March 21, 2008
This is the weekly e-mail newsletter from the
Lucas County Board of Mental
Retardation and Developmental Disabilities.
- Ohio Receives federal approval for Medicaid Buy-In for workers
with disabilities
- Special Olympics State Basketball Tournament in Bowling Green
- Call to Action issued by Ohio Association of County Boards of
MR/DD
-
New recreation program for children with disabilities
- People First officers elected
- Core Values Survey
- Upcoming Events
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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:
- President -- Jo Rita Fox
- Vice-President -- Wanda Huber
- Secretary -- Frances Clinton
- Treasurer -- Heather Soper
- Sergeant-at-Arms -- Doug Fletcher
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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:
- People First
- Self-Determination
- Importance of Family
- Community Participation
- Ethical and Visionary Leadership
- Cultural Competence
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 atteched.
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
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