Open houses will celebrate Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

The Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities (WCBDD) will hold two open houses on March 2, to celebrate Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. The open houses will be held in Lebanon, and the public is invited to attend to learn more about the agency’s services and supports provided to individuals with disabilities.

The first open house will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Milo H. Banta Center, at 410 S. East St. Warren County Commissioners will present a proclamation to Megan Manuel, WCBDD Superintendent, and a member of the WCBDD Self-Advocacy group, Voices Speaking Out. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at this event to dedicate a newly renovated playground. Light refreshments will be provided, and open tours will be offered. In addition, raffle tickets will be sold for gift baskets that will be awarded to winners later that night.

The second open house will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. in the auditorium at the Warren C. Young Center, at 801 Drake Road. There will be a performance by the Voices of Warren County, which is a choral group consisting of individuals receiving services from the WCBDD. Warren County Probate and Juvenile Court Judge Joseph Kirby will present a proclamation. At the conclusion of the open house, participants will gather in the gymnasium for the Business and Provider Fair in which many local businesses and service providers will display their products and services. The fair will run from 7 to 8 p.m., and the drawing for the gift basket raffles will be held at the conclusion of the event. All proceeds from raffle ticket sales will benefit people with disabilities.

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, and 2017 marks a significant milestone – the 50 year anniversary of Senate Bill 169 – the legislation that established county boards of developmental disabilities in Ohio. A statewide theme “Always There” has been established to promote the value and support that county boards bring to people with developmental disabilities, their families, and the community. “Always There” reflects the continuity of support offered by county boards over the last half century, as well as the continued reliability of county boards in the present and the future.

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