Community Connections Newsletter | | |
Check out what's new this issue!
- Free Ramp!
- Adaptive Play Virtual Event
- CCHMC Private Spring Shopping Event
- Are You Ready to Move Out?
- Regional Tech Summit
- Virtual Cooking Class
- Virtual Neurodivergent Community Group
- Autism Acceptance Month Education
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Free Ramp!
We have a 8 in. wide by 14 in. tall by 4 ft. long accessible ramp that has recently been donated to the BCBDD! If you would like to take advantage of the free ramp contact Steve Wertepny at 513-335-7175.
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Sensory Friendly Movie: Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
Thursday, April 17, Doors Open at 9:45 a.m. and Movie Starts at 10:15 a.m.
Join us for our next Sensory Friendly Movie showing of "Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle" at the Fitton Center! We’ll turn up the lights and lower the speakers so participants can get the movie-theater experience without feeling overstimulated! Doors open at 9:45 a.m. Please RSVP on our website by Tuesday, April 15.
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Gracepointe Nazarene Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 19 from 10:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Join Gracepointe Nazarene for their Annual Easter Egg Hunt! The hunt will take place at Trenton Community Park located at 440 Dell Drive in Trenton, Ohio. The Easter Egg Hunt will include prizes, face painting, a bounce house, and a puppet show. For more details visit www.trentongracepointenazarene.com.
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Join the Speak Up Self Advocacy Group!
Tuesday, April 22 from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Join the advocacy group Speak Up sponsored by the Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities! Everyone can be a self-advocate! Meetings occur once a month at the Janet Clemmons Center and are focused on ways to advocate for yourself and your community. If you have any questions please contact Courtney Hineman at crhineman@butlerdd.org or Lynn Goodwin at mgoodwin@butlerdd.org.
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Assistive Technology Fair
Wednesday, April 23 from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Attend an Assistive Technology Fair at the Wright Memorial Public Library located at 1776 Far Hills Avenue, Oakwood, Ohio. The event is free and open to the public. The Fair will offer a unique opportunity to explore a wide range of assistive devices designed to support people with various disabilities. Attendees will have the chance to learn about the latest advancements in assistive technology and how these innovations can enhance the quality of life for those with disabilities. For questions or accommodations, contact Joel Carson at jcarson@rhadayton.com or (937)865-1459.
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Adaptive Play Virtual Event
Tuesday, April 29 from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Cincinnati Children's and Bridget Baker, Occupational Therapist at Cincinnati Children's Perlman Center, are holding a virtual event on Microsoft Teams for parents and caregivers of children ages 10 and under with cerebral palsy or another neuromotor condition all about adaptive play! During the virtual event, Bridget will provide information about what to look for when selecting toys and how to make those toys easier to use. She will share ideas for pretend play so all parents, siblings, and peers can easily engage and enjoy the power of pretend. After her presentation, Bridget will facilitate Q&A. Register today!
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WCPC Community Care Fair
Saturday, May 3 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Join West Chester Presbyterian Church for the Community Care Fair at Fellowship Hall located at 8930 Cincinnati-Dayton Road in West Chester, Ohio! Learn about the amazing helping resources available in our community and enjoy some light refreshments! There will be several community services available for you to connect with at the Fair! To learn more visit www.westchesteroresbyterian.com.
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CCHMC Private Spring Shopping Event
Sunday, May 4 from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
In partnership with Macy's and Cincinnati Children's Starting Our Adventure Right program, attend the Private Spring Shopping Event at Macy's at the Kenwood Towne Center! The shopping event will be sensory friendly and shoppers will receive a 30% Friends & Family discount on all of Macy's Spring styles. RSVP by Wednesday, April 30 to mary.dulay@macys.com or 330-518-6015.
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Are You Ready to Move Out?
Sunday, May 18 and 25, June 1 and 8 from 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Join the 4-week series on what living independently could look like, especially if you aren’t sure where to start or if it’s even a possibility. The series will take place at EmpowerMe Living located at 6600 Clough Pike. The cost is $100 per adult/caregiver team. Register today!
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2025 Abilities at Bat
Saturday, May 24 from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Independence Alliance is proud to again be a participating agency for Abilities at Bat, an event celebrating individuals in the community with disabilities. Don't miss this exciting game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Chicago Cubs with pre-game activities raising awareness of local organizations supporting people with disabilities. Watch for updates on how to purchase your tickets and support Independence Alliance.
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Annual DD Fishing Derby
Saturday, June 7 from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
The Hamilton Optimist Club will be holding the Annual DD Fishing Derby at Joe Nuxhall Way in Fairfield, Ohio! All food, drinks, and bait will be provided. Participants should bring a fishing rod. If participants do not have a fishing rod, one can be provided. All participants receive a prize. Please arrive early to sign up for the fishing derby. Please contact Terry Baker at troscoeb1959@gmail.com or 513-603-0021 with any questions.
