April 2019
        In this issue TableOfContents
 
    STARR Classes

From no work experience to 40 hours a weekEmploymentSuccess
Joe Riley is thriving at his job at Nehemiah Manufacturing

After his break, Joe Riley walks back to the warehouse floor, chats briefly with the line manager and takes his place behind the conveyor belt.

Boxes start rolling down the assembly line and Riley, 22, places items inside each one that goes by his station. He works 40 hours a week at Nehemiah, a light manufacturing company in the West End.

"Joe is very shy and he didn't talk to anyone his first few days," said Kasie Cowan, his HCDDS service and support administrator. "He left early on his first day at work because of his anxiety, but he's made a lot of progress and is opening up and making friends."

Before starting his job at Nehemiah, Riley had no work experience and spent most of his days at home watching TV or playing video games. "My grandma encouraged me to find something to do to get me out of the house," he said.

With help from Cowan and job developers at Ohio Valley Goodwill, he landed this job and now works independently.

Shanta Adams, an assistant supervisor at Nehemiah, has worked with Riley since he started. Even though Riley had a rough start, Adams and other coworkers were patient and friendly, trying to help him adjust.

"He's stepped up a lot and has come a long way," she said. "We needed him to speak up when he knew some of the work was incorrect. At first he didn't report it, but now he communicates much better and is doing a good job."

Two years ago, interacting with his coworkers seemed like an impossible obstacle. Now he regularly joins them after work hours to attend football games or spend the day at Coney Island.

Riley recently started receiving benefits from Nehemiah, is earning paid time off and has started saving money for his retirement. He was named Employee of the Month in November.

"You can really see the change - he's more communicative now and happy," Cowan said. "His coworkers cheer him on and encourage him."

Keynote Speakers providerspotlightSiblingConference

We're excited to share that Lynne Calloway, our Life Course navigator, and her family are keynote speakers at the 2019 Sibling Leadership National Conference! 
Lynne, right, is pictured with her sister Leah, left, and her children, Alex & Layci.  Find conference details and a bio at  siblingleadership.org
Dream Past the Concrete

Rhonda Craig, an SSA supervisor, was recently featured in Women of Cincy!
She coaches basketball at Robert A. Taft Information Technology High School, and she supports her team by making sure they're prepared for life through her nonprofit Sisterhood 360.
Read the story here
Photo by Maggie Heath-Bourne
STARRProject CARE STARR classes start in May
Project CARE is beginning a new series of STARR classes in May to help people with disabilities learn about healthy relationships, personal rights and empowerment.  STARR (Safety Training and Risk and Reduction) sessions teach people how to make effective decisions that can protect them from violence and abuse in the home and community.

These classes include weekly sessions so participants can learn ways to identify abuse, develop and maintain healthy relationships, and how to seek support when needed. Additionally, healthy sexuality and sexual education will be part of the new course.
  • Women's STARR class: 1:30-3 p.m. Mondays, May 6 to July 15. No class May 27
  • Men's STARR class: 2:45-4 p.m. Tuesdays, May 7 to July 9.
  • Co-ed STARR class: 2-4 p.m. Thursdays, May 2 to June 27
Additionally, Project CARE is hosting weekly support groups:
  • Women's Support Group, 4-5 p.m. Mondays. No session May 27
  • Men's Support Group, 4-5 p.m. Wednesdays.
All sessions are at the YWCA, 898 Walnut St. in downtown Cincinnati. Contact Project CARE Manager Holly Watson at (513) 361-2117 or via email with questions or to register. 

Click here for a STARR class flier or click here for a Support Group flier.

Project CARE (Community, Accessibility, Responsiveness and Education) is a partnership among YWCA of Greater Cincinnati, Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services, Women Helping Women and several other agencies in Hamilton County. This collaborative provides comprehensive intervention and prevention services to people with intellectual or developmental disabilities in our community. This grant program is funded by the U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women.


Ohio DD Caucus   DDCaucus

Ohio's General Assembly now has a caucus to focus on issues affecting Ohioans with developmental disabilities.  Senators Andrew Brenner and Nickie Antonio recently announced the creation of the state's first Developmental Disabilities Caucus. 

The two will lead a group of lawmakers who meet regularly to discuss current and future needs in the disabilities system. The caucus also will work with various advocacy groups within the disabilities community.

Read more from The Columbus Dispatch.

Photo from OACB
New service at CVG
 
The Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport is launching a new app-based, video-assisted service.  They partnered with tech firm, Aira, to connect blind and low-vision travelers with highly trained, remotely-located agents. 

