FairfieldDD QIP 2019 progress report long V9 single

Quality Improvement Plan 2019 

***DRAFT*** Fairfield County Board of Developmental Disabilies Quality Improvement Plan—2019 p.1

Contents 

Background ......................................................................... 3 

Mission, Vision, Values and Commitments .......................... 4-5 

Polical Landscape ............................................................... 6 

Survey Results ...................................................................... 7 

Key Themes 

Vibrant Community ............................................................. 8 

Fulfilling Lives ....................................................................... 9 

Meaningful Contribuons .................................................... 10 

Fairfield by the Numbers ...................................................... 11 

Highlight: Partnership with Ohio University ......................... 11 

Commitments 

Foster excellence through technology 

efficiency and creavity ........................................................ 12-17 

Use person-centered planning 

and only help where and when 

we are invited and needed ................................................... 18-21 

Support equality as people build 

meaningful connecons within 

each of their communies ................................. 22-25 

Build and strengthen community 

partnerships through training, 

outreach and guidance. ........................... 26-31 

Contact Informaon ............................ 32 

On the cover—Adeline Mahews, a child receiving Early Intervenon Services 

p.2 ***DRAFT***Fairfield County Board of Developmental Disabilies Quality Improvement Plan—2019

Background 

This is the third annual Quality Improvement Plan, part of our 5-year, long-range strategy 

entled Connect the Future 2017-2021. This plan plots the direcon for our agency; 

making sure we have an overall plan for success. We will review it each year to measure 

our progress. This is also the me we rethink our objecves to make sure they sll make 

sense. We’ll change those goals that need to be changed and add new tasks for those 

challenges that become a priority. 

Progress from 2007 through 2011 emphasized collaboraon and partnerships. We were 

able to expand supported employment opportunies following the Employment First 

Iniave. We coordinated transdisciplinary early intervenon services, now provided in 

the natural environment of the family. Finally, we began our efforts to create a model 

transion partnership between school and vocaonal opportunies. 

Connuing on in 2012 through 2016, Fairfield DD focused on supporng each person’s 

“personal genius” and, in doing so, found that each person’s life was enhanced when they 

had more opportunies to find ways in which they could give back to their communies. 

Person-Centered Planning was a key concept in helping each person find a balance of 

wants and needs. 

In order to Connect the Future, we asked for input from staff, providers, community 

members, businesses and people we support, as well as their families. The informaon we 

collected about the present and the future helped guide us over the impending changes 

happening in our field. The quesons we asked were: 

• What else would you like to see us doing? 

• What are two of the most important things you see happening in 2021 and how do we 

get there? 

• How we can ensure quality services from private providers when County Boards are no 

longer allowed to provide direct service to adults with disabilies? 

The answers we received to those quesons guided the direcon of the 2017-2021 long 

range strategic plan and framed this document with concrete ideas to help us Connect 

the Future. 


Our Mission 

Bring about a vibrant community where 

people lead fulfilling lives and make 

meaningful contributions. 

Vision 

To realize a community that values the contributions of 

every person. 

Fairfield DD will lead a transformation to a community that values 

individual differences. When invited, we will partner with individuals to 

create connections and develop skills as they take their chosen place in the 

community. We will cultivate a network of providers with a common vision 

to support people with the services they need, so they can achieve the 

lives they desire. 


Values & Commitments 

• We value hard work, innovation and fiscal 

responsibility. Therefore, we commit to 

fostering excellence through technology, 

efficiency and creativity. 

• We value personalized services and choice. 

Therefore, we commit to person-centered 

planning and only help where and when we 

are invited and needed. 

• We value relationships built on respect. 

Therefore, we commit to supporting equality 

as people build meaningful connections 

within each of their communities. 

• We value collaboration and 

partnerships. Therefore, we commit 

to building and strengthening 

community partnerships through 

training, outreach and 

guidance. 


Poli'cal Landscape 

Se!ngs Rule 

The Federal Government issued its final rendion of the SeJngs Rule in January 2014. It is perhaps one of 

the most significant direcves to come from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in recent years. 

Instead of describing where a service should be provided, and focus shiMs to the experience of the individual 

and includes specific direcon on what must be included to be eligible for Medicaid reimbursement. The list 

of requirements includes: 

• The seJng is integrated in, and supports full access to, the greater community; 

• The seJng is selected by the individual from among seJng opons; 

• The seJng ensures individual rights of privacy, dignity and respect, and freedom from coercion and 

restraint; 

• The seJng opmizes autonomy and independence in making life choices; and 

• The seJng facilitates choice regarding services and who provides them. 

This rule is simple in concept, but extensive in its reach. Our provider network will need to change much of 

the work we do to accommodate these new requirements. 

Workforce Crisis 

Another trend that has been building over the last couple of years reached full maturity in 2018. A strong 

economy and plenful jobs in the area made for a difficult climate to hire and retain qualified staff for many 

of our providers. Employee turnover for some of our providers now exceeds 50% annually. Ohio Private 

Resource Associaon (OPRA) esmates that replacing a single direct-care employee costs a provider $3,000. 

The acquision cost is just the start; when we lose an employee we also lose the relaonship that employee 

had with the individual they serve. Our county board has taken the bold posion of providing a host of 

supports to providers who are part of The Excellence Network. By defraying their cost in training and other 

areas, we enable those providers to spend more money retaining their staff. Our plans for 2019 include an 

extensive recruitment campaign for new direct-service personnel, creang a pool of qualified staff, tested 

and trained, for providers who parcipate in The Excellence Network. 

Electronic Visit Verifica'on (EVV) 

This year will see the full implementaon of EVV throughout Ohio. EVV requires a vendor providing services 

to use a device to login at the start of the service and to logout at the end. Each service is authorized by the 

individual being served (using a variety of methods appropriate to the individual). The purpose of this 

technology is to help control Medicaid fraud and put proper controls in place to ensure the service being 

billed for was actually provided. 

