OCCD 2023 Spring Meeting

Spring is right around the corner!  Spring Season is a period of rejuvenation and joy. There is nothing better than a beautiful Spring morning to give you an amazing mental boost.  I am looking forward to watching the renewing of life in all the vegetation and animals.  With my fourth grandchild on the way, I am grateful and thankful.  

The OCCD 2023 Spring Hybrid Meeting will be one day on April 26, 20023, our kick off will begin with a networking reception from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on April 25, 2023.  

The session will consist of six sessions with a time to network for lunch.  The ODOD and HUD Office breakouts will be held virtually on Friday via Zoom.

Our first session will be a panel discussion on Citizen Participation. The panel will consist of Terri Fetherolf, OCCD President and Director of Vinton County Development office, Diane Sheridan, Chief of Community Development of Stark County, Lisa Snyder, Senior Community Development Planner of Stark County, and Lauren Falcone, Department Manager at Kleinfelder, Inc. The panel will be a great refresher for seasoned staff and a must for new staff.

The CEO of Corporate FACTS, Michelle Bush, will be presenting on the Detroit Home Repair Program. Michelle will discuss how the program raised the housing stock and raised neighborhood values all across the city.  She will also attend the networking session on Tuesday evening.

Since April is Fair Housing month, we thought it will be appropriate to highlight Fair Housing.  John Zimmerman of Miami Valley Fair Housing will provide the newest information about how to Affirmatively Further Fair Housing while assisting our communities with federal funds.  He will give us updates on regulations and guidance issued by the federal government.

Lunch will be provided, followed by the OCCD business meeting.

Tony Core, from Squire Patton Boggs, will present immediately after our business meeting, to provide an insightful legislative update.

How can our local Area Agency on Aging centers help leverage funds with CDBG programs? Misty Smith, Housing Assistance Coordinator, and Ciara Harding, Community Options Supervisor, from Area Agency on Aging Region 9 will be speaking on different projects that will help the growing aging population.   

Finally, the last session will be inspiring with the focus on The Port’s CARE Homes Initiative named a 2022 CLIMB Award winner. The CARE (Creating Affordable Real Estate) Homes initiative is intended to protect local renters from rising costs of rents and frequent threats of eviction while providing them a pathway to homeownership. William “Bill” Fischer, Vice president of Community Development at The Port, will present.

All the best, 
Dawn Fish, OCCD Vice President