It’s been an exciting and eventful summer so far at HCDDS. As we continue to move through these warmer months, I wanted to share a few brief updates about our work this year.
In July, we joined with other local groups in celebration of Disability Pride Month, which acknowledges the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and recognizes accessibility efforts. You can see photos and read more about these celebrations on our website. We’re thankful to our partners for organizing so many wonderful and inclusive events!
Last week, we also successfully completed the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) accreditation review. DODD conducts accreditation reviews of every board of developmental disabilities in Ohio at least once every three years to ensure that all aspects of a board’s operations comply with statewide rules. We received a three-year accreditation, which is a testament to the quality of service we provide.
One reviewer said, “Self-advocacy is STRONG in this county. The ongoing focus on advocacy and inclusion shows that you’re really ‘walking the walk’ in supporting people.” We expect to have our final accreditation report in August.
This month, Hamilton County Commissioners also passed a resolution to place a renewal of the DD Services Levy on the November ballot. This levy funds more than 80% of the work we do at HCDDS. We appreciate everyone who took time to speak about the importance of our services during the public hearings this summer.
Finally, later this year, we will begin our strategic planning process. We’ll be seeking feedback from people we support, families, providers, and others to ensure HCDDS responds to the needs of our stakeholders and is positioned for future success. I look forward to beginning that process and working together to ensure we continue to provide the highest-quality support to all of our stakeholders.
Sincerely,
Leia Snyder
