|
JULY 2026
|
|
Get Ready for Franklin County DD Clippers Day: July 30 |
|
|
Take me out to the ballgame with our Franklin County DD Clippers Day!
On Thursday, July 30 at 12:05pm at Huntington Park, the Columbus Clippers will be hosting us for the Franklin County DD Clippers Day!
Stop out with family and friends to see the Clippers take on the Toledo Mud Hens! It will be a fun day, including a special appearance meet and greet with the Clipper's mascot, Lou Seal!
Everyone will receive a wristband (by the home plate gate) to enjoy food specials set up at the Right Field corner. We will also be seated under a shaded pavilion to keep us cool and safe from any weather conditions.
Tickets are $6 (plus online ticket fees), and parking is $7.
Information on parking and directions:
https://www.milb.com/columbus/ballpark/parking-and-directions
GET TICKETS
Scan QR code above or click link below:
https://www.gofevo.com/event/FCBDD26
|
|
Summer Special Olympics
  On May 29, 30, 31, the Franklin County Flyers Special Olympics program took a delegation of 125 athletes and coaches to the 2026 State Summer Games. They spent two nights and three days at The Ohio State University competing in 6 different sports including: tennis, bowling, powerlifting, bocce, volleyball and track and field. A highlight of Summer Games was Opening Ceremonies being hosted in the Horseshoe Football Stadium where retired Special Olympics Director, Dee Hively (Dexter) was honored for her achievements over her 30-year career in the field.
Coach Andrew shares a few notes of stellar achievements by saying, "Kevin finally pulled 535lbs! Dustin pulled 454lbs. Both got gold in deadlift and overall! Colton had a personal record of 90lbs. on deadlift, as well."
|
|
June Leadership & Professional Development Conference
 From the Ohio Association of County Boards DD's Spring Conference to the Ohio Head Start Association's annual conference, education and learning was provided to help support children with developmental disabilities.
Our Director of Childhood Education, Kathy Lawton, presented at the Ohio HeadStart June Leadership & Professional Development conference. The topic of discussion was "Supporting Children with Disabilities in High‑Quality Early Learning Settings."
There were also two co-presenters, Dr. Wendy Grove Senior Research Advisor with Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY), and Troy Hunter President & CEO at ElevateDD. It was a fantastic conference, and everyone learned a great deal.
As quoted from ElevateDD:
"Supporting children with disabilities starts early. It requires intentional collaboration between families, early intervention, child care providers, Head Start, county boards, state agencies, and community partners.
We are grateful to the many leaders, presenters, and organizations who continue to create space for this work and move Ohio closer to early learning environments where every child is welcomed, supported, and included."
|
|
Our Very Own Superhero: Malik! (a.k.a. Peter)
 |
Meet Malik... Our Superhero!
Also known as Peter (Peter Parker), Malik has the coolest job in the world: Being Spiderman!
As a young child, Malik always had a special interest in superheroes. However, one in particular really stood out to him, and that was Spiderman. Malik shared that he first watched Spiderman on May 3, 2002, and has developed a nice collection of action figures, including the Toby Maguire Spiderman action figure. He also was Spiderman for Halloween one year, and another year dressed up as an evil Peter Parker. His dad also has a friend who is big into Spiderman that influenced Malik and grew his interest.
With this deep love for the superhero, as Malik grew into a young adult, he decided he wanted to learn to become a comic book author and had a desire to learn to read. His mother also wanted him to not only learn reading, but to also develop skills for potential employment. This included resume writing, comprehensive skills, and success in the workplace.
To begin his learning journey, Malik began the TOPS program at The Ohio State University in the fall of 2025 and completed it in May 2026. During that time, Malik and his family learned about Elevate DD's adult literacy program, where they connected Malik with a tutor named Jessica. Malik began working one-on-one with Jessica in March 2026, focusing on literacy skills, executive functioning, and employment readiness. During their sessions, Jessica learned about Malik's dream of becoming Spiderman and used that interest to help shape his career goals and build motivation toward employment.
She started off helping Malik twice a week, then moved up to five days a week. After some brainstorming, Jessica and Malik decided to work on resume writing and interview skills in April of 2026, and then interviewed with a local costume company where they employ characters for parties (birthdays, graduations, etc.). Malik auditioned and was delighted to learn that he was hired to be Spiderman! He was trained in how to perform proper etiquette, and comprehensive skills to really shine in his work. Malik performed his first birthday party in early June.
However-- the dreaming doesn't stop there! Malik is currently writing and illustrating his very own comic book. His book will feature various characters, like werewolves, vampires, aliens, and others, and will feature Malik as the primary character! He shares that he is about halfway through and cannot wait to get it completed to share with the world. Thankfully, Jessica has a history of publishing children's books and will serve as a wonderful guide leading him through the process.
Malik is very independent as he lives in his own apartment with his dog, Spidey, and receives supportive services in his home. As quoted by his Service Coordinator, Amber, "As I started getting to know Malik from October 2025 to now, his confidence has increased with this new Spiderman position. I admire the way he takes care of Spidey and his apartment. Every time I visit him, his apartment is clean, and it shows he takes great pride in that. He is also showing great improvements in his cooking skills and safety around the kitchen."
Malik continues to work toward his employment goals through vocational services at Jeremiah’s Corner.
