november 2019

FAQ: Waiting List Assessment
Sometimes providing the best support
and person-centered planning
comes in the form of being a
matchmaker.
Don't panic, I’m not referring to
amorous relationships and I am certainly
no Jim Lange. (For our younger
audience, he hosted the 1970s
hit The Newlywed Game.)
But there are often times when Fairfield DD relies on its resourcefulness
and we find ourselves being concierges for
the people and families we support. We make introductions,
we make suggestions, we search for solutions and we keep
trying until we find something that fits.
For example, in this month’s newsletter you can read
about the new Video Game Club that has come about by
simply identifying the common interests many of the people
we support have with other members of the community.
Then an idea forms and it is pitched to a business in the
community. People become enthused and start asking how
they can help or how they can get involved. And the outcome
is something new and different that fulfills needs on
many different levels.
When one of our Individual Support Coordinators identifies
a want or a need of a person we support, they don’t simply
write it into a plan—they dive deeper, looking for community
resources and partners that can help fulfill that want or
need. And they don’t stop searching.
This level of creative problem solving can be witnessed at
every level of our organization—from the teachers and therapists
in the school, to our employment specialists and resource
management experts.
And those needs and wants are most often fulfilled by
people, organizations and businesses within the community.
That’s why Fairfield DD is so grateful for the hundreds of
community partners we have.
I have said it before but in Fairfield County, the level of
cooperation is unlike any place I have ever seen. This community
simply does not take no for an answer and will pull
together to bring a beneficial thought or idea to fruition, no
matter what.
It certainly makes supporting people with developmental
disabilities much easier. Because we know, somehow, no
matter the need, that somewhere in the community we will
find a solution.
So this November, I’m very grateful for the resourcefulness
of our employees, Board members, families and community
partners. Because of their willingness to be expert problem
solvers, we never have to consider telling anyone that
something is impossible. Happy Thanksgiving!
John Pekar, Superintendent
After recent requests for a list of frequently asked
questions (FAQ) about the Waiting List Assessment, the
Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities
(DODD) has worked with the Ohio Association of
County Boards of Developmental Disabilities (OACB)
to provide thorough answers to all questions that were
submitted during DODD's Live Chat in September.
The FAQ is now available on the department’s website
under the "Questions about the Waiting List Assessment"
section of the Waiting List Assessment page.
Send questions about the Waiting List Assessment to
fixthelist@oacbdd.org. DODD and the OACB will work
together to answer your questions and add them to
the FAQ. If you have any questions about this communication,
email WLA@dodd.ohio.gov.
Gov. DeWine to speak at
Annual Convention
OACB is pleased to announce
that Ohio Governor Mike DeWine will
join county board of DD professionals
at this year's Annual Convention in Columbus
(December 4-6) as one of the
event's opening keynote speakers.
During his 45-minute appearance on
the morning of Wednesday, December
4, Governor DeWine will touch on
his administration's initiatives and priorities
in his first year in office. Time permitting, the governor
will take audience questions. Topics are likely to
include:
Early intervention initiatives;
Children's services updates;
Lead exposure and substance abuse
treatment;
Support for direct support professionals; and
Other statewide human services issues
Registration is open at www.OACB.org.
Changes to website reflect
available housing options
The 2019-2020 state budget (HB 166) contains some
important changes which are designed to help inform
families about the residential services that exist in
the developmental disabilities system.
To see how Fairfield DD has made this process readily
available to all families, please visit
www.fairfielddd.com/funding. You may also find information
about all housing options on the same website
under the Community Resources for Families tab.