Momentum
A quarterly newsletter of the Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities
Spring 2026 edition
Check out our 2025 Annual Report!
Every year, LCBDD publishes an Annual Report that shares important fiscal and enrollment data with our community.
This year, we decided to make that report more accessible by pivoting from a printed postcard to a page on our website.
This change not only allows the report to be available anywhere, with just a few clicks or a QR code, but it gave us more space to highlight important data points and celebrate the success stories of the people we support.
Thank you to all the families who took the time to share their stories with us for the report! Meet them and learn more about some of the 2025 accomplishments we celebrated by clicking here to visit lcountydd.org/annualreport.
A message from LCBDD Superintendent/CEO Alex Corwin:
LCBDD News
Don't miss our 2026 Summer Kickoff, which will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. May 2 at the Canal Market in Downtown Newark. Learn about community resources while enjoying family friendly activities, a petting zoo, food trucks and more. Momentum Refresh will be there too!
Join us for a Communicating with First Responders Lunch and Learn
Ohio has lots of great resources to help people with disabilities and their caregivers share information with first responders that can lead to more positive, productive interactions. But it’s not always easy to find out what is available, and where to go to access these resources. LCBDD is partnering with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities and the Licking County Sheriff’s Office to host a virtual Lunch and Learn about some of these safety resources such as Keith’s Law, Ohio’s Blue Envelope program and additional state and local resources. Join us at noon on May 14 on Zoom to learn more about these resources. Click here to sign up for this safety Lunch and Learn.
Save the Date for our next Tech Tuesday
Join us on Zoom at noon on July 14 for the next session in our series of Tech Tuesday Lunch and Learns. This time, we will welcome several assistive tech providers who will share information about devices that detect seizures. We will share sign up information as the date gets closer so keep an eye on our social media pages.
Meet up with LCBDD at Dozers and Diggers!
We were thrilled Momentum Refresh was able to participate in The Works’ Dozers and Diggers touch-a-truck event last year. This year, Momentum will return to the event, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 11 — but that’s not all! The event has a sensory-friendly hour from 9 to 10 a.m. which will feature quiet time without loud honking. LCBDD is encouraging families we support to attend the event during that time and enjoy coffee and doughnuts on us! LCBDD staff members and our Superintendent will be at the United Way of Licking County’s community space (22 South 1st Street, Newark) from 9 to 11 a.m. that day. Save the date and we look forward to seeing everyone!
Momentum Refresh is BACK!
Mark your calendars for these upcoming events and make plans knowing that there will be a fully accessible restroom — with a universal changing table with a hoist, and accessible toilet and sink — that will be available for anyone who wants to attend!
You can find our most current list of events below or by clicking this link for the schedule on our website.
Please help us share this far and wide, because we know that accessible restrooms makes a huge difference that goes far beyond the DD community. When events are more inclusive, our entire community benefits!
4 to 7 p.m. May 2: LCBDD’s Summer Kickoff, Canal Market District, 36 E. Canal St. in Downtown Newark.
11 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 23-24, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 25: Utica Ice Cream Festival, Velvet Ice Cream, 11324 Mount Vernon Rd in Utica.
11 a.m. to 10 p.m. May 29-30, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 31: Newark Strawberry Festival, Downtown Newark.
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 11: Dozers and Diggers, The Works, 55 S. 1st St. in Downtown Newark.
6 to 10 p.m. August 19, 12 to 10 p.m. August 20-22: Pataskala Street Fair, Main Street in Pataskala.
3 to 6 p.m. Sept. 19: LCBDD’s Family Fall Festival, Freedom Park, 5000 Taylor Road SW in Pataskala.
We can’t do our job without the support of the community! LCBDD staff members are using this space to express our gratitude to providers and members of the community who have gone above and beyond.
Our staff members have a lot to say about the amazing partners and providers in our community. We invite you to take a look at the Shout Outs below!
I would like to recognize Chelsie Russell, BSN, RN, C-EFM, CBS, PMH-C Patient Care Manager – Maternity Services and Alisan Sammons, BSN, RN, C-EFM Perinatal Nurse Navigator for assisting me with setting up a training.
—Jerrica Poling
Developmental Specialist
To Mandy Link with CSS: Thank you for being there for a woman we support going through a difficult time. Mandy is helping her find her voice and advocate for herself. Mandy is making a difference and I wanted to share that she is just plain amazing. She is doing the good, hard, work and it shows.
—Tiffany Rhoads
Service Coordinator
To Brittany Gray of CLE: The time and attention you give to the ISP process is very appreciated.
To Evalyn Aeby of CSS: Thank you for your excellent communication and organization. You are wonderful to work with.
— Julia Schworm
Service Coordinator
To Divine and Favor Residential Care: Thank you for your support and great communication during several difficult situations and a shout out for becoming Med 2 certified.
—Tiffany Tom
Service Coordinator
I just wanted to pass along how wonderful CDS has been with a woman I support and the amazing things they are doing to support her with her goals! LCBDD recently wrote story sharing some of their awesome work:
https://lcountydd.org/2026/03/20/shes-come-such-a-long-way/
To Vision Home Health Care: They have been supporting a person with many medical needs and they have been amazing. They have been great with documentation and very supportive in assisting the family in communicating their needs and advocating for the person when language barriers come up. They have also helped educate me as a Service Coordinator on the person’s culture and activities available in the area that are important to them. They have gone above and beyond with assisting the family.They always respond quickly and it is truly a pleasure to work with them!
—Kennedy Wood
Service Coordinator
To Eli from CSS: Thanks for truly getting to know the people you support and advocating for their interests and preferences.
—Danielle Friend
Service Coordinator
Furniture With A Heart has been an outstanding resource. Team members have raved about how amazing their staff and customer service has been. They are a fantastic resource for the community and those we support.
— Devyn Radabaugh
Adult Team Leader
Shoutout to CSS for going above and beyond in support of a very active young man on my caseload. Thank you for giving him the chance to completely change his life! You all make a difference and are so appreciated!
Thank you to NRH for supporting someone and allowing her to pass with dignity and grace. It was so moving and beautiful.
— Colleen Lloyd
Service Coordinator Mentor
To Hope Hindel for doing an amazing job speaking at DD Awareness and Advocacy Day at the Ohio Statehouse and participating in a DD Awareness Month panel with Denison University.
To PALS and CDS for bringing groups to DD Awareness and Advocacy Day at the Statehouse. Your support of advocacy is appreciated.
To Dave Doney and Joel Riley from Buckeye Country 107.7 for featuring our Superintendent Alex Corwin and LCBDD Board Member Phill Kirk on “Talk of the Town.”
To the Licking County Humane Society for inviting our staff to help out at Sophie’s for a service project.
—Anna Jeffries
Public Information Officer
Calendar of Events
- 4 to 7 p.m. May 2: LCBDD’s Summer Kickoff, Canal Market District, 36 E. Canal St., Newark.
- Noon May 14: Communicating with First Responders Lunch and Learn. This will be held on Zoom.
- 9 to 11 a.m. July 11: Coffee and doughnuts with LCBDD at The Work’s Dozers and Diggers. Meet at United Way of Licking County’s community space, 22 South 1st Street, Newark.
- Noon July 14: Tech Tuesday Lunch and Learn: Seizure Detection Devices. This will be held on Zoom. Sign up information will be shared closer to the date.
LCBDD Board meetings:
The Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities' Board of Directors meet monthly on the third Wednesday of each month. Here is the information for the next few meetings.
4:45 to 6 p.m. May 20, June 17 : LCBDD Board meetings, E.S. Weiant Center, 116 N. 22nd St. Newark.