October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. The history of NDEAM traces back to 1945 when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.” In 1962, the word “physically” was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Ohio is an Employment First state, which means we place a focus to ensure every individual of working age has an opportunity to seek employment.

Preparing for employment starts at an early age. That’s why the Champaign County Board of Developmental Disabilities (CCBDD) supports programming and opportunities to teens and young adults with disabilities. Through the county board efforts, they can experience what work is all about and where their vocational interests may be.

Currently, CCBDD is actively supporting 41 individuals who are competitively employed in our local community. CCBDD works with provider partners, as well as Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, to support people in employment. This support looks different for every person. It includes training and assistance during orientation, on-going job coaching, technical assistance, or support locating resources to maintain a job.

We are fortunate in Champaign County to have a variety of employers who understand that people of all abilities can have a positive impact in the workplace and provide valuable support, especially as we face a continued labor shortage.

If you are an employer interested in learning more, please contact Jeff Coaty at 937-653-5127. If you are interested in learning more about employment services at CCBDD, please check out our website at www.ChampaignCBDD.org and make sure to follow us on Facebook (@champaigncbdd.org).

In September, we take some time to recognize and appreciate the hardworking people who directly support individuals with disabilities, either in their homes, the community or a workplace. Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) are tasked with many different roles. They may be supporting a person with a disability with learning to cook or making sure they are taking medication safely. They may be assisting a person with a disability to access the community and attend a community event like the Champaign County Fair. They may even be assisting the person with learning skills that can help them be successful in a job.

DSPs may work as independent contractors, or they may work for an agency that provides personal care services or day program services. Their jobs may be varied, but it is clear that without their important roles, our system will not work. The developmental disabilities system has come a long way. People with disabilities have more independence and choice than ever before. Without DSPs as the backbone of the system, positive change cannot continue.

At the Champaign County Board of Developmental Disabilities, we recognize the important role of people working as providers and DSPs. We also recognize that the system in place can be complicated to navigate. That’s why we try every day to provide resources, support, grants and guidance to the providers working in our county. We also support initiatives to raise rates.

The impact that a provider has on the people served cannot be overstated. And speaking from personal experience, the significance of the people served by the provider/DSP is just as important. My years as a DSP shaped my career, as well as my life. More than 20 years later, I can remember each person I worked with as a DSP. The work can be challenging, but one would be hard-pressed to find a more rewarding job.
I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to each and every person who works as a Direct Support Professional in our county. Your work matters and we appreciate you.

If you are a provider in Champaign County and need assistance or support, please contact the Champaign County Board of DD at 937-653-5217 and ask for a member of the Community Education and Outreach Department. If you are interested in becoming a DSP/provider, please contact us as well using the same number.

For more information about DSPs and the workforce shortage, please follow us on Facebook @ChampaignCBDD and check out our website at www.ChampaignCBDD.org.

Did you know that the Champaign County Board of Developmental Disabilities (CCBDD) provides support for adults and children beyond case management or service coordination? CCBDD employs a full-time Behavior Support Coordinator for children and adults with challenges to assist them in living full and safe lives.

As a former Behavior Support Coordinator (BSC) myself, we are fond of saying that “all behavior is communication.” It’s the BSC’s job to find out what the person is communicating and assist them in finding different ways to express themselves or meet a need.

The BSC can complete assessments, review documents, spend time with the individual, as well as complete observations at home, school, day programs or worksites. Next steps are to engage with the inter-disciplinary team to develop strategies that assist the individual in their daily lives. These strategies are typically implemented by the person’s family or staff after they have received training. The BSC then monitors and adjusts strategies as needed.

Our Behavior Support Coordinator at CCBDD has a bachelor’s degree and many years of experience working directly with people with challenging behaviors. She has also undergone specialized training in order to write behavior support plans. However, because we rely on the person’s family and direct support providers to implement strategies, it truly is a team effort to assist the individual in living their best life.

For more information on the services provided at the Champaign County Board of DD, please visit our website at www.champaigncbdd.org and make sure to follow us on Facebook (@champaigncbdd.org).

Summer 2022 is just as busy as ever at the Champaign County Board of Developmental Disabilities (CCBDD).

In the Early Intervention program, staff are taking advantage of children being home for the summer in order to complete home visits and assist families with strategies to aid their child’s development. Early Intervention staff include specialists, coordinators, and therapists in the areas of physical, occupational, and speech therapies.

Our Community Education and Outreach Department is busier than ever. Not only are they managing their typical day-to-day work, but they are also assisting more people to become Direct Support Professionals. CCBDD pays for all training and assists with navigating the certification process for anyone interested in working directly with people with developmental disabilities. The CEO Department is also busy assisting the people we serve with vocational and recreational events. There are lots of opportunities in the summer for fun events, so our staff have been working diligently making sure no one misses out.

