Message From The Superintendent - October 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 are utilizing some of that money to fix up Brady Lake Park.  The accessible walking path and parking lot are now complete at Brady Lake Park.  We started adding adaptive playground equipment, and work done at the park should be completed by early October!  

We have shared grant instructions and an application to the Portage County community.  The grant is an Accessibility and Inclusion grant.  We want to make Portage County more accessible and inclusive, and this grant is given to Portage County for things such as accessible playground equipment, universal changing tables, accessible paths/trails, etc. We have received 20 applicants and thus far have given out grants to all 20 who applied.  Last month, we approved funds for accessible playgrounds at Field and Southeast Schools.  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

We have new registration and procedures for anyone attending the Portage DD swimming programs.  We are excited to open our doors to our community and offer various swimming opportunities in our shallow water pool! All the following classes are FREE and open to persons served and/or eligible for services with Portage DD.

A lifeguard is always on duty, and locker rooms will be open 30 minutes before and after all event times for changing purposes.

A guardian or other approved adult must always accompany each swimmer.

How to Sign Up:

1. Call the office: 330-678-2400 Or email: swim@portagedd.org with your interest

2. During registration, it will need to be confirmed that the participant signing up is currently receiving services or is eligible for services with Portage DD

3. Review and sign a copy of our Program Procedures

4. Sign up for whichever available dates you would like

5. Come and enjoy the pool!

We held our first annual Portage DD celebration on 9-12-24. Thank you to all who attended and assisted with a great first event. We hope to see everyone again next year!!

October is a busy month as we have budget meetings to prepare for 2025. We have several events at the end of October. On October 24th, we celebrate individuals and their employers for National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). On October 25th, we have our very popular Trunk or Treat at the Happy Day Services Building. On October 30th, we have our 1stPortage DD Symposium for individuals, families, providers, and advocates. 

Believe in People! 

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU.

Sincerely,

John Vennetti