As 2024 draws to a close, I want to take this opportunity to reflect on an impactful year. I also want to express my gratitude for the support and dedication of our staff and stakeholders. Together, we are advancing the mission of HCDDS to promote and support opportunities for people with developmental disabilities to live, work, learn, and fully participate in their communities.
This year has been remarkable, filled with significant achievements that highlight our collective impact. We’re thankful for Hamilton County voters’ resounding support in renewing our five-year levy. We’re also grateful for another three-year state accreditation. Both of these successes are testaments to the value people place on our work and the quality of our services.
Throughout the year, we expanded our outreach efforts. We connected with more local schools and with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital to ensure families know about available resources. We also hosted many successful events, including our Advocacy Summit with more than 100 participants, our Welcome Sessions for new families, and a dedicated transition night at our schools. This continued outreach allows HCDDS to better serve people, equip them with resources, empower them to make informed choices about their support, and help them build connections in the community.
We also joined our community partners to host Accessible Hamilton County, a first-of-its-kind event with the 513Relief Bus. This event was an opportunity to meet families where they are and provide the information and support they need. Similarly, our inaugural Employer Appreciation breakfast recognized the vital contributions of businesses that champion inclusive workplaces. And our well-attended Family and Children First Council Summit brought together local experts to share best-practices with one another and improve support for youth in our community.
As we conclude our current three-year strategic plan, I’m proud of the progress we’ve made together. Your contributions, whether you’re a person with a disability, a family member, a provider, or an employee, have been essential to our success. We are now poised to embark on a new strategic plan in 2025. You can find the draft of that plan here.
Thank you once again for your commitment and your partnership. I wish you a restful holiday season. I’m excited to work together to achieve our goals of a more inclusive and accessible community for people we serve.
