Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities

If you know a DSP, make sure you tell them how awesome they are! !🎉 😃

It was a beautiful evening to celebrate the groundbreaking of an exciting new park in the central Ohio area! We can't wait to see this project come to life!

Have you heard about Family Advisory Council (FAC) meetings? These meetings take place quarterly and are open to everyone. The FAC provides a forum for DODD to hear concerns directly from family members and for family members to learn about the department's current initiatives. Visit dodd.ohio.gov and click on "events" to learn more! The next FAC meeting is September 18.

Hispanic Heritage Month is September 15 to October 15!

This month is a celebration of Hispanic and Latino history and culture and a time to recognize the contributions that Hispanic and Latino Americans have made!

Direct Support Professional Highlights🎉
We asked, and you nominated these amazing DSPs to be highlighted.

Easterseals Redwood held its first Works4Me introduction! Works4Me provides support and services to assist adults and out-of-school youth with disabilities in completing activities with the end goal of competitive integrated employment.

To learn more about Works4Me, visit https://ood.ohio.gov/information-for-individuals/services/intellectual-developmental-disability/works4me

On September 5, Charting the Lifecourse held their Ambassador Series Kickoff Event! During this event there was group conversations, testimonials on how Charting the Lifecourse has impacted lives, and research was shared. Thank you to everyone who attended 😊

To learn more about Charting the Lifecourse click this link https://dodd.ohio.gov/your-family/all-family-resources/5-lifecourse-framework

🎉 Kicking off Direct Support Professional Recognition Week with a shoutout to the incredible DSPs out there! Your dedication, compassion, and hard work make a world of difference. Thank you for all that you do! Follow along to see the DSPs that were submitted to be recognized!

📚 Today is National Read a Book Day!
DODD has a virtual library of books read by some of Ohio's leaders! The books are also a part of Ohio's Imagination Library. Learn more here:

Virtual Library Enjoy a playlist of stories read by some of Ohio's leaders.

Are you interested in enhancing your leadership skills, taking a seat at the decision-making table, or making sure your voice is heard? We Thrive Together created a series of training events for people with disabilities and their family members, available both in person and online! Be a part of the Leadership Academy!

Leadership Academy – We Thrive Together 10:00 – 11:00 | Training Session 1: Leadership Mindset 11:00 – 11:15 | Break 11:15 – 12:15 | Training Session 2: Leadership Development 12:15 – 1:15 | Lunch & Networking 1:15 – 2:15 | Training Session 3: Engagement 2:15 – 2:30 | Break 2:30 – 3:30 | Training Session 4: Communication 3:3...

The Ohio Department of Children and Youth, which focuses on developmentally appropriate services and supports for children, answered questions about how families who have preschoolers with special needs can start the process to get educational support in their first years of school. Read more here: https://www.northeastohioparent.com/education/5-questions-for-preschoolers-with-special-needs/
Ohio Department of Children and Youth

5 Questions for Preschoolers with Special Needs - The Ohio Department of Children and Youth, which focuses on developmentally appropriate services and supports for children, answered questions about how families who have preschoolers with special needs can start the process to get educational support in their first years of school.

We are celebrating direct support professionals all month long! Curious about a day in the life of a DSP? Check out this video!
Interested in becoming a DSP? Visit DODD.Ohio.Gov/DSP.
https://youtu.be/_WYlxJ7T-VE

DSP - A Day In The Life

Wishing you a happy and restful Labor Day!

DSP Appreciation Month starts tomorrow! Don't miss OADSP's annual DSP Recognition Event on September 11 from 10 AM - 3:30 PM. Learn more at

403 Forbidden

It's officially football season! 🏈
Get into the game and into the conversation with this football-specific communication chart!

Director Hauck was happy to celebrate the opening of Holly's Edge last week in Middletown - a project that DODD partnered to fund! These beautiful homes present opportunities for people with disabilities to live independently and participate in their communities.

Read more here: https://www.wvxu.org/local-news/2024-08-21/hollys-edge-accessible-apartments-middletown

"Making Ohio the best place in the nation for families."
Learn more about the Ohio Department of Children and Youth and its programs and resources here: https://childrenandyouth.ohio.gov/home

"Travel Tip #7 - It’s not about getting things done or checking off a list; it’s about the family experience." 🚗 🌄 🌲 Read more travel tips before you go on your next family adventure!

Traveling with Neurodivergent Youth - AANE School is out and summer is here! If you want to spice up the summer and travel with your neurodivergent family members, here are some guiding principles I have found helpful.

Register for the 2024 Synergy Conference! Don't miss this event scheduled for October 2-4 at the Kalahari Resort and Conference Center in Sandusky, Ohio. This conference is for everyone! Learn more at https://synergyohio.org/.

Looking for a career that can have a positive impact on others?
We have open positions at our Developmental Centers in:
➡️ Columbus ➡️ Warrensville ➡️ Mount Vernon ➡️ Cambridge ➡️ Batavia ➡️ Toledo ➡️ Gallipolis ➡️ Tiffin
Learn more at careers.ohio.gov

Join us for another Townhall this Friday! See below for more information.

👋 DODD is hosting Townhalls for people served on an IO waiver and their families to talk about Waiver Modernization project updates and plans to make assessments better. Join us virtually on:
Tuesday, June 25 from 1:00-2:00 PM: https://bit.ly/4c3FjMh
or
Friday, June 28 from 9:00-10:00 AM: https://bit.ly/3VLy6L8
Register at the links above!

Director Hauck recently met with the Mahoning County Board of Developmental Disabilities about their Disability Awareness Program. Since 2021, the program has worked with local schools to inform students about inclusion and disabilities.
Learn more here: https://dodd.ohio.gov/communication/news/mcbdd+disability+awareness+program