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4th Annual Challenging Perceptions Adaptive Trail Race
Saturday, June 7 from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Greene County Board of DD will be holding their 4th Annual Challenging Perceptions Adaptive Trail Race at Russ Nature Preserve located at 2380 Kemp Road in Beavercreek, Ohio! Anyone is welcome to participate! To get more details and register visit the website!
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The Future is Now
Tuesday, June 10 and Thursday, June 12 from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
The Future is now is a multi-part series designed to help caregivers and their family members make plans for the future. Throughout this journey of discovery, we will guide families in creating their own letter of intent. A letter of intent is a non-legal document that captures family desires and goals for the future. Parents, caregivers, individuals with developmental disabilities, and siblings are encouraged to attend as a family unit. Sessions will be hosted by people with a passion for helping individuals and families prepare for the future. Participation is limited to eight families per session. You MUST attend all sessions within the series. Series will take place at the Janet Clemmons Center located at 282 N. Fair Ave., Hamilton, OH 45011. A meal will be provided. Registration must be completed 1 week before the session begins! Please contact Jenny Mann at jamann@butlerdd.org or call 513-785-2813 if you have any questions. REGISTER FOR THE FUTURE IS NOW!
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Regional Tech Summit
Tuesday, June 17 from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Attend the Regional Tech Summit where you will learn how the Ohio Tech Ambassadors use technology to live their best lives! There will be many featured topics such as, tech for work, tech for the bathroom, tech for low vision, and tech for dressing. The tech summit will take place at Cincinnati Deer Park Branch Library located at 4020 E Galbraith Road in Cincinnati, Ohio. Register today to attend!
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Cookies & Connections: Shared Living & Respite Services
Tuesday, June 17 from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Join the latest Cookies & Connections workshop! This workshop will focus on personal care and support services that create a family-oriented environment for individuals living in a care provider’s home, including respite services for temporary arrangements. Shared Living Providers make long-term commitments to sharing a home, helping with daily routines, and inviting someone with a developmental disability to be part of their family, resulting in lifelong relationships. This session will take place at the Janet Clemmons Center. Register for the session!*(Parents and other family members can now provide support to their loved ones as a Shared Living Provider. However, they are required to complete the same background check, training, and onboarding as un-related caregivers. Their family member must also have a qualifying Waiver to pay for these services)*
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SALT Talk: Guardianship & the Alternatives
Tuesday, April 22 from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
SALT Talk is a monthly series that provides learning opportunities, along with resources and guidance, to families of children with disabilities so that they can successfully navigate the transition from school to adult life. During this virtual session keynote speaker, Brittany O’Diam, CELA Attorney at Law, will talk about a Special Needs Trust and how to utilize it. All are welcome to attend! Register for the SALT Talk! For more information on the SALT Talk and registration details visit the BCBDD event page on Facebook!
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Swim Safety
Tuesday, May 13 from 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. or Wednesday, May 14 from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
This one-hour class describes important steps you can take to increase your child’s awareness around the dangers of water and provides general swim safety pointers, including how to teach your child to tolerate swim safety equipment. This class is geared towards parents/caregivers of autistic children, but caregivers of children with any developmental delay or disability are welcome to attend. Join virtually via Teams. Tickets go on sale Monday, April 7. This class is free to attend.
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Oxford Library Next Chapter Book Club
Tuesday, May 13 from 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., and Thursday, April 24, May 8, and May 22 from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
The Next Chapter Book Club is a place for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to read, learn and make friends. Anyone can participate, whatever their reading or ability level. (Participants who require one–on-one support for behavioral or medical needs must be accompanied by family or caregiver.) The Book Club will take place at the Oxford Library. To register, visit the website and select the date you would like to sign up for!
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The Arc of Ohio Young Adult Hangout Group
Meetings are the 3rd Tuesday of every month from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Join the Arc of Ohio Young Adult Hangout Group every 3rd Tuesday of the month! This hangout group is for adults 18 or older. The hangout will be held at Lakota Family YMCA located at 6703 Yankee Road in Liberty Township. Register today by emailing Jen Powers Alge at jen.powersalge@thearcofohio.org.
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Autism Spectrum Disorder Education
One of the best ways you can celebrate Autism Acceptance Month in April is by educating yourself about the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)! Autism acceptance recognizes that everyone is unique and our differences should be celebrated rather than stigmatized. Learn more about ASD on the CDC website!
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Wheel the World
Are you looking to travel around Butler County, but would like to go somewhere that is completely accessible friendly? Wheel the World can provide you with accessible travel in Butler County and beyond! You can book accessible hotels, multi-day trips, things to do, and more on the website! Visit the Wheel the World website now to start searching! A big thank you to Travel Butler County, Ohio for funding this initiative!
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Preventing Pneumonia and the Flu
Please check out the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities latest health alert! This alert provides critical information to caregivers about preventing pneumonia and the flu. Read and share the health alert now!
| | We would never be able to do all that we do without our amazing community! THANK YOU for coming alongside us in support of the individuals and families we serve! | | | | |
