March 21, 2008
This is the weekly e-mail newsletter from the Lucas County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities.
New recreation program for children with disabilities
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1. Ohio receives federal approval for Medicaid Buy-In for workers with disabilities
The program allowing eligible workers with disabilities to continue receiving Medicaid benefits created last year by Governor Ted Strickland and the Ohio General Assembly has received the required federal approval, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Effective April 1, workers with disabilities earning up to 250 percent ($26,000 in 2008) of the Federal Poverty Level may pay a monthly premium to continue Medicaid coverage.
“We are pleased that our federal counterparts recognized the fact that providing continued access to health care also removes what otherwise could serve a barrier to work for many individuals who have the ability and desire to take part in the working community,” ODJFS Helen Jones-Kelley said.
State Representative Jon Peterson, sponsor of Medicaid Buy-In legislation in the House, noted "this program will change lives. Participants in the program will be able to live their dreams of becoming fully integrated into the workforce. This program adds a significant number of highly skilled employees to Ohio's working population."
“The leadership of the Governor and the success of the budget have created this important program, which invests in the economy by strengthening families, communities and the state’s economy,” State Senator Shirley Smith (D-Cleveland). This is a great day for workers with disabilities – the buy-in will enable them to live healthy and contribute to the vitality of Ohio’s workforce. Healthy workers create a healthy economy that in turn makes the future of our state more hopeful and prosperous for all Ohioans.”
Under the program, Ohioans between the ages of 16 and 64 with a disability defined by the Social Security Administration can pay an income-based premium for Medicaid coverage. Additional information on the program is available by calling the Ohio Medicaid Consumer hotline at 1-800-324-8680.
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2. Special Olympics State Basketball Tournament in Bowling Green
More than 600 Special Olympics Ohio athletes are expected to participate in the 2008 Special Olympics Ohio State Basketball Tournament Finals and Individual Skills Contest Friday and Saturday, March 28 and 29, in Bowling Green.
The State Tournament features 32 teams representing 24 Ohio counties: Allen, Ashland, Auglaize, Coshocton, Cuyahoga, Darke, Franklin, Geauga, Hamilton, Henry, Logan, Lucas, Madison, Mahoning, Marion, Montgomery, Muskingum, Putnam, Richland, Sandusky, Stark, Summit, Tuscarawas and Wayne.
The Individual Skills Contest features almost 300 athletes representing 18 Ohio counties: Allen, Ashland, Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Erie, Franklin, Gallia, Greene, Hancock, Knox, Licking, Lorain, Lucas, Pickaway, Perry, Stark, Van Wert and Wood.
The State Tournament involves action in semi-final and final rounds in nine divisions. Those advancing to the final rounds compete for the State Championships. Consolation rounds determine third- and fourth-place status. The 32 teams competing in the State Tournament are from an original field of 142 teams from throughout the state and advanced through North, East, South and West Section tournaments.
State semi-final games are played Friday with starting times of 4 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Championship and consolation games are held Saturday with starting times of 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The Individual Skills Contest, held Saturday starting at 9 a.m., involves individual competition in basketball-related skills, such as dribbling, passing and free-throw shooting.
Venues hosting Special Olympics activities are the City of Bowling Green’s Training and Community and Recreation Center and BGSU’s Anderson Arena and Perry Field House. All Special Olympics Ohio events are free and open to the public.
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3. Call to Action issued by Ohio Association of County Boards of MR/DD
Ohio Department of MR/DD Dirtector John Martin was recently instructed by the Governor's Office to cut $17 million from his budget because of the state's budget crisis. Director Martin’s goal is to hold Ohio’s 80,000 residents with developmental disabilities as harmless as possible. But, an analysis of numerous economic forecasts and financial reports suggest that the $17 million in cuts may be just the beginning.
Please take a moment today to send the Governor’s office a quick note to let him know that our state’s most vulnerable population cannot afford even the smallest of budgetary cuts. Ohio’s developmentally disabled population should not have to bear the loss of services to help fix any future budget woes.
Mail your note to: Governor's Office Riffe Center, 30th Floor, 77 South High Street Columbus, OH 43215-6108 or send e-mail to the Governor's press secretary at keith.dailey@governor.ohio.gov
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4. New recreation program for children with disabilities
Sylvania Recreation in cooperation with the Autism Society of NW Ohio, and Graduate Students in the Recreation Administration Program from the University of Toledo are pleased to announce an innovative new program option for children with disabilities.
