Kelly Connor Petty to replace him

Volume XXX, No. 1
Cuyahoga County
Board of Developmental Disabilities
INSIGHT
Inside
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
The crops and the farms are
growing at Cleveland Crops
Sue Duffy honored as
‘Volunteer Administrator
of the Year’
Home is the new base for Early
Childhood Services
Insites: news from around ccbdd
CCBDD celebrates 45th
anniversary; Hall of Fame
announced
Visualizing our history
CSU recognizes CCBDD OT
program
Out of our buildings and into
the districts
Parma artist’s entry is CCBDD
2012 holiday card
A shared commitment to the
future
Throughout the course of a year, CCBDD serves more
than 10,000 infants, children and adults.
Nearly 60 percent of our annual operating budget of
$201 million comes from a continuing levy approved by
local voters in November 2005. Federal funds make up
34 percent of our funding, and state funds account for
4 percent.
A seven-member volunteer board oversees our
organization. Five are appointed by the Cuyahoga
County Commissioners; two, by Probate Court’s
Presiding Judge:
Richard V. Mazzola, President
Ara A. Bagdasarian, Vice President
Darnell Brown
Diane Roman Fusco
David L. Deming
Maggie Jackson, Ph.D.
Terrence M. Ryan, Ph.D., Superintendent
Winter 2013
Photo by Adam Herman, OACBDD
Superintendent Dr. Terrence M. Ryan accepts the 2012
Ohio Association of County Boards of DD President’s
Award at the organization’s annual convention in
Columbus in December.
Dr. Ryan
announces
retirement;
Kelly Connor
Petty to
replace him
Dr. Terrence M. Ryan, superintendent of the Cuyahoga County Board of
Developmental Disabilities since 2002, has announced his retirement, effective
April 1, 2013. Kelly Connor Petty, assistant superintendent/chief operating
officer since 2011, has been named to succeed him.
In announcing his retirement, Dr. Ryan said, “From my perspective, we are well
positioned at this point in our history, and I believe this to be a good time for
me to retire and move forward to the next chapter of my life, knowing that the
current leadership team is poised to move the CCBDD successfully forward.
“It has been a pleasure, an honor and a privilege to serve with all of you, this
organization and our wonderful, supportive community.”
Dr. Ryan began his career with the then CCBMR/DD in 1977 as supervisor of
adapted physical education and leisure-recreation services. In 1985, he was
named assistant director of instruction. The following year he was promoted to
director of Children’s Services and in 1998 became assistant superintendent.
Kelly Connor Petty
Dr. Ryan joined the organization shortly after completing his doctorate at The Ohio State University. He
received his undergraduate degree from Manhattan College and a master’s degree from the State University
of New York in Brockport.
Petty has been with CCBDD since 1991, when she began working as a Medicaid specialist in the
Community/Residential Services Division. She held various positions in the department before being
named general manager in 2002 and director in 2007. When the Support Administration and Community/
Residential Services departments were consolidated, she became its director.
At the time of her appointment as assistant superintendent in 2011, Dr. Ryan said, “Ms. Petty has a strong
history of leadership and service within our organization. She understands the needs of our consumers and
their families and the challenges we face today and in the future of improving their lives. I can think of no
one better to partner with as we chart our course to the future.”
Petty is a graduate of Xavier University where she earned a BS in psychology and Cleveland State University
where she earned a master’s degree in public administration.
ONE
closes,
ONE
opens
Our Pulleys Coffeehouse 36 in Tyler
Village closed in December. The closing
resulted from changing demographics
and fewer customers at the office
complex in the St. Clair-Superior
neighborhood just east of downtown
coupled with the startup of our new
cafeteria at the Virgil E. Brown Building,
1641 Payne Ave. In our pursuit to
provide real-world training opportunities
in the food service industry, we needed
to move resources, consumers and staff
to the new location.
We will continue to offer catering
for meetings and other events from
our Virgil Brown site. If you have
any catering needs call Stephanie
Zimmerman at (216) 881-8615 or -8865
or email Pulleys@CuyahogaBDD.org.
Photo by Holly Grady
The crops and the farms are
growing at Cleveland Crops
The opening of the Schady Road Farm in Olmsted Township this past summer brought to eight the
number of urban farms that are part of Cleveland Crops. This entrepreneurial venture of the Cuyahoga
County Board of Developmental Disabilities and SAW, Inc., its nonprofit division, is designed to provide
employment opportunities for people with developmental disabilities.
