Message From The Superintendent - August 2024

Greetings! 

We hope everyone is doing well! Here are the updates.

We were awarded money from the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Grant.  We were approved for the grant to put an accessible walking path and adaptive equipment at Brady Lake Park.  Cardinal Asphalt completed an accessible walking path at Brady Lake Park just a few weeks ago.  We are very excited, and the next step is fixing up the parking lot, which should be done in August.  In the fall, we will add the adaptive equipment.   

Portage DD also utilized 50,000 dollars of the grant for persons with developmental disabilities to engage in community experiences where cost is a barrier to them and/or their support staff.  Activities include, but are not limited to, Admissions fees, travel/accommodation expenses, cost of services, class fees, etc. We had an overwhelming number of applicants.  We have spent all the money and are grateful that the families will have tremendous moments to cherish due to this grant. 

We have submitted grant instructions and an application to the Portage County community.  This is an Accessibility and Inclusion grant.  We want to make Portage County more accessible and inclusive, and this grant will be awarded to Portage County for things such as accessible playground equipment, universal changing tables, accessible paths/trails, etc. We have now received 17 applicants and thus far given out grants to all 17 that applied.  We just awarded Windham 2 accessible ramps and some start-up equipment for a coffee business for some kids with developmental disabilities at their school.  We also approved Wingfoot State Park some funds for an accessible playground and a braille trail.  We continue to take applications. The grant application and instructions can be found on our website or at this link.  https://www.portagedd.org/grant

The 3rd annual Ability Walk and Roll will occur on Saturday, August 10.  This is the 2nd year that Portage DD has participated and partially sponsored.  Register at the link below.  https://www.portagedd.org/latest-news/3rd-annual-walk-and-roll-signup

Portage DD’s summer camp just finished on August 2.  Thank you to the Akron Rotary staff for doing a great job with the campers!!

Congratulations to two new staff members. Kaitlyn Contreras and Alexandria Walcholk both started on July 22. Kaitlyn worked here previously, and we are excited to have her back.  She was recently working at the Family Child Resource Center. Alexandria is new, but we are also happy she is here.  She worked previously at the Juvenile Court and prior to that at Jobs and Families Services in Portage. Welcome.

We finished our accreditation with The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities.  They were here on July 17th and 18th.  The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities awarded us a 3-year accreditation, the highest award you can receive.  Thank you to the fantastic people who work here at Portage DD.  The department was very impressed with what they are doing, and I am, too. 

We will have our first stand, soon to be the annual Portage DD celebration, on 9-12-24. Mark your calendars to join us to celebrate the people we serve!!  This will occur at the Happy Day Services building. 

We wanted to thank our Special Olympic athletes’ coaches and Portage DD support staff.  They had a great showing at the State Summer games.  Congrats to all.  Here are the results. 

Bocce                                                                                                              Bowling

Jean Allen – Silver                                                                                            Maranda Ailes – Silver

Sylvia Cuvelier - Bronze                                                                                 Brandon Boyett – 4th

Jim Folan- 4th                                                                                                   Logan Cox - Gold

Mike Havel– Silver                                                                                         Eric Curry – 6th

Shawn Heffernan – 4th                                                                                  Nick Panzero - Silver     

Joe Persavich – Bronze                                                                                Thomas Richards – 4th

Athletics (Track & Field)                                                          Powerlifting

Blake Bailey                                                                                                       Aaron Dallner

100M Run -Silver                                                                                              Bench press – Silver

200M Run – Silver                                                                                            Deadlift – 4th

4X100M Relay – Bronze                                                                               Combination – 4th

Andrea Jefferys                                                                                               Mike Mohan

100M Run – 5th                                                                                                 Bench press - Bronze

Softball Throw – Bronze                                                                               Deadlift – 4th

Mark McClendon                                                                                            Combination – 4th

400M Walk – Silver                                                                                          Anthony Paliscak

Softball Throw – 4th                                                                                        Bench press – Bronze

Shaun McCoy                                                                                                   Deadlift- 4th                                       

400M Run – Bronze                                                                                         Combination – 4th

4X100M Relay - Bronze

Ryan McCoy

50M Run – Silver

Softball Throw – 6th

Jackie Menge

100M Run – Gold

200M Run – Gold

4x100M Relay – Bronze

Mary Moore

50M Assisted Walk – Silver

Softball Throw – Bronze

Ashley Wilson

100M Walk – Gold

Mini Javelin – Gold

David Wilson

100M Run – Silver

Shot Put – Silver

4x100M Relay - Bronze

Believe in People!

 

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU.

Sincerely,

John Vennetti