Portage DD Program Changes

The Portage County Board of Developmental Disabilities on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, voted to take official action to change the current operations and services of the Happy Day Services School Program. The Board has determined classroom instruction should not continue at Happy Day School after the 2022-2023 school year.

As noted by the Board, “Happy Day School currently serves a handful of children in Portage County, whereas the new programs and future initiatives under development will provide learning opportunities for more than 360 school-age children who are eligible to receive Board services.  Portage DD is committed to working closely with the families and school districts to make the students’ transition as smooth as possible.

Portage DD is continually evaluating the best way to serve our school-age residents so that the greatest number of eligible Portage County students receive services.  For example, in the last year Portage DD expanded our summer camp and added an Educational Services Manager to serve as liaison to local school districts. Under the leadership of the Educational Services Manager, he and other Portage DD staff are teaching social emotional learning, expanding transition services, and offering a variety of professional development opportunities to local districts. Additionally, local school districts are bringing students to Happy Day to utilize the gym, pool, life skills area, and sensory room. Recently, we started a social recreation program for youth, aged 12 to 17, and a short-term youth respite. Looking forward to 2023, we are working on a lending library to give school districts access to needed equipment and assistive technology.  

As always Portage DD welcomes the input of the community at large.”