March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, which highlights stories about people with and without disabilities coming together to form strong, diverse communities.
At Hamilton County DD Services, we're celebrating in a few ways.
- We partnered with the Boards of DD in Butler, Clermont, Warren, Greene and Montgomery counties to create 30-second commercials highlighting our services and people we support in each of our communities.
These will air on Local 12 in the Cincinnati area and Fox 45 in the Dayton area. Later in March, we'll be featured on the local news to share details about exciting initiatives we have planned. A schedule will be posted on our website when it's available.
- We're highlighting our community partnerships with local museums throughout March. At each event, we'll share information about our services and about their accessibility programs, which make our community more inclusive for all.
On March 9, we'll be at the Cincinnati Museum Center as part of "Yes, She Can," a celebration of International Women's Day. The renovation of Union Terminal included many accessibility-related upgrades, including designated quiet zones and Braille descriptions in Dinosaur Hall.
On March 23, we'll be at the Cincinnati Art Museum for the Autism Family Exploration and Connect, a guided tour for adults with developmental disabilities and their caregivers. The Art Museum has a variety of programs and resources, including a sensory-friendly guide, to make art accessible to all.
- Finally, on our social media pages, we'll be highlighting some of our services like Early Intervention, Service & Support Administration and more. These special features will be posted on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
March is also the kick-off to our increased effort to highlight the work of local providers. We plan to feature submitted photos and stories on our social media pages. Contact Lisa Danford for more details.
In Ohio, the annual
DD Awareness and Advocacy Day is March 5 at the Ohio Statehouse. Gov. Mike Dewine, DODD Director Jeff Davis and many others are scheduled speakers for this important day. Registration is full, but you can watch the event live on the
Ohio Channel website.
Nationally, DD Awareness Month seeks to raise awareness about the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all areas of community life, as well as awareness to the barriers that people with disabilities still sometimes face in connecting to the communities in which they live.
Artwork by Gary Murrel and courtesy of NACDD
|
Welcome Sean Bostic, Family Engagement Coordinator!
|
We'd like to introduce you to Sean Bostic, our new Family Engagement Coordinator.
"I look forward to connecting with our families, learning from them, and better understanding their experiences and how we, as an agency, can best support them," he said. "I came to HCDDS to use the experience and resources I've garnered throughout the years so I can be an asset to our community."
In this role, Bostic will support innovative family-driven projects, trainings like the Future is Now, outreach to underserved communities, and engagement with families through critical times and life stages.
Bostic began in January, and his previous experience includes working at Hamilton County Job and Family Services and the Lindner Center for Hope.
"I want to let all families know that we are here to support them," he said. "We may not have all of the answers, but we can go on the journey with families."
|
|
|
|
Join us from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, April 3 to learn about being smart and safe at home using creative technology.
This session will discuss technology to improve safety and independence in the home, the regional Smart Home and more.
Session at the Support Center, 1520 Madison Road.
Click here
for a flier.
|
The Future Is Now is a multi-part series designed to help older caregivers and their family member with a disability make plans for the future. These sessions are free and begin April 4 at Starfire.
To register, please contact Dawn Freudenberg via
email or at (513) 559-6814. For more information, please
click here
.
|
|
DODD Field Trip
|
|
Last fall, the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities visited Hamilton County to learn more about the services we provide and the work we do in the community.
To see the video, please click on the image. You can also see photos from the visit on
our Facebook page.
|
Take a minute to consider how much technology has changed your life over the past 10, 15, 20 years. No more trips to the library to send an email, or long waits for dial-up internet to connect. You don't need a computer to send an email, and do you even have a home phone anymore?
Join us Tuesday, March 19 for Tech Chat, as we embrace the tech movement, reflect on the changes tech has allowed, and share tips on how it can continue to enhance our lives. Sessions open to all.
|
- Provider Forum. 9 a.m. Wednesday, Mar. 6 at HCDDS Kingsley Office. If you are unable to attend in person, you can watch live here.
- Crafting Buddies.1 p.m. Thursday, Mar. 7 at North Central Branch. Make a craft and help adults with disabilities adult make theirs.
- Toilet Training for Children with DD. 9 a.m. Thursdays, Mar. 7 and 14 at Cincinnati Children's. Group format training for caregivers. For more information, please click here.
- Yes, She Can! Saturday, March 9, at the Cincinnati Museum Center. Meet local female leaders in a variety of fields and take part in workshops, demonstrations and much more. This event will be free for CMC Members or included with a Discovery Pass. For more information, please click here.
- Inspirational Event-the Story of the Shepherd's Crook Orphan Ministry. 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Mar. 9 at Bridgewater Banquet & Conference Center. Spend an evening with Scott and Kathy Rosenow. For information, please click here.
- Memory Café. 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Mar. 12 at Harrison Branch. This is a place for people with Alzheimer's or dementia and their care partners. For more, please click here.
- Positive Art Workshop and Chat. 6-8 p.m. Thursday, May 10, at the Cincinnati Art Museum. The workshop is open to people with & without disabilities who want to create art. Discussion themes include healthy relationships, personal rights and self-empowerment. All artistic skill levels welcome. Free to attend. For more information, please click here.
- Autism Family Exploration. 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Mar. 23 at the Cincinnati Art Museum. Families or individuals are welcome to explore the museum at their own pace with a sensory-friendly map and a hands-on art activity. For information, click here.
- Southwest Ohio Family Engagement Series. Four-day series, Mar. 27-28, Apr. 24-25 at the Montgomery County Board of Developmental Center. Designed to unlock your strength, build a foundation, and learn skills to manage family stressors. For more information, please click here.
- Special Needs Family Night. 6:30 p.m. Friday, Mar. 29 at the Green Township Branch. Families with children and youth with special needs are invited to a special night at the library to experience activities in a stress-free accepting space.
- Home Think Tank. 10 a.m. Wednesday, Apr. 3 at HCDDS. Learn about using technology to create a smart and safe home. For information, click here.
|
|