Our Service and Support Administration (SSA) Department works hard throughout the year, and summers are no exception. Residential, day programs, and vocational services do not take summer breaks, so our SSAs work every day to make sure the people we serve have what they need to live healthy, safe, and meaningful lives.
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We are also gearing up for our annual Touch a Truck event. This is a free event held in the parking lot of 224 Patrick Avenue on July 15th from 10 am to 2 pm. Stop by for a hands-on opportunity to explore heavy machinery and meet the people who work behind the wheel. We will be there with free hot dogs, chips and waters! This is a great, free community event, and we hope to see lots of people there.
For more information on what CCBDD offers, please visit our website at www.champaigncbdd.org and make sure to follow us on Facebook.

Have you ever wanted to know more about what the county board of DD does? If you have ever asked someone about county board services, you may have heard the acronym “ISP”. And, in recent news, there is discussion about “OISP” or “Ohio ISP”.

What is an ISP or OISP?
ISP stands for Individual Service Plan and Ohio ISP stands for Ohio Individual Service Plan. Every person who qualifies to receive services from the Ohio county boards of developmental disabilities is connected with a Service and Support Administrator (SSA). Aside from many other duties, the SSA facilitates a yearly meeting with each person served to create a life plan, or an “individual service plan”.

Is Ohio ISP different from ISP? How?
Yes. Ohio ISP and ISP are different. While both are systems of creating life plans for individuals with developmental disabilities, there is one major difference. Currently each county has their own system/format for creating and maintaining ISPs. With Ohio ISP, all 88 counties will be using the same system. This will simplify processes and eliminate complications of living and working across different counties.

What information is in an Ohio ISP?
The Ohio ISP assessments are grouped into 7 categories. Communication, Advocacy & Engagement, Safety & Security, Social & Spirituality, Daily Life & Employment, Community Living, and Healthy Living. The individual receiving services, the SSA, and all other team/family members who support the person on a regular basis discuss and answer questions together. The questions in each of the 7 categories are designed to assess the person’s goals, capabilities for completing the goals, and what areas the person might need additional supports.

When will Champaign County Board of DD start using the Ohio ISP?
According to the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD), there are approximately 98,000 people receiving services from county boards across the state. Additionally, there are 88 counties all using different systems. As you can imagine, getting everyone to learn and use a whole new system takes an extraordinary amount of time. However, several counties have already transitioned and are using the new Ohio ISP successfully. Once staff are all trained and software is updated, SSAs can start implementing the new assessment at scheduled meetings with individuals served and their teams.
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Information is already being made available to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families/team members, so they will be prepared for a change to their future meetings.

The topic of Ohio ISP has been discussed at several self-advocacy groups, including the April Regional Advocacy meeting hosted in Shelby County. Also, DODD provides a wealth of resources on their website: https://dodd.ohio.gov/compliance/oisp. Visit the DODD website or contact CCBDD if you have more questions about the upcoming change to Ohio ISP.

Over the past several years, Leigh Anne Wenning, superintendent of the Champaign County Board of Developmental Disabilities (CCBDD), shared regular updates in this outreach column on the services and activities provided by CCBDD to those individuals in our community who qualify for assistance. While the dedicated staff evaluates needs, coordinates the wide array of service providers to meet those needs, and delivers the mission of the County Board, there is another key group of individuals working behind-the-scenes to support their activities.

The Governing Board of each county board of developmental disabilities within Ohio is comprised of county residents who serve in an oversight capacity to ensure the county board is providing the necessary services to eligible residents in a manner consistent with state requirements. The governing board for CCBDD is comprised of seven members, and typically meets at least 10 times each year. Each member of the board has a legal and ethical responsibility to ensure the organization provides the best services possible in support of its vision, mission and goals. As a board member, each person has an obligation to be familiar with the budget and finances of the CCBDD, review and approve all policies, make decisions regarding organizational issues, consider the organization’s work and value to the community, and remain current regarding the business of the organization and the developmental disabilities field.

Currently, the local governing board is comprised of Mr. Kerry Brugger (President), Ms. Laurie Stickney (Vice-President), Mr. David Sapp (Secretary), Ms. Amy Wilcoxon, Ms. Shelly Cushman, Ms. Malia Hughes, and Ms. Lori Rose. Each member serves as a member of at least one of the standing committees, which include Finance, Personnel and Ethics. These committees convene as needed throughout the year to establish and review budgets, operating policies or address specific operation items of concern when they arise.
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I believe I speak for each board member when I say that serving on the Governing Board of the Champaign County Board of Developmental Disabilities is one of the most rewarding experiences we have experienced. In a world where there is so much turmoil, it is refreshing to witness the unselfish dedication and commitment each staff member displays to those in need, and it is an honor and a privilege to support the CCBDD mission, “We promote independence and a pathway to success.”

