Message From The Superintendent - March 2023

Greetings! 

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

We are adding a new position here at Portage DD, and the new job has been posted. The new role will be under the Community and Provider Relations Department. The title will be Advocacy and Community Resource Coordinator Assistant. This person will help expand advocacy, recreation, volunteering, and Special Olympics programs.   

The new youth residential and respite home is now open, and we have two people kids living in the house and two available beds for scheduled and planned respite.  

March is DD Pride/Awareness month. We have a schedule full of events. Please check the Portage DD website for a listing of all these events. https://www.portagedd.org/  

We are excited to offer a new career training opportunity for Portage County students entering their senior year this summer! DSP -U provides the training essential to becoming a direct support professional, a great step toward a promising career in the field of developmental disabilities. Please click the link to learn more.    https://www.portagedd.org/s/DSP-U-summer-flyer-events.pdf  

OPRA, OACB, the ARC, Ohio Waiver Network, Ohio Health Care Association, and Values and Faith Alliance have joined together to work on the Direct Support Professionals (DSP) crisis. The concerned group of organizations is working together to address the crisis. There are two ways that you can assist. You can share your stories and or sign a petition. The website has more information regarding the DSP crisis.   https://ohioddcrisis.com/  

We also plan to have the Ohio Association of County Boards (OACB) do a training. OACB created an (OPOTA) Ohio Police Officer Training Academy-approved course for law enforcement officers that would enable them to increase awareness and safety when interacting with people with developmental disabilities. The training will be on Thursday, March 30, at the Happy Day Services building. It works out perfectly to have this during DD Pride/Awareness month!   

Portage DD Special Olympic athletes will compete on Friday, March 3, and Saturday, March 4, in the 2023 indoor winter games. Best of luck to the athletes competing in Basketball skills, swimming, and competitive cheerleading! These games will be at Bowling Green State University.   

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU.

Sincerely,

John Vennetti