A Publication of the Hancock County Board of Mental
Transcription
A Publication of the Hancock County Board of Mental
A Publication of the Hancock County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities The Star Helping People with Different Abilities Reach for their Star! NEWSLETTER DATE : AUGUST 15, 2008 Blanchard Valley Center 1700 E. Sandusky Street Findlay, OH 45840 Administration 419.422.6387 phone 419.425.7073 fax School 419.422.8173 phone 419.422.7055 fax Residential 419.422.6503 phone 419.425.7053 fax Transportation 419.423.2374 phone Transportation Info-Line 419.421.8888 (3111) Service and Support 419.425.8747 phone 419.425.8748 fax Service and Support Emergency Number 1.888.454.0657 2008 ISSUE 4 Meet David My name is David Featheringill. My friends call me ―Feathers‖. I was born on April 17, 1952 and I‘m 56. Since I was a child, I have been told I have hypothyroidism and mild mental retardation. I still live on the 120 acre farm where I grew up. My mom, dad, sister, and I raised cattle, hogs, sheep, and chickens. I also learned how to drive the tractor. I went to Arlington schools and graduated in 1971. I‘ve been working at Staples for nearly 4 years. Before Staples, I worked on a chinchilla farm and on the cleaning crew at the Municipal building. I also have a couple of part time jobs, one of which is working for Hurricane Trucking in Findlay, cleaning their office and running errands. My favorite job of all is my job as Assistant Athletic Director at Arlington High School. I work with the football coaches. I also help during the basketball season by making sure the referees get on and off the floor safely. I also help out during the spring sports season, but my real love is football. On days I‘m not working at Staples, you‘ll find me coaching from 7AM till noon and on the days I work at Staples, I go to coaches‘ meetings after I get off work. In 1997 I was given the ―Mr. Red Devil Award‖ for 25 years of service to Arlington Athletics, and this is my 36th year of working with the Arlington Athletic Department. In 1998, I was given the ―Fan in the Stands Award‖ and inducted into the Hancock County Hall of Fame. My work with the Athletic Department has allowed me to meet and talk with a few college coaches, like Woody Hayes, Earl Bruce, Bo Schembechler, Gary Moeller, Lloyd Carr, Jim Tressel, and Lou Holtz when he was at Notre Dame. I‘ve also gone to coaching clinics at Ohio State, Michigan, and Notre Dame. I‘ve even met some well-known players like Phil Villapiano, who played football at BGSU and for the Oakland Raiders, at golf outings with coaches. I go to BGSU home games and have been to OSU home games and even some Michigan home games with other coaches. But I‘m definitely a Buckeye fan. I even know the Courier sportswriters and have been interviewed by WFIN‘s Chris Miller last year on ―Sports Talk‖. Last year, to help the Arlington Senior class go to New York and put money in the scholarship fund, they sold a ―Feathers‖ bobblehead doll. Out of the original 4000 dolls ordered, there are only a few left. Not only was the Senior class able to go to New York, the fundraiser put about $1500 into the scholarship fund. Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel signed my bobblehead. If you are interested in having one of your own bobbleheads, please contact Dottie Wehrle in the high school office by calling 419.365.5121. You can purchase one for $10 or one with my autograph for $15. Last season was nice ‗cause the football team went 3 games into the playoffs. The team should be ok this year. We lost a good Senior class, but we‘re just reloading. I‘ve got a lot of friends around, especially in Arlington, ―old buddy, old pal‖. 2008 ISSUE 4 Page 2 Inside the Agency 2008 25 Years Connie Ish 15 Years Jim Greene 10 Years Brooke Pratt Lynn Swihart 5 Years Krista Bohanon Rebecca Lowery Bob Soellner Outstanding Team Member of the Month: August 08 Thias Bermudez July 08 Linda Kohler June 08 Sue Hartzell This is to alert you to two opportunities of which you may or may not already be aware. Any and all are welcome and encouraged to attend one or both events. The Ohio SIBS conference will run November 7-8, 2008, at the Airport Marriott in Columbus. This conference, supported by the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council, County Boards of MRDD, and Ohio State University Nisonger Center, is designed to give adult siblings of people with disabilities an opportunity to meet