Spring 2024
Fairway Rewind
Early intervention
CCBDD Spotlight
Spring Activities
Chargers 4 change
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PaGe 13
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www.crawfordcbdd.org
Learning Lab Flyer
March proved to be a remarkably busy month as we
celebrated Developmental Disability Awareness /
Inclusion month. We form a committee made up of
Crawford County Board of DD staff, individuals
served, and providers of services to help spread awareness and inclusion
throughout the county. We partner with the schools in Crawford County to
hold a second-grade coloring contest and middle school poster contest and we
just completed our 6
th
annual Unified Basketball game where we invite a boy
and girl from each high school’s varsity basketball team as well as members
from the Crawford County Special Olympics basketball team to play together in
a game at Bucyrus High School. At this game we were able to celebrate and
introduce our very own Gabby Kozinski who recently won Ms. Wheelchair
Ohio 2024 and support her with implementing her platform and competing in
Ms. Wheelchair USA in August. The game also started off with Amy Ward
nailing the National Anthem, and also included concessions, fundraiser for
Chargers 4 Change (Self Advocacy group) and Special Olympics, helped
replenish our food pantry, included the Bucyrus Pep Band, and lots of great
memories. We are extremely appreciative of this community and the support
you give. Our efforts would not be nearly as successful without such a great
community.
Reminder that April is tornado safety month and ensure you identify and
practice a plan on what to do in case of a tornado, unfortunately March weather
got us thinking about this earlier than normal. Hopefully, April brings nicer and
warmer weather.
April 17, 2024
April 18, 2024
Pages 15-16
Night To Shine
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May 20, 2024
Family & Adult Advocacy
HOW MANY PINK FLOWERS CAN YOU
FIND IN OUR NEWSLET TER?
Court Sturts
March Awareness
Pages 8-9
Prepare a Safety plan
Page 4
Pie in The Face
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Ms. Wheelchair Ohio
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Important Preschool Dates-
April 8- Solar Eclipse – NO SCHOOL
April 10-12-Parent/Teacher Conferences
April 16/17- Spring Pictures
April 25- NO SCHOOL,
May 9- MARK’s Ice Cream
May 23-Preschool Stepping Up Program/
Student’s Last Day
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www.crawfordcbdd.org
Fairway Preschool is moving to
Final Forms for the 24-25
school year and all enrollment
and acceptance in to our
program will be done through
this platform. Please like our
Crawford County Board of DD
Facebook page to keep up on
release dates.
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For updates on closings and other updates, follow us on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/crawfordcbdd
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Are you interested in becoming a volunteer?
The Crawford County Board of DD is currently
seeking volunteers that would be interested in
reading to kids, or helping with fundraisers and
activities, or Special Olympics.
Please stop into the Crawford County Board of
DD to fill out a postcard or Contact Mary
Morton at 419-562-3321 ext. 120 or
Email: [email protected]
Meet your Early Intervention DS: Shannon Lear
Shannon Lear has lived in the area her entire life. She graduated from
Wynford High School and then attended The Ohio State University in
Marion where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education. Shannon
taught preschool students at OHCAC Head Start, here in Crawford
County, for 11 years. In July of 2019 the Crawford County Board of DD
was pleased to welcome her to our team. She originally was a Seasonal
Early Intervention Developmental Specialist and not only served families
in Crawford County, but also supported families in Morrow County. As
caseloads in Crawford County increased CCBDD needed more of
Shannon’s time. Shannon moved to a full-time Early Intervention
Developmental Specialist in August of 2022.
Shannon and her husband, Chad have a daughter, Remi and a son,
Raiden. Their family also includes two dogs, Kyrie and Meeka. When
Shannon is not working and has free time she enjoys reading.
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Meet your Early Intervention DS: Ashley Hale
Hello! My name is Ashley Hale. I've been teaching for 14 years and
worked as a one-on-one aide for 3 years. I am from Bucyrus originally,
but graduated from Huron High School after moving there for my senior
year. After high school, I received a scholarship to play volleyball at
West Virginia State University, where I received my Bachelor's degree in
Elementary Education with an endorsement in Special Education and a
certification in Autism. All 17 years since college graduation, I have
worked with students with developmental disabilities. It's my passion!
