Community Connections Newsletter | |
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Check out what's new this issue!
- St. Patrick's Day Fling
- Assistive Technology Fair
- WCPC Community Care Fair
- 2025 Abilities at Bat
- Annual DD Fishing Derby
- SALT Talks: Understanding Funding Sources
- Oxford Library Next Chapter Book Club
- OhioISP Survey
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Pigabilities Meetup Schedule
Meetups are from 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Pigabilities Meetups will cover distances ranging from 0.25 miles to 1 mile along accessible routes. Water will be provided. Open to everyone! Questions? Contact Ann Myres at ann.myres@hamiltonddsohio.gov. 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 Dr. To learn more and register for the Pigabilities race, which is on Saturday, May 3 at 1:00 p.m. visit the website!
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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.
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St. Patrick's Day Fling
Saturday, March 15 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Please join REM Community Services for the St. Patrick's Day Fling at 11530 Century Blvd. in Springdale, Ohio! Activities will include a DJ, photo booth, snacks, fun activities, and games. REM asks that staff or related party accompany the individual to the event. REM staff will be available to host and for all activities. For more information or to reserve a spot email Terry.cooper@sevitahealth.com. Please wait for an email response to ensure reservation.
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Cookies and Connections: Community Safety
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/.
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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.
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Join the Speak Up Self Advocacy Group!
Tuesday, March 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.
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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!
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Assistive Technology Fair
Wednesday, April 23 from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Attend an Assistive Technology Fair at the Wright Memorial Public Library located at 1776 Far Hills Avenue, Oakwood, Ohio. The event is free and open to the public. The Fair will offer a unique opportunity to explore a wide range of assistive devices designed to support people with various disabilities. Attendees will have the chance to learn about the latest advancements in assistive technology and how these innovations can enhance the quality of life for those with disabilities. For questions or accommodations, contact Joel Carson at jcarson@rhadayton.com or (937)865-1459.
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WCPC Community Care Fair
Saturday, May 3 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Join West Chester Presbyterian Church for the Community Care Fair at Fellowship Hall located at 8930 Cincinnati-Dayton Road in West Chester, Ohio! Learn about the amazing helping resources available in our community and enjoy some light refreshments! There will be several community services available for you to connect with at the Fair! To learn more visit www.westchesteroresbyterian.com.
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2025 Abilities at Bat
Saturday, May 24 from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Independence Alliance is proud to again be a participating agency for Abilities at Bat, an event celebrating individuals in the community with disabilities. Don't miss this exciting game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Chicago Cubs with pre-game activities raising awareness of local organizations supporting people with disabilities. Watch for updates on how to purchase your tickets and support Independence Alliance.
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Annual DD Fishing Derby
Saturday, June 7 from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
The Hamilton Optimist Club will be holding the Annual DD Fishing Derby at Joe Nuxhall Way in Fairfield, Ohio! All food, drinks, and bait will be provided. Participants should bring a fishing rod. If participants do not have a fishing rod, one can be provided. All participants receive a prize. Please arrive early to sign up for the fishing derby. Please contact Terry Baker at troscoeb1959@gmail.com or 513-603-0021 with any questions.
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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)*
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SALT Talks Lunch & Learn: Understanding Medicaid & MBIWD
Wednesday, March 12 from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 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 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!
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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!
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Oxford Library Next Chapter Book Club
Tuesday, March 11, April 8, and May 13 from 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., and Thursday, March 13, March 27, April 10, April 24, May 8, and May 22 from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
The Next Chapter Book Club is a place for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to read, learn and make friends. Anyone can participate, whatever their reading or ability level. (Participants who require one–on-one support for behavioral or medical needs must be accompanied by family or caregiver.) The Book Club will take place at the Oxford Library. To register, visit the website and select the date you would like to sign up for!
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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@thearcofohio.org.
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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!
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It's March, Show us Your Orange!
Taking photo entries until Monday, March 31
Developmental Disability (DD) Awareness Month is a nationwide movement in March 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. One of the ways we will be celebrating this month is through our "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.
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OhioISP Survey
DODD invites you to take a survey to express your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions to improve the OhioISP template and process. Share your feedback based on your role in the system. Your input will directly inform updates to the OhioISP. The results of the survey will identify key areas that need to be updated within the standardized OhioISP template to better understand the needs, preferences, and choices of Ohioans with developmental disabilities. Complete the survey online or attend an in-person session to express your thoughts and ideas on improving the OhioISP process.
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We would never be able to do all that we do without our amazing community! THANK YOU for coming alongside us in support of the individuals and families we serve! | | | | |
