February 19, 2025

New This Issue...

Check out what's new this issue!

• Pigabilities Meetup
• Launching Best Buddies Citizens in Butler County
• Attend DD Community Talks
• Cookies & Connections: Shared Living & Respite Services
• SALT Talks: Social Security Benefits - SSI and SSDI, Payee - Part 1
• SALT Talks Lunch & Learn: Understanding Medicaid & MBIWD
• SALT Talks: Social Security Work Incentive Benefits Part 2
• The Arc of Ohio Young Adult Hangout Group
• The Abilities Group Open House
• Signs with Stella
• Respite Care in Southwest Ohio Survey

Participate in the Wear Orange Campaign!

DD Awareness Wear Orange Campaign

Taking photo entries until Monday, March 31

Developmental Disability (DD) Awareness Month is a nationwide movement that raises awareness about inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all aspects of community life, and the barriers that people with disabilities still face. Although DD Awareness Month doesn't begin until March, we thought why not start celebrating now with the "Wear Orange" social media campaign! Orange is the national color for DD Awareness month because it symbolizes both energy and positivity. From now until Monday, March 31 we will be accepting photos of those in the community who are wearing orange in support of DD Awareness Month! To participate in this campaign, please send a photo or photos of you and/or individuals you support in the DD community with the name of those in the photo/s and why DD Awareness Month is important to Cassie Mattia at cqmattia@butlerdd.org.

Join the Speak Up Self Advocacy Group!

Tuesday, February 25 from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Join the advocacy group Speak Up sponsored by the Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities! Everyone can be a self-advocate! Meetings occur once a month at the Janet Clemmons Center and are focused on ways to advocate for yourself and your community. If you have any questions please contact Courtney Hineman at crhineman@butlerdd.org or Lynn Goodwin at mgoodwin@butlerdd.org.

Pigabilities Meetup Schedule

Beginning on Sunday, March 2 - Sunday, April 27 from 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

March 2nd - LeBlond Rec Center; 2335 Riverside Drive

March 9th - Theodore M. Berry Friendship Park; 1135 Riverside Drive

March 15th - Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens; Registration is required for this meetup. Register today!

March 16th - LeBlond Rec Center; 2335 Riverside Drive

March 23rd - Theodore M. Berry Friendship Park; 1135 Riverside Drive

March 30th - LeBlond Rec Center; 2335 Riverside Drive

April 6th - Theodore M. Berry Friendship Park; 1135 Riverside Drive

April 13th - LeBlond Rec Center; 2335 Riverside Drive

April 20th - No Group Meetup

April 27th - LeBlond Rec Center; 2335 Riverside Drive

To learn more and register for the Pigabilities race, which is on Saturday, May 3 at 1:00 p.m. visit the website!

The Future is Now; March Series

Tuesday, March 4, Wednesday, March 5, Tuesday, March 11, and Wednesday March 12 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Create a plan for your loved one so their care continues when you are no longer able to provide it. Each session offers an opportunity to learn more about important topics!

Who? Parents, caregivers, individuals with developmental disabilities, and siblings are encouraged to attend as a family unit.

How will it work? Sessions will be hosted by people with a passion for helping individuals and families prepare for the future. Participation is limited to eight families per session. You MUST attend all sessions within the series.

Where? The Janet Clemmons Center 282 N. Fair Ave., Hamilton, OH 45011. A meal will be provided. Registration must be completed 1 week before the session begins! Please contact Lisa Tirey at ltirey@butlerdd.org or 513-785-4667 if you have any questions. REGISTER TODAY: https://www.butlerdd.org/events/the-future-is-now-march-session/

Launching Best Buddies Citizens in Butler County

Thursday, March 13 from 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Join us for a happy hour to re-launch Butler County Citizens Chapter and kick-off the 2025 Friendship Walk at Third Eye Brewing in Hamilton! Best Buddies Citizens supports the development of friendships between adults with and without IDD in corporate and civic communities. We are excited to make one-to-one matches for adults in our community! If you are interested in being part of a Citizens match or want to come see what Best Buddies Citizens is all about, please join us for this happy hour. Food will be provided, and drinks can be purchased on your own. For questions or concerns, feel free to email AlanaLorts@bestbuddies.org.

