Message From The Superintendent - July 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 want to make an accessible walking path at Brady Lake Park.  We put this out for competitive bidding.  Cardinal Asphalt was the lowest bidder, and they hope to finish at the end of July.  Thank you, Cardinal Asphalt!

Portage DD has 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 have shared 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 received 13 applicants and thus far given out grants to all 13 that applied.  We just awarded Franklin Township a grant allowing them to have an accessible parking lot and all the other features that started at Brady Lake Park.   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 take place on August 10th.  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 is going strong. We have finished three weeks and have four more to go. Thank you to the Akron Rotary staff for doing a great job with the campers!

Congratulations to Jessica Howiler, who was hired last month as the new Early Intervention Supervisor. Prior to taking this new role, she was a developmental specialist at Portage DD. Jessica will do a great job!  Congratulations, Jessica! 

We are still busy preparing for accreditation, which will occur on July 17th and 18th. The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities awarded us a 3-year accreditation in 2021, which is the highest award you can receive. We are working diligently to get another 3-year approval. 

Believe in People! 

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU.

Sincerely,

John Vennetti