Celebrating a Career of Dedication and Service: Nancy Stiefel Retires from SCBDD

After more than three decades of exceptional service in education and developmental disabilities, Nancy Stiefel is retiring from the Shelby County Board of Developmental Disabilities. Her career reflects a deep commitment to improving the lives of children and families, and her impact will be felt for years to come.

Nancy earned her Bachelor of Science in Special Education and Elementary Education in 1991 and later completed a Master of Science in Educational Administration from the University of Dayton in 1996. Her professional journey began in 1991 as a teacher in Montgomery County Public Schools, followed by positions in Vandalia-Butler and Piqua City Schools. In 1999, she transitioned to a leadership role as a Special Education Supervisor for Sidney City Schools, where she served for 13 years.

In 2012, she joined the Shelby County Board of Developmental Disabilities as Director of Early Intervention and Wilma Valentine Childcare, a nonprofit childcare center. In 2021, she expanded her leadership role to include Director of Shelby Hills Preschool, creating a combined director position she held until retirement in 2025.

Throughout her career, Nancy never lost sight of what drew her to early childhood education in the first place. “It always sounds so cliché when you hear someone say how amazing it is when you see a child’s face light up after they did something for the first time… but that look of wonder and amazement is one of my favorite things,” she shared. “And the hugs—I don’t know how anyone can ever get tired of the hugs!”

She is especially proud of the program growth she has helped foster. “The EI program only had 29 children in it when I came, and we often have between 80–90 children in the program now,” she said. “That is so many more children and families getting the help they need at the most impactful time of a child’s life.”

Beyond her administrative work, Nancy has served in various leadership roles and on multiple boards, including the Shelby County United Way, New Choices, the Ohio Association of Services for Children & Families, and more. Her community involvement and commitment to collaboration have been hallmarks of her leadership.

“Nancy’s unwavering dedication, compassionate leadership, and determination have left an indelible mark on our organization and community. We are so grateful for all that she has given to this community and to us at the Shelby County Board of DD,” said Superintendent Leigh Anne Wenning.

A legacy of care, compassion, and service has been shaped by Nancy’s passion for children, families, and colleagues. We congratulate her on her well-deserved retirement and thank her for the countless ways she has made a difference.

Read the full article on the Sidney Daily News.

Jennifer Bradford Steps Into Role as Director of Early Intervention

Please join us in introducing Jennifer Bradford, who is now serving as Early Intervention Director for both Shelby and Champaign Counties!

Jennifer has been a dedicated leader as the Early Intervention Director for Champaign County, and we're excited to announce that she has expanded her role to also include Shelby County. In this new split role, Jennifer will oversee Early Intervention services across both counties.

As Director, Jennifer leads the day-to-day operations of the Early Intervention program, which supports babies and toddlers ages 0–3. She ensures the program meets all state and federal requirements while supervising and supporting the incredible team members who help children and families thrive.

"I am passionate about the work Early Intervention teams do. I have seen firsthand—both with my own children and through the families I’ve supported over the years—the powerful impact our program can have. I look forward to supporting my team so they can continue empowering families and making a difference in the lives of the children we serve." – Jennifer Bradford

Please help us congratulate Jennifer as she takes on this expanded leadership role!

Cargill Cares Grant Powers New Learning Tools at Shelby Hills

Shelby Hills was awarded a generous grant through the Cargill Cares program, which made it possible to purchase two complete sets of The Creative Curriculum® and the social-emotional curriculum Al’s Pals for all eight classrooms across our preschool and childcare programs.

The Creative Curriculum® is a comprehensive, research-based resource that supports high-quality early learning experiences through hands-on, developmentally appropriate activities. Al’s Pals enhances this by helping children build essential social-emotional skills like empathy, self-control, and positive decision-making.

Thanks to the support from Cargill, these tools are enriching the educational experiences of our students and strengthening the foundation for lifelong learning.

Shelby Hills Welcomes Our Newest Team Members

We’re excited to welcome four new team members to Shelby Hills!

• Victoria Schmidt, Teacher at our Jackson Center location
• Tina Jester, Paraprofessional at Hardin-Houston
• Sherri Brown, Paraprofessional at Russia
• Stacey Lammers, Paraprofessional at our Sidney Center

We’re thrilled to have them on board and look forward to the great work they’ll do in supporting our students and classrooms!

Bee A Hero at Conservation Day Camp!

