Message From The Superintendent - August 2021
Greetings!
We hope everyone is doing well! Here are the updates.
There have been no new COVID cases in June or July for the people we serve.
Our summer camp at Happy Day School is wrapping up and will end on August 6th. Thank you to Akron Rotary camp for doing an outstanding job again this year! That means school is around the corner again. Our Happy Day School starts back earlier this year on August 25th.
One of our main goals for Portage DD is to create and improve services and programs for providers, school districts, families, and the people we serve. Here are some of the things we are currently working on:
PEERS (Parent, Education, Empowerment, Resources, and Support) program. The PEERS program is for all families that have children eligible at Portage DD. Parent Advocates will assist them if they want this new service. We are in the process of finalizing a contract with Greenleaf Family Center for this program. The PEERS program should be in place this month. We are very excited to team up with Greenleaf!
A Success Coach who will work with the Direct Support Professionals to help them retain their employment by supporting and assisting them when they have concerns. We are in the process of finalizing a contract with Coleman Services to start this initiative. The Success Coach should be running for the beginning of October.
We are looking to partner with NEON to provide recruitment and onboarding for Direct Support Professionals. We hope this will help providers find more direct support professionals since there continues to be a shortage. We are hoping this will occur within the next few months.
Provide crisis training for providers, our school, families, and Portage County school districts. Our Education Services Manager, Vincent Valerio, will be the lead trainer for this program. Vincent is also working on a social stories program for kids with autism to assist the local districts.
Vincent is also talking with local school districts about our transitional programming being put in place with himself, Laura Fechter, School-Age Transition Coordinator, and Tiffany Jones, Community Employment Coordinator.
Thankfully, there are two providers who have expressed interest in teaming up with us to do a short-term/long-term respite. We have received one proposal and are awaiting the second proposal. Our goal is to have this up and running at the beginning of 2022.
Portage DD has sent out an RFP (Request For a Provider) for a social recreation program. This program will be for kids between the ages of 12 to 17. This program will be similar to what URR (Unified Resources Recreation) does for our adults. The objective is to provide an opportunity for youth with Developmental Disabilities to have social recreational opportunities outside of their home to assist with learning and exploring appropriate skills. The request for a provider will be open to providers from August 1st -August 31st.
Portage DD sent a proposal on July 1st to partner with the Franklin Township to update Brady Lake Park. If this partnership moves forward, Special Olympics events and practices for our Bocce, Soccer, and Softball Teams will be held at Brady Lake Park. We will keep you posted.
Two more of our staff announced that they are retiring this year. Kim Sumwalt, Senior Investigative Agent, announced her retirement for 11-30-21. Kim has been here at Portage DD for the last 13 years. Also, Judy Fetterolf, SSA (Service and Support Administrator), has been with Portage DD for 35 years. Judy's last day with Portage DD will be 12-17-21. These are two tremendous people who will be replaced but not forgotten. We will miss them, as will everyone who worked with them over the years. Their dedication, expertise, and kindness have been such a great asset here. Good luck with their next journey!
I wanted to recognize the board and the staff with Portage DD. These people continue to promote our mission to assist and support individuals in developing their abilities through advocacy, inclusion, and empowerment. I also want to thank the people Portage DD serves and their families for allowing us to be a part of that mission. Thank you!
I also wanted to take the time to recognize all the wonderful providers that continue to do amazing things for the people we serve and the families to help them have a better life. The pandemic has been tough on our providers as they are experiencing a DSP (Direct Support Professional) shortage. Even with a staffing shortage, Portage County's providers continue to show up and do amazing things. Somehow, they have persevered. Everyone is grateful for their dedication! Thank you!
Portage DD Board meetings have been open to the public to attend in person for the last two months. Additionally, we will continue to stream the Board Meetings via Zoom for those that do not want to participate in person.
Thank you again for your continued support. We are incredibly grateful for all your support! Portage DD will continue to strive to meet and exceed your expectations.
WE ARE HERE FOR YOU.
Sincerely,
John Vennetti