Ohio House of Representatives Hearing Testimony on H.B. 166, the State Operating Budget for FY 20-21
The Governor's proposed budget (H.B. 166) is making it's way through the legislative process, and this week the House Finance Subcommittee on Health & Human Services began hearing testimony related to the proposed increases in funding for services that support individuals with disabilities.
Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities Director, Jeff Davis, along with Kevin Miller from Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, both gave testimony in support the proposed budget initiatives.
H.B. 166 in its current form focuses on these key areas:
- Increased pay for Direct Support Providers (DSP's)
- Increased funding for non-medical transportation
- Maintaining current funding levels for Intermediate-Care Facilities (ICF's)
Testimony will continue next week with lawmakers hearing from providers, families, and individuals. While these increases are promising, and desperately needed, they are far from guaranteed. Please reach out to your Representative and let them know you support the increased funding for Ohioans with disabilities.
Save the Date; Next Bridge 2 Equality Rally Set for May
Please join CCHS and other stakeholders for the second Bridge 2 Equality Rally at the Ohio Statehouse!
This rally will focus on celebrating the successes and current unity in our field, and also aims to bring more awareness to the community and our legislators about the support we need.
The line-up of speakers includes:
- Keynote: DODD Director, Jeff Davis
- Ohio County Board Association
- Ohio Provider Resource Association
- Faith and Values
- Ohio Health Care Association
- Ohio Waiver Network
- Parents/Individuals
With the biennial budget under review, we must be unified to show legislators the importance of proper funding to meet the needs of individuals across Ohio. Please save the date to come out and show your support!
This Inspired That Opens Saturday at Open Door Art Studio & Gallery
Saturday, April 6, 2019 | 5-7 PM | Click here for directions
We have opened our doors to creative collaboration!This Inspired That invites selected community artists to hand pick an Open Door artwork that sparks their creative vision. They then use that spark to create a response piece, relating to the original through content, stylization, or subject matter. The two works are then displayed side-by-side in an exhibition of artistic admiration.
This Inspired That will be on view through May 3, 2019.
This Inspired That has been made possible thanks to generous support from Kegler, Brown, Hill, + Ritter.
Open Door Art Studio & Gallery in the News
NBC 4 Names Open Door one of the top 10 art galleries in Columbus
Open Door is also being featured in a segment of Out n' About Columbus' Downtown Living show airing on ABC 6' April 6 and 7, 2019. Be sure to check it out!
AccessABLE Community Garden Kicks Off Spring with New Projects and a Special Event
Thanks to generous funding received from Franklin County and Scotts Miracle-Gro, the CCHS AccessABLE Community Garden will be making some big improvements this year!
The AccessABLE Community Garden has given individuals with limited mobility an increased opportunity to participate in and enjoy the benefits of gardening. However, for individuals utilizing a wheelchair, accessing the garden still requires the help of a staff member. Full accessibility is important, and this year, thanks to funding provided by the Scotts Miracle-Gro Community Garden Academy and Kegler, Brown, Hill + Ritter, we will be constructing a concrete pathway to the garden, and a concrete floor throughout its interior. This will enable everyone, regardless of their mobility, to independently access the garden.
In addition, Franklin County, in partnership with the City of Columbus and The Columbus Foundation, has provided funding for a large outdoor greenhouse; making it possible for us to grow fresh fruits and vegetables year-round.
We are also excited to be launching a pay-if-you-can farmer's market run by the individuals in our adult day program, Career, Activity, & Community, which will provide our low income neighbors with fresh fruits and vegetables! We expect the farmer's market will be mutually beneficial; increasing food security in our community, while providing important social interaction and helping individuals build skills for future employment opportunities. Market dates and times will be coming soon!
Dirt Devils Gardening Group to Honor Garden Leader, Teresa Waits
Please join us as we honor garden leader Teresa Waits during a special event on May 2, 2019 in the AccessABLE Community Garden. The Dirt Devils gardening group will be dedicating the garden to her for teaching them not only how to plant a seed and watch it grow in the garden, but also how to plant a seed and watch it grow within themselves. This event will coincide with our annual garden clean-up day and will feature a small ceremony, music, and the painting of our raised beds with the help of artists from Open Door Art Studio & Gallery.
Community members and volunteers are welcome and encouraged to attend. If you would like to help with this year's clean-up day or anytime throughout the growing season, please click below to sign-up as a garden volunteer!
Next Fishing with Friends Event to be Held at Prairie Oaks Metro Park
Join us April 18, 2019 from 9a-1p at Prairie Oaks Metro Park for our next Fishing with Friends event!
With all fishing and adaptive equipment provided, Fishing with Friends gives individuals with disabilities the opportunity to learn, practice, and catch fish in various locations throughout Central Ohio! Volunteers will be available to provide support and companionship throughout the event, and a cookout lunch will be provided.
Special thanks to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for their generous support which helps make these events possible!
If you are interested in volunteering for this event, please click below to sign-up!
Fundraiser Being Held to Support Individuals at Park West Court Apartments
Thursday, April 25, 2019 from 6-9 PM at Career, Activity, & Community.
Help support the needs of the individuals living at Park West Court Apartments while creating your own Tree of Life masterpiece! Receive expert guidance from instructor Mary Grover Davis, and leave with a beautiful painting, created by YOU!
The registration fee of $35 includes all materials, instruction, and light refreshments. Click below to sign-up and we hope to see you there!
