Category: News and Stories

Provider Fair returns to state fairgrounds Sept. 2

June 20th, 2025 by

The 2025 Franklin County DD Provider and Community Resource Fair is set for Tuesday, Sept. 2, in Kasich Hall at the Ohio Expo Center. The free event allows people with disabilities, families and caregivers to connect in person with dozens of service providers and community-resource organizations. Provider tables and booths feature color-coded Mylar balloons (no …

Self-advocates, families share concerns with legislators

May 15th, 2025 by

From wages for direct-support professionals to Medicaid to supported decision-making, advocates spoke out on issues important to the disability community during Legislative Advocacy Day. “I’ve been writing lots of notes here about the issues raised,” Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo told the crowd. She and several other central Ohio legislators – Sen. Hearcel Craig, …

Autism: Facts key to acceptance and progress

April 24th, 2025 by

As advocates celebrated Autism Acceptance Month this April, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its prevalence findings to show that among 8-year-olds in the United States, an estimated 1 in 31 has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Franklin County DD encourages the public to keep up the action on two fronts: …

Therapy dog making new friends at transition school

April 2nd, 2025 by

Blondie isn’t yet top dog at West Central School, but she’s doing her best to ease into the job. The 5-year-old Labrador/golden retriever cross often works alongside Franklin County DD’s veteran facility dog, Lion, who is set to retire later this spring. West Central intervention specialist Patti Saniel-Banrey jokes that “Blondie is the little sister …

Franklin County DD welcomes new board members

February 3rd, 2025 by

Three people with deep experience in disability issues and advocacy are the newest members of the Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities. Franklin County Commissioners appointed Rebecca Swartz, Katherine Silver Kelly and Gene Harshaw to four-year terms on the agency board. They took their seats at the January meeting, where members also elected Dean Fadel …

Special Olympian explores self-advocacy role

January 31st, 2025 by

As a medal-winning athlete, manufacturing worker and dedicated family man, Chad Contreras keeps busy. But he’s still finding time to learn more about the power of self-advocacy. Contreras recently took part in a three-day Project STIR Leadership Training held in Dublin. Then he attended the December gathering of the Franklin County DD Self-Advocate Advisory Council, …

Franklin County DD announces new logo

January 27th, 2025 by

Starting this month, the Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities is rolling out a new logo. Bold, bright hues of teal and gold show off an outline of the state, a star pinpointing our location in the Columbus area, and a shortened version of the agency’s name: Franklin County DD.  “We hope it catches on,” …

Franklin County DD welcomes new MUI director

January 2nd, 2025 by

Eric Horvath, an experienced investigator who spent more than 27 years with Franklin County Probate Court, recently joined Franklin County DD to lead the agency’s MUI Department. He and the MUI team also are moving from Service Coordination oversight and will report to Legal Counsel Gwynn Kinsel. “Any internal investigative arm of an agency should …

ARC boosts programming, and fun, with tech

December 9th, 2024 by

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 seeking Franklin County friendship matches

December 6th, 2024 by

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 …