In June, the Sidney Kiwanis Club, along with our Aktion and Builders Clubs, joined forces with the Shelby Soil & Water Conservation District and the Auglaize, Logan, Mercer, and Shelby County Farm Bureaus to host an exciting and educational session at Conservation Day Camp — and it was buzzing with activity!

Over 100 students participated in the “Bee A Hero” experience, learning about the vital role bees play in our environment and how each of us can make a difference. As part of the Ohio District Kiwanis Governor’s Project, we were honored to welcome Governor Kelly E. Brown, who shared why pollinators are so important, why they’re in trouble, and what we can do to help.

Campers had fun playing a pollination relay game, painting bee rocks, and taking home pollinator seed packs to grow bee-friendly habitats. It was a perfect mix of learning, creativity, and hands-on conservation!

🐝 Fun Fact: Bees pollinate one-third of the food we eat — protecting them helps the environment and our future food supply.

A huge thank you to all our partners, volunteers, and young conservation heroes who made this day a sweet success!

Time to Shine Brings Big Smiles to the Shelby County Fair!

Time to Shine was once again a big success at this year’s Shelby County Fair in Sidney, Ohio!

This annual event, presented by Shelby County 4-H, gives youth and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities the opportunity to show livestock at the fair.

Participants are paired with mentors from 4-H and FFA, who guide them through the process and help them gain hands-on experience in the show ring.

The event was led by Katie Miller, Ohio State University–Shelby County Extension 4-H Youth Development Educator, along with dedicated Junior Fair Board youth volunteers. Together, they created a fun and welcoming environment where everyone could enjoy learning and participating.

Thank you to all the mentors, volunteers, and families who helped make Time to Shine another great success at the fair!

Click here to check out more photos from the event on Facebook

A Moment of Calm at the Shelby County Fair

During this year’s Shelby County Fair in Sidney, Ohio, visitors had the opportunity to take a break from the excitement at the Calming Corner, a peaceful space located inside the Wilson Health Hospitality Tent.

Sponsored by Wilson Health and the Shelby County Board of Developmental Disabilities, the Calming Corner was created as a supportive environment for anyone feeling overwhelmed by the sights and sounds of the fair. Open each evening throughout fair week, it offered a quiet, inclusive space for fairgoers of all ages to relax and reset.

To help visitors feel more comfortable, the space featured a variety of calming tools and sensory supports, including handheld fans, noise-canceling headphones, fidgets, sunglasses, and play dough—all designed to help ease sensory overload and provide a soothing experience.

The tent was located just behind the free entertainment tent and was easy to find—marked by a white top and green panels.



Thank you to everyone who stopped by and helped make this space a welcoming part of the fair experience!

From House to Home: Bill and Pam’s Story

Thanks to the Shelby County Board of Developmental Disabilities (SCBDD) and a partnership with a local builder and state housing capital grant dollars, a new accessible home was added to the SCBDD Housing Inventory—creating life-changing opportunities for the individuals it was designed to serve. Built with accessibility in mind from the ground up, the home reflects a shared commitment to person-centered housing solutions in Shelby County.

Now, Bill and Pam proudly call this beautiful, accessible house their home. Bill had been living in a congregate setting on Spruce Street in Sidney when the option of relocating to the accessible home was introduced to him. After learning more about it, Bill gladly accepted the opportunity. Around the same time, Pam was preparing for discharge from a nursing facility and had been actively involved in programs through the CEO department. When Pam heard about the same home, she was immediately interested, but wanted to meet Bill to see if they would be a good fit as roommates.

Pam arranged a visit to Bill’s home on Spruce Street, and the connection between them was instant.

“Bill made me feel like I was good enough to be his roommate,” Pam shared.

Bill echoed her feelings: “We just basically clicked.”

Since that first meeting, the two have built a strong friendship.

“We've been really good friends since then,” Pam added.

Their reaction to the new home was filled with joy and disbelief.

“I was amazed and shocked that this was going to be my home,” Pam said. “All this for me and Bill—it’s like a dream come true.”

The home’s thoughtful design has had a profound impact on their daily lives. From wide doorways and accessible bathrooms to a flat-level entrance that eliminates the stress of stairs or thresholds, the layout promotes freedom and independence.

“Just being able to access the home at ground level is amazing,” Pam said. “It’s very accommodating to wheelchairs. We don’t have to worry about going in and out or getting stuck—it’s a big stress reliever.”

Some of their favorite features include the bathroom, bedrooms, kitchen, and porch. But more than the structure itself, it’s the feeling of being truly at home that has transformed their lives.

“I would not trade this life that I have now for all the nursing homes in Ohio,” Pam shared.