Malik's next dream lined up is to own his very own Spiderman impersonator company and be his own boss. With the support of both Jessica and Amber, as well as his family, the sky is the limit!
|
|
Service Coordination & Intake Staff Appreciation Day
 Our wonderful staff at the Service Coordination and Intake facility had a super fun Staff Appreciation Day, "Movin' and Groovin' Through the Decades!" Everyone was dressed up in apparel from their favorite decades, and we saw everything from 70's hippies, to 80's hairband rockers, to 90's grunge. They soaked up some sun as they enjoyed pizza from Dominos and Jets as well as cookies from Cheryl's Cookies. They also worked to solve riddles which took them on fun scavenger hunts to win prizes. Was definitely a great event!
|
|
YMCA at Early Childhood Education Turns 20
|
|
|
On June 18, YMCA Early Learning Center celebrated their 20th birthday! Families and a few alumni of the YMCA gathered to celebrate. In honor of this special day, Carla Kossudji, Senior Center Director of the YMCA Early Learning Center at Johnstown Road offered this message: "Happy 20th Anniversary to the YMCA Early Learning Center! Looking back at our 2006 transition to this incredible space and collaboration, we feel immense pride. We are so grateful for our unique partnership with FCBDD. Together we have supported countless children, families and teachers over the years. Special shout out to our YMCA ELC Team who help make this place so special and many who have been with us since the very beginning!"
Kathy Lawton, Director of Early Childhood Education, also shares her thoughts, "We are grateful for our longstanding partnership with the YMCA and the tremendous benefits it provides to the children and families we serve. By working together, we amplify the success of the program and create meaningful opportunities for children to thrive."
|
|
Good for you!
Notable achievements in the Franklin County DD community
|
|
Personal Message from Longtime Self-Advocate, Staff Member, and Newsletter Contributor |
|
|
After a long and successful career, Denise Blackburn-Smith, Franklin County DD Intake Specialist and Self-Advocate, is retiring on July 31. Denise explains this comes after "a lot of soul searching", and an immediate need to take care of herself. Even though she would love to stay, Denise has had some recent challenges related to memory and balance issues preventing her from continuing to stay employed.
Denise shares that she is "grateful to have had this time at Franklin County DD, and also grateful to all the consumers she had on her caseload, the outstanding coworkers she has had the benefit of working with, and the great supervisors, including Tim and Dotti". Denise goes on to say, "it has been an honor to serve individuals in our community, and it is challenging to move on into a new part of my life."
Denise is hoping she will get to partake in more things she loves; like public speaking, quilting, writing, playing with her grandsons, and spending time with her husband once he retires. Denise would also like to thank all her coworkers who have been supportive of her over the years, and especially everyone in the Intake department. In closing, she shares, "I appreciate all of you, and will hold you close in my heart as I move forward in my life."
Franklin County DD wishes you the very best, Denise! Happy retirement.
|
|
Hiking for a Good Cause at Yosemite National Park |
|
Mary Beth Poe, ECE APE Specialist (pictured to the far left), hiked 10 miles in Yosemite National Park. Mary Beth and her team (pictured here), participated in this hike to support Blood Cancer United (formerly known as Leukemia and Lymphoma Society). Over a hundred hikers participated and raised a combined record 1.2 million dollars! Such a great cause, and such a fun way to give back. Congratulations Mary Beth and all the hikers! |
|
|
Franklin County DD Family Support Meeting
12:00 p.m. (noon) via Zoom
Please contact Amy Magginis at 614-342-5950 for details or click the following link to connect:
FCBDD Family Support Link:
https://bit.ly/3JvZSUJ
|
|
|
Independence Day Observed
Facilities closed.
|
|
|
Franklin County DD Early Childhood Learning Community (ECLC) and the Mid-Ohio Food Collective Produce Drive-Thru
4:30 p.m. on the ECLC Bus Lane (4141 Rudy Road). For more details, email Sarah Gillilan at sarah.gillilan@fcbdd.org
|
|
|
Franklin County DD Early Childhood Learning Community (Johnstown Road) and the Mid-Ohio Food Collective Produce Drive-Thru
4:30 p.m. in the ECEFC Bus Lane (accessed via Marilyn Lane). For more details, email Sarah Gillilan at sarah.gillilan@fcbdd.org
|
|
|
Franklin County DD Board meeting
5:00 p.m.
2879 Johnstown Road, Columbus. Board member in-service begins at 3 p.m. Please contact Amy Magginis at
614-342-5950 for details.
FCBDD Board Meeting Link:
https://bit.ly/3JvZSU
|
|
|
Franklin County DD Clippers Day
Huntington Park (day game) first pitch: 12:05 p.m.
Tickets purchased here:
https://bit.ly/3JvZSU
|
|
|
The Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities:
|
|
|
Dean Fadel
Board President
|
Marci Straughter
Vice President |
|
Gene Harshaw
Katherine Silver Kelly |
|
Becky Swartz
Michael Underwood
|
|
Dot Yeager
Superintendent / CEO |
|
The following staff contribute to the monthly publication
and distribution of Dateline:
|
|
News releases, story ideas, and suggestions should be sent to:
Lawrene Harchaoui
Communications Coordinator
2879 Johnstown Road Columbus, Ohio 43219
Phone: (614) 342-5161 | Fax: (614) 342-5001
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
