Jackson County Board of DD

03/18/2026

Get ready! Our friends at Buckeye Community Services ADS are going LIVE around 9:40 this morning! 🎉

Don’t miss out—tune in to hear all about the amazing things they’ve been up to and the exciting plans they have coming next. You won’t want to miss it!

03/17/2026

Hello everyone,

The meeting is still on for today at Advancing Abilities. (56 Maple Lane in Chillicothe). The meeting will begin at 11:00 am. Their speaker, Heather Giles, will be sharing projects you can enter into competition at your county fair.

If you are unable to join us in person, please log in to the virtual meeting. It will open around 10:55 am.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85401255959?pwd=wb8jJu4EKlJlE5Ai9BLPXVTnnLd7Sw.1

Meeting ID: 854 0125 5959
Passcode: 827885

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise cloud communications.

03/16/2026

What an AMAZING time we had at our DD Awareness event this past Friday! 🎉 The energy, smiles, laughter, and community spirit made it such a special day for everyone involved. It was incredible to see so many people come together to celebrate DD Awareness Month and this year’s theme, “The Power of Supports.” 💙 When a community comes together to lift one another up, amazing things happen!

A giant THANK YOU to DJ Rocking Reggie for bringing the awesome beats and keeping the dance floor full all day long! 🕺🎶 We also want to give a big shoutout to ParksEdge Event Center for hosting us in such a wonderful space, and to Papa John’s of Jackson for delivering the amazing pizza that everyone enjoyed. 🍕

We are also incredibly grateful to Jackson City Schools and Mr. Gentry’s art students for volunteering their time to help with face painting and running Bingo. Your creativity and enthusiasm added so much fun to the evening! 🎨🎲

A HUGE thank you to Josie Rader and Faith & Fitness for getting our folks up and moving! Your energy and positivity made it a fun and uplifting experience for everyone. We truly appreciate you supporting our community! 💪😊

Thank you to our generous door prize donors who helped make the night even more exciting: Jackson Care Center, Initial Independence, Buckeye Community Services, and Active Day of Wellston. Your support truly shows the power of community supports in action! 🎁

Thanks to Holzer Health Systems and Subway for the ice cream and cookies—you made the event even sweeter and we truly appreciate your awesome support! 🎉🍦🍪

We’d also like to thank our special guests who stopped by to celebrate with us: Melissa Sowers and April Eifler from the Jackson Library, Jackson County Sheriff Tedd Frazier, Wellston City Schools Superintendent Scott Dorne, Larry Kidd, Candidate for Ohio House, Kalah Russell, Vice President of Training and Development for Goodwill Industries, and representatives from SOCIL. We truly appreciate you taking the time to join us and show your support! 🙌

Events like this are a perfect example of The Power of Supports—friends, families, businesses, schools, and community leaders all coming together to celebrate inclusion and make our community stronger. Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the night unforgettable! 💙✨

03/13/2026

Troy GOT DOWN at our DD Awarenss event today! He's a huge fan of New Kids on the Block and couldn't contain himself when he heard one of his favorite songs!

03/12/2026

The Power of Supports: Celebrating Ability
💙 DD Awareness Month Spotlight: The Power of Supports 💙
Meet Marty Christian!

One thing everyone should know about Marty is that her smile truly lights up the room. It’s a natural gift that makes everyone around her feel welcome and bright.

Marty’s strength is helping friends and giving the best hugs. 💙 She’s a natural caregiver who knows exactly how to make others feel supported and valued.

You’ll often find her feeling her best when she's out in the community with her friends. Whether it's a new adventure or a familiar favorite, she thrives on connection and shared experiences.

Marty enjoys coloring, taking walks, and going for rides. These moments of creativity and movement give her time to enjoy the world around her at her own pace.

Right now, Marty’s goal is to keep staying positive—and we can’t wait to see where that bright outlook takes her next.