This year, most providers of Homemaker/Personal Care (HPC) will be required to use these devices. Some of 

our providers (including shared living arrangements and day-rate providers) will be excluded from using 

these devices, at least during the inial implementaon phases. 


Survey Results 

Throughout the year we seek the advice of a variety of stakeholders in order to gauge the efficacy of our 

services, and to find addional areas of need. 

Family Survey 

The Family Survey asked some basic quesons. Who is caring for the 

individual? What are their needs? Are their needs being met? It wasn’t 

surprising that more than 80% of the 164 families responding reported that 

family members were the primary caregivers. What was a surprise is that 

nearly 60% of families had caregivers over the age of 50. Throughout the 

survey, it is clear that needs are significant, funding is crical, and finding 

qualified and willing staff is a challenge. 

Family Day Program Survey 

Recent direcves from Federal and State government required Fairfield DD to disconnue providing services 

at the Opportunity Center because of a potenal conflict of interest with coordinang and funding the 

service as well. One survey asked families about their sasfacon with private day 

programs in Fairfield County. Most of the 23 families who responded reported 

posive results with their current provider, with many reporng that they had no 

recommendaons for improvement. Some had less posive experiences, with a 

few lamenng the closure of the Opportunity Center. In the graph to the leM, one 

interesng fact was that nearly 60% of the adults responding have a job or are in 

some stage of geJng ready for employment. We serve a diverse range of people. 

This survey reminds us of the need for a wide variety of services, unique for each 

person we serve. 

Day Care/Latch Key Survey 

In 2017, the President’s Commi1ee for People with Intellectual Disabili'es published a report that included 

a startling fact; 53% of families reported they had to make major career 

concessions—including quiJng their job—in order to care for a family 

member with a disability (p.20). Our recent survey asking families about 

finding adequate daycare for their child showed similar results; fully 67% 

of the 58 families responding have had to make significant changes. One 

parent, a nurse, changed to third shiM because she couldn’t find a 

qualified caregiver during the day. For others, the cost of daycare was 

so expensive they had to quit their job because it made sense financially. 

Those families who responded “other” included short-term 

complicaons in finding caregivers, to short-term expenses that might 

be expected for any child. This demonstrated need will result in a new 

acon step; see 4.12 on page 30 for more informaon. 


What defines a Vibrant Community? 

Individuals with developmental disabilies are not only living in the community, but are 

valued members of the community. 

Acceptance of people with disabilies who are recognized for their many giMs and talents. 

Replacement of negave stereotypes with knowledge based on experiences and 

relaonships. 

Effecve, efficient use of public funds with maximum return on investments. 

Strong and effecve partnerships with other agencies and organizaons, leading to the 

efficient use of public resources. 

2018 Accomplishments 

• This year represented our 10th Celebraon of Possibilies. 

• The Council for the Accreditaon of Rehabilitaon Facilies (CARF) reviewed our agency in 

February and we received a wonderful review; just 3 minor recommendaons—our best 

performance ever. 

• Early Intervenon hosted the Winter Family Event aTended by 30 families. This was a special 

event that used music to help boost confidence and curiosity. The event was led by LyneTe 

Kline, a WeJoySing Instructor. 

• We reached a new milestone; over 1200 connecons in our Community Connecons 

Manager (CCM) program; more than one connecon for each person we serve. We believe 

community connecons are the building blocks for the future of our program. 

• We collaborated with the Lancaster Parks and Recreaon Department to provide accessible, 

all-ability outdoor day camps for children and to redesign the annual Santa in the Park event, 

making it accessible to people with mobility issues and sensory issues. 

• We began a new partnership with the Lancaster YMCA when they agreed to permanently 

host the monthly Community Dance, previously held in a more segregated seJng, as well as a 

group of self-advocates who meet just before the dance. 

• Jen Walling, our Invesgave Agent, has worked with local police authories to have a 

greater understanding of the issues they face when working with people who have 

disabilies. 

• We received two grants this past year; the first provides emergency respite care and training, 

while the second will help us develop remote supports for independent living. Both are in 

collaboraon with Perry and Licking County Boards of DD. 

• Established a strong partnership with the local 211 board for payee services. 


How do we help people lead Fulfilling Lives? 

Assisng families and individuals as they explore opportunies in the community. 

Offering high-quality, individualized services ensuring successful and consistent outcomes 

from birth throughout ongoing DD services. 

Supporng strong networks of relaonships in the community that are beyond paid supports 

and focus more on natural supports. 

Assuring health, safety and welfare. 

Supporng the use of respecWul language, tone of voice and nonverbal communicaon. 

Supporng people to feel confident to make changes and take control of their lives, plans and 

employment paths. 

Dedicang local funds to ensure that no one waits for the services they need. 

Recruing quality providers, as well as meeng with all new providers to ensure they will be 

able to meet the needs of individuals served. 


• Connued to strengthen and develop The Excellence Network, a provider resource and 

training group dedicated to creang the best services available in Ohio. 

• Established a muldisciplinary team to provide inial training for new providers, and ongoing 

training for exisng providers. 

• Began the Disable the Label campaign; a public educaon effort for students and adults that 

encourages people to move away from those labels that separate us and to understand that 

the only significant label a person should have is their name. 

• Restructured the Dual-Diagnosis Response Team (DDRT); an interagency commiTee of 

professionals who work with individuals with the most complex needs to coordinate our 

services, and help those people avoid placement in dedicated psychiatric units. 

• We connue to operate on the principle that although there may be a waing list for some 

funding sources, nobody should have to wait to get the services they need. We oMen 

dedicate local funds to accomplish outcomes we can’t produce any other way. 

• We partnered with our housing corporaon to purchase a home in the community. Now an 

individual lives with provider support in a neighborhood versus an instuon. Three persons 

moved from nursing facilies into homes in the community that fit their physical needs 

through home modificaons and use of adapve equipment. 


How do we help people make Meaningful Contribuons? 

Encouraging people to seek valued roles in the community, including being a home owner, 

leading in community groups and organizaons, and becoming lifelong learners. 

