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Latest News

Self-Advocacy in the New Year

12/30/2021

 
Written by: Amy Kerrigan, Community Education Specialist
Self-advocacy is defined as the action of representing oneself or one's views or interests. This year, CCBDD was full of people, both those we serve and those we employ, advocating for themselves and what they want for our community.

Just scroll through the newsfeed on the CCBDD Facebook page, and you will see many images and stories of self-advocacy. Aktion Club members taking officer positions and creating projects for children, Special Olympics participants meeting weight lifting and running goals, Regional Advocacy conference and meetings, people fundraising for a new inclusive playground, and individuals with disabilities finding their ideal job are just a few examples.

This winter, let's start thinking about more ways to be better advocates and how we can continue to promote self-advocacy in the new year.
​
  • Think about what makes you happy and healthy, and find out how to start doing it.
  • Set new goals for yourself.
  • Share your story with others and listen to their stories.
  • Ask for help when you need it. Knowing that you sometimes can't do it on your own is also a part of advocating for yourself and your wellbeing. (If you are served by CCBDD, speak with your SSA about your goals.)
  • If you have an infant or toddler and feel your child needs help with developmental growth, make a referral to our Early Intervention program. (see P.L.A.Y. Project article)
  • Be inspired by other self-advocates!
photo of CCBDD staff, clients, and providers in attendance at the 2021 Regional Advocacy Conference.
CCBDD staff, Champaign County community members, and providers attending the 2021 Regional Advocacy Conference.

PROVIDER SPOTLIGHT: Person Centered Services (PCS)

12/15/2021

 
​Keeping the Focus on People
Written by: Amy Kerrigan, Community Education Specialist
The pandemic changed a lot of routines and habits for everyone. Some of these changes were incredibly difficult for individuals with disabilities. Due to caring for people with high needs and some individuals having increased risk of illness, Person Centered Services (PCS) in Urbana needed to make some tough decisions.

How can they make the health and wellness of their day service participants a priority while still maintaining a connection to the community and providing quality activities?

Many precautions are in place. There are less group outings. Visitors should call ahead, will be screened for illnesses and asked to wear a mask before entering. Staff amped up the cleaning, wear masks and try to keep day service participants in smaller groups. They also eat lunch and snacks in shifts. All of these changes were important to ensure the health of all their people.

What hasn't changed is the genuine care that the PCS staff has for people with disabilities. They still keep everyone mentally active with puzzles, crafts, games, books, music, and regional self-advocacy meetings.
They still engage everyone in physical active by having exercise time in the large dining area. They also walk the circular driveway outside their building when the weather is nice and up and down the long hallway when it is not nice.

The PCS staff encourages nutritional health by organizing a cooking club. They help the group pick out a nutritional recipe, take them to the grocery store to get the ingredients, and help them put the recipe together to share with everyone else at lunch time.

Then there is emotional health. This is encouraged through holiday celebrations and making friendships with each other. Staff members put a lot of love and time into creating the Thanksgiving feast pictured here., and they ensured that day service participants were invested in the process as well.
Photo of PCS clients gathered in kitchen for a Thanksgiving meal
Photo of PCS client filling his plate at Thanksgiving buffet table
Photo of Champaign County Board of DD SSA visiting with clients at PCS
Photo of Champaign County Board of DD SSA eating a Thanksgiving meal with PCS clients

As an added bonus, some of the PCS staff members can be found volunteering time with community organizations which their day service members likely participate in. In fact, Director Darlene Caudill current helps as an adviser for the Champaign County Kiwanis Aktion Club.
​
So, in the coming year, when you make your new year resolutions, think about PCS. Be inspired to set goals of caring and kindness.

Winter is a Great Time to P.L.A.Y.

12/1/2021

 
Written by: Amy Kerrigan, Community Education Specialist
In the winter there is snow. And when there is snow, we play! Who doesn't love building a snowman, having a snowball fight, or making snow angels? If you ask Jess Baird, playing in the snow is a "great multisensory experience" and a recommended activity for child development. And as a certified consultant for The P.L.A.Y. Project, she knows what she is talking about.
Picture
The P.L.A.Y. Project may sound like a guide for having fun, but it is so much more. It is a unique program designed for families who have children, ages 0-6 yrs, on the autism spectrum. A consultant works one-on-one with parents and empowers them with knowledge on using engaging activities in their everyday routines with their child(ren), who might have various sensory and developmental challenges. The Champaign County Board of DD (CCBDD) is very lucky to have Jess Baird as our in-house certified P.L.A.Y. Project consultant.

To participate in The P.L.A.Y. Project, a child must first be evaluated by CCBDD to determine eligibility for Early Intervention services. Anyone can make a referral for the initial evaluation. After evaluation, the CCBDD staff decides if the family is a good candidate for P.L.A.Y. Project.

​To start, simply contact the CCBDD Early Intervention Director, Jennifer Bradford at [email protected] to ask about referrals. Or you can start the referral process yourself by going to www.ohioearlyintervention.org.
photo of Jennifer Bradford, Early Intervention Director
photo of Jess Baird, Certified P.L.A.Y. Project Consultant
​In the meantime, Jess offers ideas to support families with a child on the autism spectrum and to help all families start the holidays and new year with engaging activities.
1.  Connect with local Champaign County mom, Rhiannon Rose, through her blog www.autismandgo.com. This blog is an honest depiction of life with a child on the autism spectrum. Not only does Rhiannon share her experiences, but she also shares tips and tricks she has learned through the years. Finding support in your community and others who can relate to your situation can help alleviate stress.
photo of Rhiannon Rose and her family. This photo is from the Autism and Go website.
Photo from the Autism and Go website.
2.​ Visit some of Jess Baird's favorite websites like www.asensorylife.com and  www.inspiredtreehouse.com. These sites offer a wealth of resources for helping children with high sensory needs. There are checklists, tips and tricks, research information, and fun therapeutic activities.
3.  Enjoy the winter! Participate in all the new senses and activities that can only happen in winter weather. Jess says, "My favorite winter activity (and every other season too) is getting outside to play." Bundle up in all the winter gear. Build with the snow. Make wet or snowy footprints. Breathe in the cold air. Jess also suggests, "If getting outside isn't possible, making indoor obstacle courses, forts, or crashing into pillow piles are all fun ways to get some energy out too."
Photo of Rhiannon Rose's children building a snowman outside
Photo Credit: Rhiannon Rose (www.autismandgo.com)

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  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our Board >
      • Meeting Minutes
    • Our Staff
    • Join Our Team
  • Services
    • Early Intervention >
      • Child Development Resources
    • Autism & Sensory Resources
    • Community Education and Outreach >
      • Employment Services for Individuals with Disabilities
    • Service & Support Administrators
  • Providers
    • Become a Provider
    • Provider Training
    • Provider Search Tools
  • Resources
    • Latest News
    • Strategic Plan
    • Newsletters
    • Public Resources
  • Contact Us
  • Report an Incident