When fully developed, this farm will employ 15 people with developmental disabilities in all aspects of
agricultural production from soil preparation, seed starting and planting to weeding, irrigation, pest
control and ultimately, harvesting, processing and sales.
Crops to be grown, using organic methods, with an emphasis on building healthy fertile soil, include
usual and heirloom varieties of tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and squash.
Green technologies have been incorporated at the farm, including a solar pump for the irrigation pond
and composting toilets, wherever possible.
Insight is published quarterly by the public information
and communication office of the Cuyahoga County
Board of Developmental Disabilities, 1275 Lakeside Ave.
East, Cleveland, Ohio 44114-1132, for enrollees and
their families, staff, volunteers and concerned friends.
Please send suggestions for articles and contributions
of information to the editor at the above address, call
(216) 736-2691 or e-mail robertson.lula@CuyahogaBDD.org.
Marv Gisser, Editor
Lula Holt Robertson, Publisher
Contributors – Jay Brown, Holly Grady, Adam Herman,
Tyrone McCann, John McHale, Mary Petrie and Lisa
Stevens
Hoop House Addition
About the same time as the Schady Road Farm opened, Cleveland Crops announced it was adding
another innovative 20’ x 72’ hoop house structure to its six-acre Ohio City Farm, one of the country’s
largest contiguous urban farms. This is the fourth hoop house at the site.
The farm is a public/private partnership managed by Ohio City Incorporated in collaboration with the
Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority and all Ohio City Farm tenants.
Two of the hoop houses already exist at Cleveland Crops’ Stanard Farm, the organization’s first urban
firm, created in 2010. The hoop houses are designed to be durable though Midwest weather conditions.
The Stanard Farm also will be the site of an Agricultural Education Center that will house the offices of
the OSU Extension-Cuyahoga County, a processing center and more than 15,000 feet of greenhouse
space.
Cleveland Crops sells produce to some of Cleveland’s best restaurants, at select farmers markets and to
individuals. Construction of the greenhouse and hoop houses will allow the 40 men and women with
developmental disabilities to work on the farms 12-months a year rather than only seasonally.
“At the end of the day, it’s about work,” said Rich Hoban of SAW. “We’re here to support individuals
with disabilities and allow them to be able to do work they enjoy.”
2 Insight
Sue Duffy honored as
‘Volunteer Administrator of the Year’
“Sue Duffy is the heart of our volunteer program!”
That’s how Holly Grady, EPICS program coordinator, and Margie Pavone,
administrative assistant in the Public Information and Communication
Department, described Duffy, CCBDD manager of volunteer services, when they
nominated her in the annual Forum for Volunteer Leadership competition.
As the Forum points out, “Volunteer administrators are masters at recognizing
others for their volunteer work efforts. This award was instituted to honor
a not-for-profit volunteer administrator who has demonstrated outstanding
innovation, dedication and perseverance in the profession of volunteer
administration.
“The nomination process focuses on describing how your outstanding volunteer
administrator ‘models the way, inspires a shared vision, challenges the process,
enables others and encourages the heart’.”
Those are exactly Duffy’s attributes as described in the nomination form.
As the nomination emphasized, “In every aspect of her leadership, Sue promotes
the mission of CCBDD…she treats everyone with kindness and respect. Sue
holds our volunteer workforce to high standards in sharing our mission.”
The nomination also cited her efforts in creating Razzle Dazzle, the dance troupe
whose cast is comprised of volunteers and adult men and women receiving
CCBDD services. Sue not only coordinates the program, but helps choose a
theme, auditions and selects the cast, and choreographs and rehearses the show
for its three performances before sold-out houses at the Beck Center.
She also was praised for not always accepting the status quo.
“Sue is not content to just sit back and adopt the policy ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t
fix it,’ according to the nominating essay. “She always reviews what worked
and what didn’t after programs and parties and makes careful notes for the
next time. She searches for opportunities and seizes the initiative by looking for
innovative ways to improve.”
Photo by Lisa Stevens
Volunteer Administrator of the Year Sue Duffy (left) receives her award from Robin Ott of the Forum
for Volunteer Administrators and the Holden Arboretum.
The nomination further emphasized the importance Duffy places on
communication between management and staff and “fosters a culture that
supports volunteerism.”
Volunteers have commented that they can count on Duffy to give great
direction and have everything carefully planned and communicated, enabling
them to be successful.
Thank you, Jochum Family
The Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities
received its largest monetary donation ever in 2012 from the
estate of Tony and Clara Jochum. The bequest totals nearly
$600,000.
