Medina County Providers
Weekly Information
January 6, 2021
Should any providers have questions or immediate needs, please email Provider Support by clicking below.
Join the Discussion
Providers are invited to join a live discussion about COVID-19 vaccines with state and community vaccine experts. This is an opportunity to ask questions about vaccinations and offer input to help state leaders make decisions and guide Ohio out of the pandemic.

Register for one or more of the following sessions by clicking your desired time:
Myths vs. Facts
Join Dr. Laura on Wednesday, January 13 at 3:00 pm for Part 3 of her Well Aware Series, titled "COVID-19 vaccine Myths vs Facts" will discuss and address DD specific questions and concerns around the COVID-19 vaccine. Register for this webinar by clicking the button below. 
Training Announcement
Join DODD on January 12, 2021 from 9:30 am-12:30 pm for an informative webinar about "Supporting People with DD in the Criminal Justice System". Participants will learn about assessments, the impact on service planning, ISP development, collaboration, training and advocacy as it relates to individuals navigating the criminal justice system. To register, follow below.
Frontline Forum Registration
DODD, in partnership with OADSP, created The Frontline Forum. The Frontline Forum is designed to provide updates and information directly to Direct Support Professionals and Frontline Supervisors, as well as provide a space for connection and camaraderie though facilitated large and small group discussions. The first meeting is Wednesday, January 20 from 10:00 am - 11:30 am. To register for this forum, follow below.
SSA Department Updates
Happy New Year! Here are a few changes that start today for the SSA Department:
  • Kim Bernardi and Courtney Jordan both begin reporting to Pam Hunt in the Community Supports Department today. Their presence in the Community Supports Department will help MCBDD to enhance our support of the important work that you, as providers, do every day. They will continue to be an important link to the SSA Department as they both will still interact with us daily!

  • We have eliminated the Assistant Director of SSA position and Tracy Ratta is now our third SSA Manager and will begin supervising SSAs. Tracy will continue to supervise the Eligibility process, ICAT representative and is our DODD liaison.Brian Sommers will be our ‘go-to’ person for remote supports and other ISP items as we prepare for the new Ohio ISP. 

  • JohnThomas will now be our Transition/School Age and Housing ‘go-to’. 

We have a strong team and they are all able to represent the SSA Department if anyone needs assistance. The list below will show you the updated supervisory assignments.  
Phase 1B COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout
OACB has released details regarding Phase 1B of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.
  • County board superintendents will receive a list of people eligible for Phase 1B vaccinations from DODD no later than Friday, January 8
  • Boards are likely to begin notifying eligible individuals once local program details have been confirmed (dates, locations, etc.)
  • Phase 1B expands vaccinations to include people over the age of 65 
  • Phase 1B will also cover school staff, including county board schools
  • Phase 1B does not cover family members or DSPs unless already eligible 
  • Those eligible in Phase 1A remain eligible in Phase 1B

For more information regarding Phase 1B, please follow the button below. There, you will also find Provider Enrollment Information, Pfizer Resources, Moderna Resources, and much more.
Pulse Oximeters
Pulse oximeters may be utilized as a tool for early detection of hypoxia (low O2 saturation). This may serve as a warning sign and allow earlier medical diagnosis and treatment of COVID 19 or COVID pneumonia. For more information, please follow below.
Monoclonal Antibody Therapies Available
Monoclonal antibody therapies are available through FDA emergency use authorization (EAU) and are offered by Ely Lilly and Regeneron. Individuals who have tested positive for Covid-19 who are in high risk groups (over 65 or under 65 but suffering from diabetes,, chronic kidney disease, heart disease, hypertension, COPD, Cystic Fibrosis, and other developmental conditions) can contact their physician and request to receive Monoclonal antibody therapy which administered via outpatient infusion. The goal of the infusion is to provide the person with antibodies needed to attack the virus directly and reduce the risk of disease advancement and hospitalization. Their physician can screen them to ensure the treatment is appropriate and then direct them to a facility that administers the infusion.
Human Trafficking Awareness Month
January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. In recognition of National Human Trafficking Awareness Day on January 11, the Medina County Coalition Against Human Trafficking invites you to wear blue to help raise awareness, and put an end to human trafficking. Along with wearing blue, there will be an "End Human Trafficking" virtual event held from January 16 - 17 to discuss human trafficking on a local and global level. For more information on getting involved, click below. For event registration information, please email humantrafficking@medinacountychildrenscenter.org.
New RFPs This Week
9 new RFPs were listed on the portal in the past week:

  • Adaptive Equipment/Tech - 1
  • Day Program - 1
  • HPC - 7

Login to view the open RFPs and see if you or your agency might be a good fit.
January's DSP of the Month is...
Stephen Fowerbaugh!
Stephen, thank you for your outstanding contributions to helping people with developmental disabilities and their families in Medina County. Thank you for sharing your dedication and commitment to making a difference in the lives of others every single day.
Do you know a Direct Support Professional (DSP) who has made a positive impact on your life, a family member, an agency, someone you know with a disability or the community? Help us publicly recognize their efforts by nominating them for a “DSP Spotlight”.
The mission of the Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities is to promote and empower individuals with developmental disabilities to live, learn, work, and socialize as citizens in the community.