Strengthening people’s voices so they can directly affect what services they have, finding 

more control of their own lives. 

Ensuring individuals receive services in integrated seJngs. 

Supporng people in obtaining community employment that aligns with the Employment 

First official policy adopted by the state of Ohio. 


• Another 16 people found employment in the community this year; represenng a 20% 

increase over last year. 

• Speech pathologists at Forest Rose School began a program to provide training on the 

complex, augmentave and alternave communicaon equipment (AAC) we use to give 

children the giM of speech. Over the spring they taught 9 family members the complex tasks 

required to make these machines effecve. 

• 2018 represented the full privazaon of our adult services program with the final transfer of 

operaons at the Opportunity Center to Learning Never Ends (LNE). By mid-year, LNE had 

moved their operaons to a locaon in downtown Lancaster in order to locate their 

operaons closer to community resources. 

• Students in Project Search parcipated in Empowerment Day at the Crowne Plaza in 

Columbus to learn about networking for professional growth, and to inspire them in their 

professional ambions. 

• Athletes from Fairfield County Special Olympics began praccing in integrated seJngs 

alongside community members, high school peers and 4H club members. They also volunteer 

at the GiM of Time event for underserved children and became responsible for their own 

fundraising acvies. 

• The PowerliMing Team (through Fairfield County Special Olympics) had a tremendous year 

with 13 liMers, four of which parcipated in the state compeon last June. Best of all, three 

of the liMers connue to liM with the rest of the athletes at the gym beyond the acvies of 

the group. One of the athletes even tried out for his high school wrestling squad based on his 

success with the Power LiMers! 


Fairfield DD by the Numbers 

January, 2018 December, 2018 

Total Enrollment ........................................................................ 1,171 1,227 

Total Waiver Enrollment ............................................................. 465 464 

# of Individuals Employed in the Community ............................... 78 94 

Eligible Referrals (Annual, for the previous year) ........................ 169 141 

Partnership with Ohio University 

A partnership with the Russ College of Engineering of Ohio University resulted in an opportunity for graduate 

students to help the students of Forest Rose School. The challenge was to build cars that kids with limited 

mobility could use to get around the school and in the 

process, gain more independence. The cars were ingenious. 

Split into teams, the students 

modified baTery operated cars with 

the special control features they 

thought would best benefit the 

students. 

One team took the praccal 

approach of aTaching foam 

bumpers to a car for safety. 

“WATCHING THE KIDS GET VERY 

EXCITED EVERY TIME WE CAME 

AROUND TO TEST THE CARS WAS SUCH 

A JOY. THEY WERE FASCINATED, 

DISTRACTED, AND EXCITED ALL AT THE 

SAME TIME AND NEVER WANTED TO 

LEAVE. IT WAS A PLEASURE TO HAVE 

THEM RUN RAGGED WITH THE CARS 

GLEEFULLY.” 

OHIOMA EBOREIME, PH.D. STUDENT 

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING 

Another team took an electronic approach, adding collision sensors that would 

stop a car if the student was about to run into something (or someone!). 

Four cars, nine grad students, and an 

unlimited number of smiles later, the 

students at Forest Rose had some sweet 

new rides, and the students from Ohio 

University had a new understanding of how 

their work can posively impact the life of a 

person with a disability. 


Commitment 1: Foster excellence through technology, 

efficiency & creavity 

1.1 

1.2 

1.3 

1.4 

2018 Ac'on Step Lead Progress 

Effecvely maximize local funding in an effort to 

idenfy other funding sources with the use of local 

dollars as payer of last resort. 

Provide awareness of community resources 

beyond waiver funding and waiver waing lists in 

order to assist people to meet their immediate 

needs. 

Develop media producon concepts to share 

stories with our service 

Ulize quantave data and individual stories to 

showcase how personal budgets have supported a 

fulfilling life. 

Michelle Dexter 

Individual Budget & 

Medicaid Service 

Supervisor 

Kyle Morris 

Individual Support 

Coordinator 

Temple Montanez 

Director of 

Community 

Relaons 

Ray Schmidt 

Director of Quality 

We have had mulple trainings for 

providers. We did offer a training for 

teams that included families and 

individuals, but the QIP group missed 

the boat on that a liTle so we are going 

to try that again this year. We had 

conversaons about moving towards 

the expectaon of having providers in 

Imagine to view plans instead of 

sending paper copies. 

We are just moving into the 

maintenance stage of this QIP and 

meeng less oMen. We have recently 

been contacted by other enes to be 

added to our web site as a connecon. 

We will create those connecons as 

appropriate. 

This year we have focused on 

expanding social media use. We began 

an Instagram account, and have 

purchased a new camera that will 

enable us to begin producing beTer 

quality images and video. We also 

launched our podcast and a 2x weekly 

radio show on a new staon with larger 

listenership. 

This has proven to be a difficult goal. 

While we able to idenfy a group of 

people served before and aMer 

individual budgets, determining 

sasfacon reliably before and aMer is 

more problemac. Our findings to date 

suggest that although the cost of 

services has increased (even adjusted 

for inflaon), people are happier when 

in control of the services they receive. 


Modifica'ons for 2019 2019 Ac'on Step 2019 Lead 

We are going to focus on sending less paper 

plans and moving towards the expectaon that 

providers move into the system. 

We will provide more training opportunies for 

families/teams. Addional training opportunies 

and communicaon with providers for moving 

towards not sending paper plans. 

Change lead to LaTisha Bloom. 

Effecvely maximize local funding in an 

effort to idenfy other funding sources 

with the use of local dollars as payer of 

last resort. 

LaTisha Bloom 

ISC Supervisor 

To measure our progress this coming year we 

have discussed tracking the hits we are geJng to 

this path on our website or possibly doing 

another survey on what people are waing for or 

need more informaon on since it has been 4 

years since the inial survey was sent out. 

Provide awareness of community 

resources beyond waiver funding and 

waiver waing lists in order to assist 

people to meet their immediate needs. 

