndrome Association of Greater Toledo's (DSAGT) Family Fall Outing is on September 24 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Fleitz Pumpkin Farm. Registration and parking are FREE and DSAGT families will receive coupons for the day's festivities upon arrival. Don't miss out! Click here to register. 

Lucas DD Monthly Board Meeting on September 25

The monthly meeting of the Board of Directors of the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities is on September 25 from 5:45 p.m. The meeting is at Lucas DD's Larc Lane Training Center, 1155 Larc Lane (Entrance O) in Toledo. The public is welcome to attend this in-person only meeting.

Phoenix Residential Talent Show September 26

The "Keepin' It Real" talent show is back! This talent show is not just for Phoenix Residential clients. Practices take place on Thursdays at the Phoenix Residential office from 6p-8p. Click here to purchase tickets online. Tickets are $5 but the first 200 sold are $3. Click here for full details.

Young Adult Game Night September 26

The Ability Center invites you to a TRIVIA and GAME NIGHT with pizza! Get together for fun, food, laughs and lots of games! There will be trivia, video games, cards and board games. This FREE event is from 6 - 8 p.m. on September 26 and is just for young adults, from 18-24 years old. Must register. For questions, contact Laurie Kimura at Lkimura@abilitycenter.org or 419-885-5733 ext. 145. Click here to register.

Autism Play and Parent Support Group on September 27

Avenues for Autism is having their Autism Play and Parent Support Group at Sylvania Playland on September 27 from 4 - 6 p.m. This is a space for children to explore and socialize in a supportive environment while parents connect. Cost is $5 per evening. Click here to register. 

Sibshops on September 30

Does your child with special needs have a sibling, aged 8-16 years old? This free group is just for them! Sibshops provide young brothers and sisters with peer support and information in a lively, recreational setting. The next meeting kicking off the fall season is on September 30, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 3939 Wrenwood Rd, Toledo. To register, click here. For more information, click here.

SAVE THE DATE!

Lucas DD's second annual Trunk or Treat will be on October 25! If you love costumes and candy, you'll want to be there! Click here for full details.



Lucas DD is having a Transition Summit on November 8! Stay tuned if you are curious about the transition process and/or are around the transition age (16-20 years old). Click here for more details.

International Literacy Day is today!

Today (September 8) is International Literacy Day. Do something a little extra this month to celebrate the importance of literacy. The Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI) has a number of free literacy resources relevant to Early Intervention. This includes books featuring deaf/hard of hearing and blind/visually impaired characters and topics, children’s books about autism, and the OCALI lending library. And there's Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Ohio for children 5 and younger. Click here to enroll.

Ohio Afterschool Child Enrichment Educational Savings Program

The ACE application window for the 2023-2024 school year is now open. The Ohio Afterschool Child Enrichment (ACE) Educational Savings Account program provides qualifying families with a $1,000 credit per child. These funds can be used to pay for a variety of educational activities designed to help accelerate learning for children impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Stipends are available for all students in Ohio ages 6-18, whose family makes at or lower than 300% of the poverty level. Click here to learn more or apply.

EmpowHer Expressions Fall 2023 Applications 

The Disability EmpowHer Network is excited to open applications for EmpowHer Expressions, our public speaking and career coaching program for disabled women to improve their public speaking skills and confidence in order to achieve career goals and succeed in the working world. EmpowHer Expressions is an 8-week virtual program with regular assignments, weekly 30 minute 1-on-1 mentor meetings, and virtual class periods every Monday 7 - 8:30pm EST starting Oct 23. Participants in EmpowHer Expressions learn about and practice important soft skills including perfecting elevator speeches, presenting to various stakeholders, answering and asking tough interview questions, and negotiating their salary and benefits. We also cover disability specific topics like disclosing disability at work and how to ask for reasonable accommodations. Applications close September 20th at 11:59pm EST. Click here to apply.

TutorSmart Registration is open

TutorSmart enrollment is now open! The Toledo Library has once again partnered with TutorSmart to provide free tutoring and homework help for grades 1-6. Tutoring is offered at ten Library locations. Spots fill quickly, so enroll your child today. Click here to enroll your child.

Baby Talk for Children under 6 years old

Do you live in Lucas County and have a child under 6 years old? The YWCA Child Care Resource and Referral Baby Talk Program may be of interest. Baby Talk is currently accepting new families. Baby Talk offers monthly socialization days, which give families an opportunity to network with one another in a safe environment. There are many fun and engaging hand activities that help parents and children grow together, which aid in a child's development and with parenting skills. To register, click here. For additional questions, please contact 419-255-5519 extension 161 or email LMcCullers@ywcanwo.org.

Special Olympics Ohio Needs Volunteers

The State Softball competition is right around the corner on Saturday, September 16! Special Olympics Ohio is in need of some AMAZING volunteers at the William P. Coontz Recreation Complex in Oregon, OH for the State Softball Tournament and Skills Competition. Must be 14+ years old, some positions require experience. Click here to check out the available volunteer positions.

Chromosome Disorder Outreach Seeks Artwork for Calendar

CDO is ready to create the 2024 Calendar. They are looking for original works of art by CDO members. They love to see and try to include everything! Please send a jpeg or photo file to kelly.paulson@chromodisorder.org. Include the artist's first name and age when the piece was created. The deadline is Friday, September 15. Click here to see last year's calendar.

Do you have eyeglasses, sunglasses or hearing aids that you don't use?

The Maumee Senior Center is now a site to drop off your used eyeglasses and hearing aids gathered by the Lions Club. Drop off at 2430 S. Detroit Ave, Maumee, anytime between 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Monday - Friday.

Share your Story with Sunflower Conversations

While it's easy to feel that your story can't possibly make a meaningful difference, the truth is that it can influence individuals and the wider community. Whether you or someone you care about has a disability (invisible or not), you can empower others and encourage people to support them by sharing your experience. Check out the Sunflower Conversations, and if they impact you, share them with your friends and family. If you want to share your experience, click here to send an email.

Ohio Provider Resource Association (OPRA) needs a front cover design

Would you like to be featured on the front cover of OPRA's Fall Conference Program? Please submit your artwork to Melissa Fannon, OPRA Events Manager at mfannon@opra.org. Deadline is September 15. Good luck!

Partners for Inclusion Krispy Kreme Fundraiser

From now through September 25, 2023, 50% of your order will be donated back to Maumee Valley Partners for Inclusion when you purchase via our fundraising sales page! Simply buy online, visit your local store & redeem using your code. Treat yourself or even gift them to friends and family. Click here to get your doughnuts!

Walk to End Alzheimer's Needs Volunteers

Can you spare some time to help the Walk to End Alzheimer's at Promenade Park in Toledo on October 14th is a success? Several positions need to be filled, from set up to cheering to tear down. Click here to learn more about volunteering positions.

Video of the Week

Have you heard of Lifetown? This is an interesting concept that has been brought to life by a few people who are passionate about individuals with special needs getting the experiences they need to be successful in life. Check it out here.

Quote of the Week

"Don't just go through life. Grow through life."

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