The Jochums were a great family and great contributors to
CCBDD and efforts to provide opportunities for people with
developmental disabilities. Both were active parents, who
attended monthly PTCU meetings well into their 90s.
The Jochums’ daughter Linda first received services at our Euclid
Adult Activities Center and then at our Rocky River AAC. She
passed away two years ago.
CCBDD has designated $300,000 of the total in 2013 and the
remainder in 2014 to purchase and renovate an existing home
for four individuals. In recognition of their generosity, a plaque in
the home will designate it as the Linda Holly Jochum Home.
www.CuyahogaBDD.org
3
Home is the new base for
Early Childhood Services
What works changes. During the past summer,
the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental
Disabilities Early Childhood Services underwent a
significant transformation from a site-based program
to a home-based one. The new method, launched
on September 4, follows three components:
teaming, use of a primary service provider (PSP) and
coaching as a strategy for early intervention.
Current research shows that services for very young
children should be delivered in natural settings
during everyday routines. Both state and federal
guidelines also require this evidence-based early
intervention, known as EBEI, approach.
Working with our local Help Me Grow, we have
developed 12 core teams, serving specific zip codes.
Each team has a CCBDD developmental specialist,
speech/language pathologist, occupational therapist,
physical therapist and a Help Me Grow service
coordinator.
Help Me Grow handles intake and assigns children to
a service coordinator and his or her team according
to the zip code where the child lives. Members of
the team conduct a multidisciplinary evaluation and
assessment to determine if the child is eligible for
our services and to identify any services that may
be needed. Then the team, including the family,
identifies the most appropriate member to serve
as the family’s PSP and develops its Individualized
Family Service Plan (IFSP).
That IFSP contains the outcomes the family desires
for its child and the services and strategies to acheive
them. The outcomes on it, which are the family’s
“voice,” are functional and rooted in daily routines
such as meal time, play time, travel time and bed/
bath time. The PSP’s role is to work with the family
and other caregivers to support these outcomes in
the places and times that make the most sense for
the family.
4 Insight
Photo by Holly Grady
In addition to the home-based services, CCBDD occupational and physical therapists will continue to offer clinics at several sites.
The PSP is the team member who most appropriately
matches the needs of the child and family. Instead of
having multiple professionals working with families
in various clinic settings, this approach focuses on a
primary specialist working intensively in the home
or other natural setting as a coach to support the
family as the child’s most important teacher. Family
members and the PSP develop strategies together to
enhance the child’s development in areas that matter
most to the family.
The PSP not only has knowledge and experience
from his or her specific discipline (speech therapy,
for example) but also has a broad understanding
of child development. The PSP can also draw on
the expertise of fellow team members to assist
in working with the family. At times, other team
members may accompany the PSP on joint home
visits when more specific assistance from another
discipline is needed.
The teams meet weekly to discuss the families they
serve and use coaching and consultation with each
other to support their work with families.
News
Insites
•
Zachary Fenell, who volunteers at our Euclid
Adult Activities Center, has written a book.
Off Balanced is about how his cerebral palsy
affected him socially as a teen. For a preview,
go to his website — www.zacharyfenell.com/
Off_Balanced_Preview.pdf.
•
from around CCBDD
immee Corbett of our Euclid Adult Activities
K
Center nominated her mom for a mother-of-theyear award sponsored by radio station 95.5 FM
The Fish, and her mom won. She received the
award in early December at a luncheon that was
attended by more than 400 people. You can find
the video and audio of the event on You Tube
under “Willing Hands 2012.” Way to go!
•
Congratulations to Mary Jo Allen of our
Community & Medicaid Services Department.
She was honored at the 29th Annual
Convention of the Ohio Association of County
Boards of DD in Columbus on December 6
for her work assisting individuals leaving the
Warrensville Developmental Center and moving
into the community.
Delight or disappointment?
Whatever your reaction is when you
look out the window on a
snowy morning and wonder if the
Cuyahoga County Board of DD
might be closed, find out quickly.
We use the same system that many
school districts and
universities use to give notices abo
ut emergency closings. It directly
calls the homes of
those enrolled to deliver a recorde
d announcement about an emergenc
y closing. The
system can call everyone affected
by a Cuyahoga County Board of DD
closing within a
very few minutes. If there is no ans
wer, it will either leave a message
on an answering
machine or voicemail system, or it
will try again up to four times.