We’re proud to celebrate Marty this Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and highlight “The Power of Support.” Her kindness, positivity, and the connections she shares with others remind us how important community and support truly are. 💙

03/11/2026

The Power of Supports: Celebrating Ability
💙 DD Awareness Month Spotlight: The Power of Supports 💙
Meet Mary.F

One thing everyone should know about Mary is that she’s always smiling. Her ability to make people laugh is just one of the many things that makes her special. 💙

Mary feels her best when she’s surrounded by the people she loves. Whether it’s heading out on a spontaneous adventure, hitting the dance floor, or turning strangers into new friends, she brings joy and energy wherever she goes.

Mary communicates best through animated storytelling and high-energy talk-to-text, sharing her thoughts and experiences in ways that are uniquely her own. With the right supports and the encouragement of the people around her, she continues to express herself and connect with others in meaningful ways.

Right now, Mary is focused on blazing her own trail toward greater self-determination—making choices, exploring new opportunities, and choosing her own adventures.

This Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, we’re proud to celebrate Mary and recognize the power of supports—the people, tools, and community connections that help everyone live, grow, and thrive. 💙

03/11/2026

The Power of Supports: Celebrating Ability
💙 DD Awareness Month Spotlight: The Power of Supports 💙
Meet Charles Massie! 💙

One thing everyone should know about Charles is that he is truly a friend to everyone. He has a natural gift for making people feel welcome and included wherever he goes.

Charles’s greatest strength is the kindness he shares with others. He leads with a big heart and a helpful spirit, always ready to support the people around him.

You’ll often find Charles feeling his best when he’s leveling up in video games with his brother or lending a helping hand to his mother at home. Whether he’s spending time with family or helping out, his dedication and care shine through.

Charles finds joy in the simple things, like peaceful walks to the lake near his house. He also connects with friends through his wonderful sense of humor—nothing brings people together faster than a good joke and a shared laugh.

Right now, Charles is focused on expanding his horizons by trying new hobbies and building a wider circle of friends in his community. With the encouragement and support around him, we’re excited to see the new connections he will make.

We’re proud to celebrate Charles this Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and recognize **The Power of Supports** that help people grow, build friendships, and thrive in their communities. 💙

03/09/2026

The Power of Supports: Celebrating Ability
💙 DD Awareness Month Spotlight: The Power of Supports 💙

Meet Brandon Barker!

One thing everyone should know about Brandon is that he deeply values his friendships. He is the ultimate co-op partner, always making sure the people around him feel included, supported, and part of the team.

One of Brandon’s greatest strengths is his self-advocacy. He knows his strengths, speaks up for himself, and takes an active role in his own journey. His voice helps guide the supports that help him succeed.

Brandon feels his best after a great day spent with family, celebrating life’s wins together. Having strong connections and people who believe in him makes every victory even more meaningful.

He loves the excitement of gaming and shared digital adventures with friends. Brandon communicates best through clear, focused conversations—much like a thoughtful teammate helping guide the group toward success.

Right now, Brandon is focused on building new skills and working toward his personal goals. With the right supports and encouragement around him, he continues to grow and take on new challenges.

This Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, we are proud to celebrate Brandon and recognize the power of supports, strong relationships, and inclusive communities. 💙

03/06/2026

❤️🩷🧡💜💛💙

Buckeye Community Services (BCS) program consumer Tony Shump proudly sends a powerful message about self-belief with the sign she held during Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month events on Wednesday morning, March 4 in Jackson. Standing behind her is BCS staffer Rebecca Moon. The proceedings i...

03/06/2026

Thank you Pete Wilson and the Telegram News for helping raise awareness!

March is Developmental Disabilities (DD) Awareness Month and the observation was publicly recognized and celebrated in Jackson County with events on Wednesday morning, March 4. Involved were the Jackson County Commissioners, leaders and staffers who work in the DD programs -- and most importantly by...

03/06/2026

A huge thank you to **Active Day** for the incredible window murals created for **DD Awareness Month**! 💙 The artwork not only brightens our community but also beautifully celebrates the power of support and inclusion.

We are especially grateful for the touching tribute honoring longtime client **Bill Snyder**, who recently passed. Bill meant so much to so many, and seeing his memory recognized in such a meaningful way truly warms our hearts.

Thank you, Active Day, for helping us celebrate the amazing individuals we serve and for remembering Bill in such a special way. 💙