Kyle Morris Individual 

Support Coordinator 

Begin searching for affordable vendors to assist 

with the producon of high-quality videos to 

share. 

Develop media producon concepts to 

share stories with our service 


Director of Community 

Relaons 

In the coming year we will close out this acon 

step with a summary of the work completed. 

Ulize quantave data and individual 

stories to showcase how personal budgets 

have supported a fulfilling life. 

Ray Schmidt Director of 

Quality 


Commitment 1: Technology (Con'nued) 


1.5 

Provide opportunies for families to gain 

informaon on ways to support their children’s 

development ulizing assisve technology at 

home, school, and the community. 

Lori Burns 

Ancillary 

Coordinator 

In 2018, the speech therapists at 

Forest Rose provided 13 parent 

trainings specific to AAC device set up, 

soMware use, etc. Occupaonal 

therapy provided 5 parent trainings 

on switches, interface devices, eye 

gaze access for leisure and adapve 

aids for wring. These trainings were 

completed one on one with parents to 

address individual student needs. 

Addional trainings on assisve 

technology for school staff and 

providers from outside agencies were 

also completed. 

Connuing Sensory Friendly Sundays. 

Began hosng Community Game 

Night each month. 

1.6 

Enhance social purpose enterprises at 150 West 

Main that fosters connecons with all stakeholders 

in an interacve and inclusive seJng that is fun for 

all ages and abilies. 

David Uhl 

Director of 

Business 

Development 

Hosted outside arst for Artwalk for 

the first me with two Arsts in 

Residence displaying their work in 

other locaons downtown. 

Hosted 4 Lancaster Fesval events, 

including Artwalk, Italian Street 

Painng, and Major Arts for Minors. 

Finalist for Social Ventures Nonprofit 

Sustainability Award. 

Parcipang in a pilot project with 

Social Ventures to validate social 

impact and social return on 

investment for 150 West Main Street. 

1.7 

Research transportaon opons and efficiencies 

throughout Fairfield County by collaborang with 

other agencies. 

Kyle Miller 

Director of ASO 

David Baum 

Community 

Outreach Sup. 

Parcipang in the updang of the 

Coordinated Transportaon plan in 

Fairfield county . Through advocacy, 

collaboraon, and funding; LFPT will 

be increasing Loop hours to 10p (End 

of First quarter 2019) and Sat. Loop 

service at the beginning of the month. 

Consulted w/ Carrie W. and CEO of 

RideShare to bring opons of 

microtransit opportunies for people 

to access jobs in Rickenbacker . 



We want to slightly change the acon step to 

bring it in line with our current efforts. 

Provide opportunies for families, 

providers, and/or professionals to gain 

informaon on ways to support 

individuals ulizing assisve technology at 

home, school and in the community. 

Lori Burns 

Ancillary Coordinator 

We will move this acon step to Commitment 3 

(ne Acon Step 3.7), since it more accurately 

reflects the goals of that secon. 

Since David is taking the lead on this step, we will 

change the lead to David. 

Research transportaon opons and 

efficiencies throughout Fairfield County by 

collaborang with other agencies. 

David Baum 

Community Outreach Sup. 


Commitment 1: Technology (Con'nued) 


1.8 

Ulize social media to bridge the gap of systemwide 

connecon and create mulple methods for 

communicaon. 


Director of 

Community 

Relaons 

Our following on Facebook has 

increased to nearly 2,000 and our new 

Instagram account is growing. We also 

are using our blog in conjuncon with 

these outlets. Further, we are 

changing meta-tags on the website to 

increase our visibility on search 

engines. 

1.9 

Offer an Emerging Leaders program to Fairfield DD 

staff to develop skills and opportunies for growth. 

David Uhl 

Director of 

Business 

Development 

8 supervisors aTended (33% of 

leadership team) 

32 employees completed or currently 

enrolled 

11 outside community leaders have 

parcipated 

3rd class currently enrolled 

20% of all staff have completed the 

program 

Currently speaking to outside groups 

on our experience with ELP. 

1.10 

Develop a network of adapve and assisve 

technology resources. 

Ray Schmidt 


We worked extensively this year on 

two projects—the Gadget Factory in 

partnership with Fairfield Medical 

Center, and the acquision of a grant 

for Remote Supports in partnership 

with Licking and Perry Counes. 

1.11 

Provide ongoing assistance to staff , individuals, 

families and providers in using the Imagine System 

Tool to create meaningful outcomes. 

LaTisha Bloom 


We have had mulple trainings for 

providers. We offered a training for 

teams that included families and 

individuals, but the QIP group didn’t 

feel that we reached our full potenal 

on that first effort, so we will try that 

effort again. 

1.12 

Develop and perfect the use of Intellivue to create 

an effecve method to judge the accuracy of 

document scanning. 

Bobby Lovell 

IT Specialist 

Joelle Gardner 

Billing Specialist 

We accomplished a major goal in 

2018; converng all of our scans from 

images to searchable text documents. 

Unfortunately, we also found that a 

good number of the scans we did at 

the school are corrupted. 



Connue to change meta-tags on all websites. 

Develop more 30 second videos for social media 

sharing. 

Ulize social media to bridge the gap of 

system-wide connecon and create 

mulple methods for communicaon. 



Relaons 

Connue, and possibly add a third opon to 

connect graduates with internal mentors for 

further skill development. 

Offer an Emerging Leaders program to 

Fairfield DD staff to develop skills and 

opportunies for growth. 

David Uhl 

Director of Business 

Development 

Connue acon step. Focus will be on the 

development of these two partnerships. 

Develop a network of adapve and 

assisve technology resources. 

Ray Schmidt 


Connue unchanged 

Provide ongoing assistance to staff , 

individuals, families and providers in using 

the Imagine System Tool to create 

meaningful outcomes. 

