BUCYRUS — The Crawford County Board of Developmental Disabilities’ 2019 theme is “MARCHing Together.” The organization is partnering with providers to promote March’s Developmental Disabilities Awareness month. These events have been coordinated to help raise awareness and achieve outcomes that will help further the efforts of community involvement in every aspect of life.
Second grade coloring contest — An individual with a disability created a picture that represents inclusion of a person with a disability with others in the community. Finalists and one winner will be chosen. Each finalist will be recognized at the unified basketball exhibition game on March 29th and the overall winner will be announced at the game. The winning picture from this coloring contest will be used on CCBDD’s thank you cards for 2019. The countywide classroom that submits the most entries will also receive a prize.
Middle school poster competition — Keeping with the theme “MARCHing Together,” we are issuing a challenge to middle schoolers to create a poster that will raise awareness, encourage inclusion of people with disabilities in the community, and positively reflect awareness and inclusion. Finalists and one winner will be chosen. Each finalist will be recognized at the unified basketball exhibition game on March 29th and the overall winner will be announced at the game. The winner’s poster will be reprinted and displayed throughout the community. The countywide classroom that submits the most entries will also receive a prize.
Unified high school basketball exhibition game — Students from local high schools will be divided and placed on a team that includes athletes from the Special Olympics basketball team. The school athletes will be assigned a simulated disability which they will need to accommodate during the exhibition game. A meet, greet, and orientation will be scheduled prior to the exhibition game which will be played on March 29, 2019, at 7:00 p.m. at the Bucyrus High School gym. Athletes will be asked to share some highlights of their experience. The community is invited to come cheer on the athletes and enjoy the game. Admission to this event is free. However, donations will be taken for Crawford County Board of DD food pantry; canned goods, boxed food and drinks, paper products, laundry detergent, cereal, and toiletries. These donations will help local families that are served by the Crawford County Board of DD. Any monetary donations, as well as concessions being offered, will benefit local Special Olympics.
Adult try on a disability day — Adults from the community will be invited to participate in a try on a disability half day on March 19th. The group will gather at Crawford County Board of DD for a quick meeting, orientation, assignment of simulated disability, and assignment of daily activity. Participants will leave for their assigned location or return to their normal routine for approximately 2 hours. They will then meet back at Crawford County Board of DD for an overview of services, review of their experience, and lunch. Each participant will be asked to share some highlights of their experience.
Crawford County Board of Developmental Disabilities also operates the 5 STAR rated Fairway preschool, Early Intervention services, one high school classroom at Pioneer, Service and Support Administration (case management), family support services, and Special Olympics. Crawford County Board of Developmental Disabilities continues to fund 100% of costs for those that are not on a Medicaid waiver who attend Adult Service programs, receive services from Community Employment, Early Intervention, and Service and Support Administration (SSA/case management). Levy monies also fund up to 40% of the cost for those that are receiving Medicaid waivers for: Home and Community Based services (residential services), transportation, and Day Services/Day Programs.
Crawford County Board of Developmental Disabilities, 1630 E. Southern Ave, Suite 101 Bucyrus serves more than 350 children and adults at Fairway School, public schools, Community Services, and private providers.
