Upcoming things to sign up to get involved with or make your voice heard thru surveys and public comment!

• Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness(PAIMI) Program
  Public Forum On May 6th, 2025, representatives from the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA), Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) will visit Disability Rights Ohio, the Protection & Advocacy System for the State of Ohio.
  SAMHSA/CMHS invites you to send comments about the
  PAIMI Program services and activities conducted by the Disability Rights Ohio.
  Please send your comments to SAMHSA/CMHS by email to PAIMI@samhsa.hhs.gov or mail to the PAIMI Program Coordinator, SAMHSA/CMHS, 5600 Fishers Lane, Suite 14E25D,
  Rockville, Maryland 20857
• April is National Poetry Month, and, we’re looking for Ohio advocates to submit poems about advocacy that are 100 words or less! If you wish to submit a poem, send it to:
  ohioadvocacyheartbeat@gmail.com
• The 2025 National Health And Disability Survey is out now! this is for anyone who lives with a disability or chronic health condition. If you choose, you can enter for a chance to win one of 15 $100 gift cards! Drawings will be held weekly. You can also choose to be notified when the survey is availabble next year. Take this opportunity to stake your voice heard!
  You can access the survey by clicking this link to do the survey.
  If you any questions, please reach out:
     Phone:  1 (855) 556-6328
     Email:   healthsurvey@ku.edu

Events around Ohio to check out week of April 6th 2025 to April 12th 2025

Monday April 7th

World Health Day!

• We Thrive Together: Emotional Wellness Workshop from 11:00am-12:00pm check out this link to join.
• We Thrive Together: Relationships Empathy Chat 3:00-4:00pm check out this link to join.
• Adulting 101: Discussion on Social Security Benefits with Lucas County Board of DD (ages 13 and up – parents also welcome!), Monday, 5:30–8:30 PM at The Ability Center of Greater Toledo 5605 Monroe St, Sylvania, OH 43560, USA
• There will be a meeting with the Breaking Silences Accommodations committee on April 7, 2025 from 3-5 PM. If you’d like to attend, please email Maria Matzik at:
  Maria.Matzik@acils.com

Tuesday April 8th 2025

• The Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP), the state of Ohio’s official Medicare resource, is hosting a free “Welcome to Medicare” virtual educational event on April 8 from 11 a.m. to noon. The event is for Ohioans new to Medicare or those who need a Medicare refresher. Register today: https://bit.ly/4i1EWnR
• The Disability Employment Tchnical Assistance Center will be hosting a webinar STABLE accounts on April 8, 2025 from 3 to 4:30 PM. The National Able Resource Center will give an overview of STABLE accounts, which allow people with disability to save and invest money without it affecting their benefits. The webinar will cover ellegibility requirements, contribution limits, and how funds can be used. The webinar will then talk about how Kansas increased adoption of STABLE accounts for people with disabilities, serving as a model for other states, and, an individual will talk about how she uses her STABLE. account to live independently in the community.
  Registration is required, and, attendees can list accommodation needs on the registation form. ASL. interpretation, Live Captioning, and Spanish Machine Translation will be available. To register, click this link:
  Webinar Registration – Zoom
• Breaking Silences Advocacy Committee will have a meeting from 3:30 to 4:30 PM. Zoom. If you would like to attend, email Maria Matzik at: Maria.Matzik@acils.com
• We Thrive Together: Life Skills Class on Washing Clothes to join click this link it is from 4:00-5:00pm.
• Community Town Hall: Mental Health and Substance Use Services, Tuesday, Apr 8 · 5–6:30 PM at Huron County Community Library
  33 Pleasant St, Wakeman, OH 44889, USA
• Breaking Barriers:
  Communication in the Criminal Justice System for Individuals with Disabilities
  Tuesday, April 8, 6-7:30 p.m.
  Madeira Library in Cincinnati
  Join us for an interactive workshop where we will explore:
  How communication impacts individuals with disabilities
  Strategies for improving communication when interacting with the criminal justice system
  Practical solutions to enhance accessibility and reduce barriers
  Presented by University of Cincinnati and The Arc.
  For Adults.

Wednesday April 9th 2025

• OSDA at We Thrive Together 11am https://wethrivetogether.org/upcoming-events
• Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Webinar Series Future Planning, Wednesday, Apr 2 · 11:30 AM–12:30 PM Speaker: Derek Graham please register this this link
• Supported Decision Making Network of Ohio has a 12:00-1:30pm monthly meeting. Check out there website for more information.

Thursday April 10th

• OSDA Creative Changemakers, Thursday, Apr 10 · 4:30–5:30 PM, Repeats every month on the second Thursday contact clareschloemer.osda@gmail.com for more information on how to join.

Friday April 11th 2025

• Disability Rights Ohio Weekly Budget Debriefs will be from 3 to 4 PM. Disability Rights Ohio will give weekly updates on the Ohio Budget for people with disabilities and families. If you’re interested in attending, email Brittanie Maddox at:
  bmaddox@disabilityrightsohio.org

Saturday April 12th 2025

• No Known Events

Helpful Information by National, State and County Agencies and Organizations for People to Read

• Artists with Disabilities Access Program: The Artists with Disabilities Access Program (ADAP) provides funding that gives individual artists with disabilities the resources they need to further their artistic development. Creative expression by artists of all abilities is essential to building dynamic and diverse communities throughout Ohio. ADAP awards help artists with disabilities advance their artistic practices, making Ohio a more accessible and inclusive place to build an artistic career. 
  Application Deadline: May 1, 2025
• This was shared by Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities Kings Island ‘s accessibility guide has changed and we want to make sure you have all the details before visiting this summer! One of the major changes is the accessibility card! Individuals will now have to get prior approval from a third-party system that requires a doctor’s note. To make sure your prepared, please take a look at the Kings Island accessibility guide: http://www.visitkingsisland.com/accessibility
  

This Week in Awareness

• April 8th, Cushing Disease Awareness Day
• Stress Awareness Month
• Autism Awareness Month
• National Poetry Month
• National Minority Health Month
• World Autism Awareness Day
• Sjogrens Awareness Month

For more events check out our main website OhioAdvocacyHeartbeat.com