Building Community Through Gratitude and Connection
As October draws to a close and we look ahead to the holiday season, I reflect on the many things we have to be thankful for. November offers an opportunity to slow down, appreciate the blessings in our lives, and recognize the people who make our communities special.
At Fairfield DD, we have the privilege of witnessing the power of community every day as people pursue their goals, discover new opportunities, and take meaningful steps toward greater independence. These moments remind us that building community is not simply about the places we live, but about the relationships we develop and the opportunities we create for one another. And for that, we have much to be thankful for.
As Thanksgiving approaches and we look ahead to the holiday traditions of November and December, I encourage you to consider how you can help make our community a place where everyone belongs. The holidays often bring people together around tables, in neighborhoods, at community events, and through acts of generosity and kindness. Yet meaningful community goes beyond inviting people to participate; it means ensuring people have the opportunity to contribute, make choices, and build relationships. When we intentionally create space for everyone to participate and contribute, we strengthen our entire community.
This holiday season, my hope is that we will approach the weeks ahead with grateful hearts and a renewed commitment to building a community where everyone belongs. Perhaps that means inviting someone new to join a holiday tradition, supporting a neighbor in pursuing a personal goal, or simply taking time to recognize the contributions of those around us.
Small actions, when multiplied across a community, can make an extraordinary difference in the lives of others.
I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to lead Fairfield DD and for our dedicated team members, community partners, and the countless individuals who help make Fairfield County a place where people can thrive.
As we celebrate Thanksgiving and look toward the Christmas season, may we remember that one of the greatest blessings we share is the opportunity to build a stronger, more inclusive community together!
With Gratitude,
David
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Your Tax Dollars at Work in Fairfield County
It's True! Property taxes help fund services that touch the lives of people throughout our community.
From support for older adults and people with disabilities to first responders, education, and other public services, these dollars help provide services that Fairfield County residents rely on every day.
Each Friday on our social media, we’ll share more about the impact property taxes have in our community.
| | Continuing the Journey: Supporting Children and Families Beyond Age 3! | | |
Turning 3 is an exciting milestone for the children and families we serve! Children who meet the eligibility requirements and are transitioning from Fairfield County Board of Developmental Disabilities Early Intervention may continue to receive support through age 5 with an Early Childhood Developmental Specialist.
Through visits in the home and community, the Early Childhood Developmental Specialist partners with families to identify priorities, address concerns, and develop meaningful goals that support each child’s growth.
Using a family-centered coaching approach, the specialist empowers caregivers with practical strategies they can incorporate into everyday routines and activities, building confidence and strengthening their ability to support their child’s development.
Together, the specialist and family will create a written plan tailored to the family’s unique needs, with updates made as needed or at least annually. This ongoing partnership celebrates family strengths, encourages continued growth, and helps children build the skills they need to thrive.
Every transition is an opportunity to build on progress, strengthen family partnerships, and celebrate what’s possible!
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Stay with It
This year, Chad set an important goal of improving his health and wellness. He decided he would not only improve his health, but also create a space for others to do the same.
His walking group has met consistently for over a month.
Chad took the initiative and started his own walking group that he calls “Steps with Chad.”
“I was working on losing weight, and one of my goals was to walk a lot and to help fix my back problems,” Chad shared when asked what inspired him to create his group. “I am still working on it and working on stamina. I feel a lot better now that I am losing weight! I am down to 291 pounds, and I am hoping to lose more!”
Chad explained that he structures the group's path for walking, including what day they meet and how far.
Recently, the group has accomplished one trip around the entire building, which is farther than when they first began. Originally, the group would only go halfway around the building, and now Chad has big goals for them.
“My goal is to do another half lap, then move to two full laps, then three around the building,” he said. “Eventually I hope we can take a walk to the bank and back, or towards the lumber yard. I am interested in getting to different locations, maybe even towards Lowes.”
While Chad has celebrated the group’s accomplishments, he also has his own personal aspirations. To read Chad's full story, click the button below to visit our blog.
| | Wear Purple for Domestic Violence Awareness Month | | |
Every October, communities across the nation come together to recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month and to amplify the voices, needs, and experiences of survivors.
On the third Thursday of the month, people are encouraged to wear purple to show support, remembrance, and solidarity. This year, Fairfield DD team members from every department joined in, wearing purple to help raise awareness and stand with survivors in our community.
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Knights of Columbus Donation
Thank you to the Lancaster Knights of Columbus Council 1016 for their generous donation to Forest Rose School!
With your support, we are able to continue living out our mission to bring about a vibrant community where people lead lives of greater independence and make meaningful contributions. We are so grateful!
| | Hunger Action Month Competition Conclusion | | |
Fairfield DD takes the title in the Hunger Games of Generosity, but Fairfield County takes the win.
Together with Fairfield County Job and Family Services, we collected 4,473 items to help our neighbors in need. All of the 3,224 items Fairfield DD collected went to the Lutheran Social Services Pantry.
Thank you to everyone who competed with purpose and collected with compassion!
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APSE selects Team Proposal for Presentation
The Provider and Community Resource Team shared information about their work in Fairfield County at the Ohio APSE (Association of People Supporting Employment First) conference.
Their presentation focused on building strong workplace relationships that support long-term success. The team discussed how relationships help people succeed at work, why it is important for job seekers to take an active role in finding and keeping a job, and how effective employment practices highlight each person’s skills and abilities.
This work supports our strategic plan’s priorities by building community perception collaboration to recognize the value of every person.
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Be Patient, Try New Things, and Think Outside the Box
“Be patient. Be willing to try new things. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box.”
