Updates from Cuyahoga DD

July 3, 2023

2023 Family Fun Fairs

children and adults playing with balloons

Cuyahoga DD is hosting two more Family Fun Fairs in 2023.

These FREE events are for families with children ages 14 and under with DD to meet and connect with each other, learn about Cuyahoga DD and HAVE FUN!

Registration is required and space is limited. Click the button below to register.

Date	Time	Location
Sunday, July 30	1 - 3 PM	Green Road Service Center, 4329 Green Road, Highland Hills
Sunday, October 22	1 - 3 PM	Big Creek Center, 6149 W 130th Street, Parma

Online Resource Guide to Inclusive Places, Jobs and Events

Did you know that on the Cuyahoga DD website, you can find a list of places, jobs and events that are inclusive and accessible?

The places listed are organizations that are part of our All Means All initiative. These places are verified by our Community Development team as inclusive and accessible.

Find a community job that meets your needs. Our Workforce Development team networks and assist local businesses in fulfilling their hiring needs by connecting them with people with developmental disabilities seeking employment.

Find inclusive, accessible and fun events all year round. Join your community virtually or in person to build friendships, connections and experiences.

To view each category click on the button below.

Places

Jobs

Events

Special Olympics Ohio's Young Athletes Family Health Forum

Special Olympics Ohio proudly presents the 2nd Young Athletes Family Health Forum. Hosted by Cuyahoga DD. This FREE event is designed for families of children with developmental disabilities ages 2 -7.

When: Saturday, July 22

Time: 12 to 2 PM

Doors open at 11 AM

Where: William Patrick Day Center

2421 Community College Ave., Cleveland

The Family Health Forum will include:

Make and take your own sensory kit
Nutritionist-led snack-packing session with free Bento Box
Free lunch and snacks
Giveaways
Free childcare; fun activities and sensory spaces
Expert led presentations and helpful resources

Registration is required. Please secure your family's spot today by clicking on the link below.

Cuyahoga DD Wants to Hear from You!

Have you recently interacted with Cuyahoga DD staff as part of receiving services and supports from the board? Please let us know how we are doing. Complete the short survey below for each staff member you worked with.

Survey

1st Let's Get TOgether Event Held at Top Golf

Cuyahoga DD recently hosted it's first Let’s Get TOgether networking event at Top Golf in Independence. Let’s Get TOgether is a new program that allows participants to learn about social skills and dating. All while having fun and trying new activities.

There will be four total sessions, including the event at Top Golf. The next program will be held at Spirit of Clay.

The events are led by the Behavioral Health and Community Development teams.

group picture of participants at Top Golf

Empower Pop-Ups: Self-Expression and Advocacy

Cuyahoga DD Empower Pop-Ups keep on coming! In June, Empower Pop-Ups were hosted by Vocational Guidance Services at Southwest and SAW at Parma and Maple Heights.

The goal of Empower Pop-Ups is to encourage self-advocacy and learning. Empower Pop-Up personal-choice advocacy activities include:

creating tools for leading individual service plans
living more independently with assistive technology
finding employment and community activities
health and fitness opportunities
voting rights and responsibilities
financial literacy
self-expression

We welcomed recreation and arts-and-culture community partners, staff, and volunteers. Additional Empower Pop-Ups will be held throughout the summer.

DD Surveys Requiring Your Input

Nursing Workforce Study

The Ohio State University Nisonger Center and the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council are conducting a study. The study aims to assess and report on the home care nursing crisis and formulate recommendations to key stakeholders to reduce the nursing workforce shortage in the field of developmental disabilities. Learn more here.

Nurse Survey

Family and Guardian Caregivers

The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities is conducting a survey to gain feedback from family and guardian caregivers. The goal is to hear about the different ways families and guardians are impacted by caregiving. Click here to learn more.

Family/Guardian Survey

Inclusive Sports

Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council wants to know if Ohio school sports are accessible for youth with disabilities. Please take a short online survey about making sports programs more inclusive for youth with disabilities.

Who should take this survey?

Youth with disabilities in grades 6 – 12 in Ohio public schools
Parents/caregivers of youth with disabilities in grades K -12 in Ohio public schools
Ohio public school professionals who work with students in grades K-12

Inclusive Sports Survey

DODD Communication and Resources

The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) is increasing its communication and resources alignment with lived experiences of those served. Please take the survey below to share the family resources you've used from DODD and how to best support families in the future.

DODD Communication

Empower DD Podcast

In this episode, we meet Bonnie Makrai, Cuyahoga DD's Service Excellence Administrator. Hear about what Bonnie does at the Board. Learn how she can help you get answers and solutions, and how she works with staff to improve customer service.

Empower DD discusses navigating the developmental disability field, exploring new technologies, and hearing stories from people living, learning, working and playing in their community.

Subscribe and listen anywhere podcasts are found.

Episode 10

Ohio Developmental Disabilities Crisis

Ohio has a developmental disability workforce crisis. Providers cannot compete to fill open Direct Support Professional (DSP) positions with the Medicaid reimbursement rate at its disappointing current level.

Cuyahoga DD is working with partners across the state to educate legislators on why it is vital to significantly increase provider reimbursement rates.

Share YOUR story below. Tell our legislators how important DSPs are and what’s at stake for YOU.

Share Your Story

Independent Provider Meet and Greets

Virtual Independent Provider Meet and Greets are at two meeting times, 10 AM - 12 PM and 5 - 7 PM.

The next IP Meet and Greet opportunities are on July 12 and August 2. Come meet IPs who will meet your needs! To attend the meeting click the button below.

Join Meeting

left, photo of a person on virtual call on desktop. Left, plumberry background with arrow graphic and white text, Independent Provider Virtual Meet & Greet.

Books with Inclusive Stories, Messaging and Representation

We will share books with inclusive messaging, stories and representation throughout the year. These books are joyful, fun to read, and selected from an anti-bias and anti-racism perspective. Check out these books at your local library.

Read Aloud, 0-8 Years

Picture Book Biographies

Board Books

We Listen To Our Bodies by Lydia Bowers

Unstoppable: Women With Disabilities by Helen Wolfe

My Family, Your Family! by Kathryn Cole

Middle School and Emerging Readers

Teen

Show Me a Sign by Ann Clare LeZotte

All the Right Reasons by Bethany Mangle

Cuyahoga DD Employee Spotlights

Paula Clark,

Physical Therapist

"Working at Cuyahoga DD has been an incredibly rewarding journey. I look forward to work daily. That is a gift that many do not have!"

Walter Buic,

Custodian

"I love my job and serving the people we take care of. I love learning new things every day and seeing the results of the work I have completed. Also, seeing the improvements in my job skillset."

Provider Shoutouts

A family member of someone served by Cuyahoga DD is shouting-out REM Ohio.

Charlene said, “REM Ohio has made a tremendous difference in my sister's life by providing her with an amazing shared living provider, Mona.” Charlene also wants to shout out program director Altovise and individual financial supervisor Shelli.

“REM Ohio truly cares about helping my sister live her best life. Thank you, REM Ohio; I appreciate you!”

Learn More

Guardians of the people we serve are giving shout-outs to Inclusion Works.

“Inclusion Works has empowered my daughter by providing a safe and meaningful environment filled with respect for one another as they are engaged in their daily activities. She has blossomed tenfold in every aspect of her life and has built endearing friendships with her fellow citizens.”

“Their positivity is contagious.”

Learn More