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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