Cookies and Connections: Community Safety - DATE CHANGED

Tuesday, March 18 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Join us in learning practical tips on community safety, water safety, and wandering prevention. This session will take place at the Janet Clemmons Center located at 282 N. Fair Ave. in Hamilton, Ohio. Register on our website today at https://www.butlerdd.org/events/cookies-and-connections-community-safety/.

Attend DD Community Talks

Tuesday, March 25 from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Join DODD for Developmental Disability (DD) Community Talks, an exciting in-person series held across Ohio! These events allow people with disabilities and family members to network, share experiences, and learn about resources. Attendees will meet others in their region, share their perspectives in ‘table talk’ discussions, and connect with DODD teams and resources. Butler County will hold their DD Community Talk at the Butler Educational Service Center in Hamilton. To learn more and register, please visit DODD’s events page and select the event you’d like to participate in. 

Best Buddies Friendship Walk

Saturday, April 12 from 10:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

The Best Buddies Friendship Walk is the leading event in the country supporting inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Join more than 50,000 participants at 80 events across the globe to support the Best Buddies programs in schools, workplaces, and communities. You’ll be making the world more welcoming to people with IDD — one friendship, one job, and one life-changing connection at a time. This year's Cincinnati Best Buddies Friendship Walk will be held once again at Marcum Park in Downtown, Hamilton, Ohio. Once registered for the walk, you’ll gain access to your personal fundraising page that you can personalize and keep track of your fundraising efforts. Individuals who raise $50 or more will receive our exclusive event t-shirt on walk day! Check in for the walk begins at 10:30 a.m. Best Buddies is also looking for sponsors for the walk! To create a team, register for the walk as an individual, donate, or become a sponsor visit the Best Buddies Friendship Walk website: https://www.bestbuddiesfriendshipwalk.org/cincinnati/. To share the Best Buddies Walk info or print, download the flyer! Did you miss the walk last year? Check out our video that captured all the memorable moments!

Concert For a Cause

Saturday, April 12 from 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Come join the 5th Annual Concert For A Cause! Get ready to rock out and support housing for individuals with disabilities at FretBoard Brewing Company located at 5800 Creek Road, Cincinnati, OH. Bring your friends and family for a memorable evening of live performances by Abe's Lincoln, and Alyssa Oeder, accompanied by delicious food and drinks! Donations for the cause are being accepted online, and at the door. All proceeds go towards supporting the Inclusive Housing Resources Non-Profit. Admission to the event is FREE. To become a V.I.P sponsor, donate, and to learn more about the Concert For a Cause visit the website!

Cookies & Connections: Shared Living & Respite Services

Tuesday, June 17 from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Join the latest Cookies & Connections workshop! This workshop will focus on personal care and support services that create a family-oriented environment for individuals living in a care provider’s home, including respite services for temporary arrangements. Shared Living Providers make long-term commitments to sharing a home, helping with daily routines, and inviting someone with a developmental disability to be part of their family, resulting in lifelong relationships. This session will take place at the Janet Clemmons Center. Register for the session!*(Parents and other family members can now provide support to their loved ones as a Shared Living Provider. However, they are required to complete the same background check, training, and onboarding as un-related caregivers. Their family member must also have a qualifying Waiver to pay for these services)*

Virtual Programming for the entire month!

Every single day in February!

We have partnered with We Thrive Together and are excited to share their monthly events! Each day of the month We Thrive Together features virtual events that you can register for. Find anything from games to fitness to advocacy! After registering for a virtual event you will receive an email with a link to the event. You may register through the We Thrive Together website or contact Alyssa through email at Alyssa@WeThriveTogether.org or call 1-866-584-5640. Register for an event! Want to know what's going on daily at We Thrive Together? Sign up for text message alerts by texting "wethrivetogether" to (855) 680-2486!

