January and February 2023 Calendar and Newsletter
Membership Renewal and Policy Updates
Your membership application for 2023 is included in this mailing and can be found online or at that center. Please return your form with your membership selection as soon as possible.
If you are a NEW member, you are also asked to sign three Policy Forms (Intake/Participant Agreement, Level of Support Policy, and Code of Conduct).
If you are an existing member, of the DAC you are asked to please make any changes or updates to these forms. See below.
Please also be sure to update your Level of Support Policy with the DAC if there are ANY changes in your support needs or recommendations. You should update your plan according to the client’s age or whether they started to receive Title 19 IDD Waiver services, either through wait list approval or coming off of the waitlist and completing your IPP Plan. Please update contact and emergency contact information as well on your client intake form.
New Membership applications are now available on our website under the membership tab and at the front desk of the DAC.
Please update any policy forms along with your membership.
DAC Bowling League 2023
Saturdays @11 a.m.
Our Winter Bowling League will start on Saturday, January 14th at 11 a.m. at the Fairmont Bowling Center and will continue at that time on Saturdays through March 5th (Pending any cancellations due to snow or tournaments).
“Active and Inclusive” Members will pay for one game and the DAC will cover the cost of a 2nd game. “Community Members” will pay for both games of bowling and “Non-Members” are not permitted to bowl in the league.
Our Bowling Party will be held on March 5th (directly following bowling) to recognize those Bowlers who participated the entire season.
For more information you can contact Mike and Liz at 304-290-6724 and always check the DAC Facebook page for updates!
General Membership Meeting
Our first General Membership Meeting in 2023 will be held on January 23th at 4:00 p.m. at the center. A light meal will be provided prior to the start of the meeting at 4:30 p.m.
Please make every effort to attend, learn about DAC programs and projects, and help us kick off the New Year with ideas and feedback!
Friday Nights Out
January 13th, 2023 5-6 p.m. Chili Cook-Off with People First
February 10th, 2023 6-9 p.m. Night to Shine @South Ridge Church
We are very excited start the year off with two great events…our Chili Cook-Off in January and Night to Shine in Febuary. The DAC is available to help with registration for those wanting to attend Night to Shine and DAC staff persons will be volunteering with the event to provide extra support. Contact us for more information.
Night to Shine Dress Fitting, Suit Giveaway and Registration
(Dress Giveaway at the DAC
Menswear/Suit Giveaway at Career Clothing Closet-Veterans Square)
January 6th, 2023 9 a.m. to 12 noon
The DAC is hosting a dress fitting and will be assisting those with registration for the event if needed. We will have a variety of sizes and styles to try on…hope you will come and find your perfect dress. Suits and menswear will be available at the Career Clothing Closet 320 Adams St. Suite L05
For more details of the event, including online registration, please visit South Ridge Church – NightToShine
GO! (Get Outdoors) Activities
January 11, 2023 1-3 p.m. Mountain Creative
February 8, 2023 1-3 p.m. Movie Day
Limit 8 participants due to safe transportation practices. Additional participants must provide their own transportation. Please call and reserve your spot!
Experience IT Co-Op-Enrichment Schedule
Full STEM Ahead and Creative Arts
A partnership of the DAC and Homestead Farm Center
The DAC and HFC are pleased continue the very successful Enrichment Programs including:
- Make it Mondays: January: Creative Writing February: Cardboard Creations
- Tuesday STEM: January: VEX IQ Robots February: EV3 Robots
- Try This Thursday (TTT): January: Golden Horseshoe February: Music Basics
All Morning Enrichment program will be held from 10-11:30 a.m. and will be held in 1-month blocks. Please plan to attend the entire monthly session from the start.
Check the calendar for full details and descriptions of classes.
DAC Mission and Vision
Our transition to #Higherground and the opportunities that we anticipate at our new center have prompted us to re-energize our mission, vision, and purpose. These are the principles that guide our organization’s decision making, program development, and provide the framework by which all of the organization’s goals and objectives are established and measured.
Mission Statement: The Disability Action Center is a comprehensive education, training, and enrichment center for individuals with disabilities and their families: a place for individuals of all abilities to learn, train, work, recreate, advocate, and be supported in setting and reaching life goals.
Vision Statement: The Disability Action Center’s educational and enrichment programs will empower individuals with disabilities and their families to become the best they can be physically, socially, emotionally, educationally, and financially. All DAC programs aim to improve the overall quality of life of participants by ensuring each member is engaged, included, and accepted in all areas of life; and to provide an environment where individuals can continue to learn and be productive members of the community through all stages of life.
Core Services: Career Readiness, Experience IT Co-Op, Education and Training, Health and Wellness, Life Skills, Independent Living, Social and Recreational, Exercise and Fitness, Self-Advocacy, and Information and Referral.
The Purpose of The Disability Action Center is:
A. To improve the quality of life of individuals with disabilities and their families in West Virginia.
B. To promote community awareness and understanding of individuals with disabilities in pursuit of building an inclusive community.
C. To cooperate and enlist the support of public, private, religious, medical, educational, and professional agencies on the local, state, and federal level in furtherance of these objectives.
D. To further the implementations of statutes and regulations on behalf of individuals with developmental disabilities.
E. To foster the development of integrated programs and employment on behalf of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
F. To increase the literacy and lifelong learning for individuals with disabilities and their families in the areas of science, technology, engineering, art, and math.
G. To encourage nutrition education and inspire a healthy and positive lifestyle for individuals with disabilities and their families.
H. To empower our members to set and reach life goals and encourage financial and cultural awareness in pursuit of becoming responsible, contributing members of society.
I. To develop a family support network and sense of belonging and community through social and recreational programs.
J. To promote self-advocacy through our People First group and educate our members about their rights, responsibilities, and capabilities in living a self-directed purpose driven life.
K. To deliver quality linkage and referral services to individuals with disabilities and their families and remain a proactive community resource center.
#Higherground Building Fund and DAC Expansion
#Higherground Expansion continues at DAC with projects including the outdoor classroom (recently completed), DAC-Wilfong Wellness Center, and the elevator on the main DAC facility. Grant writing and fundraising is underway for the DAC-Wilfong Wellness Center and the properties across the street and the sites have been cleared for the construction of the one-of-a-kind, accessible gym and wellness space. Grant writing is underway for the elevator project and construction will begin when funds are secured. Please help to spread the word about these projects and the need for funding to make these expansions and improvements possible.