I have 4 boys ranging from 4 to 15. We enjoy watching football, listening
to music, playing outside, swimming in our pond, riding four-wheelers
and dirt bikes, family movie nights and spending time with family. My
youngest is a preschooler at Fairway.
A representative from each agency will receive a pie to the face. The agency who has raised
the most money received a “golden” pie. Who do you want to see receive a pie in the face?
Remember to saver your loose change for next years contest.
All proceeds for this fundraiser went to support the food pantry at the
Crawford County Board of DD.
OSS Transportation
Colby Bright
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CCBDD
Becky Teynor - SSA
RNI
Judy Greanya
Chrysalis-
Mandi Moran
Waycraft
Larry Stinchcomb
Special Olympics -
Kelly Hufford
Fairway Preschool
Kim Pittman
We would like to extend a thank you to everyone
who donated for the pie in the face event this
year. This year the golden pie was received by
Fairway Preschool.
Fairway Preschool brought in a donation of
$53.06. In total, we raised 100 dollars.
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For updates on closings and other updates, follow us on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/crawfordcbdd
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In March, we sponsored a coloring contest for second graders in Crawford County schools. The schools
were supplied with a sheet for the children to color depicting three children with disabilities and our theme
“Better Together.” After the children colored the sheet, they were returned to CCBDD and then judged by
Chargers for Change.
Coloring Contest Finalists:
1st: Bria Ruth, daughter of Matt and Kim Ruth
2nd: Marabel Kepler, daughter of Mike and Miranda Kepler
3rd: Bexlee Rittenour, daughter of Monica Sack and Ken Rittenour
Hannah Crawford Elementary won the ice cream treats by submitting the
most countywide classroom entries.
We also sponsored a poster contest for 6th - 8th Graders in Crawford County schools. The students were
able to design a poster depicting “Better Together.” After the students completed their posters, they were
returned to CCBDD and judged by Chargers for Change.
Poster Contest Finalists:
1st: Violet Rossman, daughter of Jim and Holly Rossman
2nd: Lily Pittman, daughter of Josh and Alison Pittman
3rd: Logan Laipply, son of Kyle and Emily Laipply
The County Board of DD would like to thank Wag’s Trophy House (Bucyrus), Mahek Trophies & Awards
(Shelby), A-1 Printing (Bucyrus), Walmart (Bucyrus), Suburban Lanes (Bucyrus), Bucyrus High School,
Bucyrus Pep Band, Bucyrus High School Softball Team, Vasils 2.0 (Bucyrus), Klontz Photography
(Bucyrus), and Volunteers Cindy Wallis, Carol Porter, and Lynn Hagerman for helping support CCBDD in
the month of March with our celebration of Disabilities Awareness Month.
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For updates on closings and other updates, follow us on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/crawfordcbdd
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www.crawfordcbdd.org
Hello everyone,
Ms. Wheelchair Ohio 2024 Gabby Kozinski here and I gratefully earned my title March
3rd. Since then, I have been super busy trying to reach out to multiple news outlets and
radio stations to try to talk about my experience and platform, “Knowledge is power “,
which emphasizes the importance of teaching people, especially children, how to interact
with individuals with disabilities. Some places I reached out to did respond, like my first
news article (Crawford County Now published an article on March 7th).
I was fortunate enough to get to have a meeting with my local mayor on March 14th about
more accessibility within my town of Bucyrus in regard to more recreational activities for
children with disabilities, ramps for businesses, better sidewalks, more accessible bath-
rooms, and a comfortable lift for the public pool.
Next, on the 15th I spoke at Bucyrus Elementary about the importance of inclusion and
how to engage with others who may appear different from them, and how everyone should
be treated like anyone else. The experience went really well.
Third, I was asked to be a part of a couple podcasts that will take place in the future.
Fourth, I had the wonderful opportunity to speak at Sacred Heart in Shelby about the
program, my platform, and my testimony about my life.
Finally, this past Friday I spoke at my unified basketball game a little bit about my plat-
form, introduced Amy Ward who sang the national anthem, and I was honored with half of
the proceeds from the throw for dough that will go towards my national competition.
Thank you and stay tuned for next month’s entry, (if anyone wants to help me get to na-
tionals in August, I have a link where you can purchase items that have my name, title,
platform name and the cerebral palsy ribbon on them. Please consider helping, even if it’s
a simple donation. https://printhappier.com/collections/ms-wheelchair-ohio-2024-gabby-
kozinski here is the link to my fundraiser and there will also be a raffle for different prizes
Mother’s Day weekend.
