Special Olympics Area IV Meet is May 10
Hundreds of Special Olympians from Lucas, Wood,
Fulton, Sandusky, Erie, Williams, Henry, Ottawa Counties will compete in
the annual Area IV summer athletic competition on Saturday, May 10th, at
University of Toledo. Admission is free.
Opening Ceremonies and the Parade of Champions will
begin at 10:00 a.m. Among those attending the Opening Ceremonies will be
Toledo's own Pittsburgh Steeler, Nate Washington.
The games have been rededicated this year to honor
Jennifer Adams. Until her death in 2006, Jennifer coordinated recreation
activities for the Lucas County Board of Mental Retardation and
Developmental Disabilities, a position she had held for 25 years. She
also served as the Special Olympics Regional Director.
Superintendent John Trunk's next public
forum is May 13
Superintendent John Trunk's next open forum will be
Tuesday, May 13, 9:30 a.m., at the Board's Administration Building, 1154
Larc Lane. John will update us on the status of the levy campaign ─ the
financial need; Commissioners’ Citizens Review Committee; Timelines;
Preliminary strategy; and the Campaign Committee organizational chart.
These open forums follow a friendly conversational format and are
designed to update families, providers and advocates of issues being
addressed by the Board of MR/DD.
The Superintendent's forum will be followed by a
meeting of the Lott Parent Group at 11:30 a.m. in the Great Room at Larc
Lane Center, 1155 Larc Lane. Lunch provided. This is the last meeting
until September 9th.
Dr. William Wolfe takes the Oath of Office
as new Board member
Lucas
County Probate Judge Jack Puffenberger administers the Oath of Office to
Dr. William Wolfe, who becomes the newest member of the Lucas County
Board of MR/DD. Dr. Wolfe is a former Assistant Professor in the U.T.
College of Education. He has also served on the boards of Project
SEARCH, Project SCOUT, and the Ability Center of Greater Toledo. He is
the parent of an adult daughter with developmental disabilities. Dr.
Wolfe fills the seat left empty with the recent resignation of Mark
Jacoby.
Christina Cortez recognized as Staff Person
of the Month
Chris Cortez, Travel Trainer in the Transportation
Department, is similar to the Energizer Bunny.. . she keeps going and
going and going. Chris is dedicated to training and making
recommendations for the safest, least restrictive, and most appropriate
form of transportation, based on each passenger’s particular needs and
skill level. The world of community travel demands a great deal of
flexibility. It is not unusual for Chris’ day to begin at 5:30 a.m. and
stretch through the evening hours. Chris makes herself available to
passengers and their families 24 hours a day/7 days a week to answer
questions, schedule additional follow-up training and to ensure that
everything is going well. One day you might see Chris teaching someone
how to take TARTA to a site in the community for volunteer work, and the
next day Chris may be riding a TARPS vehicle to assist a passenger
riding to an art class. The Board is honored to recognize her as the
April 2008 Staff Person of the Month.
Board passes resolution opposing Ohio House
Bill 480
In a unanimous vote, the Lucas County Board of MR/DD
approved a resolution opposing Ohio House Bill 480. The legislation
would allow cities and townships that are current members the right to
withdraw unilaterally from TARTA. Should a community leave TARTA, bus
service, para-transit service and Call-a-Ride service would be
discontinued. “That would deny many people transportation to jobs,
medical appointments and other necessities of life,” TARTA General
Manager Jim Gee told the Board. He also said that House Bill 480 has the
potential to create cutbacks in service in communities that remain
members.
Self-Advocates from Lucas County attend special event at the
Statehouse
Self-advocates
from Lucas County pose with John Martin, Director of the Ohio Department
of MR/DD, at a rally in the Statehouse to mark the kick-off for Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities
(MRDD) Awareness Month. “When Doors Open, We Succeed,” the statewide theme for this
year’s MRDD Awareness Month activities, encourages
people to welcome individuals with disabilities as equal partners in
their communities.
The celebration of MRDD Awareness Month offers a
statewide opportunity to encourage people to gain a better understanding
of the nearly 80,000 individuals who are served in Ohio.
State legislators tour EduCare Center and
the Lott Industries facility
on Hill Avenue
(from left) State Senator Teresa
Fedor, State Representative Barbara Sears, State Senator Rick Wagoner
and Board of MR/DD member Dr. Libby Ruppert at a recent visit to the
EduCare Center. the EduCare Center houses the Early Intervention
Program and the Prescribed Pediatrics Unit.
Self-Advocate of the Year honors are
presented to Kelly and Mark Stephenson
Many
people might say that Kelly and Mark Stephenson are defying the odds.
But this happy couple is proud to show off their impeccable home, talk
about success on their jobs, and discuss their hobbies and volunteer
work at their church. Kelly and Mark have been married for two years.
Mark has been employed at the Reynolds Road Animal Clinic for 11 years.
Kelly, for the past two years, has been part of the Lott Industries
enclave and Calphalon. Service and Support Specialist Pamela Snyder says
Mark and Kelly utilize natural supports for some things, but for the
most part, they are living independently. Theirs is a story of dreams,
commitment, love, a supporting family infrastructure, and an inclusive
community. Our best wishes and hearty congratulations to Kelly and Mark
Stephenson, the 2007 Self-Advocates of the Year.
Annual Spirit Award is presented to
Don Horton
The annual Spirit Award presented by the Lucas County
Board of MR/DD recognizes a lifetime of dedication to improving the
lives of individuals with mr/dd. This involvement and leadership of this
year’s recipient, Don Horton, have helped create and sustain a program
of services and supports that is considered one of the best in the
state. Don and his wife Nancy have a long, long history of advocacy as
members of the Arc of Lucas County — or as it was called in the early
days, LARC. Whether it was volunteering for the Bike Hike or the Gift
Wrap or serving as an officer, Don Horton has never said no. And who
could challenge Don’s dedication and commitment to Camp Courageous.
Through the decades his thumb-print could be found on scores of building
and repair projects. Don has been a mainstay of the Lott Parents’ Group,
often serving as its president. Additionally, Don has volunteered
countless hours to help promote past Lucas County Board levies and has
served as Treasurer of the Levy Committee. On behalf of individuals with
developmental disabilities, The Board wishes to thanks Don for his
lifetime of service with the 2007 Spirit Award.
Board approves 2008 Action Plan
The Board's 2008 Action Plan (click
here to read) continues the commitment to serving children and
adults, accessing other sources of revenue, strengthening partnerships
and supporting self advocacy.
Board meets requirements for five-year
accreditation
After an extensive review of programs, services, procedures and
policies, the Lucas County Board of MR/DD has maintained its
accreditation from the State of Ohio. “Our five year accreditation
affirms that we not only met the standards, but exceed them,” said
Superintendent John Trunk. “This accreditation, as well as our recent
accreditation from the Commission of Accreditation of Rehabilitation
Facilities, demonstrates to our community that services for individuals
with developmental disabilities are being delivered in a quality manner
and tax dollars are being spent prudently,” he said.
“We are very pleased with our accreditations and pledge to continue
providing services in a top quality manner. “This accomplishment would
not have been possible without the effort of every single staff member,”
said Mr. Trunk. “This was a real team effort.” Mr. Trunk said surveyors
were impressed with all aspects of Board services and particularly with
the Board’s efforts to utilize feedback from persons served and their
families in the decision-making process.
.jpg)
