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

• 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
• The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW) would like to invite you to participate in a short, 25 question survey about your involvement in your student’s education. Research suggests that parental involvement is a key predictor of positive educational outcomes. You may be eligible to participate if your child has an IEP and receives special education services. The purpose of collecting this information is to improve services for students with disabilities across Ohio. If you are eligible to participate and you enroll in the study, you will be entered in a drawing for a $50 gift card. Your chance of winning a gift card is approximately 2.0%. Please click on the link to find out more about the survey and if you are eligible.
• Access Center for Independent Living (ACIL) is looking for people in Champaign, Clark, Preble, Miami or Montgomery Counties to fill out their Needs Assessment Survey to help them find needs of the people with disabilities in their community.
• The Home and Community-Based Services Policy section at the Ohio Department of Medicaid is proposing to amend Ohio Administrative Code 5160-32-02 Electronic visit verification (EVV) data collection and 5160-32-03 Alternate electronic visit verification (EVV) vendor.
  These rules set forth data collection requirements for providers regarding electronic visit verification (EVV). The proposed change to these rules removes the term “agency” in describing the types of providers the rules apply to.
  View the proposed changes here. https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/medicaid.ohio.gov/Providers/EVV/5160-32_EVV_Proposed.pdf?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
  Submit your feedback to HCBSPolicy@medicaid.ohio.gov by May 12, 2025.

Events around Ohio to check out week of May 5th 2025 to May 10th 2025

Monday May 5th 2025

• Join BCBDD Community Outreach Advocate, Courtney Hineman, and Family Engagement Coordinator for the Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services, Sean Bostic, for a University of Cincinnati Regional Autism Advisory Council 3-Part Training Series focused on supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the workplace on Monday, May 5 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m! Register now to see Courtney speak virtually on Monday:
  UC IDD Education Center
• We Thrive Together Relationship: Trust/Lying Discussion 3:00-4:00pm check out this link to join
• Adulting 101: Making Friends and Staying Connected Over The Summer 5:30pm-8:30pm Link to register
  Adulting 101 Workshops are a fun way for teens and young adults to learn about and practice various life skills that are important to being an adult. This month we will be learning about staying connect with friends and family who we don’t see everyday. This event will involve working on practice conversations, getting connected to the ACTeens GroupMe, Speed Friending, making signs of affirmation and more!
  For questions, contact Jordan Slutsky, Teen Services Coordinator, at jslutsky@abilitycenter.org

Tuesday May 6th 2025

National Nurses Day!

• Breaking Silences Advocacy Meeting 3pm contact Maria.Matzik@acils.com for more information.

Wednesday May 7th 2025

• OSDA at We Thrive Together 11am https://wethrivetogether.org/upcoming-events
• Ohio Olmsted Taskforce 1-3pm The Ohio Olmstead Task Force (OOTF) is a statewide grassroots coalition of Ohioans with disabilities of all ages, family members, advocates and organizations advocating for the right to live, work and participate in their communities. Formed in 2002, OOTF supports the Supreme Court decision that held unnecessary institutionalization is discrimination against people with disabilities.
  For more information or how to access meetings email ohioolmstead@gmail.com

Thursday May 8th 2025

• OACBDD Spring Conference Please check out this link for more information on The Ohio Association of County Boards of DD Conference https://www.oacbdd.org/main/save-the-date/
• OSDA Creative Changemakers, Thursday, May 8 · 4:30–5:30 PM, Repeats every month on the second Thursday contact clareschloemer.osda@gmail.com for more information on how to join.
• Ohio Family to Family Information Session: Transition out of Early Intervention:
  What Families Need to Know, Thursday, May 8 · 7–8:30 PM To Register click this link

Friday May 9th 2025

• OACBDD Spring Conference Please check out this link for more information on The Ohio Association of County Boards of DD Conference https://www.oacbdd.org/main/save-the-date/
• 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 May 10th 2025

• Ross County Sibs 10:00am – 1:00pm Register your child for our May Sibshop gathering on Saturday, May 10th at The Landrum Youth Empowerment Center. Contact krsmith@rossdd.org
• Holmes County Developmental Disabilities Annual Spring Festival and Auction read more about it here

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

• Planning an accessible outdoor adventure just got easier!
  The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has launched a new Accessible Trails Guide — your go-to resource for finding parks and outdoor spaces that meet your needs.
  In the guide, you’ll find:
  ✅ Trail safety tips
  ✅ Accessible trails, fishing, boating, and Storybook Trails
  ✅ Lodges, campgrounds, cabins, inclusive playgrounds, and more!
  Start exploring today: https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/outdoor/accessible-activities-facilities/accessible-trails
• If you or a loved one is facing a mental health or addiction crisis, you’re not alone. Call, text, or chat 988 to connect with a trained specialist ready to listen and offer free, confidential support 24/7.
  988 is a direct connection to compassionate, accessible care and support for anyone experiencing mental health-related distress.
  Learn more and find easy-to-read resources: https://dodd.ohio.gov/about-us/our-programs/988+Resources
• 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
• In honor of #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth, explore DODD’s Wellness Project, a collection of resources for EVERYONE, featuring tools for mindfulness, relaxation, and mental health support. Check out the information through this link put out by Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities.
• Ohio Family to Family on Navigating the IEP process can be overwhelming—here is a roadmap to help you become informed.
• The Long-Term Care Ombudsman program (LTCOP) advocates for individuals residing in nursing facilities and residential care communities, such as assisted living facilities and board and care homes. They resolve problems that impact residents’ rights, quality of life, and quality of care, and work to improve policies at the local, state, and national levels. The Long-Term Care Ombudsman program is the only federal program mandated to advocate with, and for residents of long-term care facilities. Learn more in our new fact sheet:https://theconsumervoice.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Ombudsman-Fact-Sheet.pdf
• Qualifying older adults can now apply for the 2025 edition of the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program!
  Learn more: https://aging.ohio.gov/sfmnp2025
  Sign up: https://portal.homegrownbenefits.com/apply/ohio

This Week in Awareness

May:
• Mental Health Awareness Month
• National Arthritis Awareness Month
• Disability Insurance Awareness Month
• ALSOS. Awareness Month
• National Stroke Awareness Month
• National Military Service Appreciation Month
• Allergy and Asthma Awareness Month
• Jewish American Heritage Month
• Better Speech–Language-Hearing Month
• Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month
• Brain Tumor Awareness Month
• Cystic Fibrosis Awares Month
• Public Service Recognition Week
• Guide Dog Month
• Hepatitis Awareness Month
• Hepatitis Awareness Month
• Lupus Awareness Month
• Pediatric Stroke Awareness Month
• Lyme Disease Awareness Month
• Mobility Awareness Month
• Older Americads Month
• Celiac Awareness Month
• Huntington’s Disease Awareness Month
• Ehler’s-Danlos Syndrome Awareness Month
• High Blood Pressure Awareness And Education Month
• Inherited Retinal Disease Genetic Sesting Month
• Health Vision Awareness Month
• Myositis Awareness Month
• National Ostioperosis Awareness And Prevention Month
• Prader-Willi Syndrome Awareness Month
• Neurofabromotis Awareness Month
• Williams Syndrome Awareness Month

For more events check out our main website OhioAdvocacyHeartbeat.com