It’s important to have your curren
t phone number listed with us. If
your number
changes, make sure to let your site
know. Or, if you eliminate your land
line (as many
people seem to be doing) in favor
of a cell phone, make sure that you
report that to your
site so that the number can be cor
rected in our computer system.
We will also continue to use the iAl
ert announcement systems operate
d by local tv
and radio stations to broadcast clos
ings. When conditions warrant clos
ing one, some or
all of our centers, we make every
effort to announce it in time for the
11 p.m. news the
night before the closing. When tha
t’s not possible, we send the announ
cement out in
time for the 6:30 a.m. news. Tune
in at:
Radio
Television
WAKS, 96.5 FM or kisscleveland.com
WKYC-TV, Channel 3 or wkyc.com
WCLV, 104.9 FM
WV
IZ-TV, Channel 25
WCPN, 90.3 FM
(We
appear as ‘All DD Adult Act Ctrs’
522WCRF, 103.3 FM
or
by
site name.)
WGAR, 99.5 FM or wgar.com
WHLO, 640 AM or 640whlo.com
Remember: Parents and caregive
rs make the
WKDD, 98.1 FM or wkdd.com
ultimate decision about sending an
individual to a
WMJI, 105.7 FM or wmji.com
center during bad weather. Even
wh
en we’re open,
WMMS, 100.7 FM or wmms.com
you may choose to keep him or her
hom
e, based on
WTAM, 1100 AM or wtam.com
his or her needs.
WMVX, 106.5 FM or wmvx.com
Radio Free Ohio 1350 AM or 135
0radiofreeohio.com
We will also post emergency closing
announcements
on our website at www.Cuyahog
aBDD.org,
on Facebook at www.Facebook.c
om/CuyahogaBDD
and on www.cancellations.com.
www.CuyahogaBDD.org
5
CCBDD celebrates
45th anniversary;
Hall of Fame
announced
“On October 24, 1967, Ohio Governor James A.
Rhodes signed legislation that created what were
then known as boards of mental retardation in
Ohio’s 88 counties,” Superintendent Dr. Terrence
M. Ryan told the 350 people in attendance at the
Wyndham Hotel to help the Cuyahoga County
Board of Developmental Disabilities celebrate its
45th anniversary.
Among the afternoon’s highlights were a talk by
Pulitzer Prize winner Buzz Bissinger, author of
Father’s Day: A Journey into the Mind and Heart of My
Extraordinary Son, and formal establishment of the
CCBDD Hall of Fame.
Father’s Day has been described “as good a
description of paternal love as you’ll ever read,” as
Bissinger related the story of his son, Zach, and a
journey the two took.
The event also formally established the CCBDD Hall
of Fame to recognize the contributions made by
many people and organizations over the years to
make the organization the success it is today. Those
entered into the hall will receive medallions created
by nationally known sculptor David Demming, a
CCBDD board member and former president.
Among those recognized was Michael A. Clegg,
who actually was inducted in 2011 before the
concept for the honor was fully developed. Clegg is
a former board president and long-time supporter
and leader of CCBDD levy campaigns.
Those inducted at the anniversary luncheon
included:
• The PTCU, the group made up primarily
of parents and family members who have
supported the organization and the boys and
girls and men and women served over the years
• Dr. Michael Donzella, CCBDD superintendent
from 1972 until 2002, a period when the
organization grew out of church basements
and retail stores. He also was a driving force
behind creation of the Ohio Association of
County Boards of DD, North Coast Community
Homes and the Community Fund Management
Foundation.
6 Insight
• F ranklin J. Hickman, an attorney
known throughout the state for his
expertise in legal issues affecting
people with disabilities.
• James J. Hunt, who along with his
late wife, Martha, was organizing
social opportunities for people with Board President Richard V. Mazzola (left) and current Sup
erintendent Dr. Terrence
M. Ryan (center) inducted
retired Superintendent Dr.
developmental disabilities even
Michael A. Donzella into the
CCBDD Hall of Fame.
before establishment of CCBDD.