CCHS Awarded DODD Grant to Develop Innovative Business Strategies for Career, Activity, & Community
CCHS' Career, Activity, & Community adult day program was recently awarded funding from the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities' Innovative Business Strategies for Adult Day, Employment, and Transportation Services Grant.
This grant has paired CCHS with Tim Vogt, a Subject Matter Expert, from the Cincinnati based provider Starfire to help us continue completing the transformation of our adult day program to a fully community-based model. We will keep you up-to-date as the transformation process continues.
Special thanks to Stacy Collins and Tom Hess from DODD for their support of our proposal, and to our Subject Matter Expert Tim for lending us his expertise!
Experiences Are Everything
Individuals supported by CCHS are going places! With over 300 community experiences, volunteer, and career exploration opportunities available each month, individuals are building independence, meeting personal goals, and achieving their dreams.
Experiences Are Everything is a visual look back at some of the places we have recently explored. Enjoy!
Other News & Upcoming Events:
Open Door Art Studio & Gallery Artists Featured in the Columbus Clippers 2019 Calendar
Open Door Art Studio & Gallery artists were commissioned by the Columbus Clippers to complete 12 new themed works for their 2019 calendar!
Kiwanis Aktion Club News
The Kiwanis Aktion Club of Franklin County recently met at the Hilltop Library and received a presentation from Captain Christopher Hinzmann and Lt. Nate Demming of the Hilltop Salvation Army.
The Aktion Club hosts fundraising events throughout the year to benefit organizations the members care about. Last September the Kiwanis Club provided a donation to the Hilltop Salvation Army to support its Family Camp held at Camp Swoneky in southern Ohio. Following the presentation, the club voted to sponsor 10 children for participation in the Salvation Army Summer Camp in 2019.
The Kiwanis Aktion Club of Franklin County will hold a joint meeting with the Hilltop Kiwanis Club on April 11, 2019 at 11:30am. This meeting will be held at the Crossroads United Methodist Church on Hague Ave.
Then, on Saturday, April 20th, Aktion Club members will participate in the Annual Easter Egg Hunt with the Hilltop Kiwanis and Columbus Recreation and Parks.
Finally, on Thursday, May 9th, Karen Bell, Case Worker from Franklin County Children’s Services will be a guest Speaker at the Aktion Club Meeting held at the Hilltop Library.
The Kiwanis Aktion Club of Franklin County is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Hilltop. For further information on the club, please contact Kay Senft.
Career, Activity, & Community Program Manager Selected as OHCA's ID/DD Manager of the Year
Congratulations to Amy Yerian, the Program Manager for Career, Activity, & Community on being awarded ID/DD Manager of the Year by the Ohio Health Care Association.
"Amy has been with CCHS for 20+ years and with the CAC since the program began. The CAC would not run without her. Amy does it all from intakes, to working with individuals daily, to maintaining documentation, and training new staff. She has been a huge help and was a great teacher for me when I came into my new role and has taught me additional things about ADS/vocational programs. We are a team and it is always great to know that there is someone there to back you up and jump in to assist whenever and wherever needed. Amy one of the strongest members of the CCHS team and we all benefit beyond words from her leadership." - Jen Francis, Director of Integrated Services
Amy will be honored during a special awards ceremony during the association's annual conference on April 30th, 2019.
April is National Occupational Therapy Month
Our Occupational Therapist, Melissa Duckworth, does it all! Not only does she provide excellent services to the individuals in her care, but she is one of the most creative people we know. Her passion for helping the individuals we support live their best and most meaningful lives has led her to create customized devices making independence possible for many. In addition, Melissa is frequently called on when a crafty or artistic flair is needed. We appreciate Melissa, and if you do as well, please consider leaving her a Good for You note.
UCO Artist Spotlight
Chelsea Babione
"Chelsea is such a talented artist and a joy to have in the art room. You never know what color hair Chelsea will arrive with or what book she will be reading." - Ashley Piece, Rev 36 Creative Mentor
Chelsea has been working at UCO Industries for 10 years and says the best part or her job is "being social and getting out of the house." Chelsea also uses the art room CCHS provides at UCO for her "time to relax" during her breaks. She is currently working on a paper mâché flying pig! Outside of work, Chelsea is an avid reader, preferring the crime and mystery genres. However, she is currently undertaking reading the Bible which she describes as "a big undertaking and very time consuming!" Good luck, Chelsea, and thanks for sharing a bit about you with all of us!
CCHS March Employees of the Month
We would like to extend a warm congratulations to our January Employees of the Month. The following employees were recognized by their peers for their exemplary service and dedication.
Megan Frost (Residential): "Megan was a huge help and support to staff during our Medicaid survey. We appreciate all she did; even assisting with meals (both breakfast and dinner)." - Margaret
Chieton Turner (Residential): "There was a critical situation immediately outside of an individual's home. Chieton took quick action and put herself in danger to protect the individual from risk of harm. Thank you for all that you do!" - Becky
Tiea Deeds (ICF): "The nursing department commended Tiea on the level of care she provides to an individual in her apartment that has a high risk for bed sores." - Christy
Benie Gyamfi (Residential): "Benie has gone above and beyond at an SCL location to keep an individual safe. She thought very quickly in crisis situation and recorded the license plate and identifying information needed to find individual when they left with unsafe community member which assisted us in finding the individual. She also received compliments from the individual's guardian. You are greatly appreciated!" - Becky
Kagabu Ndikumana (Residential): "Thank you for coming in early to help cover 7am routes and for hanging out with an individual while we figured out where her home staff were." - Jen
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