november 2019

NOVEMBER 2019
Bringing about a vibrant community where people lead fulfilling lives and make meaningful contributions.
New Video Game Club
Launched This Fall
Despite what many parents of teenage video game fanatics may like to
admit, video games have become a common social arena where players
interact with other players online, without ever leaving the comfort of their
homes. And people with developmental disabilities are absolutely no exception.
In fact, according to a 2008 study from PopCap Games, more than
20.5% of casual video game players have a physical, mental or developmental
disability. In addition, gamers with a disability spend more time gaming
than the typical person. They found that 60% of those gamers with a disability
play more than five hours a week, compared to 52% of casual gamers
overall.
In an era where community connections and inclusion are at the forefront
of most person-centered plans for people with developmental disabilities, it
has become clear that while people we support are interacting with others
in a virtual world, they many not be leaving much free time to interact with
people in the real world.
Fortunately, some employees at Fairfield DD have come up with a way to
combine those two worlds with the introduction of a new Video Game Club
called VGC. The credit goes to Individual Support Coordinator JP Seesholtz
and Community Connections Coordinator Rachel McCoy. The duo located
a community business, Pizza Cottage on Fair Avenue in Lancaster, who
agreed to let a group of gamers gather once a month in their party room.
The players are intricately involved in the creation of the club and the direction
it will take.
“It’s been going really well,” Seesholtz said. “The numbers speak for themselves.
This first month we had 14 gamers and this last month there were
around 20.”
And to ensure that the group is not segregated, McCoy invited a group of
students from Ohio University-Lancaster to join in the creation of the club.
“We want this club to be something that the students and players design
from the ground up,” she said. “The idea is that we make the introductions,
bring everyone together, and then, hopefully, the club takes on a life of its
own where they don’t need Fairfield DD to be there to make it a success. It
will just grow organically.”
Pizza Cottage has more than 6 large-screen TVs in the party room to which
various gaming consoles are hooked up. Consoles have been donated by
various community members and some club members are considering bringing
their own game systems to the next meetings. In the first few meetings,
Fairfield DD Planning Coordinator Karissa Carpenter has made short presentations
to members about safe practices when using the internet and social
platforms. And Director of Quality Control and Innovation Ray Schmidt
brought virtual reality goggles and software to the meetings for gamers and
students to try.
Further, members of the club, who have all selected their own Avatars and
have custom badges and lanyards, are responsible for their own transportation
and for purchasing their own food and drink.
“Last month we had 40 people who all have something in common gathered
in a fun place in the community for over 2 hours,” Seesholtz said. “We
know people are more alike than different and that will be what makes VGC
a success.”

