While things are much different in our community at this moment in time, TuscBDD wants to remind you that we are always here for you.
Including You is brought to you by Tuscarawas County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
We know that connection is important, and we want you to know that you can connect with us whenever you need it. Below are a few examples of TuscBDD services that have undergone a virtual transformation in order to meet the needs of the people and families that receive TuscBDD services.
TuscBDD Early Intervention
TuscBDD’s Early Intervention team can help families. Early Intervention (EI) is a partnership developed with Help Me Grow to offer help to parents and families when there are concerns with their child’s development. If your child is experiencing delays in one of the following categories: hearing, seeing, moving, thinking, talking, and/or playing, EI may be able to help. Don’t let COVID-19 stop you from obtaining free EI services. EI is currently providing families with virtual visits that take place on a video conference platform called Zoom. If you have concerns about your child’s development, get in touch with Help Me Grow for an evaluation and Early Intervention referral. Call Help Me Grow at 1-800-755-4769, or call the regional phone number at 740-371-3322. You can also email Help Me Grow at HMGreferrals@helpmegrow.org.
The FANS Network
The FANS Network is here to help you stay connected to friends and community. While the FANS Network members are not meeting face to face or having in-person events, they are still socializing. The FANS Network has created an online community that hosts Game Time and Novel Adventures Ebook Club each Friday via Zoom from 4-5 PM. All Zoom invites and activity links will be posted in the Facebook group. To get in touch with the FANS Network online community, visit https://bit.ly/TuscFans.
TuscBDD’s Service and Support Administrators (SSAs)
TuscBDD’s Service and Support Administrators (SSAs) are working regular hours and are ready to speak with you and provide to you support and resources. If you have an SSA and need to speak with your SSA, they are just a phone call away. You can find a list of SSAs at www.tuscbdd.org. If you do not have an SSA but feel you or a family member may need one, please contact Beth Starkey by email at bstarkey@tuscbdd.org or by phone at 330-308-7172.
Family Mentorship
If you are looking to connect with another family that has experienced what it is like to parent a child with developmental disabilities, look no further than TuscBDD’s Family Mentorship program. A Family Mentor is the caregiver to a person with a developmental disability who is available to help families by sharing experiences, information, and support. Mentors share on a variety of topics that could include conversations about: navigating Ohio’s developmental disabilities system, finding helpful resources, and parenting a child with a developmental disability. Connecting with a mentor is easy and can be done by simply calling, texting, or emailing the mentor of your choice. To learn more about each mentor and how to connect, download the TuscBDD Family Mentorship Brochure at www.tuscbdd.org.
