The Dispatch
Defiance County Board of DD's Monthly Newsletter
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News from the Interim Superintendent | Service & Support Administration | |
Greetings!
I am the Interim Superintendent and have exactly one month under my belt.
Some of you may remember me from years ago when I was the Speech and Language Pathologist at Good Samaritan School and, later, the Supported Living Director. I have also served as a shared Superintendent for Paulding and Williams County Board of DD.
I am excited to be here, as Good Samaritan School and the Defiance Co. Board of DD have always held a special place in my heart. At the January Board meeting, the Board approved the purchase of 2 new buses and 1 used bus to ensure the safety of all students being transported to school. The Board also approved a Security System to ensure the student’s safety while at school. I am anxious to work with the caring staff and families in order to identify other needs of the school and Board. I look forward to meeting some new faces, as well as seeing some familiar faces.
Deb Guilford
Interim Superintendent
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With colder temperatures moving in making sure you know how to prevent hypothermia and frostbite are very important in the upcoming winter months.
Who’s most at risk?
Victims of hypothermia are often:
- Older adults with inadequate food, clothing, or heating
- Babies sleeping in cold bedrooms
- People who remain outdoors for long periods—the homeless, hikers, hunters, etc.
- People who drink alcohol or use illicit drugs.
What are the signs and symptoms of hypothermia?
The following are warnings signs of hypothermia:
Adults:
- Shivering
- Exhaustion or feeling very tired
- Confusion
- Fumbling hands
- Memory loss
- Slurred speech
- Drowsiness
Babies:
- bright red, cold skin
- very low energy
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Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests | |
Health and Wellness Committee
Open Gym Night
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February Anniversaries
4 Years
Tiffany Clayton, Service & Support Administrator
7 Years
Teri Mitchell, Fiscal Assistant
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- Every three to four months, we will share your child’s progress with the early intervention team through a quarterly report.
- As the most important member of your child’s team, you can join the Team Meeting using your phone or computer just let your Primary Service Provider (PSP) know that you would like to when you child is up for review.
- During these meetings you will have the opportunity to share additional information and/or ask questions. This takes about 10 minutes and occurs at one of our team meetings each quarter.
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Early Childhood
Developmental Screenings
Ages 0-5 Years Old
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Welcome to February everyone! Our older students that are of age to participate in Defiance County Special Olympics recently started bowling once a week. This experience is a great way for students to learn the game, socialize, and most importantly have fun.
The Defiance County Special Olympics School Aged Basketball team has continued to have success and will spend February getting ready for the state tournament.
Preschool staff has worked with Early Intervention to set two dates for Early Childhood Developmental Screenings. Those dates will be February 28th in Hicksville, and March 28th in Defiance. Times will be announced soon.
Reminders
- Monday February 7th will be a two-hour delay for a teacher in service.
- We will be off Monday February 21st for President’s Day.
- Monday February 28th we will be holding Early Childhood Developmental Screenings in Hicksville.
ATTENDANCE REMINDER
If a student is going to be absent from school please call the office to let us know. The bus drivers, bus assistants, and teachers do not always have time to report absences to the office.
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Good Samaritan School
Menus
| As part of the students Physical Education program here at Good Samaritan School School Bowling can be an individual and team sport. The students work on their underhand manipulative skills while combining locomotor and balancing techniques. They are also working on social and life skills such as working together as a team, sportsmanship, and social interaction. | |
Affordable Connectivity Program | |
Service and Support Administration | |
Service and Support Administration Feature | |
Bob Scott
Bob First started working for PC Workshop in 2019 but when they opened their 2nd store, The Common Thread by PC Workshop, in Downtown Defiance, in 2020 he moved locations and has been there ever since. His main job responsibilities are pricing inventory, vacuuming, sorting, stocking shelves, and helping customers.
Bob has lived independently over the past year. He is an active member of his community and loves to attend many sporting events at Diehl Park and Defiance College. "I enjoy going out to eat, shopping, community events, and sporting events here in the community.", said Bob. It is individuals like Bob that make Defiance an inclusive community for everyone!
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Service & Support Administration
Taylor Wood, SSA, CTRS
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We sat down with the Defiance County Board of Developmental Disabilities own Service and Support Administrator, Taylor Wood, and asked her to give us an overview of what it is that the Service and Support Administration does for the clients right here in Defiance County.
The Service and Support Administrators (SSA's), coordinate and connect people with developmental disabilities to individualized supports in their community. SSA's get to know individuals and families and help them identify dreams for the future. This is an ongoing process, not just a one-time meeting.
Our SSA's develop individual service plans, or ISPs, that connect citizens with disabilities and their families to providers within the community that can help you achieve your vision of a happy, satisfying life. It is important that families and individuals understand options that are available to them and seek the support of the SSA, who can connect them to potential funding sources.
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Service and Support Administrators are the primary point of coordination, which includes:
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Administer assessments and collect documentation to determine eligibility for services
- Coordinate assessments to find out what is important to individuals and what is working and not working in their life
- Develop an ISP using person-centered planning that outlines what is important and connects individuals to the provider of their choice
- Connects individuals to community resources they need to be successful
- Develops a budget for services based on the individual’s assessed needs and the preferred way for meeting those needs
- Ensures the health and safety of each individual through developing prevention plans for potential occurrences that may impact health and safety
- Provide ongoing ISP coordination and monitoring to ensure that services and supports are being delivered as outlined in the ISP and to the benefit and satisfaction of the individual
- Educate the community in becoming more aware about the unique capabilities of individuals with disabilities
- Assist the community to develop connections and capacity to support individuals with disabilities
- Works closely with youth in transition from school to work.
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The Family Resource Network of Ohio is hosting a 3 part series dedicated to families who experience disability. Learn about the tools and resources that are available to you to help plan and advocated for your loved one throughout their lifetime. | |
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What: Project STIR Leadership Training
When: February 1st at 11:30AM through February 3rd at 3:30PM
Where: Crown Plaza Hotel-North, 6500 Double Tree Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43229
Cost: $550 if OSDA Member / $650 Non-Member
Not a member? Join now at the OSDA website and register at the Member fee. Scroll to the bottom of this web page
http://osdaohio.org/pricing/
Registration deadline is
January 15,2022.
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Project STIR
Step Toward Independence and Responsibility
Project STIR is a training program for self-advocates designed to provide individuals with the tools to advocate for themselves, mobilize others in advocacy and gain leadership experiences.
OSDA and the Franklin, Knox, and Coshocton County Boards of DD invite you to register to attend the next Project STIR Leadership training by and for People with Disabilities. It will be at the Crown Plaza Hotel-North in Columbus, Ohio February 1st through the 3rd.
Register Today!
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Capabilities Charitable Fund |
Capabilities Charitable Fund is once again awarding mini Grants!
They are offering grant opportunities to individuals with disabilities across Ohio, ages 14+ years, to help them achieve their community employment goals!
The grants can be used for, but not limited to, accessing transportation, interview clothing, tools needed for work, professional services to help someone find employment, assistive technology, etc.
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Check Out Our Online Event Calendar!
The Defiance County Board of Developmental Disabilities (DCBDD) Event Calendar lists information about activities, programs, and special events for individuals with developmental disabilities happening at our agency and in the community. Please scroll to the bottom of this page for links to other important calendars.
Some meetings, workshops, events and activities are sponsored and hosted by organizations other than the DCBDD. The DCBDD is not responsible for the content and operations of these events, programs, or organizations.
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Special Olympics Basketball | |
Defiance County
Self-Advocacy Meeting
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Keep up to date with us on Social Media! | |
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