Community Connections Newsletter | |
|
Check out what's new this issue!
- Holiday Dance Party
- Sensory Friendly Movie Featuring "A Christmas Story"
- Kairo's Kids
- Lyft Election Day Voucher
- EmpowerMe Living Survey
- Sensory Inclusive Experiences
- Ohio's Peer Mentorship Project Seeks Mentees
| |
|
Speak Up Food Drive
Tuesday, September 24 - Friday, November 1 from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Speak Up is kicking off their food drive in benefit of Fairfield Food Pantry! You may drop off non-perishable food items at the Janet Clemmons Center beginning on Tuesday, September 24 – Friday, November 1 any time between 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday through Friday! The most common food needs are: Peanut Butter, Canned Fruit and Vegetables, Macaroni & Cheese, Cereal, Snacks, Spaghetti & Sauce, Canned Meats (Tuna, Chicken, etc.), and Dried Pasta & Rice! Give back to your community with our Speak Up self-advocacy group!
| |
|
YMCA Camp Campbell Gard Open Enrollment 2025
Begins now
Open enrollment is open now! A deposit of $100 (non-refundable) is required. The final payment is due on Thursday, May 15, 2025. Visit the website for all the details! You may also call their office at 513-867-0600 for assistance!
| |
|
Future is Now
Tuesday, November 12 and Thursday, November 14 from 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
The Future is now is a two-part series designed to help caregivers and their family members make plans for the future. Throughout this journey of discovery, we will guide families in creating their own letter of intent. A letter of intent is a non-legal document that captures family desires and goals for the future. Creating a letter of intent can help families gain peace of mind that comes with having a plan.
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!
| |
|
Join the Speak Up Self Advocacy Group!
Tuesday, November 26 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.
| |
|
Holiday Dance Party
Thursday, December 5 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Join us and the GE Band for our Annual Holiday Dance Party! The dance will be held at Redeemer Church located at 3431 Hamilton Middletown Road in Hamilton, Ohio. The cost will be $1 and you may pay at the door. Light snacks and drinks will be served! Space is very limited so be sure to RSVP to Jenny Mann at jamann@butlerdd.org by Tuesday, November 26.
| |
|
Sensory Friendly Movie Featuring "A Christmas Story"
Thursday, December 12, doors open at 9:45 a.m.
Celebrate the holidays with us by attending our Sensory Friendly Movie showing of "A Christmas Story" at the Fitton Center! We’ll turn up the lights and lower the speakers so participants can get the movie-theater experience without feeling overstimulated! Doors open at 9:45 a.m. Please RSVP to Jenny Mann at jamann@butlerdd.org by Monday, December 9.
| |
|
YAH! Young Adult Hangout
Saturday, December 14 from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Meet new friends and connect with your peers at the YAH! Young Adult Hangout located at 1325 E Kemper Rd, Suite 104, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45246! Enjoy delicious food, fun games, and much more! Doors will open at 10:30 a.m. General admission is $10. Event is for adults 18 years of age or older. Register today!
| |
|
Virtual Programming for the entire month!
Every single day in October!
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!
| |
|
Autism and WE Peer Support Call
Every 1st and 3rd Thursday from 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
AUTISM AND WE is a collaborative of Parents, Clinicians, Caregivers, and Educators whom all share a common goal. To support, educate and advocate for a unique segment of the population misunderstood, underrepresented, and often forgotten. During the monthly meetings, Autism and WE will present a variety of speakers, trainers, and representatives from various community resources. The goal is to improve the lives of those with Autism and other Developmental Disorders through open forums and discussions. Register for the Zoom link!
| |
|
Speed Friends
Wednesday, November 13 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Do you want more friends? Do you want to meet people who share your interests? Try out Speed Friends! At Speed Friends, you will have a chance to meet many possible friends. Each round, you will be chatting with someone new to see if there is a spark. This format will allow you to expand your social circle. This will be on Zoom. For adults 18 and up. Questions? Contact Ann Myres at 513-703-2138. Register on our website!
| |
|
Advocacy Wednesdays
Every Wednesday at 11:00 a.m.