​April is Autism Acceptance Month! In past years, we celebrated Autism Awareness in April, but people on the Autism Spectrum deserve more than awareness. They deserve acceptance and inclusion.

About 1 in 44 U.S. children are identified with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) according to the Centers for Disease Control. A diagnosis of ASD can be completed by a doctor and involves looking at a person’s developmental history and behavior. The diagnosis is considered a neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people interact, communicate, and learn. Children with a diagnosis of ASD are often eligible for services provided by their local county board of developmental disabilities (DD).

The Champaign County Board of Developmental Disabilities provides services for children and adults with Autism. One of the first services we can provide is Early Intervention and PLAY. I wrote about Early Intervention services last month. The PLAY Project is an evidence-based, intensive autism early intervention. The Champaign County Board of DD shares one employee with the Shelby County Board of DD certified as a PLAY consultant. This employee has undergone rigorous training in order to provide quality services to children as young as 18 months in our county. The program is designed to engage children in a natural way and to empower the parents and caregivers to help their child build skills through play.

A student with ASD may be eligible for special education services in school. And as they become young adults, they may need assistance with job skills. The Champaign County Board of DD can provide assistance in the form of a case manager, or what we call a Service and Support Administrator, to help navigate throughout childhood and adulthood and make sure that needs are being met.

Every person is different and wants something unique from their life. That is no different for people with a disability. Many of the people we serve have jobs and go to work. We even work with some individuals who go to college. Just like everyone else, people with a diagnosis of ASD have likes, dislikes, and hopes and dreams.

At the Champaign County Board of DD, we believe that including everyone makes our community a better place. For more information on the Champaign County Board of DD, check out our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/chamapagincbdd.org.

​You may have heard radio commercials in the area announcing that March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Those spots are just one way to remind our community that we are better when we include everyone, and people with developmental disabilities are unique and valued members of society.
National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month began in 1987 with a proclamation from President Reagan to bring awareness and acceptance for people of all abilities. One of our goals at SCBDD is to raise awareness about the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all aspects of community life.

Developmental disabilities are defined as lifelong disabilities with an onset before the age of 22 resulting in functional limitations. That’s the definition of developmental disability, but the people we serve are so much more than a disability or a diagnosis.

The people we serve have rich, complex lives just like everyone else. They have dreams like living on their own, having a job they love, or owning a pet they have always wanted. And generally, they want the same things that everyone else wants. They want to be treated like valued members of the community. They want to be involved, or they just want their neighbors to say hello. They want to be seen as an individual and not their disability.

March is almost over, but this can be a reminder for every day of the year. Including everyone makes our communities better.

If you’d like to know more about what the Champaign County Board of Developmental Disabilities does or to be involved, please go to our website at www.champaigncbdd.org. Also make sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

If you have any interest in working in the DD field or becoming a Direct Support Professional, please call 937-653-5217 and ask for the Provider Specialist.

For Downsize Farm, a Champaign County service provider, the word 'business' is synonymous with 'family'. Founders Bob and Midge Custer created a business where everyone feels included. Their daughter, Bobbi McKee is now the CEO. Their nephew and in-laws work in day to day operations. They even employ staff who are related to each other or related to program participants. And if you are not a relative, they will surely make you feel like one.

Bobbi says, "Since the business was founded on the idea of caring for our family members, we give all clients and staff the same dignity and respect as if they are our true family."

Downsize Farm started and continues to operate a Day Program where people with developmental disabilities spend their time learning everyday jobs to keep a farm running. They cook with food grown in their own garden, feed and care for animals, craft items to sell (https://downsize-farm.square.site), and maintain the buildings and vehicles.

With Bobbi as CEO, Downsize Farm expanded its operations with more programs: a vocational program, an employment team, and a residential program. Not only can clients practice everyday living skills at the farm, but they also receive training for competitive employment, become actively employed, try their hand at living independently, and give back to the community with service projects.

Vocational Program:
This program is a collaboration with The Spotted Cow Coffeehouse and The Spotted Owl Coffee Bar in Urbana, OH. Clients can join an educational program to train for jobs in food service, manufacturing, janitorial, and other work. From there, clients can progress to the Employment Team, if they choose.

Employment Team:
Downsize Farm partners with area businesses to place clients in competitive employment positions which best suit everyone's needs and interests. The staff at Downsize provide job coaching and work closely with both clients and businesses to assure a proper placement.

​Residential Program:
Some clients set goals to live independently. The residential program can provide Homemaker/Personal Care (HPC) assistance to those living independently. It can also coordinate Ohio Shared Living (OSL) placements, which places someone with a developmental disability in the home of a person or family willing to be a paid caregiver.