Updates from Cuyahoga DD

June 1, 2023

Dr. Tom Kelbley Recognized with Advocacy Award

Staff and volunteers at Playhouse with Dr. Tom Kelbley on left side

Congratulations to Dr. Tom Kelbley, Psychologist, for his recognition as the 2023 Ron Kozlowski Advocacy Award honoree by Advocacy and Protective Services, Inc. (APSI.)

The annual Ron Kozlowski Advocacy Award is presented annually to someone who demonstrates lifetime achievement in advocacy for individuals with developmental disabilities and has created a long-term advocacy connection within the DD service system. He will be honored at a June 14 ceremony.

In his 25 years at Cuyahoga DD, Dr. Tom Kelbley's work has supported the people we serve to flourish. In addition, he has guided community partners to become more inclusive and adaptive. In recent years, Dr. Kelbley provided training to the Cleveland Police Department and established sensory-friendly training for Playhouse Square performances and their Red Coats. Dr. Kelbley recently retired from Cuyahoga DD.

Thank you, Dr. Kelbley, for his service and for all his many efforts for people with developmental disabilities!

Building Hours on Juneteenth

In observance of Juneteenth on June 19 Cuyahoga DD administrative buildings will only be open from 7 AM – 2 PM.

Empower Pop-Ups: Self-Expression and Advocacy

Cuyahoga DD Empower Pop-Ups started strong in 2023! In May, Empower Pop-Ups were hosted by My Choice and RMS, and by SAW at Rocky River.

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. To volunteer at an upcoming event, please email Stephanie Nalepa at [email protected].

people participating in an Empower Pop-Up

person participating at wheel game at an Empower Pop-Up

Cuyahoga DD Presents at the Ohio Association of County Boards of DD 2023 Spring Conference

Many Cuyahoga DD staff presented at the Ohio Association of County Boards of DD 2023 Spring Conference!

Cross-Functional Strategic Process Improvement, presenters: Melanie Rak, Cuyahoga DD Division Manager Community Contracts & Residential Services

Intensive Supports for Youth and Young Adults, presenters all from Cuyahoga DD: Lori Mago, Division Manager Assistive Technology and Children’s Services; Alisa Jones, Intensive Support Teams Administrator; Dr. Rick Cirillo, Chief Clinical Officer; Dr. Kelly Rainey, Special Instruction Manager; Jo Elle Barath, Division Manager Service and Support Administration; Melanie Rak, Division Manager of Contracts and Residential Services; and Cassandra Brown, Supervisor Support Administration-Multi-System Service

Preventing Human Trafficking through Multi-System Collaboration, presenters all from Cuyahoga DD: Bonnie Demopoulos, MUI Division Manager and Katherine Antall, MS, Human Sexuality Specialist/Psychology Assistant; panel Dave Nodge, MUI Community Liaison; Amanda Kafcsak, Forensic Liaison and John O’Donnell, Investigative Agent

Congratulations and thank you to the Cuyahoga DD presenters for being leaders within their field and the community.

Photo credit: Picture America Event Photographers

2023 Family Fun Fairs

Cuyahoga DD is hosting three 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
Saturday, June 10	11 AM - 1 PM	Big Creek Center, 6149 W 130th Street, Parma
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

In Case You Missed It: Marcus Thomas Featured on WYCK Heartstrings Series

WKYC Channel 3 Cleveland’s Lindsay Buckingham featured Marcus, a teen figure skater on the Heartstring series. Marcus uses Cuyahoga DD Family Supports Program funding to support his training. Read the full story below.

Marcus on WKYC

Credit: WKYC

DD Surveys Require Your Input

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

Supporting Caregivers

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University would like to understand your experiences as a caregiver of an individual with disabilities who live in Cuyahoga County. The first 101 participants in this voluntary survey will receive a $5 Starbucks card.

Caregiver 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

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 June 7 and July 5. 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.

People First of Ohio: Cuyahoga County Advocacy Events

In partnership with People First of Cuyahoga County and The Arc of Ohio, Cuyahoga DD invites you to an upcoming Advocacy Event. The meeting is designed for ages 16 and up. Sign language interpreter and accommodations are available upon request.

LGBTQ+ & DD Awareness Event: In-person on Wednesday, June 21 at 6 PM, at the LGBT Community Center, 6705 Detroit Ave., Cleveland. Register here.

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

I Love You Like Yellow by Andrea Beaty

Jack Horner, Dinosaur Hunter! by Sophia Gholz

We Are Little Feminists: How We Eat by Shuli de la Fuente-Lau

Middle School and Emerging Readers

Teen

What Stars Are Made Of by Sarah Allen

All the Right Reasons by Bethany Mangle

Cuyahoga DD Employee Spotlights

Cassandra,

Forensics Liaison

"I enjoy what I do as a Forensics Liaison. I help those involved in the criminal justice navigate the court process and ensure that their rights are protected."

Melonie,

Support Administrator

"I like working at Cuyahoga DD because of the many talented coworkers I get to work with. It is such a pleasure to work with such creative and supportive people."

Provider Shoutouts

Julie, a family member of someone served by Cuyahoga DD is shouting out Welcome House.

Julie said, “Welcome House has dedicated and professional staff who are committed to their clients.” She also wants to give a special shout-out to Becky B. at Welcome House for her commitment to the people she supports.

Learn More

Cynthia, the parent of someone served by Cuyahoga DD, is shouting out Harmony Home Care.

Cynthia said, “Harmony Home Care is a first-rate agency run by smart, caring people who have provided us with the best, most reliable caregiver for our daughter.”

Learn More