Licking County’s agency providers offer a variety of self-advocacy groups. These groups receive grant funding from LCBDD and often meet typically meet as a county-wide, all-advocates group several times a year to report on their activities, discuss important issues and socialize.
Check out these groups to find the one that is the best fit for you:
Center for Disability Services
o About: Attends self-advocacy retreats, seminars and conferences. Members go over different topics that advocates feel hit close to home for them. This group is made up of a lot of different backgrounds, which helps bring out a lot of great discussions.
o Meetings: Before the pandemic this group met at least once a week. Meetings are currently TBD.
o Contact Information: Call Jayme Burke at 740-404-7256 or email jamyeburke@centerds.org
Consumer Support Services- Donna Jean Center: The RAK Club
o About: The RAK (Random Act of Kindness) Club has members that focus on the who, what, where, when and why for the person/community organization they will be extending an act of kindness to each month.
o Meetings: The club previously met twice a month at the Donna Jean Center. However, due to the pandemic they are now conducting meetings via Zoom until further notice.
o Contact Information: Email Ashley Matthews at ashley.matthews@cssohio.org and keep an eye out for a Facebook page to be coming soon.
KICKS: The Leadership Connection
o About: Due to COVID-19, the goals of this self-advocacy group have temporarily changed. Instead of attending regional meetings, conferences and other self-advocacy events within Central Ohio, this group will hold online meetings that focus on topics that are relevant to self-advocates and their families.They will be conducting a monthly group meeting on Zoom, but more online events will be added throughout the remainder of this year.
o Meetings: Regular in person meetings are suspended at this time – monthly meetings are the third Wednesday of each month from 12:30 to 1:30 pm via ZOOM
o Contact Information: Follow the Leadership Connection on Facebook, email Diana Spain at diana@kicksllc.com or call 740-348-0011
INFORMATION COMING SOON ON:
The Fuse Network
Midwest Health Services
PALS
SPARK LLC
Gathering Place of Licking County