That’s the advice Stacy shares with anyone interested in adaptive physical education. As the Adapted Physical Education and Aquatics Specialist at Forest Rose School, he works with students from kindergarten through high school who have a wide range of abilities and support needs, including students with complex medical needs.
“My job is to adapt physical education activities and games to meet each student's individual needs and abilities so that everyone has an opportunity to participate, learn, and have fun,” Stacy said.
Some of his students use communication devices to express themselves, while others use wheelchairs or gait trainers to help them move. Stacy finds creative ways to help every student participate, including through activities in the pool.
“In the pool, we use water-based activities to work on movement, strength, mobility, and other individual goals while making sure students enjoy themselves,” he explained. “At the end of the day, it's about finding ways for every student to be involved, experience success, and enjoy being active.”
Fairfield DD works to help people live more independently and make meaningful contributions in their communities. Stacy sees this mission in action through the opportunities students have participating, building skills, and discovering what they enjoy.
“Every student deserves the chance to be included, try new things, develop skills, and experience the joy of being part of a group,” Stacy said. “Sometimes that looks different for every student, and that's okay. By adapting activities to their individual abilities, we can help students build confidence, develop independence, and experience meaningful participation. To me, that's what inclusion and empowerment are all about.”
To read Stacy's full story, visit our blog by clicking the button below.
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Come visit our Trail of Scarecrows and meet Techy Tim, proudly sitting at the corner of Forest Rose School!
Techy Tim is enjoying a cozy fall evening roasting marshmallows and demonstrating how assistive technology can support everyday activities. For his campfire cookout, Tim is using a customized Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) device with buttons designed specifically for the occasion, featuring vocabulary about the campfire, the food he’s cooking, and other fun bonfire themes.
Stop by to see how assistive tech helps everyone participate, communicate, and enjoy the season!
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Fairfield DD is All In, All Together!
We had an amazing time learning and growing together at our all-staff meeting.
Staff had a chance to sit in on multiple presentations with speakers ranging from local community members to public speaker Annie Frisoli.
Thank you to everyone who made the day possible!
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Bike Path Cleanup
We had some great team members out for our October Bike Path Cleanup!
It was a perfect sunny morning to pick up litter along the trail near Sensory Trail Park.
Thank you to our awesome team members who came out to help keep our community trails clean and beautiful!
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Fall Fun at Van Buren Acres | | |
Early Intervention brought the fall fun to life on Wednesday, October 7, welcoming 21 families to their annual family event at Van Buren Acres! The weather couldn’t have been more perfect for a day packed with smiles, laughter, and unforgettable memories.
The little ones had a blast exploring everything the farm had to offer, from the corn pit and bubble blowing to bouncing on the giant pillow, riding the barrel train, zooming down slides, and using water to move their ducks down the track! The ball zone, farm animal visits, and the ever-enjoyable pig races kept the excitement going.
To top off the day, each child got to pick out their very own pie pumpkin to take home, a perfect little piece of fall to remember the fun!
Giggles, adventures, and happy little faces filled the farm! It was a wonderful day for families to connect, explore, and enjoy the magic of the season together.
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Community Events
Did you know Fairfield DD maintains a list of local events happening in our community? It also includes links to other local activity calendars.
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Lancaster Campground Trunk or Treat
October 30, 2026, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Lancaster Campground. Celebrate Halloween with the whole family at the Lancaster Campground Trunk or Treat. Join them in the front parking area for an evening of decorated trunks, costumes, candy, and family-friendly fun. Guests can also roast their own hot dogs and make delicious s'mores around the fire. For more information, please visit the Lancaster Campground's Facebook page.
Amanda Harvest and Halloween Festival
October 31, 2026, 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Main St. in the Village of Amanda. Join the Village of Amanda for a fun, kid-centered event! Activities include a costume contest, games, a food truck, vendors, and plenty of fun happening before trick-or-treating. For more information, visit the Village of Amanda's Facebook page.
SOCIL Adaptive Football
November 5, 2026, 6:45 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the YMCA in Lancaster. SOCIL will be hosting a weekly adaptive football game until January 21st. SOCIL uses sport chairs for safety and to make an even playing field. This event is open to anyone with a disability ages 8 and up. SOCIL provides the equipment, and it is free to play. If you have any questions or need more information, contact Jeff Williams with SOCIL by email at jeff@socil.org or by phone at 740-689-1494 ext. 205.
Exploration of Possibilities
November 7, 2026, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Crossroads Event Center in Lancaster. Explore the arts together with SOCIL! Fun activities include dancing, cake decorating, jewelry making, and painting. This event is FREE for individuals with disabilities, middle school age and above. For more information, contact Jeff Williams with SOCIL by email at jeff@socil.org or by phone at 740-689-1494 ext. 205.
Pizza Challenge at Combustion Brewery
November 12, 2026, 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Combustion Brewery in Pickerington. Calling all pizza connoisseurs! It is that time of year again for you to be the judge! Join Combustion Brewery for the 2026 Pickerington Lions Club Pizza Challenge, a family-fun event where you get to taste side-by-side slices from area pizzerias. For more information, please visit Combustion Brewery’s Facebook page.
Winter at the Round Barn
November 15, 2026, 9:00 a.m. at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds. Kick off the holiday season with Winter at the Round Barn! For two festive days, the Fairfield County Fairgrounds will be transformed into a cozy winter market filled with 100 carefully curated vendors inside four indoor barns. Come spend the day shopping small, finding one-of-a-kind gifts, gathering inspiration for the season ahead, and enjoying everything people love about this time of year. For more information, please visit Round Barn Market’s Facebook page.
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Fairfield DD's mission is to bring about a vibrant community where people lead lives of greater independence and make meaningful contributions.
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