Community Connections

Our Community Connections activities promote the emotional, physical and social health of those we serve. Geared toward supporting people of different abilities, backgrounds and interests, our activities encourage independence, inclusion and friendship. By connecting with local community groups, area schools and volunteers, our programs teach self-advocacy, life skills and safety.

Our Community Connections team works with the SSA and Early Intervention (EI) departments to ensure we are helping the people we serve achieve their definition of a "good life." We then work with each person to create activities that address their goals and interests.

These activities can be customized or can be those listed in our Community Connections Newsletter. For more about Community Connections or to receive their newsletter, please contact us.

Community Connections
Creating an inclusive community, one connection at a time. From learning a new skill to making a new friend, we want the people we serve to live, work and play as full members of our community.
Life Skills Courses
Advocacy lies at the core of our services, and our Life Skills courses are crucial in helping those we serve enhance their confidence and learn skills necessary for independent living.
Basic Cooking Skills
By partnering with local groups like the OSU Extension Office Miami County, we offer a variety of cooking classes, such as healthy living, basic skills and more.

Rights & Responsibilities
In order to live their definition of a good life, we encourage those we serve to know and understand their rights and responsibilities.
Money Management
Money management is key to self-sufficiency but budgeting can sometimes be difficult. Our Life Skills classes help make the process easier.
Healthy Relationships
From everyday interactions to romantic relationships to social media, we want those we serve to be safe and respectful to others.
Vision for a Good Life
Using the Charting the LifeCourse, we help each person we serve determine what their good life.

Programs like Life Skills and our Adventures in Advocacy group empower participants to consider 3 key elements when determining their "good life."

  • What is Important to Me
  • How to Best Support Me
  • My Vision for a Good Life

Participation in Community Connections activities is a privilege, not a right. Those who participate in any activity are expected to follow our Code of Conduct (below), aimed at ensuring a safe, healthy and enjoyable environment for all.

Community Connections/Special Olympics Participation Code of Conduct:

I therefore pledge to be responsible for my words and actions while participating in a MCBDD event and will abide by the following Code of Conduct:

  1. I will exhibit agency core values of Respect, Integrity, Teamwork and Accountability while engaging in MCBDD programs.
  2. I will respect the dignity of all.
  3. I will act in ways that bring respect to me, MCBDD staff, volunteers and my peers.
  4. I will practice good sportsmanship.
  5. I will not use bad language.
  6. I will not swear or insult other people.
  7. I will not fight with anyone.
  8. I will not attempt to intimidate, manipulate, harass or fight with others.
  9. I will not make inappropriate or unwanted physical, verbal or sexual advances toward others.
  10. I will not misuse or attempt to damage MCBDD property or equipment.
  11. I will display appropriate behaviors at all times.
  12. I will not have a firearm, knife or other dangerous object on my person.
  13. I will report any illegal or unethical behavior observed during a program to MCBDD staff.
  14. I will hold myself accountable for my actions.
  15. I will not willfully interfere with, disrupt or prevent the orderly conduct of any supervised program being conducted by MCBDD staff or volunteers.
  16. I will obey all laws and MCBDD and Special Olympics rules.

I hereby agree that if I fail to follow the Code of Conduct while participating in a MCBDD and/or Special Olympics event, I will be subject to disciplinary action including, but not limited to, the following in any order or combination:

  1. Verbal warning issued by a league, organization, staff or official.
  2. Written warning issued by a league, organization, staff or official.
  3. Suspension or immediate ejection from a MCBDD event issued by a league, organization, staff or official who is authorized to issue a suspension or ejection.
  4. Suspension from multiple events.
  5. Extended suspension, which could be 30 days, 90 days, 1 year, 2 years, 5 years or indefinitely, depending on the severity of the action.

 

As Community Connections continues to grow and change, we’ve received some questions along the way. To make things easier, we’ve gathered the most frequently asked questions and answered them all in one place. Whether you’re new here or a longtime supporter, we hope this page helps clarify recent updates.

Stay Connected!

Read our most recent Community Connections Edition and explore previous versions of the newsletter by visiting our Library. 

Visit Community Connections Library

If you have questions about activities or if you’d like to sign up, please email us at cc@miamicountydd.org.

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