Southern Ohio Council of Governments

09/16/2025

SOCOG’s Mobile Smart Home debuted new technology from THS at today’s advocacy meeting. Tim Steward of Fayette County Board of DD explains the new upgrades.

09/16/2025

Our regional advocacy group saw its highest attended meeting today with 114 people from eight SOCOG counties coming together at Yoctangee Park in Chillicothe for advocacy.
The SOAG Southern Ohio Advocacy Group meets on the third Tuesday of each month. Visit our website for a full schedule of events.

09/16/2025

08/29/2025

Our office will be closed on Monday, September 1 for Labor Day.

08/25/2025

Ross County Advocate Heather Giles is offering a crochet class for beginners.

Update: Heather's first class is full! Stay tuned for another class opportunity in the spring.

Exciting Opportunity: Beginner Crochet Training with Heather Giles!
We’re thrilled to announce a new and creative offering from our Advocate, Heather Giles! Starting this fall, Heather will be leading a Beginner Crochet Training Series—a fun and hands-on journey into the art of crochet.

🧶 Class Details:
• Dates: Wednesdays, September 10th through November 29th
• Total Classes: 12 sessions
• Goal: By the end of the series, each participant will have crafted their very own scarf!

To ensure everyone receives personalized guidance, class sizes will be limited. This allows for meaningful one-on-one instruction and support throughout the learning process.

✨ Who Can Join?
• All skill levels are welcome—no experience needed!
• Providers and guardians are encouraged to attend alongside participants.
• If a provider or guardian would also like to participate in the training, please complete a separate registration form for each individual.

Let’s get stitching together! 🧵 Register at: https://forms.office.com/r/YH0QLLXP5a

08/18/2025

Our advocacy group will be learning about and discussing voting at tomorrow's meeting.
If you cannot join in person, please use the link below to follow virtually.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87250551628?pwd=aFRZTHRtbGxiL010aGRQTmdvTFVpZz09
Meeting ID: 872 5055 1628
Passcode: 438986

Tomorrow, August 19, at the SOAG meeting we will be joined by guest speaker Brett Harbage from the Ohio Secretary of State's office. Brett will be answering questions about the voting, registration and hearing any concerns you may have about voting accessibility.
Our meeting begins at 11:00 am at the Service Center meeting rooms at 475 Western Avenue in Chillicothe.

08/08/2025

SOCOG is accepting application for the position of SSA Assistant. This is a full-time position which will serve the Ross County Board of DD. The ideal candidate would have a bachelor's degree in social services.
A full job description can be found at

To apply, submit and resume and SOCOG job application to Kelli Gothard at kgothard@socog.org. Application and resumes can also be dropped off or mailed to SOCOG, P.O. Box 456, Chillicothe, Ohio 45601. Phone calls are not accepted.

08/06/2025

We are excited to announce that Blue Envelope Program is now in 60 Ohio Counties. Our office continues to receive calls each week from counties who want to make the envelopes available to the people they serve.
If your county board would like to be part of the Blue Envelope Program, email Kelli Gothard at kgothard@socog.org

08/06/2025

Scioto County has Blue Envelopes available at their fair booth.

🚓💙 Ohio’s Blue Envelope Program 💙🚓

The Scioto County Board of Developmental Disabilities has free Blue Envelopes available at the Scioto County Fair all week — August 4–9! 🎡🐄

The Blue Envelope Program is designed to help individuals with disabilities communicate more effectively with law enforcement during traffic stops or roadside interactions.

💡 How it works:
• Keep the Blue Envelope in your vehicle glove box.
• If stopped by law enforcement, place your driver’s license, registration, and insurance card inside the envelope before handing it to the officer.
• The envelope alerts officers that you may:
• Show signs of anxiety or nervousness due to bright lights or noise.
• Need extra time to respond to questions.
• Benefit from clear, simple language and instructions.
• It also provides emergency contacts and space for important personal notes.

📍 Find us in Building 4 during fair week to get your Blue Envelope.
💙 It’s free, simple, and could make a big difference.

07/31/2025

07/30/2025

The Blue Envelope is helping people in Lawrence County.

For first responders, it is sometimes difficult to know how to interact with people with developmental disabilities in an emergency situations. To help with that, there is a new statewide effort called the Blue Envelope Program that helps police and EMS. On Monday, the Lawrence County Developmental....

07/29/2025

SOCOG is now accepting registrations for our Medication Administration course. This 2-day 16-hour course fulfills the requirements for Medication Administration Personnel (MAP) certification.
The class will be on August 5 and 6 at our office in Chillicothe, Ohio. The cost is $140. A current provider number and high school diploma are required to take this course.

To register, visit our website at https://www.socog.org/training/registration-form.html