FAQ: Waiting List Assessment
Sometimes providing the best support
and person-centered planning
comes in the form of being a
matchmaker.
Don't panic, I’m not referring to
amorous relationships and I am certainly
no Jim Lange. (For our younger
audience, he hosted the 1970s
hit The Newlywed Game.)
But there are often times when Fairfield DD relies on its resourcefulness
and we find ourselves being concierges for
the people and families we support. We make introductions,
we make suggestions, we search for solutions and we keep
trying until we find something that fits.
For example, in this month’s newsletter you can read
about the new Video Game Club that has come about by
simply identifying the common interests many of the people
we support have with other members of the community.
Then an idea forms and it is pitched to a business in the
community. People become enthused and start asking how
they can help or how they can get involved. And the outcome
is something new and different that fulfills needs on
many different levels.
When one of our Individual Support Coordinators identifies
a want or a need of a person we support, they don’t simply
write it into a plan—they dive deeper, looking for community
resources and partners that can help fulfill that want or
need. And they don’t stop searching.
This level of creative problem solving can be witnessed at
every level of our organization—from the teachers and therapists
in the school, to our employment specialists and resource
management experts.
And those needs and wants are most often fulfilled by
people, organizations and businesses within the community.
That’s why Fairfield DD is so grateful for the hundreds of
community partners we have.
I have said it before but in Fairfield County, the level of
cooperation is unlike any place I have ever seen. This community
simply does not take no for an answer and will pull
together to bring a beneficial thought or idea to fruition, no
matter what.
It certainly makes supporting people with developmental
disabilities much easier. Because we know, somehow, no
matter the need, that somewhere in the community we will
find a solution.
So this November, I’m very grateful for the resourcefulness
of our employees, Board members, families and community
partners. Because of their willingness to be expert problem
solvers, we never have to consider telling anyone that
something is impossible. Happy Thanksgiving!
John Pekar, Superintendent
After recent requests for a list of frequently asked
questions (FAQ) about the Waiting List Assessment, the
Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities
(DODD) has worked with the Ohio Association of
County Boards of Developmental Disabilities (OACB)
to provide thorough answers to all questions that were
submitted during DODD's Live Chat in September.
The FAQ is now available on the department’s website
under the "Questions about the Waiting List Assessment"
section of the Waiting List Assessment page.
Send questions about the Waiting List Assessment to
fixthelist@oacbdd.org. DODD and the OACB will work
together to answer your questions and add them to
the FAQ. If you have any questions about this communication,
email WLA@dodd.ohio.gov.
Gov. DeWine to speak at
Annual Convention
OACB is pleased to announce
that Ohio Governor Mike DeWine will
join county board of DD professionals
at this year's Annual Convention in Columbus
(December 4-6) as one of the
event's opening keynote speakers.
During his 45-minute appearance on
the morning of Wednesday, December
4, Governor DeWine will touch on
his administration's initiatives and priorities
in his first year in office. Time permitting, the governor
will take audience questions. Topics are likely to
include:
Early intervention initiatives;
Children's services updates;
Lead exposure and substance abuse
treatment;
Support for direct support professionals; and
Other statewide human services issues
Registration is open at www.OACB.org.
Changes to website reflect
available housing options
The 2019-2020 state budget (HB 166) contains some
important changes which are designed to help inform
families about the residential services that exist in
the developmental disabilities system.
To see how Fairfield DD has made this process readily
available to all families, please visit
www.fairfielddd.com/funding. You may also find information
about all housing options on the same website
under the Community Resources for Families tab.

Convention Focusing on Customer Service
The OACB 36th Annual Convention will take place December 4-6, 2019, at the Hilton Columbus at Easton .
Five years have passed since Ohio’s county boards of DD received a federal mandate to transition nearly all
Medicaid-funded direct services to private providers. With that transition now complete or nearly complete in all
but a handful of counties, many boards are starting to ask important questions about the future role they will
play in the lives of the people and families they serve.
No longer able to rely on their former direct service programs’ legacy of goodwill, boards have two choices:
commit to continuously improving and evolving customer service operations to meet the ever-changing needs
and expectations of their growing and diversifying customer base, or maintain the status quo and risk being replaced
as the most important force for positive change in the lives of the people with developmental disabilities
they serve.
OACB believes the new, primary role of county boards as customer service (case management) organizations
offers them more opportunities to support people with developmental disabilities than ever before. This will drive
many of the discussion topics at this year’s convention.
OACB is pleased to announce that the opening keynote address for the 36th Annual Convention
will be delivered by Alison Circle, Chief Customer Experience Officer (CXO) for the
Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML).
Circle has led the library’s experience strategy since 2012 and has developed CML’s
award-winning Customer First Philosophy that drives CML’s customer-facing approach. Circle
has more than 25 years of marketing experience. For 13 years, she served as National Marketing
Director for Minnesota Public Radio, then was Creative Director and Account Director at
Jack Morton Worldwide, a global branding agency. In 2004 she joined CML as Director of
Marketing and Strategic Planning. In 2012 she was promoted to Chief Customer Experience
Officer (CXO) where she serves on the Executive Leadership Team and oversees 23 library
locations and staff as well the Data Analytics team.
Accessible Night with
Santa at Alley Park
Lancaster Parks and Recreation, in partnership
with Fairfield DD, is once again offering a
“sneak preview” night with Santa & Friends at
Alley Park December 11 from 6 to 8 pm. Specific
modifications are being made this night
to accommodate people of all ages and
abilities. Activities will be shortened and sensory
friendly. In addition, vehicles needing to
unload visitors with mobility issues will be given
special access to the main lodge and its adjoining
parking lot.
Enjoy all the outside lights and displays on
your drive back to the Nature Center. Once inside, visitors of all abilities will be dazzled by the large Christmas
tree and decorations. The open house type event this year will include a cookie and hot chocolate for our
guests, talking and picture taking with Santa and Mrs. Claus, making a take-home Christmas ornament for your
tree, and surprise visits from our very own Elf on the Shelf. This is a FREE event. (Polaroid mini pictures available
for a small fee).
People interested in volunteering may contact Rachel McCoy or Temple Montanez at 740-652-7220. If you
have further questions, please email: alleyparkoe@yahoo.com or call the main park office at 740-687-6651.
November 23
November 30
December 7
December 11
Lancaster Holiday Parade—10 beginning at Lancaster Fairgrounds
Small Business Saturday—Shop Local!
Destination Downtown Winterfest and tree lighting
Accessible Santa at Alley Park