one another and develop networks of support, information and friendship. In sessions dealing with future planning, coping with the loss of a loved one, assistive technology, and housing, siblings will become better informed decision makers and learn necessary tools to prepare and secure the future health and well being of their brothers and sisters, themselves, their families, and their communities. This year, in conjunction with the SIBS conference, we'll be holding the National Sibling Leadership Network Conference on November 6-7, also at the Marriott. This conference is for adult siblings of people with disabilities interested in becoming more effective advocates for their brothers and sisters and for other people with disabilities. Meant to develop and unify a constituency of siblings interested in networking, policy and legislation, this event will feature lobbyists, researchers, practitioners, filmmakers and others coming together to discuss topics ranging from influencing legislation and policy, to siblings' roles in selfdetermination, to developing community-based adult sibling programs. Anyone interested in becoming a better informed and more efficient advocate for people with disabilities should attend this conference! More information, in various forms, will follow, including on our website, www.ohiosibs.com. For more information before then--about either or both of these conferences--please contact Dr. Tom Fish (fish.1@osu.edu) at the Ohio State University Nisonger Center, or myself, Nick Hetrick, at nicholas.hetrick@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing you at these exciting and enriching events. -Nicholas Hetrick PhD Student, Department of English Ohio State University BVI—Recreation Department! The last couple of months have been filled with lots of things. The picnic was held on June 27th and it was a great time. We have gone to see how apple butter and jelly are made. We have made trips to the Toledo Zoo and Columbus Zoo. We also attended the annual Bratwurst Festival in Bucyrus. One thing that I can tell you is that East Harbor May 08 Michelle Post April 08 Lori Washer March 08 Melanie Williams Martha, David and Lisa posing for a picture at the Toledo Zoo! Martha, Annie, Kenna Rae and Janice enjoying the Mud Hens! Beach is the place to go. We have been there several times this summer and all involved have loved it. In September we have the fall picnic that we are planning for Friday the 26th. It will be held at the Lighthouse. We also have plans to go to a wax museum! The recreation department is growing. I can‘t tell you what a joy it is to watch everyone experience different things. Thank you, Jess Bess Recreation Specialist 2008 ISSUE 4 Page 3 room has acoustical ball pits that the kids can sink into… multi-colored bubble tubes to draw the imagination… a Cheers and tears were in evidence on Thursday, August 7th at the opening of the new Multi-Sensory Playroom at the Special Kids Therapy (SKT) Headquarters building at 1333 Lima Avenue, here in Findlay. The crowd of approximately 200 people witnessed the cutting of the ribbon by the Hancock Leadership Class of 2008…the same class that adopted this project entailing months of fund raising, planning, publicity, sweat-equity and community relations. Filled with highly specialized equipment that challenges an entire range of sensory perceptions, the room has been a goal of SKT since its beginning in 2001. Driven by the energy and dreams of SKT‘s Executive Director, Karen Rettig, and her entire family and most especially by SKT board member Michelle Votaw, the Playroom will now fulfill the need for a uniquely positioned ―hang-out‖ space for people with special needs and can be used in groups, by individual families or by therapists. The SKT Multi-Sensory Play- Acoustical ball pit large platform swing that a child can lay on and swing while special music plays…. a tactile board with different surfaces that a blind child can touch and wonder at… a mirage projector that throws wondrous lights and patterns across the wall of a darkened room… a large soft floor rocker that provides gentle motion…even a WII and a large screen to experience interactive play challenges. And much more! SKT is a nonprofit organization with a mission to serve individuals with various developmental, physical and/or emotional difficulties, and their families, by providing funding that is denied by traditional insurance or governmental agencies for therapies