The DirectLine

Gwen Harshaw’s Story of Hope and Advocacy

In this inspiring episode of The Direct Line, Katrina Sacay sits down with advocate, speaker, and Lighthouse Cove board member Gwen Harshaw to talk about her family’s journey after her son Zayne was diagnosed with autism at age four. After being told Zayne might never read or live independently, Gwen and her family chose hope over limitation. What followed was an extraordinary journey through music, advocacy, and inclusion. Today, Zayne is an award-winning professional guitarist and founder of the band Blue Spectrum, using music to change perceptions about autism and disability. Gwen shares powerful stories about parenting through uncertainty, discovering hidden strengths, the importance of person-centered support, and why diagnoses should never define a person’s future. The conversation also explores the impact of music therapy, community inclusion, open mic programs for people with disabilities, and the mission behind Lighthouse Cove. This episode is a moving reminder that every person deserves the opportunity to pursue purpose, passion, and connection. About Band Together Central Ohio Band Together Central Ohio (BTCO) is a monthly autism-friendly open mic in Gahanna, Ohio focused on creativity, community, and inclusion. Inspired by her son Zayne’s early experiences navigating traditional open mic environments, Gwen Harshaw created a space where performers of all abilities feel welcomed and supported. Through a partnership with the Autism Society of Pittsburgh and their Band Together program, BTCO launched in August 2022, bringing this inclusive model to Central Ohio. Tagline: Open Mic. Open Mind. Open Heart. Event Details BTCO is held on the second Sunday of each month at Gatsby’s Bar & Grill. The event welcomes musicians, poets, comedians, and performers of all experience levels. It is designed to be a sensory-aware, judgment-free environment that supports both first-time and experienced performers. Why It Matters BTCO is more than an open mic. It is helping build a more inclusive arts community by removing barriers and creating opportunities for neurodiverse individuals to share their talents and stories. Gwen’s Work Gwen Harshaw is also a consultant with the International Council on Development and Learning. ICDL is dedicated to advancing human development and is best known as the home of the DIR®/DIRFloortime® model, an evidence-based, relationship-centered approach used to support autistic individuals and others with developmental differences. Learn More and Connect Contact Gwen Harshaw: gwenharshaw@outlook.com [gwenharshaw@outlook.com] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bandtogethercentralohio/ [https://www.facebook.com/bandtogethercentralohio/] Local coverage: Uniquely Gahanna – Resident Spotlight Band Together Central Ohio: Autism-friendly open mic held monthly

Your Budget Doesn't Have To Be Complicated The 50-30-20 Budget Rule That Actually Works (Here's Why)

Join us in this episode for an engaging discussion on simple, effective ways to manage your finances, clear misconceptions about budgeting, and boost your financial health with practical tips from work life specialist Susanna Humbert. Discover tools like the envelope system, the 50-30-20 rule, and actionable steps to make budgeting less intimidating and more empowering. Key topics covered: The importance of budgeting and common misconceptions The envelope system: digital vs. cash The zero-based budget and pay-yourself-first strategies Understanding and applying the 50-30-20 rule Tips to track spending without complicated apps Setting financial goals and the importance of saving for emergencies How to assess and reduce unnecessary subscriptions Personal stories about overcoming financial hurdles and building credit Resources available from First Financial Bank for free financial advice The upcoming focus on boosting credit and homeownership opportunities Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and setting the stage for financial empowerment 02:00 - Technical challenges and solutions for sharing presentations 04:00 - Guest introduction and overview of Susanna Humbert's role 06:00 - Navigating online tools and resources for budgeting 09:00 - The significance of accessible financial education 12:00 - Breakdown of the budgeting topics and upcoming series 14:00 - Introduction to the envelope and zero-based budgeting methods 16:00 - Practical tips on tracking spending with digital tools 18:00 - The 50-30-20 rule explained 22:00 - The importance of savings and handling unexpected expenses 30:00 - Creating realistic budgets and setting achievable goals 32:00 - How spending habits can be identified and improved 36:00 - Strategies for reducing unnecessary expenses 40:00 - The power of saying no and practicing financial discipline 44:00 - Tips for boosting credit scores and lowering insurance costs 48:00 - Resources from First Financial Bank for homeownership and credit 52:00 - Wrap-up, next steps, and future series preview https://www.bankatfirst.com/personal.html [https://www.bankatfirst.com/personal.html]

The Secret Ingredient Behind Lighthouse Coves Success: Small Teams Making Big Impact

In this inspiring episode of The DirectLine podcast from Lighthouse Cove, we introduce Destiny Campbell, Lighthouse Cove’s new DSP-U Program Coordinator, whose journey reflects the heart of our mission and the future of the I/DD field. From her beginnings in recreation management to discovering her passion for inclusion and advocacy, Destiny shares how taking a chance led her to a deeply rewarding career. We explore the impact of the DSPU program as a powerful workforce pipeline, offering students real-world experience, mentorship, and the skills to succeed in any path they choose. Destiny reflects on her experience as a skill mentor, the importance of advocacy, and why this field matters now more than ever. Whether you’re a student, professional, or simply curious about making a difference, this episode is a reminder to step outside your comfort zone, embrace new opportunities, and—most importantly—just do the thing. What is DSP-U? DSP-U, proudly facilitated and brought to you by Lighthouse Cove is an educational program dedicated to preparing high school seniors and adult learners for rewarding careers in the Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities field as Direct Support Professionals. Students complete 60 hours of classroom instruction (Lighthouse Cove Certificate of Initial Proficiency), paired alongside 100 hours of internship experiences with I/DD providers. In addition, students demonstrate skills in specific competency areas through the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals’ (NADSP) E-Badge Academy. → Accreditation & Recognition: → Nationally recognized → Accredited by Ohio's Department of Education → Serves as an alternative pathway to high school graduation, substituting traditional testing requirements and adding to earned credits. ☎ 📧 If interested in learning more about DSP-U, please contact us for more information! Destiny Campbell DSP-U Program Coordinator dcampbell@lighthousecove.org [dcampbell@lighthousecove.org]

Why This Ohio Innovation Has Governors Paying Attention

A recent discussion highlighted Ohio's leadership in implementing universal changing stations, a significant step in enhancing health measures. This local news segment, featured on nbc4 columbus, showcased how legislators, including Governor DeWine, were presented with a demonstration of these essential universal changing station facilities, setting a precedent for other states. Our Executive Director Bethany Toledo recently appeared on Out N About Columbus to share the story behind Lighthouse Cove. In this segment, Bethany talks about why Lighthouse Cove was created, our mission, and how programs like DSP-U are empowering Direct Support Professionals and making a meaningful impact in the Columbus community. This educational video highlights Ohio's leadership in implementing the universal changing station initiative across the united states, as discussed with the house of representatives. This is a local news update. Paul Jarvis - Executive Director of the Ohio DD Council Bethany Toledo - Executive Director of Lighthouse Cove, can be reached at btoledo@lighthousecove.org [btoledo@lighthousecove.org] Learn more about Lighthouse cove here: https://lighthousecove.org/ [https://lighthousecove.org/]

S:3 E:42 Tracy Huntsman on Family, Travel, and Meaningful Connections

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