Daily briefs

Findlay Digital Academy Board meeting set FINDLAY — The Findlay Digital Academy Governing Board will meet at noon on Thursday. The meeting will be held at the Findlay Digital Academy. NAMI offering mental health education classes FINDLAY — NAMI Hancock County is offering three mental health education classes for adults, starting this month. NAMI Family-to-Family is a free, 8-session education program for adult family members, partners, friends and significant others of adult individuals living with a mental health condition. The program is designed to help all family members understand and support their loved one while maintaining their own well-being. Upcoming classes will begin Feb. 10 at 6 p.m. NAMI Basics is a free, 6-session education program for parents, guardians, and other family members caring for youth 22-years-old and under who are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition. The program focuses on learning about mental health conditions and how best to support your child at home, at school, and when they are getting medical care. Classes are held online and participants can start anytime. NAMI Peer-to-Peer is a free, 8-session education program designed to encourage growth, healing, and recovery among participants. This education program focuses on learning about goals, building support, communicating with health professionals, identifying a personal vision and more. Classes begin Feb. 7 at 4 p.m. Spaces are limited. Registration for all three classes as well as a wait list for NAMI Peer-to-Peer can be found online at www.namihancockcounty.org/programs or by calling the office at 567-301-2101. BVC shares grant impact FINDLAY — Blanchard Valley Center has invested nearly $50,000 in projects designed to help accessibility throughout Hancock County in 2024. The funds could be used to enhance community accessibility, purchase and install universal changing tables, facilitate community participation and promote inclusivity. In 2024, Blanchard Valley Center spent $49,786.15. The purchases included: • A mobile changing table was purchased for The Cube, the recreation center operated by the City of Findlay. • The Findlay-Hancock County Public Library was equipped with restroom door openers, and BVC provided and installed a universal changing table. • BVC installed a handicapped accessible door at the member's entrance of the Findlay YMCA and provided two shower chairs for the locker rooms. • A universal changing table was installed at Findlay High School. • Thirteen evacuation chairs were provided for Findlay City Schools' secondary buildings to allow for the inclusion of students on all levels of the buildings. • To assist with transportation access, seven bikes, helmets and locks were purchased for people supported by Blanchard Valley Center. • Public transit options were funded for six people supported by Blanchard Valley Center to provide greater access to their community. • A handicapped-accessible door was installed in an individual's home, providing her with greater access to the community. • Wheelchairs were also purchased for The Family Center. In late 2023, Blanchard Valley Center was awarded a $50,000 American Rescue Plan Act grant through the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities. The grant was to be used to enable access to non-disability specific environments. Hancock County Naturalists to host expert horticulturist FINDLAY — The Hancock County Naturalists will host speaker Dave McPheron, horticulturist and retired owner of Star Farms Native Plants, at 7 p.m. on Feb. 13 at the Oak Woods Nature Preserve. McPheron will present "It's for the Birds, Gardening with Native Plants to Attract Birds," exploring what a native plant is and how the landscape that includes these plants can bring more birds to the local environment. McPheron is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a degree in horticulture and has been active in the horticulture industry for over 47 years. His experience includes owning a design/install landscape company and garden center specializing in perennials, herbs, and water gardens, and he has spent the last few years growing Ohio native plants as the owner of Star Farms Native Plants in Kenton, Ohio. After recently retiring and closing his business, he has turned his focus to cultivating Ohio native plants and promoting these vital species. He is an Emeritus Ohio State Master Gardener Volunteer in Hardin County and served as the Volunteer Coordinator. The meeting is open to the public and will also feature a seed swap. Attendees are encouraged to bring seeds to trade. The Heritage receives Joint Commission accreditation FINDLAY — The Heritage, a Trilogy Health Services senior living community, has earned The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval® accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. The Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that reflects a health care organization's commitment to providing safe and quality patient care. The Heritage underwent an unannounced onsite review where a team of Joint Commission reviewers evaluated compliance with standards that spanned emergency management, environment of care, infection prevention and control, leadership, medication management, and rights and responsibilities of the individual. The Joint Commission's standards are developed in consultation with healthcare experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. They are informed by scientific literature and expert consensus to help health care organizations measure, assess and improve performance. The surveyors also conducted onsite observations and interviews.