In his physical therapy role, Wes Patton often leaned into technology to help motivate his patients. “People will try harder at a game than they will at traditional exercise,” he said. “And there’s research to back that up.” Patton keeps that thought at the forefront of his work as emerging tech consultant for ARC Industries, …

Best Buddies is recruiting participants to take part in a one-to-one friendship program for Franklin County adults with and without developmental disabilities. Franklin County DD board members recently approved grant funding for the Best Buddies Citizens project, which aims to support at least 20 “buddy pairs” in the community. Because people with disabilities sometimes face …

The Franklin County DD Service Coordination Department is excited to offer the OSU Nisonger Center’s Crisis Prevention and Support Training on multiple dates in 2025. This free, in-person training is open to all county board staff, provider agencies and family members, regardless of prior crisis intervention experience. Each session will cover prevention and intervention procedures, …

Lorem As the new ADA coordinator at the Franklin County Board of Elections, Josiah Lanning wants people with disabilities to know that they can have the voting experience they want and need. “We’re working to build a bridge of communication,” Lanning said. “The Board of Elections could have the best services in the world for …

Recently I read a book about ableism, specifically about ableism in the church. It included a nugget of research that is truly startling. The author noted a 2018 study by the disability equality organization SCOPE that found 67% of people were uncomfortable talking to someone with a disability. Let that sink in.  Two-thirds were afraid …

The Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities wants to hear from you! Responses to this brief, anonymous survey will help us know how we are doing and identify ways to improve. Feedback also helps guide the development of our annual action plan, which will be shared with the community. People receiving services, parents or guardians, …

No matter how many screens of text or pieces of paper he sifts through, Leonard Fears always reminds himself of the people behind the information. “No one is a number,” Fears, a service coordinator at the Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities, said with a smile. State Rep. Ismail Mohamed of northeastern Franklin County recently …

The Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities recently selected Joe Petrarca to serve in the new position of Director of Educational and Shared Services. Petrarca oversees School and Transition Services, Transportation, Facilities, Human Resources and Information Technology. A veteran educator, Petrarca started out as a speech-language pathologist and last served as Associate Director of the …

The Psychology Department at the Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities recently marked the end of a decades-long journey – then quickly began a new one – moving from the public agency to a private nonprofit organization. FCBDD psychology staff transitioned in July to positions at ARC Industries, a disability-services provider that is adding behavioral …

By his own description, Josh Komives is “a bigger guy,” and there’s usually no shortage of giggles as he takes part in cartoon-led yoga sessions with a classroom of preschoolers. Both students and teachers “get the biggest kick out of me being silly,” said Komives, a service coordinator at the Franklin County Board of Developmental …