LaTisha Bloom 


We’ll need to evaluate the return on investment 

for rescanning the corrupt documents, and test 

the accuracy of the scanned documents for being 

aTached to the right person and reliability in 

finding the informaon we need. Only then can 

we discuss destroying paper backup records. 

We’ll connue this acon step unchanged. 

Develop and perfect the use of Intellivue 

to create an effecve method to judge the 

accuracy of document scanning. 

Bobby Lovell 

IT Specialist 

Joelle Gardner 

Billing Specialist 


Commitment 2: Provide person-centered planning and only 

help where and when we are invited and needed. 


2.1 

Promote opportunies for individuals to develop 

self-advocacy skills that focus on selfdeterminaon. 

David Baum 

Community 

Outreach 

Supervisor 

In 2018 a group of stakeholders including selfadvocates, 

providers, and others reviewed an 

“Acon Plan” of what advocacy and selfdeterminaon 

looks like and ways to measure 

progress with this step. ScoT Campbell has 

taken over the dues of running the selfadvocacy 

group (Dynamite Abilies Advocacy 

Group) in the beginning of January 2018. A 

second self-advocacy group was started on 

Friday nights before dances lead by Rejenna 

Smith, Provider, and Julie B. 

2.2 

Promote opportunies for individuals to achieve 

outcomes idenfied through Person-Centered 

Planning. 

Wendy Ricker 

Director of 

Services & 

Supports 

In 2018, ISCs and supervisors consulted with 

MEORC on three occasions to review the 

quality of outcomes idenfied through 

person-centered planning. Based on these 

reviews, retraining occurred with ISCs and 

new strategies were put in place to ensure 

that outcomes are more specific and 

measurable. 

2.3 

Provide staff with opportunies and acvies to 

gain trust, respect, and open communicaon, 

leading to a culture of engagement. 

Kris' Patrick 

ISC 

Our “Living the Values” program was a real 

success this year with several giM cards issued 

and a lunch with John for a few of the 

winners. 

We connue to periodically provide 

unannounced treats to boost morale. 

Instuted “Monthly Mingles” program to 

bring the staff together once a month for an 

educaonal and fun acvity. 

2.4 

Reduce the number of rights restricons and 

aversive behavior support plans through training, 

educaon, and pracce of posive intervenon 

techniques 

Dean Rallof 

Behavior 

Support 

Coordinator 

Although we weren’t able to totally eliminate 

any plans last year, we had a significant 

reducon in the number of restricons—11 

restricons removed from 7 plans, while 16 

restricons were lessened. We currently have 

a total of 31 acve plans with restricons. 

2.5 

Encourage Person-Centered thinking and 

planning through support, training, and 

integraon of these pracces. 

Lois Everi1 


Over the course of the past year several ISCs 

aTended training in Person Centered 

Thinking. We hosted Charng the Life Course, 

and worked with The Excellence Network of 

providers . 

Presented Charng the Life Course to families 

in September. 


Modifica'ons for 2019 

2019 Ac'on Step 

2019 Lead 


Promote opportunies for individuals to develop 

self-advocacy skills that focus on selfdeterminaon. 

David Baum 

Community Outreach 

Supervisor 

Connue for 2019. We will work with 

DODD to idenfy the best way to 

measure achieved outcomes in the 

Imagine System and to obtain 

sasfacon informaon. 

Promote opportunies for individuals to achieve 

outcomes idenfied through Person-Centered 

Planning. 

Wendy Ricker 

Director of Services & 

Supports 


Provide staff with opportunies and acvies to 

gain trust, respect, and open communicaon, 

leading to a culture of engagement. 

Kris' Patrick 

ISC 


For next year, we want to track the 

number of plans where restricons 

were recommended, but where posive 

intervenons eliminated the need. 

Reduce the number of rights restricons and 

aversive behavior support plans through training, 

educaon, and pracce of posive intervenon 

techniques 

Dean Rallof 

Behavior Support 

Coordinator 

Connue as is 

Encourage Person-Centered thinking and planning 

through support, training, and integraon of these 

pracces. 

Lois Everi1 



Commitment 2: Person Centered Planning (Con'nued) 


2.6 

Increase employment outcomes that directly link 

to a person’s interests. 

Leslie Dancho 

Community 

Support 

Manager 

David Baum 

Community 

Outreach 

Supervisor 

JobFusion assisted 32 people in obtaining 

employment in 2018. All of the people that 

gained employment found jobs directly linked 

to their interests. 

29 individuals obtained employment from 

support by various vendors other than 

JobFusion in Fairfield County. 86.2% (24) were 

linked with employment related to their 

interest. Five individuals also sought and 

obtained their own jobs with inial supports 

to obtain employment they were seeking. 

2.7 

Establish a Parent Advisory Council at Forest Rose 

School that aligns with the “Step Up to Quality” 

program to provide parents an arena to share 

informaon and discuss challenging issues their 

students face. 

Jodi Blais 

Director of 

Educaonal 

Services 

We scheduled an inial meeng, but needed 

to cancel due to weather. A new meeng will 

be scheduled. 

Group members aTended webinars 

sponsored by the Naonal Council for 

Behavioral Health, as well as the 5 th annual 

Ohio Trauma Informed Care Summit May 22- 

23, 2018 

2.8 

Establish a Trauma Informed Care Task Force that 

specializes in aiding staff, individuals, families, 

providers, and all other stakeholders with 

techniques, training and ongoing assistance. 

Dean Rallof 

Behavior 

Support 

Coordinator 

Developed an email address for quesons 

regarding trauma and resiliency & 

presented preliminary informaon at All Staff 

in spring 

Working with All Staff Training CommiTee for 

future speakers related to Trauma Informed 

Support and Resiliency 

Group members aTended all day mid-year 

meeng/training with other cohort members 

and Naonal Council behavioral health staff. 

Two staff aTended the 8-week mindfulness 

training course. 

Currently working with Anne Mikan to 

develop Lunch and Learn sessions for Fairfield 

DD staff related to Trauma Informed Support 

and Resiliency 

2.9 

Begin to research and develop informaon that 

will track employment progress on transion age 

students as they explore opons in the 

community that will be used to create a synopsis 

of “Where They are Now.” 