They are also deeply appreciative of the staff who helped them throughout their journey—especially Brooke and CRSI.

“Without Brooke and them, it wouldn’t be possible,” said Bill.

Looking ahead, they are excited to make new memories together. Plans are already in motion for a housewarming party, football game gatherings, and a festive Christmas complete with a new tree.

“We’re thankful that you guys are able to make our lives easier,” Pam said.

Bill and Pam’s journey is a powerful reminder of the impact that accessible housing, dedicated support, and community collaboration can have. Through the vision and effort of SCBDD and its partners, what started as a housing project has become a true home—and a fresh start for two great friends.

Click here to see the full interview

Welcome Our New SSAs for 2025!

From January through August 2025, we’ve had the pleasure of welcoming six new Service and Support Administrators (SSAs) to our team: Andrea Barlage, Shelli Gross, Sharon Henderson, Marie Hughes, Andrea Tipton, and Morgan Litmer.

Each of these dedicated professionals has already begun making a difference in the lives of the individuals and families we serve. We're grateful to have them on board and excited for all they’ll bring to our mission moving forward.

Tara Frilling Named Eligibility Coordinator

We’re happy to share that Tara Frilling is now the Eligibility Coordinator.

Tara started with us as a Service and Support Administrator (SSA) and has brought reliability, organization, and a strong commitment to the people we serve. Her experience in that role has prepared her well for this next step.

As Eligibility Coordinator, Tara will oversee the eligibility process to help ensure timely and accurate support for those in need.

Camp You Plus Wraps Up Another Successful Summer

The Camp You Plus program, held in partnership with the Sidney-Shelby County YMCA, recently wrapped up a successful summer camp. This free program was open to individuals supported by the Shelby County Board of Developmental Disabilities.

Campers took part in a variety of activities throughout the week, including gymnastics, youth sports, dance, and group games. The schedule was full, and everyone had the chance to stay active, try new things, and have fun together.

Thank you to the Sidney-Shelby County YMCA for partnering with us again this year and helping make this camp possible. We appreciate the continued support and look forward to future programs.

Our Annual Staff In-Service brought our team together for learning, connection, and a bit of fun — including team building activities, department updates, and a hilarious skit from our CEO department. We also took time to recognize some truly amazing team members for their Years of Service.

Awards were presented by Superintendent Leigh Anne Wenning, honoring a combined 55 years of dedication and impact!

Pictured Left to Right:

Ashley Schindewolf – 10 Years, Early Intervention Developmental Specialist

Emma Fridley – 10 Years, Preschool Instructor

Superintendent Leigh Anne Wenning

Amanda Wilt – 15 Years, Preschool Instructor

Jessica Guillozet – 15 Years, Community Connections Supervisor / Special Olympics Coordinator

Nick Rowe – 5 Years, SSA Director



We’re so proud of all our staff for their passion, creativity, and the difference they make every day. Thank you for being the heart of the Shelby County Board of Developmental Disabilities!

Shelby County Eagles – Track and Field and Softball Recap

The Shelby County Eagles had a strong and memorable spring and summer season, filled with competition, community support, and great teamwork.

Track and Field

The Eagles competed in several track and field events including the long jump, javelin, and running events. The meet was a big success thanks to the support of our local community.

We had over 50 volunteers come out to help with the event, along with several event sponsors. A big thank you to everyone who donated their time and resources. The crowd support also made a huge impact—many community members showed up to cheer on the athletes, and it meant a lot.

Thank you to our two certified Special Olympics coaches and four assistant coaches, who helped athletes train and prepare for the meet.

Softball

This summer, the Eagles played on two softball teams: the Gold Team and the Blue Team. Both teams showed great effort throughout the season.

The Blue Team advanced to the Special Olympics Division 3 Regional Softball Tournament, the first state-sanctioned tournament appearance in over 15 years for Shelby County. The team played with heart and took Darke County into extra innings before falling just short. We are very proud of their performance and determination.

Special thanks to Volunteer Coach Kendra and our volunteer assistants for their leadership and dedication throughout the season.

The team also enjoyed a skills clinic hosted by Fairlawn High School Girls Softball, which was a great learning experience. To close out the season, the Eagles had fun taking on staff members in a friendly end-of-season staff vs. athletes softball game—a great way to celebrate and wrap up the year.

We are thankful to all our athletes, coaches, families, volunteers, and community supporters. You help make these opportunities possible.

Follow us on Facebook for more updates and photos:

🔗 facebook.com/ShelbyCoSpecialOlympics