in areas that are effective and necessary but not necessarily included in the realms of what is considered to be traditional medicine. These might include such things as day camps for the children, massage therapy, animal therapy, various forms of sensory stimulation and other alternative services that have proven to work, depending on the needs of the particular child and family involved. SKT’s Family Fun Day SKT‘s Family Fun Day which features an entire day of planned activities for up to 30 families, including individuals with special needs was held on August 9th at the Camp Berry Boy Scout camp just outside of Findlay. With a great turnout of families and volunteers, over 200 people spent a busy day participating in a wide variety of activities such as archery, pony rides, massage therapy, reflexology, games, swimming, crafts and wagon rides. were provided. The entire event is provided at no cost for the families involved. Special Note: Dozens of skilled volunteers from across the community worked hard to insure a successful event. Much of the funding for the day was supplied by Findlay Area Civitan, well known at Blanchard Valley Center for the funding of many projects here. For more information concerning the Multi-Sensory Play Room, SKT or any of its activities please go to www.specialkidstherapy.org or write to info@specialkidstherapy.org or call (419) 422-5607. SKT is open from 10 am to 4 pm, Tuesday through Thursday or alternatively by special appointment. New Members of the BVC Team: Cresta Montgomery (LPN Substitute) Jennifer Hummel and Trevor There were therapeutically trained dogs and a pony to interact with while others had portraits done by a caricature artist. Parents were provided with their own schedules for learning sessions and adult play time as one-to-one counselors were assigned to those who needed them and the siblings were organized into pods for their own activities. All meals Alicia Patterson (TPW) Eli Patterson (TPW) Scott Mastrocinque (TPW Substitute) Andrea Opara (LPN Substitute) Renee Cook (LPN Substitute) Kathlean Downing (TPW) Lisa Miles (School/Administration Custodian) Keri Harpst (TPW Substitute) Tammy Brown (TPW Substitute) Don Williams (TPW) Logan enjoying the bubbles. Jared says “Hello” to Hope. THE STAR Page 4 its way to Columbus. This was the first year in a long time that everyone got to cheer the runners. They made a stop in the parking lot, and greeted the clients. My, where has the summer gone? School is about to begin, and our sports begin another new year! We wait and wait for the State Summer Games, and they have come and gone, and for this year, it was another great year, to say the least. In my 26th straight year of doing the state summer games, I have to say this was one of the easiest. I don‘t know why, but things really went smoothly, with great weather, lots of medals and ribbons, good food (that depends on who you ask), no injuries, no Saturday afternoon when threatening storm clouds moved in and we were all moved into the veterinarian building, complete with straw and stench! We only had to spend about ½ hour in there, but we were all glad to get back outside. Athletes waiting out the storm! We started out on Thursday morning with the torch passing by Blanchard Valley Center on Bobby, Brittany, Michelle, Rodney, Amanda and Dan @ State Games In tent town, where everything is free, with lots of really neat games and prizes, you just might find a huge turtle shell to try on for size, especially if your nickname is ―turtle‖. Right Amanda?!!!! lost athletes or coaches. We took 22 athletes—19 in track and field and 3 in bowling. We came home with a lot of medals and ribbons. Matt Reed—Torch runner! One of the exciting (?) moments of the weekend was on Amanda with turtle shell! Masonic Support of Special Olympics Ties All-Time High For the second consecutive year, the Ohio Masons donated $200,000 to the Ohio Special Olympics to help finance their annual Summer Games in Columbus. ―A total of $200,000 in our 200th year has a nice ring to it,‖ Grand Master Ronald L. Winnett said. ―That equals $1,000 for each year of our existence.