Upcoming Events
October 2026
SSA Directors Meeting
Wed
28
2026
October 28, 2026
10:00AM - 3:00PM EST
Zoom and In-Person
The Quarterly SSA Statewide Directors Meeting will provide important updates and learning opportunities for all 88 county SSA departments. Attendees will hear from DODD representatives and county board leaders on key topics, including updates from the Medicaid Division, Compliance, and Policy and Strategic Direction.
November 2026
Recognizing the Risks: Constipation and the Fatal Five in People with IDD
Wed
4
2026
November 4, 2026
2:00PM - 3:00PM EST
Zoom
Constipation is one of the “Fatal Five” health conditions that can lead to serious complications for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Recognizing the signs, understanding risk factors, and taking steps to prevent complications are critical responsibilities for professionals and caregivers who support people with IDD. In this session, Dr. Kaufman of StationMD will explore the causes and potential health consequences of constipation, along with strategies for prevention, early recognition, and treatment. Participants will also learn about factors that may place people with IDD at increased risk and the important role caregivers and support teams play in monitoring changes, communicating concerns, and seeking appropriate medical care. Attendees will leave with a better understanding of how proactive care and early intervention can help prevent constipation from becoming a serious medical emergency.
OACB 43rd Annual Convention
Wed
11
2026
November 11 - 13, 2026
Hilton Columbus at Easton, 3900 Chagrin Drive, Columbus, OH 43219
OACB's 43rd Annual Convention will be held on November 11-13, 2026 at the Hilton Columbus at Easton.
Hybrid Convention Session: Funding the Future: Fiscal Modeling
Wed
11
2026
November 11, 2026
1:00PM - 2:00PM EST
Zoom
This session provides an update on the Funding the Future fiscal modeling work group, presented jointly by county boards, OACB, and DODD, including an in-depth discussion of the new models developed. The presentation covers what's changed, what the updated projections show, and how this modeling work is shaping the joint funding request for the next state budget. Attendees will see the latest tools and have a chance to ask questions before the next phase of work begins.
Hybrid Convention Session: County Board Initiatives: Looking Ahead to 2027 and Beyond
Wed
11
2026
November 11, 2026
2:15PM - 3:15PM EST
Zoom
After months of work to identify solutions for long-term fiscal sustainability, county board-led initiatives are beginning to take shape as potential policy proposals for the next General Assembly. This session will provide an update on these efforts, including perspectives from Capitol Square and recent legislative discussions. Participants will learn what may come next, potential challenges to advancing these initiatives, and opportunities for county boards to help shape the path forward.
Hybrid Convention Session: Making the Case: From Budget Challenges to Levy Campaigns
Wed
11
2026
November 11, 2026
3:30PM - 4:30PM EST
Zoom
As local funding challenges put pressure on essential services, more county boards are facing difficult decisions about asking voters for additional support. This session will explore practical strategies for navigating the levy process in a challenging environment—from communicating budget realities and working with local fiscal officials to developing clear, objective, and appropriate messages that build community understanding without crossing the line into campaign persuasion. Speakers will share lessons and approaches county boards can use before and during the levy process.
Hybrid Convention Session: Assessing Suicidality in People with Developmental Disabilities
Thu
12
2026
November 12, 2026
10:30AM - 11:30AM EST
Zoom
Suicidality among people with developmental disabilities can be difficult to recognize and assess, particularly when warning signs present differently or communication barriers exist. This session will explore risk factors, self-injurious behaviors, and systemic factors that can affect crisis care. Participants will learn approaches for recognizing warning signs, conducting accessible assessments, and implementing responsive intervention strategies that respect the needs and autonomy of people with developmental disabilities.
Hybrid Convention Session: Communicating Your Message in a Tumultuous Time
Thu
12
2026
November 12, 2026
1:00PM - 2:00PM EST
Zoom
In times of change and uncertainty, effective communication is more important than ever. This session will explore how public-sector communications have evolved over the past five years and the challenges facing today’s communicators. Aligned with the convention theme, Possibility in the Pivot, participants will learn practical strategies for developing clear, consistent messages that build trust and help boards, leaders, employees, and communities navigate change.
Hybrid Convention Session: From Purpose to Practice: Putting the New TCM Guidebook to Work
Thu
12
2026
November 12, 2026
2:15PM - 3:15PM EST
Zoom
Explore what’s new in the TCM Guidebook and what the updates mean for SSAs in their day-to-day work. This practical session will connect the broader purpose of service and administrative tracking with updated guidance, useful tools, and real-world examples. Participants will learn how to apply the guidebook in practice while supporting quality, compliance, and meaningful outcomes for the people they serve.
Hybrid Convention Session: The Cost of Caring: Practice Leadership Strategies for Compassion Fatigue
Thu
12
2026
November 12, 2026
3:30PM - 4:30PM EST
Zoom
Compassion fatigue is not the same as burnout—and addressing it requires more than telling staff to practice self-care. This interactive session will explore individual and workplace factors that contribute to compassion fatigue and what leaders can do to help. Participants will learn practical strategies for recognizing warning signs, having supportive conversations, strengthening protective factors, and creating a workplace culture that supports both meaningful work and employee well-being.
December 2026
The Art & Science of Reducing Burnout and Increasing Joy in the Helping Professions
Wed
9
2026
December 9, 2026
11:00AM - 12:00PM EST
Zoom
Supporting others can be deeply rewarding, but the demands of caregiving and health care work can also contribute to stress, exhaustion and burnout. While traditional self-care approaches may offer temporary relief, they often don't address the everyday pressures caregivers experience while doing their work. In this session, Molly M. Murray, PA-C, will explore the art and science of reducing burnout by focusing on practical strategies that can be used in the moment—not just after the workday is over. Participants will learn approaches for managing stress, building resilience and finding more opportunities for connection and joy within their daily work. Attendees will leave with realistic, actionable tools designed to support their own well-being while also strengthening the quality of care and support they provide to others.