Note: This Superintendent’s Message accompanies the summer edition of the LCBDD newsletter Momentum, which will be available in mid-July. If you would like to receive this newsletter and be added to our mailing list, contact Anna Jeffries at 740-322-6911 or anna.jeffries@lcountydd.org. For a digital PDF version of the newsletter, click here.

As we continue to learn and develop ways to improve community access and engagement for people with developmental disabilities, we build off of a foundation that has been proven to improve outcomes so that everyone can thrive.

In the early days of our system, choices were limited and available opportunities needed to be more person-centered. It is hard to believe just how far we have come.

Today, the DD system creates an environment where people are encouraged to explore their interests and pursue the goals that are important to them.

Community engagement is a pivotal component of the services and support that people with DD receive. It fosters an environment that provides opportunities for people to explore their interests, show their talents and celebrate their accomplishments. Creating these opportunities requires an investment in programs that provide the necessary support and resources to ensure equitable access.

This summer, we are celebrating partnerships that enable people to be one with their community and participate in events they are interested in.

• The Hartford Fair welcomed us to establish our very own LCBDD Family Resource Center at the fair, which will offer a variety of resources and activities. In 2025 we are planning to offer an accessible restroom with a universal/adult changing table and a sensory/calming room in that resource center.
• In addition, our partnership with Momentum Refresh has grown so that people who need a fully accessible restroom can attend special events without concern.
• For the second year, the Farm Bureau, Licking County 4-H, the Hartford Fair, and local volunteers have come together to make the 2024 Licking County Animal Adventures show a success — by allowing youth to show an animal at the fair and demonstrate their skills and talents.
• Through a partnership with Center for Disability Services we have created a Techsploration Hub, where people we support can tour and have hands-on experiences with assistive tech.

Our alliance with these great partners creates an environment where the impact of empowerment and access to opportunities ensures that every person, regardless of ability, can be one with their community.

Our commitment to the citizens of Licking County with developmental disabilities continues to grow as we bring in more inclusive programs and resources that strengthen our community. As we see and hear about these successes, we must remember that empowerment and opportunities bring a strength to defy expectations, inspire change, and create environments so every individual can thrive, be happy and accomplish their life goals through a variety of pathways to success.

Contact Superintendent/CEO Jason L. Umstot , EdD, by calling 740-349-6588 or email: Jason.Umstot@lcountydd.org.