July in Lancaster is my favorite month. It starts off with the July 4^th festivities and goes all the way to the Lancaster Festival finale. We come together to learn, listen, support, and have fun while everyone’s unique abilities are celebrated. What a great time to be a part of our vibrant community!

The support of our community, as we move our mission forward, makes Fairfield County an exceptional place to call home. During the month of June, Fairfield DD was honored to be chosen as part of the Buckeye Family of Dealerships and Buckeye Toyota Cares sponsorship. The donation we received, in the form of a percentage of each car sold in June, allows us to continue supporting people and families as we move our mission forward.  We greatly appreciate their support!

I encourage you to take some time this month to be part of the events and activities happening in Fairfield County. We each make a valuable contribution to our community when we are engaged and participate in the many experiences and opportunities offered!

It’s going to be a great July!

A bucket list is a list of things that a person hopes to have or accomplish during their lifetime. It allows us to reflect on what matters most to us, our personal values, and identify important life milestones and experiences that we want to have. This summer, Michaelangelo (Mic) started checking things off his list.

Mic is highly motivated and enjoys being busy. For the past two years, he has worked at Fairfield Union Schools as a member of the maintenance and grounds crew doing a variety of jobs around the buildings throughout the district. Mic loves his job and takes pride in working at his alma mater.

Earlier this year, during a conversation with his Individual Support Coordinator, Mic made plans to begin to cross items off his bucket list this summer. The first thing he wanted to cross off was flying on a commercial airplane. Mic made a step-by-step plan and saved money from working to plan a vacation to Florida. Mic included his mom in the planning, and they scheduled time to visit friends and other tourist destinations. While in Florida, Mic visited the beach, bought himself a souvenir, went on a dolphin tour, and ate some really good food.

Mic recently obtained a second job at a local restaurant near his home. He was there dining and received an offer of employment as a result of his conversation. He’s already thinking of ticking off the next items on his bucket list.

Fairfield DD staff were honored to raise funds to support 14 children to receive free books of their very own, at no cost to the parent/caregiver through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.

Thanks to United Way of Fairfield County, local sponsors and partners, and Dolly Parton for keeping this program thriving in Fairfield County!

Read more about Cindy's career with Fairfield DD.

At Fairfield DD, each department works together to further our mission. The fiscal department organizes and manages the finances and monetary tasks within the agency so that staff can work to coordinate services for those we serve throughout the community. This team works closely with the Fairfield County Auditor and is responsible for financial reporting to the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities and the Ohio Department of Education. These reports are crucial to ensure we receive federal and state funds. Beth Seifert, CFO, leads Fairfield DD through the budget process, where she projects income and expenditures looking forward 10 years based on the local levy cycle and funds anticipated.  This guarantees that Fairfield DD can offer all services needed throughout the year and be a responsible steward of taxpayer money.