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SEPTEMBER 2026
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Please join us in congratulating the 2026 Community Star award winners! You can be part of the celebration on Wednesday, October 7. The award ceremony will be held at Mitchell Hall at Columbus State University from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The venue is fully accessible and there will be an adult-sized universal changing table available. The award winning Blue Spectrum band will return to provide the music!
Tickets are available for purchase today: click here to save your seat.
 Community Survey Invitation to people served, providers, parents and guardians:
We look forward to hearing your unique perspective through this year's Community Survey. Your thoughts help us improve services! Please take a moment to answer these 11 anonymous questions on or before October 9, 2026. Scan the QR code or visit surveymonkey.com/r/commsurvey2026 to share your thoughts. For more information, call 614-342-5982 or email ryan.phillips@fcbdd.org.
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Fun for the Fourth of July at ECE
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Early Childhood Education (ECE) had an amazing 4th of July Parade! The kids paraded throughout the entire building, then outdoors, showcasing their beautiful art and patriotic apparel. They waved American flags, had custom designed posters with fun Independence Day-themed artwork, and were dressed to impress. The staff and families had so much fun, and it really brightened the day for all their students!
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Summer Safe Waters Classes at West Central
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Summer Safe Water Classes were available this summer at our aquatic center at West Central. Students were given basic training on how to tread water, swim safely if in danger, and other important swimming skills. Pictured here are the following participants:
Siblings Nana (age 11) and Kwadwo (age 10) – Attended water training to have something fun to do this summer, and to stay busy.
Jordan – Attended water training with his aunt who is a nurse at Riverside. She had two weeks off for vacation to be able to bring him. She said Jordan was very afraid of the water at first, but now, is fully embracing it. She’s happy to see his progress!
Elesh (age 10) – His parents signed him up because he "likes water a little too much", and they were afraid for his safety. They were delighted to see he really enjoyed the classes and is learning so much about staying safe!
Siblings Micah (age 4) and Nico (age 10) – Both were born with Spina Bifida and have had several life struggles. Their mother explains that it’s tough to find places to take her children (summer camps, etc.) given their special needs and care, and was relieved to see the water training was an option. She is happy to see they are enjoying themselves and really have become attached to the instructors.
In partnership with Columbus Public Health and Franklin County Special Olympics, as well as our sponsor, Encova Insurance, we are grateful to be able to provide this service free to our community.
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Franklin County DD Day with the Columbus Clippers
 On Thursday, July 30, we enjoyed a day with the Columbus Clippers for our Franklin County DD Clippers Day at Huntington Park. We got to see the Clippers beat the Toledo Mud Hens, and had a fun meet-and-greet with their awesome mascot, Lou Seal! It was perfect weather, and a perfect day for a ball game with almost 250 of us in attendance!
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Good For You!
Celebrating Good News & Happenings
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A Life-Saving Measure During a Scary Storm |
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Ohio had a big storm on Monday, August 11 that caused major disruptions across the city. Trees down, homes destroyed, and electricity out for thousands.
When a parent of a medically fragile child, who needed electricity for feeding pumps and to keep medicine cold, reached out to our service coordination department for help, our wonderful maintenance manager, Greg Marinelli, came to the rescue! Scott Smith, Service Coordination Supervisor, immediately asked Greg if he had any resources that could help out the family. After doing some thinking, Greg decided to go above and beyond, and was able to locate and transport over a generator and extension cords to the family's home within a half hour! This generator allowed for enough power to run the child's feeding pump, a couple lights, and refrigeration. The family was beyond grateful, and their child was able to get the much needed care they needed.
Thank you for being amazing, Greg!
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Sept 9
4:30 p.m. while supplies last
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Produce Market
ECLC Bus Lane 4141 Rudy Road Columbus, Ohio 43214
FREE produce will be available at the Early Childhood Learning Community in partnership with the Mid-Ohio Food Collective. For more details, email Sarah Gillilan at sarah.gillian@fcbdd.org
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Sept 17
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
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Self-Advocate Advisory Council
Franklin County DD Administrative offices 2879 Johnstown Road Columbus OH 43219
Contact Ryan Phillips for details: ryan.phillips@fcbdd.org OR by phone at 614-342-5984
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Sept 17
4:30 p.m. while supplies last
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Produce Market
ECEFC Bus Lane (accessed via Marilyn Lane) 2879 Johnstown Rd Columbus OH 43219
FREE produce will be available at the Early Childhood Education on Johnstown Road in partnership with the Mid-Ohio Food Collective. For more details, email Sarah Gillilan at sarah.gillilan@fcbdd.org.
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Sept 18
9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
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OSU Nisonger Tech Summit
OCLC Conference Center, 6600 Kilgour Place, Dublin OH
For more information go to go.osu.edu/TECHSUMMIT
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Franklin County DD Board Meeting
2879 Johnstown Road, Columbus OH 43219
Board member committee meetings begin at 4 p.m. Please contact Amy Magginis at 614-342-5950 for details. FCBDD Board Meeting link: https://bit.ly/3JvZSUJ
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Synergy Conference
Synergy conference will be held at the Kalahari Resort, 7000 Kalahari Dr Sandusky OH 44870
Registration is required by Sept 22nd, 2026. For more information go to https://synergyohio.org/
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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
Courtney Schmackers
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News releases, story ideas, and suggestions should be sent to:
Courtney Schmackers
Communications and Brand 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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