Through the smartphone app or a pair of Horizon Smart Glasses, travelers get instant access to visual information at the touch of a button - enhancing navigation, efficiency, and independence.

  • Lincoln Heights Community Fair Spring Into Wellness. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, Apr. 26 at St. Monica's Recreation Center.  Free goodie bag, food, entertainment, health screenings, community resources and more. For more information, please click here.

  • Su Casa Health Fair. 12 p.m. Saturday, Apr. 27 at AMIS School. Please see the attached flier for information on the various health screen opportunities available. 
  • Project CARE Express Yourself through Art. 11 a.m. Thursdays starting    May 2 at YWCA, 898 Walnut. Free weekly art-making class that focuses on healthy relationships, personal rights, and empowerment. For more information, please click here
  • Memory Café. 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 2 at the Greenhills Branch. This is a place for people with Alzheimer's or dementia and their care partners. For more information, please click here
  • Crafting Buddies. 1 p.m. Thursday, May 2 at North Central Branch. Make crafts with adults who have disabilities. For information, please click here
  • Newport Aquarium Autism & Special Needs Night. 6:30-10 p.m. Thursday, May 2 at the Newport Aquarium. Pre-registration is required for this event. For more information, please click here
  • Margaret Rost School Spaghetti Dinner. 5 p.m. Friday, May 3 at Rost School. Join us for games, food and raffles. For more information, please click here
  • Visionaries + Voices Double Vision X Auction Benefit. 6:30-11 p.m. Friday, May 3 at Memorial Hall. Double Vision raises awareness and money in support of V+V's mission with music, an art preview and silent auction. For more information, please click here
  • Provider Certification Training. 8:30 a.m. Saturday, May 4 at St. Joseph Home. This class meets requirements for individuals applying for certification by DODD. Also meets requirements for mandatory annual training for current providers. For more information, please click here
  • Bunco for Bifida. 4:30 p.m. Sunday, May 5 at the Columbia Center. This is an evening of food, games, and networking just for women. For information and to register, please click here
  • Women's STARR Classes. 1:30-3 p.m. Mondays, May 6 to July 15, at YWCA. 10-week educational class focuses on healthy relationships, personal rights and empowerment. Click here for details. The full event calendar can be found by clicking here
  • Trust and STABLE Accounts:What Families Need to Know. 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 7 at Hamilton County DD Services Kingsley Center. This session covers STABLE accounts, special needs trusts, pooled trusts and more. For information, please click here
  • Men's STARR Classes. 2:45-4 p.m. Tuesdays, May 7 to July 9 at the YWCA. 10-week educational class focuses on healthy relationships, personal rights and empowerment. Click here for details. The full event calendar can be found by clicking here
  • Positive Art Workshop & Chat. 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 9 at the Cincinnati Art Museum. Open to people with and without disabilities who want to create art and learn about the museum. For more information, please click here
  • NAMIWALKS 2019. 9 a.m. Saturday, May 11 at Sawyer Point Park. Register for this 5K walk to raise funds for mental health awareness. For more information, please click here.
  • Fishing Has No Boundaries. 8 a.m. Saturday-Sunday, May 18-19 at Cowan Lake State Park. Two-day fishing event for individuals with all abilities. For more details and registration, please click here
  • Memory Café. 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 20 at the Blue Ash BranchThis is a place for people with Alzheimer's or dementia and their care partners. For more information, please click here
  • Building a Brighter Future for Your Child and Family Workshop. 10 a.m-2 p.m., Tuesday, May 21 at Children's Hospital Medical Office Building. This workshop is designed for families who have children with complex behavior or medical needs. For more information, please click here 
  • Managing Anxiety: Helping Kids with DD Cope and Succeed. 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 22 at Children's Hospital Medical Office Building. Caregivers can learn the signs and symptoms of anxiety, teaching coping skills, and ways to address symptoms through positive behavioral supports. For more information, please click here
  • Transition Bootcamp: Pre-Employment Skills and Employment Preparation. 6 p.m. Thursday, May 23 at Children's Hospital Medical Office Building. Booster sessions provide information on the transition from school to adult life for youth with disabilities. For information, please click here.
  • Connect: A Program for Adults with Developmental Disabilities and their Caregivers. 9 a.m. Saturday, May 25 at the Cincinnati Art Museum. A guided tour on the fourth Saturday of the month. For more information, please click here.
  •  Adult Day Support and Vocational Habilitation Training. Thursday, May 30 at 10 a.m. at LADD.  Class content meets both initial staff training and annual renewal training requirements of Adult Day Support and Vocational Habilitation staff. This training does not apply to Independent Providers. For more information, please click here