‖ The Grand Master, Grand Lodge Officers and other dignitaries from the Fraternity led a procession of about 400 Masons into Jesse Owens Stadium on the Ohio State University campus in June to help kickoff the 2008 Summer Games. They were followed by the parade of athletes in the traditional opening ceremonies. As part of the ceremony, Grand Master Winnett presented an oversized check for the $200,000 to the Special Olympics. $2052 was received by the Hancock County Special Olympics to help with the $4680 cost of this years State Summer Games. BVC staff member Jerry Lantz belongs to Fostoria Lodge #288. A BIG THANK-YOU FROM THE ATHLETES OF HANCOCK COUNTY ! Original story located on the Grand Lodge of Ohio website www.freemason.com. On Saturday night, we all enjoyed our trip to Magic Mountain. Everyone enjoyed the race cars, miniature golf, pizza and games, (ask Cara or Kathy G about ―Deal or No Deal‖)!! Everyone had a good time, and they‘re already talking about next year, and who will get chosen to go. Congratulations to our Unified Golf team who took 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in the Area golf tournament in Napoleon. They will now move on to State in September, and golf in Cincinnati on Sept. 16 & 17 at the Meadow Links Golf Academy. Our unified teams consist of Chris C & Benji B, Rodney B & Bob S, and Jeff S & Carmen S. Good luck to the teams in Cincinnati!! And ―thank you, Bob‖ for the time you spend working with our golfers. Coming up on Aug. 16, will be the annual 5K Run sponsored by the Findlay Striders, and NWO Sports Medicine. That will take place on Saturday morning during the Up, Up, and Away Findlay Balloon Fest, held at Emory Adams Park. As a result of the run, Special Olympics is the recipient of a donation from their run. Last year I was presented with a check for $6000.00!!! Upcoming Special Olympic sports include: swimming starting up in Sept, bowling in Oct, and basketball, late Oct and early Nov. If you have any questions on Special Olympics, please call Helen at work 419-425-8747, cell 419-306-9024 or email hstahl@blanchardvalley.org. 2008 ISSUE 4 Page 5 Employed @ BVI Fall Arrives…… As you know, this summer not only seemed very short but actually was very short, due to having to make up days because of the flood and other weather related Connie Ament closures and our Superintendent adoption of the Findlay City School calendar. Starting the new school year with the ―Where‘s Molly‖ film and the presentations by Jackie Walsh and Jane Mintun focused us on the individuals we serve and their families. I know I was touched by Molly and her brother‘s story. Jackie and Jane shared how their brothers affected their lives and really brought home the joys and challenges of having a sibling with developmental disabilities. Kelly Miller‘s story of how Early Intervention services helped her son was inspiring. 2008 You all can be proud of the strides Blanchard Valley Center has made this past year and look forward to a terrific new year. We continue to emphasize communication with the individuals we serve, their families, providers, other agencies and the community. This newsletter is just one example of our reaching out to provide more information to everyone. Soon we will be ―unveiling‖ some ideas our Public Awareness Committee has created to communicate our mission statement and logo. Cooperation…It has been heartening to see you reaching out to each other to prevent and solve problems together, to lend a helping hand, and to try new ideas to improve the services we provide. This spring, Early Intervention staff reviewed and made some revisions to our approach to providing services to these little ones. They revised their scheduled and arranged to offer EI services in the evening one day per week. BVRC—Saying Goodbye Audrey Richcreek is retiring after 19 years from Blanchard Valley Residential. Audrey has been a huge asset to our department. She has worked in all the homes, but primarily in the Eibling home. Audrey is known for her kindness, positive attitude, dedication, and her willingness to go that extra mile to help any of the residents. Audrey will be greatly missed by all the residents as well as the staff that worked with her. We all wish Audrey well! Happy Retirement, Audrey!! Adult Services will be changing its program to offer a variety of non-work opportunities via a block schedule program. BVRS is implementing an exciting new Caretracker system which should reduce paperwork, increase accuracy of documentation and most importantly allow more time for residential interaction. Transportation has demonstrated a commitment to working with the SSA Department to develop and use RESPECT plans for our riders who need this type of support. Finally, we are seeing more collaboration which will benefit the