UNION TOWNSHIP, Ohio — A coalition of Clermont County organizations serving children with disabilities will host a free “Family Advocacy Adventures” night later this month, offering music, crafts and a free meal to families of kids with special needs at the Clermont County Public Library’s Union Township branch.
The event is set for Nov. 23 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and is open to families of children with Individualized Education Programs, disabilities, developmental differences, or social, emotional and behavioral support needs, according to a flyer posted by the Clermont County Board of Developmental Disabilities. No diagnosis is required to attend, and siblings are welcome, the agency said.
Planned activities include dance and movement, crafts and sensory-friendly play, a free family meal, and time for families to connect with each other and with local support resources, the flyer said. Families can register in advance through a form linked on the Clermont County Developmental Disabilities Facebook page.
The night is presented jointly by the Clermont County Board of Developmental Disabilities, the Clermont County Public Library, Pressley Ridge, Nakama Studio and Dance Etc.
The Clermont County Board of Developmental Disabilities, known locally as CCDD, says its mission is to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities by promoting independence, safety and meaningful participation “across all stages of life” through guidance, services and community partnerships. The agency runs early intervention programs for children younger than 3, preschool and school-age services, transition services for ages 14 to 22, adult services, behavioral health supports and the Thomas A. Wildey School, according to the agency’s website.
Pressley Ridge, one of the event’s partners, operates a program in Clermont County as part of a broader Ohio network that provides foster care, mental and behavioral health services, and autism services, including applied behavior analysis therapy and parent training, in homes, schools and communities.
Nakama Studio, another partner, is a Batavia-based creative community space that opened in 2021 and offers art, STEM and enrichment classes and workshops for children, teens and adults.
The information contained in this story was obtained from the Clermont County Board of Developmental Disabilities.