Susan Barne1 


The commiTee has been selected and 

formed; first meeng in February, 2019. We 

will use graduaon lists and the Community 

Connecons Manager to assist in this task. 




Increase employment outcomes that directly link to 

a person’s interests. 

Leslie Dancho 

Community Support 

Manager 

David Baum 


Supervisor 

We want to connue this task, but 

changing the focus from Step up to 

Quality to a broader audience. 

Connue to meet with the Parent Advisory Council 

at Forest Rose School to provide parents an arena 

to share informaon and discuss challenging issues 

their students face. 

Jodi Blais 

Director of Educaonal 

Services 

Connue acon step; change leads to 

Pam Whiteley and Jen Walling 

In on ongoing effort to move from a 

care-giver mentality to one focused on 

community building, we’re changing 

Trauma Informed Care to Trauma 

Informed Support. 

Establish a Trauma Informed Support Task Force 

that specializes in aiding staff, individuals, families, 

providers, and all other stakeholders with 

techniques, training and on going assistance. 

Jen Walling 

Invesgave Agent 

Pam Whiteley 

Community Art & Training 

Specialist 


Begin to research and develop informaon that will 

track employment progress on transion age 

students as they explore opons in the community 

that will be used to create a synopsis of “Where 

They are Now.” 

Susan Barne1 



Commitment 3: Support equality as people build meaningful 

connecons within each of their communies. 


AMer 7 years of distribung funding for the 

Summer Scholarship Program, we have gained 

many more integrated and non-integrated 

camps. 

3.1 

Increase access to community-based, 

summerme acvies for children and youth 

using a Person-Centered approach, focusing on 

interests, giMs and talents. 

Kathy Curry 

Family 

Support 

Services 

Coordinator 

We had a total of 100 individuals that were 

alloTed scholarships. Some individuals could 

not or did not ulize the funding alloTed to 

them. At that point, we pulled individuals 

from the waing list. The remaining waing 

list included 16 individuals. 

36 integrated and non-integrated camps were 

funded or assisted with funding by the 

Summer Scholarship Program. 

74 individuals aTended camps/programs 

ulizing the Summer Scholarship Program in 

2018. Some were able to ulize their funding 

for more than one camp, and/or more than 

one session. 

3.2 

Provide Forest Rose School transion-age 

students with preparaon for living and working 

in a 21st century global community. 

Cathy Hunter 

Supervisor of 

Student 

Services 

Donna Goehring (FRS Teacher) and Dayna 

Rhea (Instructor Assistant) aTended training 

on transion/vocaonal services. 

Collaborated with our Occupaonal Therapist 

to develop vocaonal task boxes. 

3.3 

Promote family engagement and community 

focused socializaon by offering opportunies for 

open discussion, training and relaonship 

building. 

Julie 

Bruckelmeyer 

Community 

Connecons 

Coordinator 

Rebecca 

Nixon 

EI Supervisor 

Teresa 

Scarpe! 


The EI team and the Community Connecons 

Coordinator hosted a total of seven Family 

Events in 2018. There were two sessions with 

WE JOY SING at Peace United Methodist 

Church in Pickerington. 26 family members 

parcipated. 

We had two gatherings for families at parks in 

Pickerington and in Balmore. 30 family 

members parcipated. There was another 

event at Pigeon Roost Farm in Hebron, Ohio 

on 9/18. 46 family members parcipated. 

There were two sessions of Storyme Yoga in 

Lancaster and Balmore. Nine family 

members parcipated (decreased aTendance 

to too snowstorm). 

Finally, we conducted twelve Early 

Intervenon and Friends Playgroups at the 

Early Literacy Center (one me monthly). A 

total of 226 family members parcipated. 



This has been a successful program, 

aTaining the goal of the acon step for 

each of the last two years. At this point 

we view it as a mature program, and it 

will connue at its current funding level 

Ac'on Step Accomplished! 


Provide Forest Rose School transion-age students 

with preparaon for living and working in a 21st 

century global community. 

Cathy Hunter 

Supervisor of Student 

Services 

Change 

Promote community engagement and relaonship 

building to assist individuals of all ages, families, 

and caregivers to expand their access and circle of 

supports through a variety of opportunies and 

partnerships in the community. 

Julie Bruckelmeyer 

Community Connecons 

Coordinator 

Rebecca Nixon 

EI Supervisor 

Teresa Scarpe! 



Commitment 3: Equality (Con'nued) 


Completed a 12-workshop professional 

development series, facilitated by 

professional arst Daric Gill. This brought in 

several local arsts throughout the year. 

3.4 

Enrich the Arst in Residency (AIR) program at 

150 West Main, ensuring an interesng arst 

community. 

Pam Whiteley 

Community 

Art & Training 

Specialist 

Two qualifying arsts applied to VSA’s juried 

exhibion and were accepted. 

Two arsts applied and were accepted to the 

2018 Art Walk. There were 3 addional arsts 

parcipang in 2018 for a total of 7 working 

arsts. 

AIR Experience had its first exhibion at the 

Garret Gallery in the Fairfield Co Dist. Library. 

One arst was invited to exhibit at the 

NASDDS Conference and sold a piece. 

16 students parcipated in Project Search at 

FMC. There were eight students from the 

class of 2018 while eight new students from 

the class of 2019 began the program. 

3.5 

Offer and support internship opportunies that 

build a foundaon for employment through 

partnerships with Fairfield Medical Center and 

Project Search, 150 West Main, and the River 

Valley Mall through DiscoverU. 

Leslie Dancho 

Community 

Outreach 

Supervisor 

There were approximately 47 students from 

four different schools that parcipated in 

internships at the River Valley Mall through 

DiscoverU. 

There were 14 people that completed Job 

Readiness Training within River Valley Mall 

through DiscoverU. 

There were five people that parcipated in 

internships at 150 West Main. 