• Richard E. Novak, who has served as president of
Two people were posthumously named to this
the CCBDD board, president of the PTCU Council
initial inductee group:
Board and currently is president of the PTCU
• Judge Alvin (Buddy) Krenzler was the first
Foundation. He has been involved in countless
president of the CCBDD board. A judge who
levy campaigns and currently serves as treasurer
was elected to both the courts of common pleas
of the Friends of DD, the campaign committee.
and U.S. District Court of Appeals, his son’s
• Charles J. Scheidt, former president of the
developmental disability inspired his devotion to
CCBDD board, who also served on the
the organization.
board of North Coast Community Homes, a
• Joanne L. McDonald was a parent who
nonprofit organization that owns many of the
advocated for legislation establishing boards
properties that are “home” to individuals with
of DD in Ohio in 1967. She was a parent who
developmental disabilities in Cuyahoga, Lake
faced a school district’s refusal to enroll her
and Summit counties. He’s also on the board of
son and decided to do something about it.
the Community Fund Management Foundation,
She cofounded the HELP Foundation, was an
which helps families set aside even modest
officer on the CCBDD board and was a tireless
amounts of money to enhance the quality
campaigner for levies. She left a successful
of life of their children with developmental
real estate career to work for North Coast
disabilities, without jeopardizing their eligibility
Community Homes, where she was responsible
for other benefits.
for finding and securing locations for group
• Walter I. Zborowsky served as executive
homes.
director of the HELP Foundation for 35 years.
The nonprofit agency provides residential,
“Our organization is strong and successful,” Dr.
educational and employment services for
Ryan said, “because we have had the benefit
children and adults with developmental
of the leadership, service and commitment of
disabilities. He was instrumental in the
many parents, staff, volunteers and partners in
creation of Ohio’s Bill of Rights for people with
the community. Our 45-year history is rich with
developmental disabilities, the Ohio Legal Rights
champions deserving this hone, and this is just a
Services, Purchase of Service Funding System
beginning.”
and the Community Alternative Funding System.
The 45th Anniversary luncheon featured Buzz Bissinger,
Pulitzer-Prize-winning author of Friday Night Lights (the
basis of the tv series) and Shooting Stars (the story of
LeBron James and his St. Vincent-St. Mary teammates)
and the new book, Father’s Day: A Journey into the
Mind and Heart of My Extraordinary Son, about his
experiences driving with his 24-year-old son, who has
a developmental disability, from Philadelphia to Los
Angeles to revisit all the places they have lived.
Visualizing our history
As part of the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental
Disabilities 45th anniversary celebration, Jay Brown from our
Euclid Adult Activities Center, Kim Wideman from our East
Cleveland AAC and Vickie Rice from our Human Resources
Department spearheaded an art project involving artists from all
of our adult centers.
With guidance from art instructor M. E. Kuzma, the artists
gathered at our Forest Hill Studio for two days of intensive
creativity. Their efforts resulted in a three-by-four-foot multimedia
collaborative piece to express their vision of our history. They
combined colorful fabrics, topiary wire, paint and adhesive to
form a multimedia tree. This blossoming tree represents our
continuing growth. Its roots reach deep into a soil rich with our
history. The words in the soil show a glimpse of our story. They
were taken from interviews with pioneer families and caregivers,
then paraphrased and handwritten by artist Dan Tinnerello.
Programs and services offered to individuals with developmental
disabilities and their families have developed from this history
and blossomed over the span of 45 years. We salute our past
and embrace a bright future as our journey continues.
Photographer Holly Grady spent time at the studio shooting
photos while the artists worked and said it was truly “magical”
to see the artists collaborating on it. All of the artists were paid
for their work.
The piece was on exhibit at the 45th anniversary luncheon in
October and was reproduced on the program cover and the
reusable aluminum water bottle that each guest received. (Our
East Cleveland AAC produced the water bottles.) Since then, it
has traveled to each of our sites accompanied by information
about our organization’s history.
Photos by Jay Brown
Dan Tinnerello from our
Southwest Adult Activit
ies Center meticulously
hand letters historical
information at the bot
tom of the 45th Anniv
artwork.
ersary
ivities Center and
our East Cleveland Adult Act
Mark Claybrooks (left) from
iversary piece at
Ann
h
Euclid AAC work on the 45t
John Roundtree from our
Forest Hill Studio.
www.CuyahogaBDD.org
7
CSU
recognizes
CCBDD OT
program
Cleveland State University’s Master of
Occupational Therapy Program faculty
unanimously selected the Board of
Developmental Disabilities for its 2012 Award
of Distinction. This award is given to a facility,
organization or person who has provided
exceptional support to the education of
occupational therapy students from the CSU.
In announcing the award, Glenn Goodman,
professor and director of the CSU program,
said there are many reasons why the Board of
DD was selected. “You have handled some very
challenging fieldwork issues with our students
with grace and efficiency. You have sponsored
a service learning endeavor with several of
your adult activities centers that has been well
received by students and the CSU faculty. You
have taken a large number of students for level
I and level II fieldwork experiences since the
inception of the OT program in 1976. You have
provided instruction for our students in the way
of guest lecturers, part-time instructors and
on-site field trips,” he explained.
