New Beginnings Fair
State Support Team 8 was proud to contribute to the New Beginnings Fair, sponsored by the Summit Education Initiative.  The three-day event had over 275 people attend, and was represented by over 24 vendors.  Vendors included the popular VROOM AP, CAB (children and books) and even some special guest mascots (see photo)!  Sit Means Sit, an organization that allows children to read to therapy dogs, drew quite a crowd– as well as the children’s activity area, that included sensory integration (sand and oatmeal tubs) and building materials.  
Continued on page 2
•	 In this Issue
1 Nenings 

In this issue:
1 New Beginnings Fair
2 Article continued.  Information on Summit County Transition Expo
3 Agency Spotlight
4 PAC Meeting information Information         on Summit C  Expo
3 Agency Spotlight
4 PAC Meeting information 
 continued from page 1
Participants were entered into raffles and enjoyed a pizza lunch, in addition to wonderful resources and tools the vendors shared.  Many vendors, including State Support Team Region 8, included early literacy and math materials, and demonstrated how to use these simple materials at home to engage children in early academic concepts and skills. 
Summit Education Initiative intends to hold another series of fairs in the beginning of August 2018.  Check the State Support Team website (http://www.sst8.org/), or visit SEI’s website (http://seisummit.org/) or Facebook (facebook.com/SummitEducationInitiative/) page for more information next summer.  Hope to see you next year!
Save the Date
When:  
November 4, 2017
9:00 am - 2:00 pm 
Event:
Summit County Transition Expo                                                 Presented by the Summit County Transition Expo Committee
Where:
Ohio Means Jobs 
1040 Tallmadge Ave.
Akron, OH  44310 
Admission:  Free
Over 50 agencies/organizations, service providers, and post-secondary providers will be in attendance that offer services to students on IEP’s & 504’s ages 14-22.
For:  Parents, Professionals, and Students on IEP’s and 504’s.                         
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Agency Spotlight
The purpose of OOD is to provide individuals with disabilities opportunities to achieve quality employment, independence, and disability determination outcomes.    
If you want to work, but are having trouble because of your disability, you may qualify for vocational rehabilitation services from the Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD).  The OOD’s Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation (BVR) assists eligible people, beginning at age 14,  with physical, mental and emotional disabilities by providing direct, personalized services to assist them in finding and retaining meaningful work and personal independence.  
The core programs of OOD consist of: 
The Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation (BVR) aids people with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities; 
The Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired (BSVI) assists people who are blind or have visual impairments and manages the Business Enterprise (BE) Program, which provides people who are legally blind with employment opportunities as managers and operators of food service facilities, often in the government buildings and at roadside rest stops. 
The Division of Disability Determination (DDD), by agreement with the Social Security Administration (SSA), is responsible for determining the medical eligibility of Ohioans seeking Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).  This division is 100 percent fully funded by the federal government.  
The Local office of OOD is located at:  
161 South High Street, Suite 203                                    
Akron, OH  44308                               
330 643-3080 
This office serves Ashland, Medina, Portage and Summit Counties.
www.ood.ohio.gov
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Upcoming PAC Events
· October 25, 2017 -  PAC Meeting -  Executive Functioning: The Dog Didn’t Eat my Homework:  Gain some familiarity with executive function skills that help the brain organize and act on information, including self-regulation, and how to support difficulties at home and in school -  Presenter:  Wendy Szakacs, OCALI.  9:30 am - 1:30 pm at Summit ESC. 
· November 15, 2017 -  PAC Field Trip to Weaver Industries. Their mission is to maximize the independence and personal fulfillment of individuals with disabilities through vocational training and employment opportunities.  Presenter:  Denise Balko, Weaver industries.  The Field Trip will begin at Weaver Industries ProPak at 1129 Marc Drive, Cuyahoga Falls.  It will include two locations and begin at 10:30 am.  More details will be sent out closer to the meeting date.  
· Please register for the October PAC Meeting by October 20.  Contact Alice Doyle at 330 929-6634 extension 511232 or email her at aliced@sst8.org if you will be attending the PAC Meeting.  
 
IDEA Disclaimer Notice
This document/product/software was supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs, (Award #H027A150111, CFDA 84.027A, awarded to the Ohio Department of Education). The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs, and no official endorsement by the Department should be inferred.
 
Contact us:
State Support Team Region 8 
420 Washington Ave. 
Cuyahoga Falls, OH  44221
www.sst8.org     330 929-6634