individuals we serve and their families. I hope you will welcome some of the students from the University of Findlay who will be volunteering here. Also we will see some students from BGSU. Because of the efforts of our SSA Department, one of our seniors just recently was approved for a PASSPORT waiver which allows her to receive in-home services through the Area Agency on Aging Program. With the closure of our therapy pool at BVS, it appears we will be partnering with Birchaven to use their pool. Human Resources, Fiscal, and IT have also worked to exemplify these characteristics. I know folks have commented to me on the willingness these departments to support not only the individuals we serve but also our staff. Above are just a few examples of the wonderful work you do each and every day here at BVC. Thank you for your dedication, hard work and commitment to the individuals we serve! 30 Years Mark G. Vicki L. John L. 25 Years Jacqueline H. Cindy L. Dennis T. 20 Years Elizabeth B. Jack B. Daniel B. Julie C. Anita D. Kevin H. Kenneth L. Jeffrey N. Roxanne S. 15 Years Phillip G. Wilhemina K. Bryan P. 10 Years William G. 5 Years Nathan H. Barry H. Lydia P. Jody P. Ashley S. Kristina S. THE STAR Page 6 Kudos Kohl’s Distribution Center On March 24, 2008, five associates from Kohl‘s Distribution Center volunteered at Blanchard Valley Center. Through the Kohl‘s Cares for Kids program, BVC was eligible to apply for a grant in the amount of $500. On June 16, 2008 BVC was notified that they were the recipients of this grant. Kohl‘s strongly believes in supporting communities nationwide. As a family-oriented company, Kohl‘s dedicates its charitable efforts to improving health and educational opportunities for children nationwide, through the Kohl‘s Cares for Kids program. Due to the success of this program, and because of great partnerships with local non-profit organizations, Kohl‘s is able to help children across the country. To learn more about all of the ways Kohl‘s supports kids and how you can participate in their program, visit www.kohlscorporation.com. On behalf of the Long Term Recovery Committee of Hancock County, OH (LTRC), we thank Blanchard Valley Center and Industries for donating a Welcome sign, cookies and friendship bracelets to our volunteers assisting us in helping restore local families to safe, sanitary and secure housing. As you have seen firsthand, families in our community are still reeling from the devastation of recent flooding and your efforts are important to their healing process. Being a primarily volunteer organization, we could not accomplish this important mission without people like you. Our community thanks you for the many things you have donated to help flood-affected families to move toward peace and healing. Sincerely, Karen Simko, LTR Volunteer Coordination Sub-Committee BVRC Resident of the Month—July I would like to nominate Jackie Hickle as employee of the month. When I started working at BVRC 8 years ago as a Recreation Specialist, I was told ―good luck getting Jackie out of her room to go anywhere with you‖. Back then Jackie preferred to keep to herself. Over the years I have seen Jackie grow into a wonderful person. She is now very outgoing and helpful with others. I receive calls from her BVI supervisor letting me know how she was helping in her group or how many parts she is doing. It is always a glowing report. Jackie herself now likes to brag about the good things she is doing. She will come into my office each morning with a big smile on her face and tell me how she had helped staff the night before or how she helped one of her peers with something. I think Jackie should be very proud of herself and all of her accomplishments. BVRC Resident of the Month—August Wayne has been a long-time employee of Blanchard Valley Industries, and as a member of the A-7 Hab group has never done any jobs that he made an hourly wage for. Recently Wayne started painting for the Kan-Do Studio and making an hourly wage. The first week of June, Wayne‘s first star was put together and sold. He also has three other fine art pieces that have been made, two of which were displayed at the Easton Art Fair in Columbus at the end of June. The staff in Graf Men are very proud of Wayne and his artistic accomplishments. BVC Employee of the Month—July Linda Kohler went over and above the call of duty, taking over extra duties before accreditation – in the absence of staff – in addition to her own full-time responsibilities. The agency may not have survived without her. BVC Employee of the Month—August Thias Bermudez has worked at BVC for several years and as come a long way over the years. She has become an ideal staff person in her area. Thias advocate for the individual‘s best interest at all times. Recently, when she was helping an individual there was a conflict between staff, instead of getting involved in the conflict and forgetting what was best for the individual, Thias handled the situation very professionally and it worked. It is nice to see staff truly here for the right reason. 