The Ohio Self Determination Association (OSDA) is partnering with We Thrive Together every Wednesday to talk advocacy! If you are looking for leadership opportunities for members of the advocacy group in your county or region, you can create an opportunity for disability experts (people who live with a disability) by contacting Dana Charlton at osda2011@gmail.com or call 614-563-0788 for more information. Join the meeting via Zoom every Wednesday!
| |
|
Kairo's Kids
Regan Margera a local mother of a child with disabilities and that helps run a non-profit called Kairo's Kids. The organization helps make play more accessible to kids with disabilities. Sometimes this means providing switch adapted toys to families who cannot afford the mark up seen on commercially available adapted toys. Other times this means making custom adaptations such as removing flashing lights for a child with photo sensitive epilepsy. All Kairo's services are provided free of charge to families, teachers, or therapists working with disabled children. Wait times may vary based on availability of funding and volunteer hours. To learn more about Kairo's story or if you are interested in donating a toy, applying for a toy, or volunteering please visit the Kairo's Kids website at https://kidslikekairo.org/.
| |
|
Lyft Election Day Voucher
Everyone has the right to vote. LYFT wants to help you get to your polling station. If you need a Lyft to vote AND do not have access to transportation AND have a disability, Lyft is providing a $20 voucher to help people with disabilities get to the polls. Below to find a ride to the voting polls. You can add the $20 ride code to your app using the code NDSS2024. If you do not already have the Lyft app, click BELOW to create an account and apply the code: https://www.lyft.com/ride-with-lyft?invite=NDSS2024. The National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) worked with Lyft to secure this opportunity.
| |
|
EmpowerMe Living Survey
EmpowerMe Living is investing in data to help solve the housing crisis facing adults with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities (A/I/DD) and their families. EmpowerME is recruiting adults and families to participate in the study. Take the survery!
| |
|
Sensory Inclusive Experiences
Sensory-friendly experiences have become more common as more individuals are comfortable expressing their sensory needs. Explore ways to create enriching, inclusive experiences that benefit everyone at the Accessible Ohio resources page on Sensory-Inclusive Experiences.
| |
|
Ohio's Peer Mentorship Project Seeks Mentees
The Ohio Statewide Independent Living Council's Peer Mentorship Project is seeking people with disabilities to join as mentees. The program is designed to connect people with disabilities across Ohio, offering support, encouragement, and guidance through trained peer mentors. Mentors will help mentees better understand their disabilities, develop self-advocacy skills, and create meaningful connections. Mentees — anyone age 18 or older with a disability — will have the opportunity to be paired with a mentor who shares similar experiences. Whether someone is new to living with a disability, seeking guidance, or wanting to strengthen their advocacy skills, this program is designed to provide a supportive partnership. Ideal candidates for the program are those open to sharing, learning, and receiving feedback. The deadline to apply is December 1. Apply now!
| |
|
DODD Communication Boards
Communication boards help people communicate with others by using symbols, pictures, or photos. They can be used by people to express their needs, preferences, and decisions. Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities has created a collection of communication boards for people to download to allow people with various communication needs to engage in their communities and activities. To see and download more communication boards visit the DODD website.
| |
|
Provider Office Hours
Thursday, November 7, November 21, and December 3 from 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
The Butler County Board of DD will holding 4 trainings/office hours for providers at the Janet Clemmons Center located at 282 N Fair Ave in Hamilton, Ohio. All sessions will take place in Conference Room A.
Session 1 Topic: Documentation
Session 2 Topic: Billing
Session 3 Topic: Documentation
Session 4 Topic: Billing
Contact Amy Winkler at arwinkler@butlerdd.org or 513-785-2876 or Cathy Borders at cmborders@butlerdd.org or 513-785-4680 with any questions.
| |
|
Accessible Free Covid-19 Tests
The federal government is once again providing free COVID-19 tests to households this year. Every US household is eligible for up to 4 tests. Visit COVIDTests.gov to have 4 test kits sent to your home for free. Additionally, there are tests available that are more accessible for people with disabilities (while supplies last). To order the accessible tests visit the website!
| |
|
Take the Ohio DD Council Survey
The Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council work is guided by its Five-Year State Plan. This plan is developed based on input from people with developmental disabilities (DD), their family members, and community stakeholders across the state. They are in the early stages of developing the next Five-Year State Plan for 2027-2031, and the first step is to gather public input through a survey. Take the survey today! It's available in English, Spanish, and Somali, and will be open from October 1 through December 31, 2024.
| |
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! | | | | |
