November 2025

Picture of Man Smiling David Uhl Superintendent in a blue suit with a grey background

A Season of Gratitude


As we move through November, the season of gratitude naturally takes center stage. Thanksgiving reminds us to pause and reflect on the people and blessings that make our work meaningful. I am deeply thankful for our dedicated Board members who provide steady leadership and thoughtful guidance. I am grateful for our compassionate and skilled team members who show up each day to serve with excellence. I greatly appreciate the Fairfield County property taxpayers whose financial support makes our mission possible. Thank you to our many community partners who stand beside us in ensuring that people with developmental disabilities have opportunities to live, learn, work, and thrive in our community.


Most of all, I am grateful for the opportunity we share to make a positive difference in the lives of the people we support and their families. Every step towards greater independence, every service we deliver, and every connection we build helps move our mission forward—one person, one goal, one success at a time. Thank you for being part of this important work and for helping Fairfield DD remain focused on building a vibrant community where people lead lives of greater independence and make meaningful contributions.


May you and yours have a blessed and very Happy Thanksgiving.



Gratefully,

David

Fulfilling Lives

Andrew’s Journey Finding the Right Job

Andrew is becoming something of a job application expert. He is currently on the hunt for a new role. At one point, he was completing all the steps to become a full-time security guard at the new Google data center, but then his life circumstances changed. Now, he is looking for a part-time job so he can be home more often to help care for his family.

 

Andrew has worked at several places as he searches for something both interesting and fulfilling. He has held roles at Walmart, Carnival Foods, and his longest job was at the Giant Eagle gas station. He values working because it gives him the freedom to buy things he enjoys, including a car with a fully loaded sound system. Music is especially important to him.

 

When Andrew first started thinking about work, he had people guiding him through the steps of getting and learning new jobs. Now, he has taken their tools and advice and is job hunting independently, saying he now knows what to look for.

 

But there is more to Andrew than just work. He and his best friend attend a model building club, where he enjoys constructing robot models. He is currently hoping to build a Reaper Drone painted like an old United States warplane. Andrew also loves listening to all kinds of music, whether through his headphones at home or playing from his car stereo. He enjoys video games too, playing both on his computer and through a virtual reality headset.

 

His advice to other job seekers is this: really research the job you are applying for and make sure the company’s values are aligned with your own. When you go for an interview, pay attention to the employees. Do they seem happy in their roles? Does the job feel like something you can handle? Answering these questions will help you feel confident about your next steps.

Community Connections

Celebrating a Partnership

Last week, Superintendent Uhl received an Outstanding Leadership Award in recognition of his support for local schools. He was nominated by Dr. Marie Ward, Superintendent of the Fairfield County Educational Service Center, for Fairfield DD’s role in their new transition program classroom at the River Valley Mall.  Read more about the classroom in our September newsletter.

Planning for the Next Steps

Fairfield DD's Amanda Snoke participated in the Bloom-Carroll Transition Fair this month. The event provided students and their families with valuable information about resources available to support their transition from high school to adulthood. Attendees explored options related to higher education, employment, and community-based services, helping them plan for a successful future.

Stuff the truck-Imagine.jpg

Help Us “Stuff the Truck” for a Great Cause!

Fairfield DD is proud to support the Lancaster-Fairfield Community Action Agency Food Pantry, and we invite you to join us in making a difference!


We’re collecting shelf-stable food items to help local families this season. Drop off your donations at the Fairfield DD Administration Building (795 College Ave) during business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., now through December 1, 2025.


Thank you for helping our staff support our vibrant community. Together, we can make an impact!

Featured Position

Feature Position.jpg

Meet Beth: Managing the Numbers Behind the Mission

Beth Seifert defines her role as overseeing “anything to do with money.” As Chief Financial Officer, she plays an important role in Fairfield DD’s mission.


Beth is the main contact between Fairfield DD and the Fairfield County Auditor’s Office. She is responsible for managing the agency’s financial activities, including payroll, paying bills, and processing incoming funds. Most of this money comes from local property taxes.


Each fall, Beth focuses on finalizing the agency’s budget for the upcoming year. Beginning in July, she works with the Leadership Team and the Board to create a fiscally responsible plan. The Board approved next year’s budget last week, and it will now move on to the County Commissioners for review.



Beth has a deep understanding of federal, state, and local requirements and her constant awareness of the agency’s budget. This knowledge helps Fairfield DD deliver essential services and support and ensures the agency can continue fulfilling its mission.

Around Fairfield DD

Celebrating Growth, One Milestone at a Time!

The bulletin board at Forest Rose School is quickly filling with trophies—each one representing a student who has learned a new skill or taken an important step toward greater independence.


These small but meaningful milestones highlight the hard work, dedication, and progress happening every day in our classrooms. We’re proud to share these accomplishments with our community and to celebrate the bright futures our students are building.

FRS Board.jpg

Forest Rose Seniors Learn Job Skills at Nick’s 🍕

Students from the Senior Room at Forest Rose School recently spent the day at Nick’s Restaurant and Pizza, getting a behind-the-scenes look at how a busy kitchen operates. They watched a demonstration of how pizza is made and got to try out some real-world job skills while enjoying a hands-on (and tasty) learning experience. We’re grateful to Nick’s Pizza for welcoming our students and helping them explore future employment opportunities in our community.

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.

Upcoming Events

Pop-Up Art Sale

November 29, 2025, 9:00 am at the Wagnalls Community Center

Local artists will have a variety of art for sale. Check out their Facebook and Instagram for previews! Click to learn more.


Dog Tales: Read to a K9 Buddy

December 2, 2025, 5:45 pm - 6:30 pm at the Fairfield County District Library-Baltimore Branch.

Help your child's reading skills and boost their confidence with a 15-minute session with a reading therapy dog. Event is for children kindergarten through 4th grade. Call the Baltimore Branch at 740-862-8505 to schedule.


Budgeting for the New Year

December 3, 2025, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm at the Pickerington Main Library.

Start the year with a strong financial foundation where a financial advisor will guide you through the essentials of building and maintaining a personal budget. Click to learn more.


31st Annual Gift of Time

December 6, 2025, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm at Lancaster High School.

Get ready for a morning of festive fun with a variety of free festive activities for the entire family. Click to learn more.


Wise Walkers Senior Hiking Group

December 10, 2025, 09:00 am - 11:00 am at Mambourg Park in Lancaster.

Looking to stay active but don’t want to hike alone? Join Wise Walkers, hosted by the Fairfield County Park District and Lancaster Parks & Recreation. Well-mannered pets are welcome—just bring your own water. Learn more on their Facebook page.


Santa & the Symphony

December 20, 2025, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm at the McCoy Center for the Arts in New Albany.

The New Albany Symphony will be hosting Santa & the Symphony as part of their sensory-friendly concert series. Join them for a heartwarming celebration where the sounds of the season will fill the air in a relaxed, welcoming environment designed for all. Click here to purchase tickets on their website.



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

Web  Email  Facebook  Instagram  LinkedIn