Message From The Superintendent - September 2022

Greetings! 

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

In August and July, twenty-four people tested positive for COVID. We are hoping the numbers will decrease in September. The twenty-four positive cases represent the highest we have experienced since Dec 2021/Jan 2022.   

Portage DD has finalized a new contract with the Portage County Educators Association for the Developmentally Disabled Unit B (SSA Department), OAPSE, and our Maintenance Department. Thank you to the leadership of all three groups for their hard work in extending their current agreements with some minor tweaks. The SSA contract will run from September 1, 2023, to August 31, 2026, the Transportation Department signed a one-year contract from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023, and the Maintenance/Custodial/Mechanic MOU will run from September 1, 2022, to August 31, 2026.     

On August 23, 2022, we held our 2nd annual Staff appreciation luncheon. We appreciate the dedication and commitment the staff demonstrates daily to make a difference in the lives of the families and the people we serve. We appreciate you!  

Portage DD is partnering with the Impact Group on the 2023-2025 Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan will share our goals and objectives with the Portage County Community Stakeholders. To assist with the Strategic Plan, we need your help. A survey should be out on September 1. Also, there will be two parent focus groups on September 8 at 10:00 am and 6:00 pm via Zoom, and the people we serve will have a focus group at 10:00 am on September 14.   

Happy Day School Services started the final school year on August 24. The kids and staff are off to a great start and are looking forward to a tremendous school year!   

We have made some significant improvements to our facilities. We have a brand-new gym floor, repaired our sidewalks, and installed LED lighting in both buildings. These improvements improve accessibility and experience for our staff, summer camp, local school districts, and community members who want to utilize our facilities. 

Family Swim started again on Thursday evenings. Swim lessons and a water aerobics class will soon be added to our events schedule.  

School districts will soon start coming to our Happy Day Services Building to utilize our gym, life skills area, and pool. We are also continuing our building Independence program, and this year there will be four school districts partnering with us instead of two. We continue offering free CPI classes for school districts, a lending library, and social and emotional learning classes. Portage DD is thrilled to continue creating new services and building on our relationships with local school districts. 

We are submitting a Request for Proposal (RFP) to bid on being a provider for a residential and emergency youth home. Our goal is to better keep the youth here in Portage County instead of sending them to other counties or states. The RFP will run from September 1 to September 30.   

Thank you, again, for all your continued support. I am grateful for all the families, providers, Portage DD staff, and community members who help improve the lives of the people we serve and work tirelessly to keep everyone. 

Portage DD will continue to strive to meet and exceed your expectations.  

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU.

Sincerely,

John Vennetti