Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities

10/19/2026

Thank you to all who participated in and attended our 11th Annual Trunk or Treat!! See you next year!!👻🎃

10/16/2026

Managing strong emotions isn't always easy, but you don't have to do it alone! Join We Thrive Together Ohio to learn positive, healthy ways to navigate frustration. 🤝

What?: Health & Wellness: Healthy Ways to Manage Anger and Frustration (Ft. Jessica Romeo from Mercy Health)

When?: Monday, October 19th @ 1:00 p.m. EST

Where?: https://wethrivetogether.org/bulldogs/event-list/

10/16/2026

This week’s Journeys to Employment Monthly Spotlight features Jen. She has been employed by Goodwill Industries for 10 years. She initially began working in their vocational training program, but she was soon offered a permanent position in their retail store. Jen is responsible for stocking merchandise, maintaining the sales floor, assisting customers, accepting donations, and checking out customers at the cash register. One of Jen's favorite responsibilities is "pulling colors." All merchandise is color coded and through this process older merchandise is removed from the sales floor to make room for new inventory.

Jen’s assistant manager Robin stated that Jen has more seniority than most employees. She also stated that Jen is always on task and they never have to worry because she consistently works her entire shift and her work is accurate.

In August of 2022, Goodwill Easterseals Miami Valley honored Jen with their Employment Independence Award. This was a great honor to Jen. After receiving her award, the attached video was played at the Fraze Music Center in July 2022.

Jen lives independently with a roommate and her cat Happy. She adopted Happy from the Humane Society. When she is not working, Jen enjoys shopping, going to movies, visiting Kings Island, and she loves traveling to see friends and family. Her last big trip was flying to Los Angeles to visit her mother.

Jen is a reliable and consistent employee who takes pride in her quality of work. Her strong work ethic and commitment to excellence are qualities that employers highly value.

NOMINATIONS:
Do you know someone who is successfully working in a vocational training program or in community employment? If so, you can nominate them to be featured in an upcoming Employment Spotlight by emailing: [email protected].



To view the video, click the link below:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=462829905703000

10/15/2026

The Warren County Special Olympics athletes recently participated in the very first Regionals for Co****le, bright and early in Xenia at the Athletes in Action Sports Complex.

We had at least 2 teams win Gold and 3 teams win Silver!

Well done, everyone!! What a great morning for a Co****le Tournament!!🥇

10/14/2026

Beyond the Spectrum is hosting their first ever Sensory Friendly Trunk or Treat event!

🍭October 24th
🍭 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.
🍭1430 Spring Lawn Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45223

10/13/2026

A few weeks ago, we celebrated the start of football season with some NFL Bingo! 🏈

10/12/2026

Looking to learn how to draw? Join We Thrive Together Ohio for Minion Drawing!!! ✏

Let out your inner artist!

Join us for Minion Drawing!

Monday, October 12th @ 6:00 p.m. EST

https://wethrivetogether.org/bulldogs/event-list/

10/12/2026

Join us TONIGHT for our 11th annual Trunk or Treat! This event is intended for individuals with disabilities of all ages. Wear your favorite costume and bring a bag for your candy!

Questions or looking to register your trunk? Reach out to Rhonda Schutte at [email protected] or (513) 806 3809.

🎃Monday, October 12th
🎃6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
🎃801 Drake Rd in Lebanon

10/09/2026

Register for the upcoming virtual SALT - School to Adult Life Transition Series of Southwest Ohio session!

Click the link below to register:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/-eUWhxaWTL6PewlSnFle1Q?fbclid=IwY2xjawU12J1leHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mAWJyaWQRMVBrelV6SEsxa25oOHd3U0VzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeTpiYt8E4_KuZ4oN8w5wZ3GwanTNuMRTLrmL--q1lmlH9wApHuDYB-dm85UA_aem_jnWpFASWrQ2YsVVrALkfQg #/registration

🌟 October 13, 2026
🌟 6 p.m.

Register today for the virtual SALT session happening Tuesday, October 13th at 6 PM! 🎉

We are excited to have Thomas Hatch from the Office of the Ohio Treasurer join us to share powerful insights about the STABLE account.

Ohio’s STABLE Account helps eligible individuals with disabilities save and invest for future expenses while protecting access to important benefits like Medicaid and SSI. Funds can be used for qualified expenses such as housing, transportation, healthcare, and more!

This is going to be an informative session you won't want to miss! See you there!

10/09/2026

This week's Journeys to Employment Spotlight features Jay D. He has worked at Home Depot in Mason for 8 years. Jay D works as a Sales Associate, where his responsibilities include assisting customers and maintaining his assigned department to ensure it is clean, organized, and well stocked.

He enjoys interacting with customers and helping to answer questions about DIY projects. His efforts have not gone unnoticed. A few years ago, he was recognized as Associate of the Quarter and for the past 3 years he has worked as a coach (mentor) for new hires.

When asked about his goals, he mentioned that he would like to design decks for customers. It is his hope that he will be able to soon add deck design to his list of services he offers to customers at Home Depot.

Jay D obtained his driver’s license in 2019. He then purchased a car with the help of the Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities Vehicle Grant. Being able to drive himself to and from work has greatly increased his independence.

Outside of work, he lives independently with his roommates and his cat, Monte. For fun he enjoys going hiking. One of his favorite places to hike is the Cincinnati Nature Center. Hiking also complements another of his favorite hobbies, which is macro photography-the art of capturing close-up images. Attached, are a few of his favorite images!

Jay D’s hard work and dedication have helped him to become an important part of the Home Depot team. His success shows how employment can help individuals grow, build confidence, and achieve greater independence.

NOMINATIONS:
Do you know someone who is successfully working in a vocational training program or in community employment? If so, you can nominate them to be featured in an upcoming Employment Spotlight by emailing: [email protected].