Lisa Boley 

3.6 

Build internal support for the regional iniave 

known as The Gathering that focuses on best 

pracces for on-going learning in our field with 

commiTee members from DD professionals, 

MEORC, DODD, families, individuals, and 

providers. 

ISC 

Karissa 

Carpenter 

Strategic 

Planning 

Coordinator 

Karissa Carpenter aTended on behalf of the 

County Board at this year’s event. She 

reported that many county boards from 

around the state are now aTending, with 

some sending five staff or more. 

3.7 



Change the acon step to more closely 

represent what we want to accomplish 

The studio space itself will face 

significant changes over the next year as 

we look for a new home. 

Enrich the Arst in Residence program through an 

integrated arst community. 

Pam Whiteley 

Community Art & Training 

Specialist 

Change the acon step to more closely 

represent what we want to accomplish 

Offer and support internship opportunies that 

transform a community to recognize individual 

differences, promong growth, progress, and 

independence. Partner with Project Search 

through Fairfield Medical Center, 150 West Main, 

and the companies of River Valley Mall through 

DiscoverU. 

Leslie Dancho 


Supervisor 

We recommend making this a broader 

effort for our organizaon. For next 

year, we’ve budgeted for four staff 

members to aTend this event in 2019. 

Another factor is our desire to support a 

venue where people with disabilies 

have a strong voice in the future of 

service provision. We’ll spend some 

me this year evaluang whether the 

Gathering is the vehicle for this desire. 

Moved from Acon Step 1.6 

Build internal support for the regional iniave 

known as The Gathering that focuses on best 

pracces for on-going learning in our field with 

commiTee members from DD professionals, 

MEORC, DODD, families, individuals, and providers. 

Enhance social purpose enterprises at 150 West 

Main that fosters connecons with all stakeholders 

in an interacve and inclusive seJng that is fun for 

all ages and abilies. 

Ray Schmidt 

Director of Quality, 

Innovaon & Planning 

David Uhl 


Development 


Commitment 4: Build and strengthen community 

partnerships through training, outreach and guidance. 


4.1 

Increase opportunies for Forest Rose School 

students to parcipate in meaningful ways in 

their home school districts and communies by 

increasing community-wide capacity and 

capability for including all children in public 

schools and beyond. 

Jodi Blais 

Director of 

Educaonal 

Services 

Accomplished many trainings for school 

district therapists when transioning children 

back to their home school districts. We have 

found this to be a real challenge, and even 

though the teams have felt prepared for the 

transion, reality was much more difficult. 

One real success was when our Senior Class 

reached out to the students’ home districts, 

resulng in weekly shared art classes at 

Fairfield Union. 

4.2 

Partner with mental health agencies during the 

Dual Diagnosis Resource Team meengs as a way 

to collaborate and brainstorm effecve ways to 

help those with dual diagnoses. 

Jen Walling 

Invesgave 

Agent 

During 2018 we expanded our partners 

involvement in Crisis Intervenon Team 

training. We are pursuing recognion as a 

qualified MI/DD team. Finally, we developed 

a new review and agenda system. 

4.3 

Ulize the Play Project as a plaWorm to guide and 

train Early Intervenon and Forest Rose School 

staff in providing evidence-based services to 

families with children on the ausm spectrum. 

Rebecca 

Nixon 

EI Supervisor 

Jodi Blais 

Director of 

Educaonal 

Services 

AMer working with this program for the past 

two years, we’ve found that it doesn’t 

completely address the issues our families 

face. Specifically, we want to equip our 

families with more teaching resources, 

especially Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) 

techniques. 

4.4 

Culvate the founding principles and engage 

providers to expand the Provider Partnership 

Program designed to ensure quality services and 

professional development. 

Ray Schmidt 

Director of 

Quality 

With regular meengs and two resource fairs 

in 2018, The Excellence Network is well on its 

way to being a true resource for providers in 

Fairfield County. We established a “provider 

portal” for online resources, and started the 

transion to our new Provider Support 

Department (formerly Adult Services) 

4.5 

Develop a learning plaWorm that will meet the 

needs of staff and providers in our service 

network. 

Ray Schmidt 

Director of 

Quality 

AMer looking at and experimenng with 

several plaWorms, we’ve decided on the webbased 

version of Moodle. Anne is currently 

populang this plaWorm with our first courses 

with the first classes scheduled for early 2019. 




Increase opportunies for Forest Rose School 

students to parcipate in meaningful ways in their 

home school districts and communies by 

increasing community-wide capacity and capability 

for including all children in public schools and 

beyond. 

Jodi Blais 


Services 

Focus on connuing expanding partners 

Develop community training plans, 

work to improve data collecon of 

progress. 

Partner with mental health agencies during the 

Dual Diagnosis Resource Team meengs as a way 

to collaborate and brainstorm effecve ways to 

help those with dual diagnoses. 

Jen Walling 

Invesgave Agent 

Connue, but with change in acon step 

language. Change lead to Jodi & Cathy 

Add Kyle Miller as co-lead; change step 

to reflect 

Train Forest Rose School staff in providing evidence 

-based services to families with children on the 

ausm spectrum. 

Fully implement The Excellence Network including 

Staff recruitment and online training and 

conferencing opons. 

Jodi Blais 


Services 

Cathy Hunter 

Supervisor of Student 

Services 

Ray Schmidt 


Kyle Miller 

Director of Adult Service 

Opons 

Connue acon step; change lead to 

Anne Mikan, Professional Development 

Coordinator. 

Develop a learning plaWorm that will meet the 

needs of staff and providers in our service network. 

Anne Mikan 

Professional Development 

Coordinator 


Commitment 4: Community Partnerships (Con'nued) 


4.6 

Meet with newly cerfied independent and 

agency providers with the purpose of ensuring 

the provider understands the individual service 

plan and their responsibilies. 