The Adaptive Athletics Program (AAP) is designed for children with disabilities who are interested in organized physical activities. The program will keep participants active for 90 minutes each week while rotating through several different stations. Station work will include fitness, manipulative skills, fun game activities, team sports, and relay races. The Adaptive Athletics Program will help children build confidence, accomplish personal goals, and interact.
The program offers athletic opportunities for everyone with or without disabilities and of all abilities. Volunteers are needed to assist with the program. If you can help, call (419) 882-1500 ext. 222! Register online at www.sylvaniarecreation.org.
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5. People First officers elected
People First of Toledo has elected new officers. They are:
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6. Core Values Survey
Families, providers and advocates are again being asked to participate in a survey to determine just how well the Board is addressing its Core Values:
The survey helps the Superintendent and Board plan for future services and supports. Surveys should be returned by March 28. If you did not receive a survey and would like to complete one, you can download it at www.lucasmrdd.com There are several discussion sessions scheduled to review the topics in this survey. They are scheduled throughout the community starting April 21. For a list of dates, times and locations check the website or call the Office of the Assistant Superintendent at 419-380-4000.
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7. Upcoming Events
The Arc of Lucas County is hosting a leadership academy for self-advocates. Sessions will be held on Tuesdays through April from 10:00 to 2:15 at the Ability Center of Greater Toledo, 5605 Monroe Street. All materials, a certificate of completion, and lunch at each session are provided for all participants. At the academy, sessions will focus on improving self-advocacy skills, learning about current issues in Ohio, and how to organize other self-advocates for action. Registration will be limited to 25. For more information or call 419-882-0941 ext. 1. An information flyer is attached.
The 5th annual Autism Awareness Rally will be April 2 on the south lawn of the Statehouse in Columbus. The rally will be from 11:00 to 12:30. For more information e-mail askASO@autismohio.org or call 330-376-0211.
Bittersweet invites you to explore successful ways of working with persons with autism by learning the methodology of support developed by Bittersweet Farms over 25 years. The interactive academy will be held on the 80 acre farm in Whitehouse, Ohio, Wednesday through Friday - April 2, 3, 4 from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. For more information or to access our brochure, go to www.bittersweetfarms.org
"Lift Up Your Voice," a benefit concert and Indian Meal featuring jazz artists Lori LeFevre, the Eric Dickey Trio and the Bowling Green State University Jazz Singers, will be held on Friday, April 4, at the Toledo Mennonite Church, 5501 Nebraska, Toledo. This fundraising event, which is open to the public, has been organized by Sunshine Foundation, Inc with proceeds being used to purchase communication devices for persons with developmental disabilities served at Sunshine. Reservations are needed for the dinner with a $15.00 per person suggested donation amount. An offering will be taken at the concert, which is free and open to the public. Call 419-865-0251 ext. 3153 for reservations.
Superintendent John Trunk's next public forum will be April 8, 7:00 p.m., at the EduCare Center.
April 17 the Family Information Network "Your House or Mine" get together will feature Probate Judge Jack Puffenberger. The judge will discuss guardianship, wills, special needs trusts & DNR orders. See the attached flyer.
An exhibition wheelchair football game and demonstration will be April 19 at 12:00 p.m. in the Student Recreation Center at the University of Toledo. The purpose of this event is to offer entertainment to the UT campus and Toledo community while promoting inclusive recreation. People will have a chance to try their hand at the game afterwards, and other activities will be available at the Recreation Center for people to try (eg. blindfolded climb on the rock wall). The Toledo Crash is a competitive wheelchair football team with members from the Toledo area. Some have also competed in the Paralymic Games They are coached by Mario Duncan, an employee at the Abilities Center and former athlete.
June 13 the Miracle League will hold a golf outing to raise funds to build a baseball field for children with special needs. The flyer is attached.
The Press is reporting the Special Olympics State Softball Tournament will be held at the Oregon Recreation Center September 13-14.
The annual Sibling Conference will be November 7-8 in Columbus. For more information visit the website.
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Please forward this newsletter to others interested in activities, events and issues concerning individuals in our community with mr/dd. To subscribe, send your e-mail address to comments@lucasmrdd.com
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