SALT Talks: Socialization, Community Networking, and Advocacy

Tuesday, February 25 from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

SALT Talk is a monthly series that provides learning opportunities, along with resources and guidance, to families of children with disabilities so that they can successfully navigate the transition from school to adult life. During this virtual session keynote speaker, David Gleason, will focus on fun activities and recreation opportunities. All are welcome to attend! CEUs have been approved for those with an SSA certification who attend the full session. If you requested CEUs, you should receive your certificate of completion approximately two weeks after the session. Please email your request to prtpattis@gmail.com. Register for the SALT Talk! For more information on the SALT Talk and registration details visit the BCBDD event page on Facebook!

SALT Talks: Social Security Benefits - SSI and SSDI, Payee - Part 1

Tuesday, March 4 from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

During this virtual session keynote speaker, Tammy M. Disney, Community Partner Work Incentive Counselor, Latosha Olinger, and Cindy Nava will explore and discuss funding sources i.e. waivers. All are welcome to attend! CEUs have been approved for those with an SSA certification who attend the full session. If you requested CEUs, you should receive your certificate of completion approximately two weeks after the session. Please email your request to prtpattis@gmail.com. Register for the SALT Talk! For more information on the SALT Talk and registration details visit the BCBDD event page on Facebook!

SALT Talks Lunch & Learn: Understanding Medicaid & MBIWD

Wednesday, March 12 from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

During this virtual Lunch & Learn session keynote speakers, Latosha Olinger, and Cindy Nava will teach you about Medicaid and MBIWD and how to understand these benefits. All are welcome to attend! CEUs have been approved for those with an SSA certification who attend the full session. If you requested CEUs, you should receive your certificate of completion approximately two weeks after the session. Please email your request to prtpattis@gmail.com. Register for the SALT Talk! For more information on the SALT Talk and registration details visit the BCBDD event page on Facebook!

SALT Talks: Social Security Work Incentive Benefits Part 2

Tuesday, March 18 from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

During this virtual session keynote speakers, Tammy M. Disney, Community Partner Work Incentive Counselor, and Latosha Olinger will talk about how to navigate the SSI and SSDI process, eligibility requirements, understanding both types of benefits and their differences. You will also learn about the appeal process if your application is denied, and the work incentives available and what they offer. All are welcome to attend! CEUs have been approved for those with an SSA certification who attend the full session. If you requested CEUs, you should receive your certificate of completion approximately two weeks after the session. Please email your request to prtpattis@gmail.com. Register for the SALT Talk! For more information on the SALT Talk and registration details visit the BCBDD event page on Facebook!

Swim Safety

Tuesday, May 13 from 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. or Wednesday, May 14 from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

This one-hour class describes important steps you can take to increase your child’s awareness around the dangers of water and provides general swim safety pointers, including how to teach your child to tolerate swim safety equipment. This class is geared towards parents/caregivers of autistic children, but caregivers of children with any developmental delay or disability are welcome to attend. Join virtually via Teams. Tickets go on sale Monday, April 7. This class is free to attend.

The Arc of Ohio Young Adult Hangout Group

Meetings are the 3rd Tuesday of every month from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Join the Arc of Ohio Young Adult Hangout Group every 3rd Tuesday of the month! This hangout group is for adults 18 or older. The hangout will be held at Lakota Family YMCA located at 6703 Yankee Road in Liberty Township. Register today by emailing Jen Powers Alge at jen.powersalge@arcofohio.org.

The Abilities Group Open House

Every Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

The Abilities Group is holding a weekly open house so that individuals interested in learning more about their services can come in person and check it out! The open house will allow those interested to meet the team and see the programs the Abilities Group offers. The open house will be take place at 1371 Millville Ave. in Hamilton, Ohio. Call 513-828-7761 if you have questions!

Signs With Stella

Join Stella in her all-new video as she teaches five signs to express yourself! Watch the video now!

Respite Care in Southwest Ohio Survey

The Butler County Family & Children First Council (Butler FCFC) is partnering with other FCFCs to gather information on the need for and availability of respite care in Southwest Ohio. They will use this information to guide the development of new services and to help inform caregivers of available options. This survey will ask questions about your experiences, needs, and opinions regarding respite care in Butler County. Your responses will help Butler FCFC better understand the availability of respite services, barriers to access, and the demand within our community. The survey will take 10-15 minutes to complete. Take the survey!