January 2025

The start of a new year is an opportunity to recommit to our goals. For Fairfield DD, this means kicking off 2025 with a new three-year strategic plan. The 2025-2027 strategic plan is focused on addressing the needs-based goals of those we support and our community. Titled “Move as One: One Mission, One Team, One Community,” the plan targets the core areas of service and support provided to our community and will serve as a framework for the agency.

To help lead us into the future, we are excited to welcome Dr. Jason Boothe and Mrs. Becky Schaade as the newest Fairfield DD Board members. The Fairfield County Board of DD has a legacy of being led by passionate members of the Fairfield County community. As we welcome Jason and Becky, we also express our gratitude to all of our board members for their service to Fairfield DD.

Together, as we move as one, our board, team members, and you, as community members, will help ensure Fairfield DD continues to move its mission forward and brings about a vibrant community where people lead lives of greater independence and make meaningful contributions. 

Learn more about the new board.

Vibrant Community Connections

Matthew joined Art & Clay on Main as an intern through the program at Lancaster High School. During his internship, Matthew enjoyed the hands-on experience of working in both the coffee shop and the pottery studio. He appreciated the opportunity to learn about the different aspects of the business, from working with painters to maintaining the public spaces at Art and Clay.

After graduating, Matthew knew he wanted to continue in his position at Art & Clay. He felt a strong connection to the business and the people, and he was eager to stay involved in the work he had come to enjoy.

Now, as an employee, Matthew plays a crucial role in the operations of Art & Clay, keeping the work areas in the coffee shop clean and ensuring the art supplies area is well-organized. He also maintains the seating area to ensure it stays clean and accessible for customers. His attention to detail and commitment to a welcoming environment have made him a valuable member of the team.

Matthew’s story shows how internships can be a steppingstone to finding your passions and setting up a career. Through hard work, he not only secured a full-time position but also has made friends, learned new skills, and is looking forward to growing more as an employee at Art & Clay.

Happening at Fairfield DD

New Website

If you have navigated to Fairfield DD.com in the last few days, you might have noticed things look a little different. We are excited to announce our newly updated website is live! Fairfield DD wanted to make sure anyone using the site was empowered to find what they need and take the next steps. A few additions include an option to adjust text and font with the accessibility widget, a search bar, language translation options, and a redesigned introduction page. 

Two pages we would especially like to highlight are events and community resources. The updated events page lists Fairfield DD and community events, open to all. Fairfield County has a wide range of resources to support all kinds of needs and interests. The updated page will allow you to filter and search to find connections from across our vibrant community. 

At Fairfield DD, we know each person’s need is unique and that is where Family Support Services (FSS) comes in. It offers financial help for families providing in-home support and is specific to the person’s needs and goals. As the FSS Coordinator, Amanda plays a key role. She works with families to gather documents for qualification and request approval. Amanda also processes all the reimbursement material.

The Summer Scholarship is the other program the FFS Coordinator supports. When students are away from school for the summer break, there is often a loss of learning some call the “summer slide.” This program aims to help prevent this for students connected with Fairfield DD. It provides some funding and support for summer enrichment activities so students can keep learning. 

Amanda’s work is important to the mission of Fairfield DD, connecting individuals and families with the resources they need to promote independence, accessibility, and ongoing learning. 

FSS has just begun accepting materials for 2025 and Summer Scholarship will be coming in March. Visit our website or email Amanda at familysupport@fairfielddd.com to learn more! 

Help us celebrate DD Awareness by creating a logo for us to use throughout the month of March on our social media and other DD Awareness materials. Please send or drop off your original art to the Communications Department at 795 College Ave., Lancaster, Ohio 43130. If using graphic design or scanning your original art, please submit via email.

Rules:

• Anyone in Fairfield County may submit a logo
• Fairfield DD must receive your design by end of day on February 24th
• Submission should be original copy, graphic design, or scan or physical copy.

When sending your design, please include your name, town, email, and phone number.

Fairfield DD's mission is to bring about a vibrant community where people lead lives of greater independence and make meaningful contributions.