OT Supervisor Janet Cimino and Director of
Children’s Services and Assistive Technology
Jacquie Kasprisin accepted the award in
November at the John Bazyk Distinguished
Speaker Day held in CSU Student Center.
Dr. Goodman joked, “Although we wish we had
a nice endowment to provide a hefty sum of
money to express our gratitude, we are able to
honor you with a plaque that you can place in
your facility. In addition, we put your name on a
plaque that lists the annual winners of this award
in the Health Sciences Building.”
Out of our buildings
and into the districts
Beginning with this school year, the Cuyahoga
County Board of Developmental Disabilities’
center-based programs and services for students
between 6 and 21 years of age ended. In the last
20 years, as more and more public school districts
have accommodated children with developmental
disabilities in their neighborhood schools, the
demand for those center-based classes declined to
the point that we could no longer sustain them. At
the end of May 2012, we had 50 some students
enrolled at our Parma and Green Road schools.
Instead our specialists will provide their expertise
directly to public school districts and parents.
Behavior and curriculum intervention specialists,
speech/language pathologists, augmentative
communication specialists, occupational and
physical therapists and MOVE program instructors
will consult with public school teachers,
administrators, district specialists and parents
to help students succeed in a least restrictive
environment.
In the last school year, these specialists served
more than 700 children in every school district in
Cuyahoga County. We expect demand for these
services to grow.
We also have satellite classrooms staffed by our
teachers and assistants and supported by our
specialists at John Adams High School in Cleveland.
For older students, we continue to partner with
school districts on transition services that promote
movement from school to post-school activities,
including post-secondary education, vocational
training, integrated employment, continuing and
adult education, adult services, independent living
or community participation. These are a part of
each student’s individual education plan from the
age of 16.
The student, parents, home school district
representative and representatives from other
public agencies involved in providing services help
to determine the highly individualized transition
services the student will receive. The central focus
of transition services is to ensure that necessary
services and supports are in place for the student to
succeed upon leaving school.
8 Insight
Photo by Lula Holt Robertson
Green Road Developmental Center graduate Dylan McCormack
presents a flower and a hug to his mom, Val McCormack.
Our two former schools have become home bases
for the specialists who serve public school students,
early childhood intervention specialists, assistive
technology staff and support administrators who
serve both children and adults. The Green Road
site is now known as the Green Road Services
Center, and the Parma site is now known as the
Big Creek Center.
Parma artist’s
entry is CCBDD
2012 holiday card
The winner of the 2012 annual holiday card contest is Sam Swanson of our Parma
Adult Activities Center. His winning entry was a detailed pencil drawing of a poinsettia.
It will appear in red on a gray background for the holiday card.
Holidaycard2012sig.indd 1
11/15/2012 8:38:54 PM
There were more than 100 entries in this year’s contest. The winning artist received
$100. Besides appearing on the holiday card, the piece will be framed and hung at
the CCBDD’s Michael A. Donzella Building as part of a growing collection of pieces by
artists who have developmental disabilities.
Cuyahoga County Board of DD
1275 Lakeside Avenue East
Cleveland, Ohio 44114-1129
(216) 241-8230
www.CuyahogaBDD.org
Swanson has been employed by SAW, Inc. for a number of years, having also worked
at our Brooklyn and Southwest centers. At Parma, he works in the Sewing Department,
producing items for HeARTworks, our art enterprise. He sews parts of aprons and irons
pieces that he and his coworkers have produced. He has also been a part of the Art
Studio, where he has painted and worked with the digital art program.
When not at work, Sam watches videos from his extensive collection, which has an emphasis on
horror films. He also enjoys listening to his favorite band, Kiss.
Sam has been employed by SAW, Inc. for a number of years and attended Brooklyn AAC and Southwest AAC, before coming to Parma AAC. At Parma, Sam works
in the Sewing Department, which produces items for HeARTworks. He sews parts
of aprons and irons pieces that he and his coworkers have produced. Sam has
also been part of the Art Studio where he has painted and worked with the digital
art program. He was a featured artist in the American Spirit art show sponsored
by HeARTworks last fall. Not always a starving artist, Sam has sold several of his pieces. He also
enjoys creating pencil drawings of aliens and vampires for his private collection.
The winner of our annual winter card contest is Sam Swanson of our Parma Adult
Activities Center.