2008 ISSUE 4 Page 7 Getting Involved!!! on September 23, 2008 Sponsored by PTO All proceeds go to: The Committee for BVC Where:School Cafeteria Time: 5:30 – 7:00 pm Cost: $3.00 per person Tickets are available by contacting Sara at 419419-422422-8173 Admission: On Run—$10.00 single & $15.00 Couple Not on Run—$6.00 single & $10.00 couple 16 and under are free— PUBLIC WELCOME Date: Saturday, October 4, 2008 Time: Registration starts @ 9:00— 1st bike/car out at noon (please be early) PICTURE ID REQUIRED! Starting Location: Blanchard Valley Center 1700 E. Sandusky Street, Findlay, Ohio 45840 Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent/ adult. PICTURE ID REQUIRED! First Stop— Pipe Dreams, McComb Second Stop— The Stable, Arcadia Third Stop(s) The Woods and Clark’s Bar, Mt. Blanchard Ends @ Whiskey Venue, Findlay Hog Roast Live Band Dominance starts @ 5:00 pm 50/50 Drawing, Door Prizes Menu Includes: Chicken Sandwiches Sloppy Joes Tortellini Soup Chicken Noodle Soup Sponsors Include: All day Live Broadcast by The Big Kahuna of 106.3 “The Fox” All proceeds go to: The Committee for Blanchard Valley Center Servicing Hancock County for over 50 years. Focused on Reaching the Stars! For pre-registration or more information contact: Dawn Webb—419.422.6386 ext 1302 dwebb@blanchardvalley.org Do you shop at Great Scot? Brick Memorial/Courtyard Great Scot receipts are worth money for BVRC Auxiliary. Blanchard Valley Center is in the process of building a brick memorial/courtyard around our newly-refurbished and relocated flag pole. We are inviting you to help us with this endeavor. Donate your Great Scot receipts and we receive 1% of your total purchase. We are asking those who are interested to purchase a brick(s) to help build this area. Bricks can be purchased for $50.00 and you can have your message printed on the brick. You can have up to 14 letters a line, up to three lines for a maximum of 42 letters. Messages can say, for example: “Congratulations, In Memory of….., In Honor of….., Class of…..,” or just a name. Yes, it really is that easy. Just send your Great Scot receipts to Blanchard Valley Center, 1700 E. Sandusky Street, Findlay, OH 45840 and you could be helping a very important committee. For more information, contact Blanchard Valley Center at 419.422.6387. Thanks for your support! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Thank you for your support~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A Publication of the Hancock County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Members Darlene Baney Phil Haggard Bill Heidlebaugh Eddie Gossman Hancock County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Blanchard Valley Center 1700 East Sandusky Street, Findlay, Ohio 45840 Www.blanchardvalley.org Superintendent Connie Ament September 1st—BVC Closed—Labor Day 2nd—EI Starts 16th—Autism Support Group starts at 6:30 pm 18th—BVC Board Meeting starts at 5:30 pm 19th—2-hour Delay (Staff In-service) 22nd—BVI Board Meeting starts at 7:00 pm October 13th—BVC Closed—Columbus Day 16th—BVC Board Meeting starts at 5:30 pm 21st—Autism Support Group starts at 6:30 pm 27th—BVI Board Meeting starts at 7:00 pm November 11th—BVC Closed—Veteran’s Day 18th—Autism Support Group starts at 6:30 pm 20th—BVC Board Meeting starts at 5:30 pm 24th—BVI Board Meeting starts at 7:00 pm 26th—Program Closed (Staff In-service) 27th-28th—Program Closed—Thanksgiving Qu Pe op ota It's le a ble Q are only re pr etty uote t m h nit ore at o ion u mu tha susce r diff ch al ~L n o ptib ere ike. ind ur s le t nce a E imi o d s ller lari efibee ties . HCBMR/DD President: Larry Grove Vice President: Charles Hirschy Secretary: Mary Walsh Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Findlay OH Permit 304 The Star Helping People with Different Abilities Reach for their Star!
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