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APRIL 2026
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Best Buddies needs Franklin County volunteers |
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Best Buddies Citizens in Franklin County is looking for volunteers to join the program and build meaningful one-to-one friendships with adults with disabilities.
By creating friendships between people with and without disabilities, Best Buddies Citizens fosters connection, community and confidence. The program is designed for adults 25 years and older who are looking for social connections and inclusive opportunities.
Franklin County DD provides funding for the Best Buddies Citizens initiative to help boost local matches. Volunteers are asked to:
- Make a one-year commitment
- Meet with your one-to-one Buddy at least once per month
- Spend time doing things you both enjoy—coffee, walks, community events, or simply hanging out
“While friendships are important to all of us, adults with DD sometimes struggle to make those connections,” said Ryan Phillips, Director of Communications, Advocacy and Community Relations at Franklin County DD. “The Best Buddies Citizens program helps everyone feel a sense of belonging. We’re proud to support it.”
To learn more or sign up:
https://bestbuddies.org/join
ohio@bestbuddies.org
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Students prep Blue Envelope packets for drivers, passengers with disabilities |
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Thanks to students at West Central School and Transition Services, Franklin County DD has a fresh supply of Blue Envelope packets available for drivers and passengers with disabilities.
The voluntary Blue Envelope program makes it easier for people with developmental disabilities to convey basic information during interactions with law enforcement and emergency personnel.
Blue Envelope packets allow participants to fill out information about their disability and/or medical conditions, along with a copy of ID/driver’s license, vehicle registration and insurance, that can be given to a law enforcement officer during a traffic stop or for first responders in the event of an accident. The packets also include wallet cards and car decals.
West Central students have been building on their vocational skills while preparing the envelopes for the public, West Central transition coordinator Jill Hicks said. “They’re really enjoying the project,” she said. “And we’ve had parents and teachers request the packets.”
Blue Envelope packets are available during regular business hours at Franklin County DD, 2879 Johnstown Rd.
To learn more, call 614-342-5984 or visit https://fcbdd.org/blue-envelope-program/
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Plan your vote for the May primary |
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Voters who want to take part in Ohio’s May 5 primary should make a plan and take note of upcoming deadlines.
State law now requires all absentee ballots to be received by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day in order to be counted.
The deadline to register to vote or to update your information for the May primary is Monday, April 6. Early voting begins on Tuesday, April 7.
For state and county information about accessibility for voters with disabilities, including online registration, visit https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/voters/voters-with-disabilities/
Election resources also are available from Disability Rights Ohio at disabilityrightsohio.org/vote
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Register now for Learning Aid summer semester |
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Families with children on an IEP (Individualized Education Program) can apply now for free tutoring during the summer semester of Learning Aid Ohio.
Learning Aid offers no-cost, one-to-one tutoring for students throughout the state. The program connects families with qualified tutors who provide personalized educational support to keep learners engaged, build confidence, and make progress all semester long.
After receiving approval for a Learning Aid grant, the family member or guardian can interview tutors in the program or recruit their own trusted candidate.
Applications for the summer semester, which runs from May 16 to September 11, are due by April 17.
Get details and apply at www.LearningAidOhio.org
Questions? Email info@learningaidohio.org
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DD Awareness & Advocacy Day celebrates support
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 Franklin County DD advocates joined hundreds of other advocates, public officials and policymakers from throughout Ohio on March 4 for DD Awareness and Advocacy Day at the Statehouse.
Gov. Mike DeWine credited advocates for pushing for change during the past few years that has led to higher wages for direct-support professionals, historic investments in universal changing tables, statewide technology hubs, and requirements for county boards to include members with developmental disabilities.
“Today is about the power of support,” Lyndsay Nash, Director of the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities, told the crowd. “Ohio is the best place in the nation for people with developmental disabilities and their families.”
This year’s keynote speaker was Jason Benetti, a sports broadcaster who has cerebral palsy. NBC recently hired Benetti to be the lead play-by-play voice for Sunday Night Baseball. Support and encouragement can make all the difference, Benetti said.
“Every time you decide to make people with a disability feel like they can do a little bit more, you’re making it possible that they can do something spectacular.”
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Inclusive egg hunts set for April 4 |
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Metro Parks Adaptive Adventures, Autism Society Central Ohio and the Westerville Civitan Club are among the groups hosting disability-friendly egg hunts in April.
- The All-Abilities Egg Hunt at Blacklick Woods Metro Park is for children and adults with disabilities, and their families. The free event includes three different race styles to accommodate family needs, including a wheelchair-accessible hunt with elevated eggs. 1 to 4 p.m. April 4. Sign up required: https://bit.ly/4uEXdPf
- The annual Civitan Club Egg Hunt at the Westerville Community Center is a free, indoor egg hunt for people with disabilities that includes beeper eggs for participants with visual impairments. 11 a.m. to 12 noon April 4. To sign up,
email: maryettaharper1947@gmail.com before March 31.
