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Menu
  • About
    • Mission, Vision, and Values
    • Strategic Plan
    • History
    • The Board
      • Board Meetings
      • Board Officers and Appointments
    • Get Started
    • Employee Directory
    • Meetings & Events
      • Calendar
      • Lifetime of Giving Awards
    • Career Opportunities
  • Individuals & Families
    • Intake & Eligibility
    • Early Intervention
    • Support Administration
    • Finding A Provider
      • Provider Search
      • Submit Request for Provider
    • Report an MUI
  • Providers
    • Provider Resources
    • Requests for Providers Listing
    • Background Checks
    • Report an MUI
  • Resources
    • Tools & Resources
    • MUI/UI Information
    • Grants
      • Accessibility and Inclusion Grant
      • Advocacy Grant
    • Access Delaware
    • Waiver & Medicaid
    • Waiting List
    • Complaint Process
    • Notice of Privacy Practices
    • Accessibility Statement
  • News
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    • Perspectives Newsletters
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    • Speaker/Training Request
WHAT'S INSIDE?
  • DCBDD Updates
  • Abuser Registry Updates
  • Community Resource Feature
  • Community Events
  • Trainings
  • Graduating Senior Soars with Support
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DCBDD Updates

March is Developmental Disability Awareness Month!

Use the QR codes to register for upcoming events or the links further down in the newsletter!

Upcoming Board Meeting: March 9 at 6 p.m.

Background checks are available by appointment only. To schedule, please send an email to BCI@dcbdd.org

Additionally, all independent and agency providers are required to complete an Annual Review of their MUIs.

For 2023, reports must be completed by April 1 and sent to the County Board by April 28. Please use the forms below for the review, and submit completed forms to MUI@dcbdd.org.

Form for Independent Providers

Form for Agency Provider

Health and Welfare Alerts:

Visit the following link for winter weather safety information

 

Abuser Registry Updates

  • Eboni Green 01/21/1979
  • Roberta Holloway 03/16/1965
  • Mario Anderson 02/12/1969
  • Melissa Mayes 08/16/1979
  • Katja Bryant 07/12/1998
  • Diaa Youssef 10/08/1964
  • Lillian Wilson 11/14/1977
  • Jessica Nemire 02/18/1984
  • Krishna Harris 08/22/1989
  • Sean Battle 09/03/1984
  • Kimberly Williams 03/21/1962
  • Holly White 07/04/1989
  • Moneisha Rogers 03/23/1983
  • Kelly Marquez 08/02/1979
  • Clara Phairr 08/15/1986
  • David Randall 10/11/1993
  • Cassie Thornton 12/30/1979
  • Marcus Fitzpatrick 11/13/1979
  • Michael Seymour 04/04/1998
  • Angelique Kelly 01/10/1974
  • DeAngelo Norris 04/15/1990
  • Kianti Scott 05/06/1982

If you believe these individuals are in your employ or seeking employment with your organization, you should follow published procedures for verifying the applicant/employee is not on the registry. If you have questions regarding this information, please contact the DODD registry unit at: 1-866-313-6733

Community Resource Feature

Ohio's Tech Ambassadors

Ohio’s Tech Ambassadors are a resource on how Supportive Technology can be used at home, at school, at work, and in the community. Tech Ambassadors share their personal experiences through peer-to-peer mentoring sessions, either in person or virtually.

Request a meeting with one of Ohio’s Tech Ambassadors here: https://ohiotechambassadors.org/request

Assistive Technology Library

Interested in trying assistive technology to see if it meets your needs? Borrow a device from the DCBDD Assistive Technology Lending Library! Our current inventory includes:

  • Echo Show
  • Echo Dot
  • Ring Video Doorbell
  • Smart Plug
  • Wyze Camera
  • Electronic Reading Aid
  • Miku Monitor
  • Schlage Electronic Deadbolt
  • Clip Different


To borrow a device, review the following documents and submit the request to AssistiveTechnology@dcbdd.org.

  • Assistive Technology Lending Library Procedure
  • Assistive Technology Lending Library Application
  • Assistive Technology Lending Library Agreement

Community Events

Wear Blue For Inclusion!

March 1 at 9 a.m.

Wear blue and show your inclusion pride! Help DCBDD promote community inclusion by posting pictures on social media wearing blue. Be sure to tag us!

The Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities

March 9 at 1:30 p.m.

The Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD) is a statewide nonprofit organization that serves families of infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities in Ohio, educators and agencies who provide services to them.

Register here

The Color Coded Chef

March 16 at 12:00 p.m.

The Color-Coded Chef kit promotes life skills for all ages and abilities through the power of cooking! Register here

Learn about Adaptive Sports Connection

March 21 at 11 a.m.
Learn more about all that Adaptive Sports Connection has to offer!
Register here: https://dcbdd-org.zoom.us/…/WN_ixmfHmyfRxmC9gSH79rW2Q

Accessible Gaming with All Access Life

March 29 at 1:00 p.m.
Bradley was born with nonverbal spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy, but he never lets it hold him back from living life to the fullest. What started out as a job for Daniel at the age of 19, working as Brad’s full-time aide while he attended high school, has turned into a journey neither of them would have ever expected.
 
Over the years they’ve built a very unique and everlasting friendship. A decade later, they’re still attached at the hips!
They’re now using their unique journey and experiences with adaptive products and assistive technologies to help others with disabilities through their non-profit, All Access Life. Over the years they’ve seen the amazing effects technology has had on Brad’s life. Their goal is to create a website that showcases the latest trends and movements in adaptive products and assistive technologies.
 
Register here!
https://dcbdd-org.zoom.us/…/WN_vGSsaXZpSS-ATtDuevgOOw

OHCA Workforce Summit

Date & Location:

March 13-14, 2023

Renaissance Columbus Westerville-Polaris Hotel

409 Altair Parkway

Westerville, OH 43082

(614) 882-6800

Never have we been so challenged with attracting and retaining our most valuable asset- our workforce. When people gather, connect, and share valuable insights, everyone becomes stronger and more capable of bringing positive change to their community. That’s why the OHCA Workforce Summit will be such a powerful event.

 

Get ready to Re-invigorate the Core of Your Community!

 

Topics include:

  • Recent Regulations and Challenges
  • Legislative and Advocacy Updates
  • Innovations
  • Recruitment
  • Retention
  • HR Legal Issues
  • And more!

Join us as we learn to foster partnerships, sustain a robust workforce, and ultimately make an impact in our communities. At this event you will be surrounded by others in the industry who tackle the issues you face every day. Time will be available to hear stories and learn best practices.

 

The Summit will energize you with fresh ideas and new strategies to help bolster the workforce in your community so it can thrive and prosper.

Employer Workforce Resource Expo

March 23 from 3 to 5 p.m.

Columbus State Community College

Click here for more information

Provider Resources and Support Team Information Sharing Sessions for DSPs, Front Line Supervisors, and Providers

The DODD Provider Resources and Support Team is excited to announce monthly information sessions with topics of interest for those providing direct care services, those interested in getting certified to provide direct care services, and for local county board staff who support direct support professionals and providers. Information sessions are held on the fourth Monday of each month from 11 AM – 12 PM.

Below are the upcoming information sessions for the first quarter of 2023. 

March 27

History of Developmental Disability Services

April 24

The DSP Experience: Stories from the Field

National Employment First Conference Happening in Columbus in June

Date & Location:

Employment First: Creating Connections in Columbus, Ohio, June 12 – 15, 2023. 

National APSE, the Association of People Supporting Employment First, is holding its national conference, “Employment First: Creating Connections,” in Columbus, Ohio, June 12 – 15, 2023.  

APSE is asking for presenter proposals here. 

Sign up to receive DODD newsletters!

  • Pipeline
  • DSP Connection
  • Family Connection
  • Director’s Corner
  • Tech First
  • and more!


Sign up here: https://bit.ly/3DOll9C

Trainings

Register for MI/IDD Training Series

The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OHMAS) and the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) are hosting a series of live webinars on best practices in supporting people who have both a mental illness and an intellectual/developmental disability (MI/IDD). DODD CPD and CEU units from nursing, psychology, counseling, and social work are available.

Criminal Law and Intellectual Disabilities – Tuesday, March 7, 12 – 1 PM

Neurological Conditions in Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities – Tuesday, March 14, 12 – 1 PM

Sexual Assault and Intellectual Disability Training Now Available in DODD MyLearning

Sexual Assault and Intellectual Disability training is now available in DODD MyLearning. Dr. Elizabeth Schindler’s recorded webinar examines the mental and physical health effects of sexual assault in people with intellectual disabilities (ID). People with ID face many barriers reporting sexual assault and receiving clinical attention. Clinicians, caregivers, and providers who understand these challenges can more effectively facilitate comprehensive, compassionate care.

