A Place 2B ME

06/12/2026

At A Place 2B Me, we are proud to recognize Derek, our Director of Education & Advocacy, for his exceptional leadership, dedication, and commitment to making a difference.

Derek’s passion for empowering individuals, educating communities, and advocating for inclusion is at the heart of everything he does. Through his guidance and vision, countless individuals and families have gained access to resources, support, and opportunities that help them thrive.

His unwavering belief in the abilities and potential of every person inspires our team and strengthens our mission each day. We are grateful for his service, leadership, and the positive impact he continues to make throughout our community.

Thank you, Derek, for being a champion for education, advocacy, and inclusion. Your work changes lives, and we are honored to have you as part of the A Place 2B Me family.

Groundbreaking resident makes impactful changes through disabled advocacy groups May 19, 2026Tweet by Laura BednarWhat started as an initiative to advise the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities on best practices has been the foundation of Derek Topola’s success as an advocate for t...

06/11/2026

📢 Legislative Update for Ohio's Disability Community

Ohio has officially passed Substitute Senate Bill 315.

First, let's recognize an important victory: many of the most concerning provisions that families, self-advocates, caregivers, and disability organizations fought against did not make it into the final bill. Your calls, emails, testimony, and advocacy made a difference.

However, there are still significant changes that could impact individuals with disabilities and their families.

Most notably, the bill includes prior authorization requirements for certain behavioral health services. While we are still reviewing the full implications, prior authorization requirements can create additional administrative barriers, potential delays in accessing services, and added stress for families already navigating complex systems of care.

The legislation also creates new compliance requirements for providers. Increased administrative burdens can affect how providers deliver services, potentially impacting service availability, provider capacity, and the overall experience of individuals receiving care.

What does this mean for our community?

💙 Advocacy matters—and it worked.
💙 We must continue monitoring how these changes are implemented.
💙 Families and self-advocates need to stay informed and share their experiences.
💙 The disability community must remain engaged to ensure that access to critical supports and services is protected.

At A Place 2B Me, we remain committed to advocating for policies that promote inclusion, independence, and quality of life for individuals with disabilities and their families.

This legislative chapter may be ending, but our work is not. We will continue to keep our community informed as more details become available.

06/10/2026

🎵 Help Us Start a Community Choir! 🎵

We’re excited to explore a new opportunity that many of the people who attend our programs have been asking for—a choir!

We’re looking for a caring and enthusiastic volunteer with a background in music, singing, choir direction, music education, or simply a passion for helping others enjoy music. The ideal person would be interested in leading a fun, welcoming, and inclusive choir where everyone can participate, learn, and connect.

Music has a unique way of bringing people together, building confidence, creating friendships, and fostering a sense of belonging. We would love to find someone who can help make that experience possible for the individuals we support.

If you have experience leading groups, teaching music, directing choirs, or accompanying singers, we’d love to connect with you. Flexible scheduling and support will be provided.

🎶 Share your love of music
🤝 Build community and connection
💙 Make a meaningful impact

Interested or know someone who might be a great fit? Send us a message!

Please share this post to help us find the perfect volunteer to bring this exciting opportunity to life!

06/10/2026

06/10/2026

🚨 ACTION ALERT: They Couldn't Get the Votes. Now They're Looking for a Backdoor.

The disability community spoke loud and clear, and it worked. The provision in HB 795 that would have harmed families by banning paid family caregivers did not have enough support to pass.

But the fight is not over.

Instead of accepting that outcome, lawmakers are now attempting to attach those same harmful provisions to SB 315, a completely unrelated bill currently before the House Finance Committee.

What's even more troubling? No one has seen the amendment.

Not families.
Not advocates.
Not committee members.

We've seen this playbook before. A massive rewrite of HB 795 was released just hours before a committee vote, leaving families with no meaningful opportunity to review, respond, or be heard. We cannot allow history to repeat itself.

At A Place 2B Me, we believe that families and individuals with disabilities deserve transparency, respect, and a seat at the table when decisions affecting their lives are being made.

📢 We need our entire community to take action NOW.

Call or email the House Finance Committee and ask them to TABLE any amendments or substitute bills related to SB 315 until the disability community has had the opportunity to review and comment on the proposal.

Your message can be simple:

"Please table any amendments or substitute bills to SB 315 until the Ohio disability community can provide comment. Ohioans with disabilities and their families will be harmed."

If you only have time for one call, contact:

Rep. Brian Stewart
House Finance Committee Chair
📞 614-466-1464
📧 [email protected]

Every call matters.
Every email matters.
Every voice matters.

We have stopped this once before because families, caregivers, advocates, and community members stood together. Let's do it again.

Please share this post and encourage others to take action today. Our loved ones are counting on us.

06/10/2026

📢 HB 795 UPDATE: They couldn't get the votes, so they found a backdoor.

Here's what happened:
The House Medicaid Committee tried to pass the provision that would have banned paid family caregivers. They didn't have enough votes. You stopped it. But instead of accepting that loss, the bill's sponsor is now trying to attach those same harmful provisions to SB 315, a completely separate bill currently in the House Finance Committee.

Here's what makes this especially concerning: nobody has seen the amendment yet. Not families. Not committee members. We don't know what's in it and that's exactly what happened before with HB 795, when a 177-page rewrite was dropped hours before a committee vote with no time for families to respond. We cannot let that happen again.

We are asking the House Finance Committee to TABLE any amendments or sub bills to SB 315 until the disability community has the opportunity to read and comment on what's actually being proposed.

📞 Call or email the Finance Committee now. Leave a voicemail if no one answers it counts. Your message:
"Please table any amendments or sub bills to SB 315 until the Ohio Disability Community can provide comment. Ohioans with disabilities and their families will be harmed."

⭐ Only have time for one contact? Start here:
Rep. Brian Stewart - Finance Committee Chair
📞 614-466-1464
📧 [email protected]
👉 Full committee contact list: https://ohiohouse.gov/committees/finance
(Click each member's photo to find their contact info)

Nothing about us, without us. 💙
www.discover-lead.com

06/08/2026

Happy World Oceans Day from A Place 2B Me!

Today we recognize and celebrate the world’s oceans—vast, life-giving ecosystems that connect us all. Oceans remind us of the importance of care, responsibility, and working together to protect the world we share.

At A Place 2B Me, we believe those same values apply to our communities. Just like the ocean, our strength comes from connection—each part contributing to something bigger, deeper, and more powerful when we work together.

World Oceans Day is also a reminder that small actions can make a big difference. Whether it’s reducing waste, reusing materials, or simply learning more about our environment, every effort helps protect the world for future generations.

Let’s celebrate today by appreciating the beauty of our oceans and committing to being better stewards of our planet.