February 8, 2008
This is the weekly e-mail newsletter from the Lucas County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities.
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1. Superintendent John Trunk's next public forum is February 12
The next public forum with Superintendent John Trunk will be February 12, 9:30 a.m., at the Board of MR/DD Administrative Offices, 1154 Larc Lane. These informal discussions are designed to share information among families, advocates and the Board. The special guest will be Linda Johnston, an outreach specialist with the Anthem Partnership Plan (Managed Care Medicaid Program). She specializes in aged, blind and disabled populations. Open enrollment for this group in Northwest Ohio is in February. She will make a presentation and then be available to answer questions.
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2. Board President elected to statewide office
Rod Standiford, President of the Lucas County Board of MR/DD, has been elected Treasurer of the Ohio Association of County Boards of MR/DD, a trade association that helps all 88 county mr/dd boards in Ohio and its 75,000 adults and children with developmental disabilities.
“Mr. Standiford brings an extensive knowledge of how local mr/dd boards operate to our board,” said Dan Ohler, Association Executive Director.
A member of the Association Board for three years and the Lucas County Board of MR/DD for seven years, Mr. Standiford has been instrumental in meeting with legislators and other activities to promote the welfare of the developmentally disabled.
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3. Let our legislators know how important boards of mr/dd are
As you may know, Feb. 14 is more than just Valentine's Day in Ohio - it is also the day that the Futures Committee will be releasing its findings. People from throughout Ohio will be given the opportunity Feb. 14 to express their opinions. An effort is underway by the Ohio Association of County Boards of MR/DD to make sure our legislators hear from people throughout the state on how important their local county board of mr/dd is to them. To that end, we are encouraging every county to send at least one letter expressing appreciation for its local county board of mr/dd. We would like to have several hundred!
Please send all email letters to Linda Oda, OACBMRDD Director of Communication, at loda@oacbmrdd.org, or 73 E. Wilson Bridge Road, Suite B-1, Worthington, OH 43085. Letters that will be sent through the traditional mail should be postmarked no later than Friday, Feb. 8. Emails will be accepted until 6 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 14.
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4. Lott Industries collecting old phone books
Lott Industries is collecting old telephone books. Lott sells shredded and baled paper to paper mills that use the material to produce toilet paper, paper towels, and other consumer goods. Phone books can be dropped off at any Board of MR/DD facility. By collecting and processing phone books we'll not only be helping to supply Lott employees with meaningful work opportunities but we'll also be doing something good for the earth by recycling and helping to reduce landfill waste.
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5. Ability Center receives funds for home accessibility modifications
Dale Abell, Director of Program Development at the Ability Center says the Ability Center was recently awarded $200,000 for 2008 and 2009 from the Ohio Department of Development to provide home accessibility modifications for low income individuals with disabilities. Click here to read the flyer announcing the availability of this program and eligibility requirements.
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6. Recreational opportunities for adults
Attached is a flyer describing recreation opportunities for adults receiving services from LCBMRDD. This information has been mailed to all adults attending Lott. Staff are encouraged to share this information with individuals getting services from other providers. For more information contact George Leist, Community Inclusion Specialist.
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This Year Marks the 20th Annual Practically a Golf Tournament, returning to Westfield Franklin Park on February 14-17. The PGT is a unique indoor miniature golf course featuring 9 holes, and an extra 10th hole, "The Turn." The cost for the entire 9-hole course is $5. For registration information call 419-867-5950.
Attached please find the flyer for the Prevent Child Abuse Ohio Statewide Network Meeting, which will take place at the University of Toledo Health Science Campus on Feb. 15. The presentation, "The Top 10 Most Dangerous Things for Children, and What We Can do About It," will address key risk factors for child maltreatment with special emphasis on prevention. Registration fee is only $20, and CEs are offered for Social Workers, Counselors and Psychologists.
A flyer is attached for FREE Project ACTION (Autism Community Training In Our Neighborhood) autism training sessions that will be held at the Friendly Center on February 21.
The Ohio Statehouse Atrium will host the annual kickoff celebration of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (MRDD) Awareness Month on March 6 from 10 a.m. – noon. “When Doors Open, We Succeed,” the statewide theme for this year’s MRDD Awareness Month activities, encourages people to welcome individuals with disabilities as equal partners in their communities. The celebration of MRDD Awareness Month offers a statewide opportunity to encourage people to gain a better understanding of the nearly 80,000 individuals who are served in Ohio.
March 8 the Accessible Expressions Ohio art exhibit will be open at Toledo Botanical Garden. Opening ceremonies are 1:00 to 3:00. All of the artwork in the exhibition is created by artists with disabilities. The Lucas County Board of MR/DD is a sponsor. The opening reception is free and open to the public. RSVP to 614-241-5325 or by e-mail to info@vsao.org
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