One unit hour of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is available in the areas of Adult Services, County Board Member, Investigative Agent, Service and Support Administration, and Superintendent.

Join the OSSAS Provider Training Series 2023

Join us for the OSSAS Provider Training Series – monthly virtual training opportunities. Training is held on the last Thursday of each month at 10 AM. 

2/23/2023 10 AM – Personal Funds Rule – The Personal Funds Rule, 5123-2-07, was updated and became effective November 19, 2022. This training session will go over the details of the rule and point out changes to the rule.  

3/30/2023 10 AM – Your Agency is Certified, Now What?

4/27/2023 10 AM – Background Checks and Training

Click on the Registration Page to register for any session. 

Contact: OSSAS Compliance Page or ossas@dodd.ohio.gov.

Megan Schirtzinger stands with her teammates during Olentangy Berlin High School's gymnastics senior night. (Photo by Kelly Jacoby.)

Graduating Senior Soars with Support

Megan Schirtzinger, 19, a senior at Olentangy Berlin High School, leaps into her future with support from teammates, family and the community.

Words by Olivia Minnier, Photos by Kelly Jacoby

Entering Olentangy Berlin High School’s Tumble and Take Down gymnastics senior night, all eyes are on the girl with the space buns and dark hair. With a cheering section that seemed to take the entire in gym, she appears to be in her element. Accepting fist bumps, gifts of Cocoa Puffs and other cereals, she taps her hair buns in joyful bliss.

As she walks up to compete in her routines, the crowd goes wild. Her parents, and independent provider, and siblings are behind her beaming with pride at her confidence.

Megan Schirtzinger, 19, is a graduating senior at Olentangy Berlin High School and communicates non-verbally She uses some verbal communication but largely communicates by using her own personal style, which is a combination of some American Sign Language and her way of indicating thoughts and feelings to others in gesture.

At school, she utilizes a communication device to help her complete assignments and participate in class.

Despite these the obstacles, Megan has created a close-knit network of support that has adapted to her unique communication style and has gotten to know her well.

A big part of that support network has been her teammates on Olentangy Berlin’s cheerleading team and the gymnastics team.

Shirtzinger’s mom, Dawn Schirtzinger, reached out to the cheerleading team before Megan’s junior year to see if they would be interested in having her daughter join, and they were.

Megan started to be an active participant in cheering her senior year and became close with the girls after attending many sleepovers, outings, and events. Once cheer season ended, her teammates who were also a part of the gymnastics program, encouraged her to join them on the team.

Dawn said her daughter has had an incredible experience on the team.

“They have fully accepted her for who she is, as one of their own,” she said.

The girls have helped Megan choreograph her floor, beam, and bar routines so she could not only be a part of the team, but actively compete as well.

Dawn said this was a vastly different experience than the one Megan had with Special Olympics. While she made a great group of friends, which she refers to as the “HA HO Squad,” she did not fully gain the comradery that she has with her Olentangy Team.

Dawn said not only has her daughter made friendships but has improved drastically since joining the cheer and gymnastics teams for Olentangy Berlin High School.

Megan has shown improvement in her expressive language, overall physical health, and most importantly, her confidence.

In a huge show of confidence, Megan led a cheer right in front of the student section during a football game this past fall. The student section quickly turned the cheer around, cheering directly for Megan herself, making it one of Megan’s favorite moments of the school year.

Looking forward beyond senior year, Megan is excited to join Olentangy’s ACT program and continue her education in transition skills.

She’s incredibly excited about her future and is using her newly gained confidence and is learning additional tools to help move her forward or as said, in her words with her chosen senior quote, “play the cards you are dealt, because every hand can be a winner,”

Megan Schirtzinger starts her beam routine with help from her teammates. (Photo by Kelly Jacoby.)
Megan Schirtzinger stands at Olentangy Berlin’s Senior Night with her perfect 10 score card. (Photo by Kelly Jacoby.)
Megan Schirtzinger stands outside her home with her Olentagy Berlin Cheer Uniform. (Photo submitted.)

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