Ms. Wheelchair Ohio 2024, Gabby Kozinski
Submitted by Gabby Kozinski
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LOOK OUT MICHAEL PHELPS,
HERE COMES MORGAN FOOTE!
Morgan is a proud member of the Richland County Special Olympics Swim
team where she has accumulated twenty-three medals, three of which are gold.
Morgan’s personal goal is to have as many medals as Olympic Swimmer
Michael Phelps. With the medals that she has already accumulated, Morgan
only needs five more to achieve this goal and we believe that it won’t be long
until she sets a new goal. Though swimming is very important to Morgan, it is
not the only thing that brings her joy. She enjoys spending time with her
fiancé, Chris, and collecting Funko Pops and enamel pins (especially ones that
are Disney theme). Morgan is also a great friend and is always willing to help
others (by giving rides when someone is in need). Family is also very
important to Morgan as she enjoys being an aunt to her two nieces and two
nephews and traveling with her grandparents. She has traveled to many
different states including Arizona, Michigan, Oregon and even Missouri to see
the St. Louis Arch. Morgan has plans this March to travel to Arizona, Idaho,
and California to visit family. If you happen to see Morgan, take a minute to
ask her about swimming and her medals, she is very proud of everything she
has accomplished and likes to talk about her future goals.
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www.crawfordcbdd.org
The Family & Adult Advocacy group was previously known as the 411 Parent Group. This
parent group was created to provide support and spread awareness to families of individuals with
I/DD and to adults with I/DD. Each meeting will focus on a certain topic of interest. Our next
meeting will be May 20, 2024 at the Bucyrus YMCA from 5:30 pm to 7. Follow our
Crawford County Board of DD Facebook for more information on our upcoming events.
Are you interested in receiving more information on our Family & Adult Advocacy group?
Would you like to be a part of the group and have a topic of interest to suggest?
If you interested in receiving more information about the group or have
any questions, please contact:
Elaine Kithcart at 419-562-3321 ext 132 or email:
Clarissa Ankney at 419-562-3321 ext 110 or email:
At the end of 2023 the Chargers 4 Change Self-
Advocacy group held a drive to collect food
items, hats, scarves, gloves and blankets for
BORN.
The food items collected will be used to help
stock the Blessing Box, located on Swigert
Street (beside the BORN Center located at 222
E. Rensselaer St. Bucyrus, Ohio 44820) The
Blessing box is available 24/7 for
persons in need of food.
The warm items will be distrusted to those in
need throughout the winter season by BORN. BORN is a nonprofit organization whose
mission is to is to provide non-sustaining emergency assistance to residents and/or
transients of Crawford County Ohio who have financial, physical, emotional,
educational, and/or spiritual needs by networking with churches, agencies and individuals
to promote effective and efficient use of community resources.
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www.facebook.com/crawfordcbdd
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APRIL
8 Solar Eclipse—Fairway Closed
17 10 AM Chargers for Change (Self-Advocacy)- Trillium
18 5:30 PM Board Meeting
MAY
15 10 AM Chargers for Change (Self-Advocacy)-Trillium
16 5:30 PM Board Meeting
20 5:30-7PM Parent & Family Advocates Group - CCBDD
23 Fairway- End of Year Program
23 Fairway- Last Day of school
27 Memorial Day— Programs Closed
JUNE
11 5-7 PM Parent Advocates Group - CCBDD
21 10 AM Chargers for Change (Self-Advocacy)-Trillium
21 5:30 PM Board Meeting
1630 E. Southern Avenue, Suite 101
Bucyrus, OH 44820
Calendar Of Events
If there are emergencies that occur after normal business
hours, please call 419-563-9292 and a Service Support
Administrator will assist you.
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For updates on closings and other updates, follow us on Facebook at
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To Individuals & Families:
The Horizon’s Newsletter will be distributed only to families who request a copy. We
are now offering the newsletter via email, on the Facebook Page, the CCBDD Website,
and a physical copy to be delivered. If you are interested in receiving the Crawford
County Newsletter, please complete the Newsletter Sign Up.
Thank you,
Erika Alspach
Secretary | CCBDD
There are 38 pink flowers