Last year, Swanson was a featured
artist in the HeARTworks American
Spirit art show. Not always a
starving artist, he has sold several of
his pieces. He also enjoys creating
pencil drawings of aliens and
vampire for his private collection.
When not at work, Swanson
watches videos from his extensive
collection, which has an emphasis
on horror films. He also enjoys
listening to his favorite band, Kiss.
Photo by Lula Holt Robertson
Artist Sam Swanson works on a rain barrel at a HeARTworks event.
What do your
volunteers do?
Many things, including high tea with one of our Rocky River
Adult Activities Center’s outing groups at Clementine’s in
Olmsted Falls. That’s volunteers Tim Clemens and John McHale
raising their pinkies for a delicious cup of tea.
Want to find out more about volunteer opportunities with the
Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities?
Call or email Sue Duffy at (216) 736-2722 or
Duffy.Susan@CuyahogaBDD.org.
Photos courte
sy John McH
ale
www.CuyahogaBDD.org
9
A shared commitment to the future
In what has turned out to be his last budget report – “Goals-Shared
Commitment-2015” – before retiring, Superintendent Dr. Terrence M. Ryan,
looking ahead, said, “We will continue to serve more than 10,000 individuals
annually, manage the reduction in state funding, complete the refinance of day
services by adding consumers to the Level One waivers and expand residential
options by funding 50 Individual Options (I/O) waivers.”
2013 Revenues
by Source
He added that state dollars are now a small part of the budget, and the CCBDD
is primarily funded with local and federal dollars.
Here are some of the highlights from the 2013 budget plan:
Adult Activities
•P
rovide appropriate placements for individuals who need services in an adult
activities center or contract agency, when necessary.
• Continue to develop plans to address the future direction of Adult Activities.
(x $1,000)
Total Revenues = $184,237
Employment Services
•C
ontinue to provide and expand work opportunities in competitive
employment, supported employment and entrepreneurial ventures by CCBDD
and private providers.
• Increase the number of consumers moving from supportive employment work
sites to competitive employment.
2013 Expenditures
by Department
School-Age Services and Supports
•C
omplete and evaluate surveys for school district stakeholders and patients on
the effectiveness of CCBDD technical supports.
Assistive Technology
•S
treamline transition procedures involving therapy staff with school district
transition coordinators, Behavioral/Health staff and Adult Services staff for
young adults on the autism spectrum.
Community & Medicaid Services
• E nroll an additional 40-50 individuals from the waiting list on the Individual
Options waiver and up to 250 individuals on the Level 1 waiver.
• Develop one community home in conjunction with North Coast Community
Homes.
• Fully implement the new SELF waiver, enrolling up to 20 additional
individuals.
Program Review and Provider Support
•P
rovide support and oversight of provider agencies to assess quality services.
• Complete the transition of adult program files and the MUI Department to
electronic records storage.
Major Unusual Incidents
• Implement changes required in the Ohio Department of Development
Disabilities 2012 revision of the MUI rules.
Nursing
•P
ilot the Health Matters curriculum at two adult activities centers, centering
on better health habits, community resources and active participation in a
curriculum to improve health.
• Collaborate with the Cuyahoga County Board of Health and Red Cross on the
feasibility of using one of CCBDD/s facilities as a shelter for individuals with
developmental disabilities in the event of pandemic flu or disaster.
10 Insight
Total Expenditures = $196,963
Transportation
•R
evise procedures to reflect the transition to adults-only operation.
• Continue to increase alternate transportation options for community-based
transportation.
“It’s a lean budget,” Dr. Ryan said, “and we have to manage our revenues. In
concert with our long-term strategic levy plan, the imbalance in revenues over
expenses will require the board to begin to tap its reserves.”
In spite of the challenges, Dr. Ryan pointed out the changes that have been
made respected the needs of the individuals served and have been generally
invisible.
“We are in a strong position to make the next round (2014) of getting smaller
without a major obstacle in our way,” he added.
Planting the See
Cuyahoga County
ds for a Successf
ul Future
Board of DD Wor
kshop Series
Self-Empowered Life
Funding Waiver
Other Waivers
Health Care Reform
School-to-Work Tra
nsition
Public-Private Partn
erships
Income Tax Answers
Legal Documents
Funding and Mana
gement
Eligibility Questions
Waiting List
Reviewing Your Ex
isting Plan
Every family has ma
ny questions about
their children’s future
for parents whose
sons and daughters
, but they’re of even
have a developmenta
greater importance
daughter is a child
l disability. Whether
or an adult, it’s time
your son or
NOW to plan for the
future.
