The 50th anniversary of the IDEA is here and The Arc of Ohio wants to keep you up to date on what is happening with Special Education. Today, Jen speaks with Courtney Hansen, Special Education Advocate and SEAT Instructor at COPAA. Courtney updated us on what is going on with the cuts at the Department of Education and how we can best advocate in our state.
Jen and Lindsey talk with Jenetta Thomas about her nonprofit "Hearts in the Park". Jenetta is a nurse and a mom to two children, one with Down syndrome. Jenetta started this organization to offer community celebrations for families with children with developmental disabilities. The 3rd annual community celebration is June 7th 12-3 PM. Find out more on www.heartsinthepark.org
Jen and Lindsey have a return guest! Alaina Bowers with the Stable Account Program at the Ohio Treasurer's Office is back to give us some updates on this great resource for families. We talk about new contribution limits, financial literacy tools, possibly budget changes to these accounts and more. Check out www.stableaccount.com or email team@stableaccount.com to learn more.
Jen chats with Chloe Rothschild about all things self-advocacy, communication, work accommodations and mentorship. Chloe sits on the Arc of U.S. Board of Directors and works several jobs as an autism consultant. She is a wealth of priceless information- don't miss this episode!
Jen and Lindsey talked to Leann Magre, Executive Director of Children's System of Care at Ohio Rise. Leann provided our audience with some great information about what Ohio Rise is, how it can help our families and new supports coming down the pike. We talked about behavioral health respite, flex funds, mobile and home-based treatment and how to distinguish these services from our county boards of DD and the DD waivers.
Jen speaks with the one the only Amanda Tipkemper. Amanda is an independent consultant with 20 years of experience in special education best practices, program design, non-profit management and strategic development. Known for her (com)passionate approach and innovative solutions, Amanda has dedicated her career to empowering individuals and organizations to reach their full potential. The discuss everything from consent to sex education in school and what parents need to know. Check out her services at https://amandatipkemperllc.com/
Today on the Arc of Ohio Podcast, Jen spoke with her friend, Ashley Barlow. Ashley is a special education attorney and runs the very popular, "The Collaborative IEP" business helping families find solutions in their special education meetings and beyond. Check out her podcast by the same name- The Collaborative IEP. Jen and Ashley discuss the threats to public education, including the executive order and proposed legislation to shut down the Department of Education.
Alicia Hopkins returns to the Podcast to talk about her new book, Audacity To Speak, an autobiographical work that shares stories of Alicia growing up and learning to use here voice to speak up about people with disabilities.
Jen and Lindsey spoke with Nicole Jorwic, the Chief of Advocacy and Campaigns at Caring Across Generations. Nicole is doing groundbreaking work with her boss, Ai-Jen Poo in the #CareCan'tWait movement. We had a great conversation with Nicole on Federal policy and how we can get better care policy here in Ohio.
We had the pleasure of interviewing Professor Pepper Stetler. Prof Stetler has written a new book called, "A Measure of Intelligence: One Mother's Reckoning with the IQ Test". This book is a must read for professionals and parents alike in understanding the history of the IQ test and how it has informed society and how we educate children with disabilities.
We were joined by Tim Vogt and Ashley Hart. Tim has written a new book called "Who's In Your Life" about his experience leading the change at one of Cincinnati's best nonprofits for people with disabilities and their families, Starfire. Ashley and Tim talk about their work at Starfire driving neighborhood inclusion projects.
Jen and Lindsey interview Emily Kendall and Sam Klever from EmpowerMe Living. Affordable housing is a crisis for many adults with disabilities so we wanted to talk to some folks who have solutions. EmpowerMe Living is investing in data to help solve the housing crisis facing adults with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities (A/I/DD) and their families. We need adults and families to participate in the study – link to express interest included: https://www.empowermeliving.com/housing-market-analysis-cincinnatiLearn more about EmpowerMe Living at EmpowerMeLiving.com.
Next Tuesday we want the episode with Vernon and Julie to air 5 am Sept 10 with this blurb: Jen and Lindsey interviewed TikTok star, Vernon Jackson and also Julie Eubanks. Vernon owns a barbershop in Cincinnati called Noble Barber & Beauty. He started a Gifted Event, a program that provides free haircuts to children with disabilities. His video cutting Julie's son Ellison's hair has more than 3.5 million views. For more information on how to book a gifted cut or donate to the gifted events, go to www.noblebb.com.
President and CEO of The Arc of Ohio, Gary Tonks joins Executive Vice President of the Arc of Ohio, David Lewis on the always popular discussion of the Wonderful World of Waivers. Gary and Dave will provide updates and things to watch for in the upcoming year. Submit your questions about this episode in the comments or email us at info@thearcofohio.org
Jen and Lindsey talk to Kelly Mahler about Interception for this episode of The Arc of Ohio Podcast.
Jen and Lindsey talk with Ohio House 1 Representative Dontavius Jarrells about HB 427 Ohio Employment First and Greater Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities Act. This bipartisan bill has been introduced by Rep Jarrels and Rep Lipps to phase out subminimum wage for people with disabilities in Ohio. If you would like to support this bill, contact the Arc of Ohio and send us your stories! Check out the virtual event in on March 28th - for the link contact ohapse@apse.org.
Lindsey and Jen talk with Josselyn Okorodudu, founder of Our Tribe. Our Tribe is a grassroots initiative created by members of the Black Autism Community to uplift our families and mitigate the poor outcomes that disproportionately affect Black people diagnosed with autism. www.OurTribeCincy.com
Upcoming events:
Black Caregiver Support Group (Tuesdays March 12th - April 2nd at 6pm) -- Our Tribe is partnering with Lilac and Indigo to offer a 4-week support group series for Black caregivers of autistic people. Participants will be invited to 4 - 60 minute virtual workshops, receive a wellness supply kit, and are eligible to 14 days of one-on-one support from the facilitator. Sign Up Link
Movie Day (Saturday March 9th at noon) -- Our Tribe is inviting the Black Autism for a special movie event featuring a screening of Kung Fu Panda 4. Refreshments will be provided. RSVP Link
Lindsey and Jen talk with Emma and Olivia from the Arc of Ohio Assistive Tech program. They talked about how the program works and how families can use this great service. https://www.thearcofohio.org/atp/
On this Episode Jen and Lindsey talk with Jeremy Morris the Executive Director at Ohio Statewide Independent Living Council. Before joining the SILC in 2017, Jeremy had spent almost 10 years working in Independent Living, previously serving as the Executive Director of the Access Center in Dayton, Ohio and Finance Coordinator at the Western Reserve ILC in Warren, Ohio.
Jen and Lindsey talk with Dr. Steph Weber, Clinical Psychologist at the Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. They discuss Dr. Weber's work at the Next Step Clinic for children who have been substance exposed prenatally. For more information go to https://www.nextstepcollaborative.com.