- The Autism Society Central Ohio
Egg-stravaganza at New Beginnings Church in Delaware features crafts, egg collecting, activities and Easter Bunny photos.
2:30 to 4 p.m. April 4.
Register at https://bit.ly/3NBrmhT
or email: info@autismcentralohio.org
for details.
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Good for you!
Notable achievements in the Franklin County DD community
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It was great to have Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin stop by our Early Childhood Education and Family Center to join the Dr. Seuss Week Celebration. In addition to reading with classes, the sheriff had some good advice for all his new junior deputies: “Just remember to be nice to each other,” he said. “It makes a better day.” |
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Did you know Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks offers many inclusive activities for children and adults with disabilities? Inclusion program coordinator Megan Richley provided great information and hosted lots of different disability-focused agencies—including us—during a recent Disability Resource Fair at Metro Parks’ Blacklick Woods golf course. Questions? Email her at mlrichley@metroparks.net |
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Congrats to all who plunged and donated in support of our Franklin County Special Olympics teams during the March 7 Special Olympics Ohio Polar Plunge. The massive fundraiser had been rescheduled from February, when it was too cold even for a polar plunge. Hats off to Communications, Advocacy and Community Relations Director Ryan Phillips and Special Olympics specialist Avery Charles for taking part in the Super Plunge the following weekend, jumping in freezing water every hour for 24 hours straight! Yikes. |
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Thanks to Octavia Barrett, a board-certified patient advocate and founder of Purely Authentic Life, for the great presentation on being more prepared and confident during healthcare appointments. Medical topics can be confusing for many of us, and our self-advocates appreciated Octavia’s tips. One big takeaway: it’s always okay to ask questions. Octavia’s son, Maxwell, is a Franklin County Special Olympian, self-advocate and her biggest fan. |
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We’re grateful to the Columbus City Council for once again recognizing March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Self-advocate Christine Brown and Superintendent/CEO Dot Yeager spoke at the March 2 meeting, and as Council member Melissa Green said, “There’s no one who does it better in our community than these two advocates." Agreed. |
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Professional Development & Records Day
Transportation, Early Childhood Education preschool programs and West Central school - classes closed.
Administrative offices and Service Coordination offices remain open.
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April 6-10
(classes closed)
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Spring Recess - classes closed
Franklin County DD Early Childhood preschool programs and West Central school are on Spring Recess. Classes will resume April 13. Administrative offices and Service Coordination offices remain open.
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Franklin County DD - Early Childhood Learning Community (ECLC) and the Mid-Ohio Food Collective Produce Drive Through (4:30 p.m.) at ECLC; 4141 Rudy Road, Columbus. For more details, email Gretchen Uhl at gretchen.uhl@fcbdd.org
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Franklin County DD Self-Advocate Advisory Council (10:00 a.m.) located at the Administration building; 2879 Johnstown Road, Columbus. Please contact Ryan Phillips for details at ryan.phillips@fcbdd.org OR by phone
at 614-342-5984.
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Franklin County DD Early Childhood Education (Johnstown Road) and the Mid-Ohio Food Collective Produce Drive Through (4:30 p.m.) in the ECEFC Bus Lane (accessed via Marilyn Lane). For more details, email Sarah Gillilan at sarah.gillilan@fcbdd.org
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Franklin County DD Board Meeting
Attend in-Person: 2879 Johnstown Road, Columbus, OH
Virtual option on Zoom
FCDD Board Meeting Zoom Link:
https://bit.ly/3JvZSUJ
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Franklin County DD - Family Support Group (virtual)
hosted by Superintendent/CEO Dot Yeager
6:00 p.m. on Zoom
Family Support Zoom Link:
https://bit.ly/3JvZSUJ
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The Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities:
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Dean Fadel
Board President
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Marci Straughter
Vice President |
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Gene Harshaw
Katherine Silver Kelly |
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Becky Swartz
Michael Underwood
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Dot Yeager
Superintendent / CEO |
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The following staff contribute to the monthly publication and distribution of Dateline:
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Amy Magginis
Jennifer Cunningham
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Lawrene Harchaoui
Carla Maynard
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News releases, story ideas, and suggestions should be sent to:
Lawrene Harchaoui
Communications & Brand Experience Specialist
2879 Johnstown Road Columbus, Ohio 43219
Phone: (614) 342-5161 | Fax: (614) 342-5001
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The Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities does not discriminate in employment or services on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, national origin, or disability. |
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