SSI, Social Security
Payments To Rise
In 2020
As long as the family is all together this holiday season….
People with disabilities who receive Social
Security or Supplemental Security Income
benefits will get more money next year.
The Social Security Administration said Thursday
that benefits will rise 1.6 percent for 2020.
The increase is due to an automatic cost-ofliving
adjustment, or COLA, that’s mandated
by law and is tied to inflation. It’s triggered
when the Consumer Price Index from the U.S.
Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics
goes up.
The change will take effect beginning Dec.
31 for over 8 million SSI beneficiaries across
the country and in January 2020 for more
than 63 million Americans receiving Social
Security.
With the uptick, the maximum federal SSI
payment for an individual will go from $771
per month to $783 per month for 2020. For
couples, the federal maximum will rise from
$1,157 to $1,175 per month.
Some states offer additional money to SSI
beneficiaries, so actual payments may be
higher.
Though beneficiaries will see bigger payments
in 2020, the COLA for the coming year
is down substantially from last year’s adjustment.
Benefits grew 2.8 percent for 2019
compared to the year prior.
By Shaun Heasley, Disability Scoop Oct. 2019
Holiday Assistance from Fairfield County 211
2019 Thanksgiving/Christmas Programs
Recreate a favorite family photo from years gone by. This is a
fun, easy and nearly free activity that you can also turn into a
holiday card or gift!
Use Shopping Apps!
Gift Card Holiday Hack
Maybe you wanted Home Depot
but they got you Starbucks. Or maybe
you wanted Target but they got
you Jiffy Lube. Either way,
www.giftcardgranny.com offers a
way to sell unwanted gift cards and
buy discounted ones from tons of
stores. Check it out!
If you’re shopping in a store with your smartphone
handy, apps such as RedLaser (iOS, Android) and Shop-
Savvy (iOS, Android) allow you to scan a product’s barcode
or QR code to find whether other stores or sites
have better deals on the item. And keep an eye
on daily deals to find sales that last only one day or for a short period
of time.
To apply for Holiday Assistance Programs:
Includes Thanksgiving food, Christmas food, and Christmas gifts, please contact 2-1-1 or 740-
687-0500 to find out where you can apply for assistance.
The Christmas Assistance Programs:
Designed to provide Fairfield County Residents with food baskets and gifts for Christmas.
Gifts are provided for children age birth to 16 (in most cases) who are residing in the household.
To qualify for Holiday Assistance Programs:
• The household in which the family resides must be in Fairfield County.
• The household must meet the eligibility guidelines.
• The household must not receive duplication of services by another program for Christmas
Assistance.

