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The Dispatch

Monthly Newsletter

June 1, 2022

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In This Issue

News from the Superintendent

Health and Wellness

Staff Recognition

Early Intervention

Good Samaritan School

Service & Support Administration

June Events

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Thank you to all the employees and the Board of the Defiance County Board for the warm

welcome! My first several weeks have been phenomenal! It has been my pleasure to join during a very exciting time of year. I am in awe of the teamwork I see everyday when staff members come together to arrange field trips, celebrations, graduations, and do the everyday

work of educating amazing children and providing services to teens and adults. I am energized by the collaboration I see and I am proud to be a part of it all!


Our building is quieter now that the kids are home enjoying their summer, but we continue to

provide services to individuals of all ages until school resumes in the fall. Our Early Intervention staff continues to see an increase in referrals for children ages 0-3. I cannot overstate the importance of engaging with children and families as early as possible to provide crucial support

and intervention. The benefits are immeasurable.


We have big news in the SSA Department. The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities

has released the Ohio Individual Support Plan, which will be implemented in every county in the

state. I am pleased to share that our Service and Support Administrators have volunteered to be one of two pilot counties to test the new plan on the Brittco platform. This is a bold move into the future service delivery system in the state.


This summer we will be celebrating our direct support provider partners. These amazing people assist individuals with disabilities on a daily basis to achieve goals and live meaningful lives. Their hard work and dedication make it possible for people to learn, grow, and live in their communities. I encourage you to reach out and thank anyone you know who provides this valuable service. We are excited to show our appreciation!


We wish Tina Lantow the absolute best as she retires after over 28 years of teaching at Good Samaritan School. Tina, your dedication, kindness, and hard work have been an inspiration to all of us. You will be missed. Enjoy the lake! 


Again, I want to thank each and every person at the Defiance County Board of Developmental

Disabilities. I also want to extend my gratitude to the several community partners who have reached out to welcome me. Defiance County is an amazing place to work!


Heidi Hull

Superintendent

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Staff Anniversaries

6 Years

Kendra Vittorio, Speech/Language Pathologist for Early Intervention

Health and Wellness

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Pool Safety

Tips for a Fun and Safe Summer


Swimming pools and spas are great places for family fun. It’s important to ensure everyone follows these simple safety steps to stay safer in and around the water.


(1) Never leave a child unattended in or near water.

(2) Teach children how to swim.

(3) Teach children how to stay away from drains.

(4)  Ensure all pools and spas - both in your backyard and any public pool you may visit - have compliant drain covers.

(5) Install proper barriers, covers and alarms on and around your pool and spa.

(6) Know how to perform CPR on children and adults.

(7) Take the Pledge!

More Pool Safety Tip

Early Intervention

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Good Samaritan School

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What an exciting time of year here at Good Samaritan School. We recently had three high school graduates and eleven preschool graduates. Our entire staff would like to congratulate all of these students and wish them good luck!


We would like to wish everyone a safe and happy summer. The DCBDD office will be open Monday through Friday from 7:30 to 4:00. If you have any questions please do not hesitate call.


I would like to personally thank all of the students, parents, board members, and county board staff for a great first year. Working closely with all of you has helped me learn many lessons. Thank you and I look forward to another excellent year.


Reminders

Congratulations to the Good Samaritan

Preschool Graduating Class of 2022!

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Congratulations to the Good Samaritan

Graduating Class of 2022!

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Dakota Brown

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Zane Brown

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Ashley Foor

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Service and Support Administration

Service & Support Administration Feature

Craig Clayton, SSA


With summer quickly approaching, we once again sat down with the Defiance County Board of Developmental Disabilities' own Service and Support Administrator, Craig Clayton, and asked him to give us give us a little more insight into what the Human Rights Committee is and what it does here in Defiance County.


Each county board of developmental disabilities and each intermediate care facility must have a Human Rights Committee (HRC) of their own or in collaboration with another county board or provider as directed by the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities.


The Defiance County HRC is local group of professionals and volunteers who provide independent oversight in matters related to the rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Their main role is to safeguard the rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and protect them from physical, emotional, and psychological harm.


The HRC will review, approve or reject, monitor, and reauthorize behavioral support strategies that include restrictive measures. Plans that contain restrictive measures cannot be implemented by providers before they are approved by an HRC.


Human rights committees are comprised of at least four people. They must include at least one person who receives developmental disabilities services or is eligible to receive them and one person who has either experience or training in contemporary practices for behavioral support.


Committees must have balanced representation of people who receive or are eligible to receive services or their family members or guardians and county boards of developmental disabilities or service providers.

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James Branham


James is a cook at the Northside McDonalds in Defiance and has been for 3 years now. What he enjoys most about his job is flipping burgers!


When James isn't working he likes to express himself through his art. He enjoys painting and listening to music. James also enjoys strolling through Hobby Lobby and writing recipes.


James has natural support and a dedicated team of family and friends that care for him. He is an active member of his Church, Defiance County Special Olympics Basketball, Bowling, and loves attending Night to Shine! James also sits on the Defiance County Human Rights Committee and has for 3 years and by doing so advocates for the rights of his peers with intellectual and developmental disabilities and protects them from physical, emotional, and psychological harm.

Learn More About HRC
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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.

Apply Today

June Events

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.

DCBDD Event Calendar

Defiance County

Special Olympics

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Defiance Special Abilities T-Ball

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No Limits

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Defiance County

Self-Advocacy Meeting

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