Building a Stronger Community for the Next 250 Years
As we celebrate America 250, we have a unique opportunity to reflect on the ideals that have shaped our country for 250 years: freedom, opportunity, service, and the inherent worth of every person. At Fairfield DD, those values are lived out every day through our work with people we support, their families, our team, and our community partners. We believe that a truly strong community is one where everyone has the opportunity to learn, work, contribute, and belong. As we commemorate the historic milestone of America 250, we are reminded that the promise of America is at its best when every citizen has the chance to participate fully in community life.
This summer offers great opportunities and activities I hope you will take part in! These activities and events make our community vibrant, and Fairfield DD will attend many of them. Downtown Movie Nights, Friday Night Bandstand and Summer Concert Series, Farmer’s Markets across the county, and the Lancaster Festival are just a few of the many ways to enjoy our community this summer. You can find more events in this newsletter and on our website: www.FairfieldDD.com
Thank you for your continued partnership in making Fairfield County a place where every person is valued, respected, and empowered to live a life of greater independence while they make meaningful contributions. Together, we are building a stronger community for the next 250 years.
Onward!
David
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During United Way’s Day of Action in Lancaster, Fairfield DD staff joined children in creating a fun, summer-themed s’mores craft. While getting creative, our team also modeled how to use communication boards and shared helpful strategies to support accessible communication for everyone.
Thank you to all who stopped by and made the day so enjoyable!
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Last week, our community playgroup welcomed children ages five and under for a morning of fun, creativity, and connection. The little ones enjoyed a supportive space designed just for them, full of opportunities to move, learn, and play together.
If you weren’t able to join us in July, don’t worry! Our next playgroup will be held on August 14 from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Early Literacy Center in Carroll. We hope to see you there!
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AARP Community Challenge Portable Ramp Program
The City of Lancaster is pleased to announce the launch of the AARP Community Challenge Portable Ramp Program.
Thanks to funding from AARP, this initiative will support eligible local businesses in enhancing accessibility by providing portable ramps for entrances where permanent structural updates are not feasible.
By improving access, we can help ensure that residents and visitors of all ages and abilities are able to fully participate in Lancaster’s economy and community life. Businesses interested in applying must submit their materials by July 30, 2026.
To learn more or begin an application, click the button below to visit the City of Lancaster’s website.
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Art and Clay at the Art Walk
Be sure to stop by Art and Clay during this year’s Lancaster Festival Art Walk!
Two of the talented Art and Clay artists will have their work on display and for sale during this exciting evening.
Whether you love canvas pieces, paper art, or ceramics, you’re bound to find something that catches your eye.
And the fun doesn’t end there! Art and Clay will also be a vendor at Festival Fair Day. With all the festival buzz downtown, the studio is sure to be filled with creative energy (and lots of painters!) throughout the week. We hope you’ll join in the celebration! See you there!
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Finding Her Voice
When Willa was about one year old, her parents noticed she wasn't talking as much as they expected. After talking with her pediatrician and completing evaluations, they connected with Fairfield DD's Early Intervention team. Through speech therapy and support from their Early Intervention Speech Therapist, Willa—and her family—gained the tools and confidence they needed to help her communicate.
Today, Willa is full of conversation. She loves to sing, share her opinions, tell the people she loves how she feels, and let her big personality shine. Her parents say that being able to communicate has helped them truly get to know their daughter and has opened the door to stronger relationships with family and friends.
As Willa gets ready to start preschool this fall, her family is grateful for the guidance, encouragement, and support they received along the way. Their story is a reminder of the difference early support can make for a child and their family.
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Keeping Fairfield DD Running Smoothly: Meet Taylor Peeps
Fairfield DD is home to many important roles, but some of the most essential work happens quietly behind the scenes. One of the people making sure everything stays on track is Taylor Peeps, our Operations Department Administrative Assistant. Taylor has been part of the team for just over a year, and her impact is felt across the entire organization.
In her role, Taylor coordinates communications, maintains records, schedules appointments and meetings, manages team calendars, supports financial processes within Operations, works with outside vendors, and assists with a wide range of administrative needs. She’s truly a jack-of-all-trades, helping to keep daily operations running efficiently so services can be delivered without interruption.
Taylor shares that her favorite part of the job is the variety. While she has consistent tasks, such as processing invoices or scheduling, no two days look the same. Whether she’s meeting with vendors, building new projects, or putting her creative skills to use in Canva, she appreciates that boredom simply isn’t part of the Operations department.
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Forest Rose Back‑to‑School Hub
Attention Forest Rose Families! Our back‑to‑school materials for the upcoming year are now available on our website.
You’ll find everything you need to get ready for the new school year, including classroom supply lists, student enrollment forms, and the 2026–2027 school calendar. Click the button below to visit the Student Resources page.
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| America 250th Cookout Celebration | | |
This month, Fairfield DD staff gathered to celebrate America’s 250th birthday! Each department contributed delicious food and drinks to create a festive July 4th cookout. Team members enjoyed time together with spirited rounds of America Trivia and a lively Pass the Firecracker game.
We are grateful for such an incredible team who brings our mission to life each and every day!
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Goblin Tools
Goblin Tools is a free website and mobile app (available on Android and iOS) that offers a collection of simple, single‑task tools designed to support anyone who finds certain tasks overwhelming or difficult.
It features Magic To‑Do for breaking tasks into steps, tone‑checking with The Judge, recipe creation with The Chef, and more.
Click the button below to visit their website and learn how to download the app.
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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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Art Walk
July 17, 2026, 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. in Downtown Lancaster.
Enjoy downtown art exhibitions, open restaurants, and food trucks throughout the outdoor refreshment area. Visit Destination Downtown Lancaster's website for details.
Festival Fair Day
July 18, 2026, 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds
Family-friendly activities, music, entertainment, animals, and food trucks. Free for children; adults $5. Visit the Lancaster Festival's Facebook page for more information.
Fairfield County Community Picnic
July 22, 2026, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at Zane Square.
Games and activities begin at 11, followed by live music from the Lancaster High School Percussion Ensemble at noon. More information is available on Fairfield County's America 250 page.
Sensory Friendly Day at the Ohio State Fair
July 30, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at the Ohio State Fair.
Enjoy reduced lighting and sound, quiet zones, sensory‑friendly exhibits, and activities in the Natural Resource Park. Visit OCALI's website for more information.
August Saturday Night Cinema
August 8, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. at Zane Square.
Join Destination Downtown Lancaster for a free outdoor showing of Disney’s Up. Music and activities start at 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit Destination Downtown Lancaster's website.
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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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