Red Rover, Red Rover, send EVERYONE Over!
Keller celebrated his 6th birthday with
a few dozen turns down the new slide!
It’s finished! The new Kiwanis Hunter Park, an
all-abilities, multi-generational playground officially
opened October 29th on Lincoln Avenue
in Lancaster.
The first of its kind in the city and one of the
largest of its kind in the state, the playground
features a myriad of accessible playground
equipment, along with fitness equipment,
shaded picnic areas and a high-tech rubber
playground surface. The park also is accessible
by the city’s bike path and located across
from Olivedale Senior Center. Kiwanis has
raised close to $350,000 so far for the park but
is still raising funds to make the parking lot accessible.
To donate, contact the Fairfield
County Foundation and ask about the Kiwanis
Special Fund. (740) 654-8451

Beyond Abilities
Art Club
Opens at
Pickerington
Volunteers are
needed to assist
with Accessible
Santa in the Park.
If you are interested,
please contact
Trina at Alley
Park, (740)
681-5025
Sensory Santa at "Gift of Time"
Holiday Fun and Activities
Saturday, December 7th at Lancaster High.
"Sensory Santa" be prior to event from 9 to
10am.
Children with sensory challenges and their families
can get a photo with Santa and enjoy some
activity stations prior to "Gift of Time" being
opened to the public.
Attendance for Sensory Santa is limited and reservations
are required to keep this event quiet and
relaxed.
Reservation deadline - Friday, November 22nd. To
register, contact Lisa at SOCIL 740.689.494 ext 10 or
lisamsocil@gmail.com.
“An opportunity to enrich the lives of
adults with disabilities through art.”
Say Thank You to
all Military
Veterans on
Monday, November
11, 2019 in
recognition of
Veterans Day.
Visitors to the October
Community Dance,
dubbed Rocktober, were
surprised with inflatable
electric toy guitars to complete
their Rockstar ensembles.
Andrea E., left,
made a convincing Slash!
The Community Dance is
held each Friday of the
month at the Lancaster
YMCA on Sixth Avenue
from 7 to 8:30 pm. Entry is
free but a donation is requested.
Pickerington Library is providing an enriching environment
where adults with disabilities can come
together to create art.
Express your creative side and meet new friends in
their first-ever art club for adults with disabilities. This
class meets twice a month and is open to all skill levels.
Join them Monday November 18 from 10 to 11
am. Call 614-837-4383 for more information.
Voting Day is November 5
www.fairfieldelections.com

795 College Avenue
Lancaster, OH 43130
Contact Us
Temple Custer Montanez, Editor
www.FairfieldDD.com
Administration ...................................................... 740-652-7220
Superintendent .................................................... 740-652-7220
Services and Supports ......................................... 740-652-7220
Family Support Services ...................................... 740-652-7220
Department of Quality .......................................... 740-652-7235
Forest Rose School .............................................. 740-652-7225
Early Intervention/Birth to 3 ............................... 740-652-7225
Opportunity Center ............................................... 740-652-7230
Art & Clay on Main/Square 7 Coffeehouse ......... 740-653-1755
JobFusion................................ 614-835-2700 or 740-652-7235
Transportation ...................................................... 740-652-7228
Pickerington Regional Office . 614-835-2700 or 740-652-7235
Volunteer Opportunities ....................................... 740-652-7220
Board Members
President: Sharon Scruggs
Vice President: Robert Competti
Secretary: Elizabeth Burwell
Matt Wideman
Teresa Mowen
Pam Barkley
Derek Upp
Our Mission
To bring about a
vibrant community where people
lead fulfilling lives and make
meaningful contributions.
Superintendent John R. Pekar
Small seeds of
GRATITUDE
will produce a
HARVEST of HOPE