Start now by signin
g up for Planting
the Seeds for a Su
workshop sponso
red by the Cuyahoga
ccessful Future,
County Board of De
a three-part
velopmental Disab
ilities.
Spring 2013
Southwest Adult Ac
tiv
ities Center
4720 Hinckley Indust
rial Parkway, Clevel
and
Wednesdays, April
24, May 1, May 8,
2013
6:30-9 p.m.
Register by April
10, 2013!
Fall 2013
Euclid Adult Activ
ities Center
st
149
0 East 191 Street
Wednesdays, Octob
er 9, 16 and 23, 201
3
6:30-9 p.m.
Register by Septe
mber 26, 2013!
John and Carol Cu
lley, life planners se
rving people with dis
workshop moderat
abilities and their fam
ors, along with other
ilies, are the
experts in legal pla
centered planning.
nning, residential op
tions and personFor a registration for
m, call (216) 736-2
717 or go to www.C
per family to cover
uyahogaBDD.org.
the printed materials
Enrollment costs $5
that participants ke
0
ep.
N
R
A
E
L
D
N
A
C O ME
You must register
nual ty
n
A
2nd a Coun
hog Expo ool
a
y
u
C
n igh Sch
o
i
t
i
s
H
Tran
After
fe
i
For L
g
n
i
par
Pre
in advance!
No walk-ins!
The Cuyahoga Count
y Board of DD serves
annual operating bud
more than 10,000 infa
get is more than $19
nts, children and adu
0 million. Major fun
services comes from
lts each year. Its
ding for the Board
a 3.9-mill property
of DD's programs and
tax approved by vot
ers in November 200
5.
Saturday
March 16, 2013
8:30 am—3:00 pm
!
EE
FR
Location:
Cleveland State Univ
Student Center
2121 Euclid Ave.
Cleveland, Ohio
ersity
Exhibitors
and
breakout
sessions
All are
Welcome!
FREE
PARKING!
n and to register visit
For more informatio
rg/expo
www.redtreehouse.o
cation
o Coalition for the Edu
Cuyahoga County, Ohi
tricts
abilities, School Dis
te University, ESC of
Dis
Sta
tal
nd
vela
men
Cle
elop
rs:
Dev
Key Sponso
nty Board of
abilities, Cuyahoga Cou
of Children with Dis
Agencies
t
por
Sup
nity
mu
and Com
www.CuyahogaBDD.org
11
Nonprofit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Cleveland, OH
Permit No. 1610
Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities
1275 Lakeside Avenue East
Cleveland, Ohio 44114-1132
(216) 241-8230
www.CuyahogaBDD.org
Our mission is to support and
empower people with developmental
disabilities to live, learn, work and
play in the community.
putting faces on the
board of dd
By now, you have surely seen this great
photo at least once. It first appeared on
the cover of the Board of Developmental
Disabilities’ 2012 Fact Finder. Then in March,
it was the focal point of our billboards and
full-page profile in The Plain Dealer during
DD Awareness Month. It appeared in the
annual report, numerous ads, our website
and Facebook page throughout the year.
It’s earned many compliments, so we figured
you may be wondering, just who are these
two guys?
Kahlid Abdulrafi (left) and Scot Magalen
(right) both work for SAW, Inc. on the
evening custodial crew at our Rocky River
Adult Activities Center. This fabulous photo,
taken by that center’s habilitation manager,
Mary Schwarz, captures them taking a break
from work and enjoying the Rocky River AAC
Summerfest.
Having worked together for many years, they
call themselves “best friends.” Both have a
very positive attitude about their work, and
through their combined efforts, Rocky River
AAC’s staff and consumers enjoy a very clean
work place.
Magalen always carries a big smile for all he
meets. He likes country music, loves the Ohio
State University Buckeyes and enjoys golf. A
resident of Rocky River, in the summer time,
he can be spotted walking or riding his bike
to work.
Abdulrafi takes great pride in his work and
always goes above and beyond his customers’
expectations. He LOVES to dance and can
always be seen on dance floor strutting his
smooth styles at any Rocky River AAC event.
When the two are together, they are
guaranteed to bring a smile to anyone’s face.
This summer when we went out to capture
a photo of them standing in front of one of
the billboards, a car pulled up. The driver
asked if he could get his photo taken with
our two celebrities. Of course they obliged,
with big smiles.
Photo by Holly Grady