Mark Geisler 

Quality 

Assurance 

Specialist 

Wendy Ricker 

Services and 

Supports 

Director 

The Department of Quality staff met with 16 

newly cerfied independent providers and 4 

newly cerfied agency providers (or exisng 

agency providers who added new services to 

their cerficaon) to assist them with 

understanding their responsibilies including 

training, documentaon and service plan 

requirements. 

Addionally, the department of Adult Services 

Opons and the Department of Quality, 

working collaboravely, met with 19 agency 

providers to offer CB assistance. One of the 

services offered is helping providers maintain 

their understanding of requirements, 

including service plan requirement and 

several providers have received this 

assistance . 

Also, a system has been developed to track 

when ISCs meet with and review the ISP with 

providers the individuals on their caseload 

select (newly cerfied or not). 

Finally, we developed a tracking system for all 

interacons with providers including provider 

training, events aTended, and other acvies, 

coordinated through all county staff. 

4.7 

Build quality among provider partners through 

training, technical assistance, outreach and 

support aligning with Community & Employment 

First. 

Kyle Miller 

Director of 

ASO 

Leslie Dancho 

Community 

Support 

Manager 

We were able to meet with 18 different 

providers in 2018 to discuss provider supports 

available to them. In total, we’ve provided 

supports to 21 different providers. 

We have responded with various trainings to 

five providers (dependent on their parcular 

need), and non-training support to five 

addional providers. 

David Uhl 

4.8 

Facilitate a Business Advisory Council involving 

local businesses to share informaon and gain 

input for increased community employment 

success. 

Director of 

Business 

Development 

JobFusion 

Job 

Developers 

We currently have six community members 

serving on the commiTee. 

One result of our meengs were 80 leads/ 

name connecons resulng in ten jobs for 

people with disabilies. 




Meet with newly cerfied independent and agency 

providers with the purpose of ensuring the 

provider understands the individual service plan 

and their responsibilies. 

Mark Geisler 

Quality Assurance 

Specialist 

Wendy Ricker 

Services and Supports 

Director 


Build quality among provider partners through 

training, technical assistance, outreach and support 

aligning with Community & Employment First. 

Kyle Miller 

Director of ASO 

Leslie Dancho 

Community Support 

Manager 


Facilitate a Business Advisory Council involving local 

businesses to share informaon and gain input for 

increased community employment success. 

David Uhl 


Development 

JobFusion 

Job Developers 


Commitment 4: Community Partnerships (Con'nued) 


4.9 

Enhance business development by connecng 

community leaders to the organizaon. 

David Uhl 

Director of 

Business 

Development 

We currently have 202 connecons or 

contacts. Our acve relaonships include: 

94 For-profit businesses 

33 Government agencies 

45 Not-for-profit Organizaons 

4.10 

Establish a community outreach taskforce 

offering informaon to local businesses in an 

effort to build relaonships and offer inclusive 

opportunies for all people. 

Temple 

Montanez 

Director of 

Community 

Relaons 

Our Outreach Group Side by Side spoke to five 

community groups in 2018. In addion, we 

provided training to the Pickerington Library 

system, Pickerington Middle School and staff 

at Geneva Hills and Alley Park day camps. 

4.11 

Build an internal team of Live Safe trainers that 

can provide safe and engaging opons to people 

with disabilies. 

Karissa 

Carpenter 

Strategic 

Planning 

Coordinator 

Karissa leM for another job opportunity this 

past year, but was in the process of involving 

other people in the training process, 

especially Yves Couasnon. 

As we review the material, it is obvious that 

we need to update the curriculum. For 

instance, there is no menon of internet or 

social media safety, and that has become one 

of the prime areas of vicmizaon for the 

people we serve. 

4.12 




Enhance business development by connecng 

community leaders to the organizaon. 

David Uhl 


Development 

We are transioning by adding this as a 

responsibility of the Community 

Connecons Coordinator in tandem 

with the Dir. Of Community Relaons. 

Establish a community outreach taskforce offering 

informaon to local businesses in an effort to build 

relaonships and offer inclusive opportunies for 

all people. 



Relaons 

Community Connecons 

Coordinator (currently 

vacant) 

Change lead, and explore possibilies 

for improved, more modern curriculum. 

To explore and develop a new curriculum for 

teaching safe pracces for community living. 

Anne Mikan 

Professional Development 

Coordinator 

New acon step based on our recent 

daycare/latchkey survey 

We will explore community partnerships with 

established daycare centers in order to create more 

possibilies for young children with disabilies in 

seJngs that promote inclusion and understanding. 

Jodi Blais 


Services 

David Uhl 


Development 


Board Members 

Dr. Mark Weedy, President 

Theresa Nixon, Vice President 

Linda Barber, Secretary 

Elizabeth Burwell, Member 

Bob CompeJ, Member 

Sharon Murphy, Member 

Sharon Scruggs, Member 

Leadership Team 

Superintendent, John Pekar 

Execuve Assistant, Gaynor Pfeffer 

Financial 

Beth Seifert, Chief Fiscal Officer 

Human Resources & Opera'ons 

Cindy Hillberry, Director 

Bring about a vibrant community 

where people lead fulfilling lives and 

make meaningful contribuons 

The Administra've Offices of the 

Fairfield County Board of 

Developmental Disabili'es 

795 College Avenue 

Lancaster, Ohio 43130 

Office hours: Monday - Friday 

8:00 am to 4:30 pm. 

740-652-7220 Phone 740-687-7250 fax 

Quality, Innova'on & Planning 

Ray Schmidt, Director 

Educa'onal Services 

Jodi Blais, Director 

Services & Supports 

Wendy Ricker, Director 

Adult Service Op'ons 

Kyle Miller, Director 

Community Rela'ons 

Temple Montanez, Director 

Business Development & 

Government Rela'ons 

David Uhl, Director 

Visit us on the web! 

www.FairfieldDD.com 

Like our Facebook page: 

www.facebook.com/ 

fairfieldcountyboardofdd 

Follow us on Instagram! 

fairfieldcbdd 

Listen to us 

www.wloh.net/fulfillinglives

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