DCBDD Updates
Upcoming Board Meetings and Closures
Upcoming Board Meeting: May 11 at 6:30 p.m.
Upcoming Closure: May 29 for Memorial Day
Background checks are available by appointment only. To schedule, please send an email to BCI@dcbdd.org
Health and Welfare Alerts:
Visit the following link for dehydration information
Abuser Registry Updates
- Osondu Chianumba 10/25/1970
- Miah Valentine 02/23/1999
- Chamar Montgomery 07/06/1992
- Preston Vinson 02/07/2001
- Erica Cotter 09/09/1980
- Harold Reeder 02/15/2001
- Joshua Brown 07/16/1984
- Whitney Barnes 01/16/1986
- Tambong Eyong 06/20/1986
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
Delaware 211 Hotline
Delaware 211 connects individuals and families to health and human services in Delaware – for everyday needs and in crisis situations. Delaware 211 is free to use by live chat, text or by calling and includes resources for mental health emergencies, food assistance, medical care, education assistance, utility assistance, substance use, clothing help and much more.
Visit the link to learn more!
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.
Technology Resource Feature
Be My Eyes is a free mobile app with one main goal: To make the world more accessible for blind and low-vision people. The app connects blind and low vision individuals with sighted volunteers and companies all over the world through a live video call.
To learn more visit this link
Community Events
OASDP Summit
Wednesday May 3, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
DWELL Community Conference Center
In addition to our keynote plenary session, OADSP and the Councils are pleased to bring you sessions that address:
· Valued Social Roles
· UIs and MUIs
· Parent/Guardian Relationships with DSPs
· Trauma
· Mental Health First Aid®
Each of these sessions are offered twice. Register Here
Health Linkage Program
The Health Linkage Program can help with:
- healthcare providers not understanding disabilities
- being denied appointments
- physical inaccessibility of buildings and places
inaccessibility of equipment like exam tables - inadequate insurance coverage
- lack of transportation
The Health Linkage Program helps make these problems go away so you can just focus on your health!
OHCA Convention and Expo
Date & Location:
May 22-25, 2023
The Columbus Convention Center
400 North High Street
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 827-2500
(800) 626-0241
For more information and for the agenda and topics, visit this link.
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
New OTPTAT Safe Haven Program
Ohio Physicians Health Program is offering one hour of free continuing education as an introduction to the OTPTAT Board’s new Safe Haven program.
The Safe Haven program is a confidential path for individuals to seek help for burnout, mental health or substance use disorders and a therapeutic alternative to regulatory action for chronic illnesses. Find out more at https://www.ophp.org/.
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.
Technology Helps Foster Connection and Independence
Words by Olivia Minnier, Photos by Kelly Jacoby
After getting his first iPhone last year, a Polaris area man has seen a boost of confidence and is thriving while living independently.
Jimmy Jones, 52, has been able to become more independent through the adoption of technology. Since he communicates verbally and has a very soft-spoken demeanor, the addition of technology has helped Jimmy connect with others more in his day-to-day life.
Through the addition of texting and calling on his new iPhone, he can communicate more often with the staff at LifeBuilders where he attends a day program five times a week.
“It has been so great for him to be able to do this. This has also opened his ability to communicate with other members more than just at Life Builders. Since Jimmy can be quiet or shy at times, this has opened methods for him to have more opportunities to talk with others. It is great to see him learning and being able to chat,” said Deedra Olney, Director of LifeBuilders.
Outside of his day-to-day interactions with the staff and other peers at LifeBuilders, he has been able to communicate more with his family and keep them up to date on what is happening in his life.
“Jimmy has always been independent, however, the technology allows him to access information quickly, easily, and consistently communicate with his family. He is happier now that he can use his phone to call us anytime, he wants, (use) the computer to view his favorite subjects, and his portable cd player to listen to music,” said his sister, Paulette Horn.
Horn said that the additional technology has brought Jimmy joy outside of the ease of communication with others. He can keep up with his New York sports teams, read articles online, and is learning to use Google to research topics.
Now that he has learned how to use the iPhone, Jimmy will soon be getting an Amazon Echo and is looking forward to using voice commands to easily access movies, recipes, sports, and other types of media he enjoys.
The Echo will also allow him to utilize his verbal communication skills.
For Jimmy, the addition of technology into his life has not only given him new routes of communicating with others; but has provided an extra layer of confidence and security living alone, and has allowed his personality to shine even more.
As Horn said, “Jimmy is a happy person the technology just enhances it.”
