DD Awareness Month - Muskingum County Starlight Programs

Spring Issue 2014
Looking Ahead
2014
March 17th
St. Patrick’s Day
March 19th
School Progress Reports due home
April 3rd
Board Meeting, 655 Zane St, 5:00 pm
April 17th
Professional Day—School, Workshop, & ADP
Closed
April 18th & 21st
Spring Break—Program Closed
April 20th
Easter
April 22nd
Conference Day—School & Workshop Closed
May 8th
Board Meeting, 655 Zane St, 5:00 pm
May 11th
Mother’s Day
DD Awareness Month
“Ability at Work” is the theme for
Developmental Disabilities (DD) Awareness
Month 2014.
Starlight Programs, along with other related
organizations celebrate DD Awareness
Month in March and invite you to consider
the true meaning of this year’s theme.
Statewide, and across the nation,
organizations who are devoted to serving individuals with
developmental disabilities are planning special events to raise public
awareness of the many abilities people have, regardless of disability.
“Ability at Work” encourages people to understand that when people
with disabilities are welcomed into local neighborhoods, workplaces,
houses of worship, and schools, everyone wins. During DD Awareness
Month, we encourage you to learn more about people in our
community who have developmental disabilities and to recognize that
everyone has talents and abilities to contribute to our community.
At Starlight Programs, we will kick off our recognition of DD Awareness
Month with billboards, radio commercials, and a supplement in the
Times Recorder and Advertiser.
Help spread the word of the importance of DD Awareness Month. We
at Starlight encourage everyone to take time to get to know someone
with a developmental disability and to recognize their abilities and
capabilities.
May 16th
Jimmy Buffett Day
May 20th
School final grading period ends
May 21st
School Graduation—1:30 pm
May 26th
Memorial Day—Program Closed
— John E. Hill, Superintendent
Page 2
Starlight School—Early Intervention, Pre-School & School-Age
Identifying Autism
Starlight Early Intervention Program continues to be involved in projects focused on assisting with the early
identification and treatment of children with autism. The Autism Diagnosis Education Project (ADEP) aims to
improve access to local, timely, standardized screening and evaluations which will lead to earlier and more
reliable diagnosis of autism. Starlight service providers have been trained to help assess for autism and
developmental disorders with evidence based screening tools, including the Battelle Developmental
Inventory and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2). Help Me Grow staff participates in the
assessment by completing a Routines Based Interview. Results are sent to the child's physician for a
comprehensive work up. ADEP is funded through federal grants from the Children’s Health Insurance
Program Reauthorization obtained by the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities and the Governor’s
Office of Health Transformation.
The project helps families get help faster. The average time from when a family has a concern to when they
receive a diagnosis is now about nine months. The diagnosis may be autism, hearing loss, speech and
language delay, genetic disorder, neurological trauma, etc. and it is important to identify what is happening to
the child in order to treat the condition early.
Involvement in ADEP provides Starlight staff with ongoing education. The team participates in monthly
webinars which provide information from recent studies, as well as test reliability studies. The team is able to
watch a video of a child being tested using the ADOS-2, and then score the test. Then the presenter shares
their scoring and understanding of the child’s responses and compares all scores sent in by members
participating in the ADEP study. When the family makes decisions regarding how to intervene with their child,
Starlight staff can help them understand the options based on the most recent available evidence and
knowledge. For further information about the project check out the website, www.ocali.org (Ohio Center for
Autism and Low Incidence).
Creative Movement Group in Preschool
Preschoolers participated in a special creative movement group this month.
The theme was "The Mail Must Go Through". Preschoolers were provided
with important pieces of mail--valentines-- that were delivered by air (riding
scooterboards), by foot over large hills (walking up wedges and mats) and by
truck (riding trikes). Students followed a trail of valentine circles to get to the
mailbox at the end of their "routes". Each student was guided and/or assisted
to try each type of delivery. After the students
returned to their classrooms, the mail boxes were
opened and each student received a valentine signed
by one of their classmates.
This group was provided by occupational therapy in
conjunction with physical education and classroom
staff. Participating in opportunities for movement in
an enjoyable manner with a fun theme in mind helps
the students with many goals, including improving
posture and balance, eye hand coordination, motor
planning, use of vision, all skills which provide
foundations for early classroom learning.
Starlight School—Early Intervention, Pre-School & School-Age
Page 3
Game Night-Fun with Local School Students
Students in Class 2 through Class 5 enjoy regular scheduled opportunities to
socialize with friends from other schools. The confirmation class from St.
Nicholas visits three times a year for “game nights”. The students bring board
games and art media to socialize and have fun. Snacks also highlight the
session. Another group from the Early Childhood Education Mid-East Career
and Technology Center visited with a winter festival of crafts and games.
Another group from Rosecrans high school will be coming once a month for activities as the year progresses.
There are also individual volunteers who arrange for after school small group activities throughout the year which
we have called “Boys Club” and “Girls Club”. Forming a 4-H group, open to Starlight students and students from
the community, grades 3-12, is presently being planned to begin in March. Opportunities to be a part of the larger
community and to make new friends are very important to Starlight students. These activities are talked about and
students look forward to throughout the year. If you have an interest in these programs or any questions, please
feel free to contact Starlight School for more information.
Learning Through Holiday Celebration
Starlight School students were able to practice and learn new skills through the
production of a program “Starlight goes to the Movies”.
Each class presented a skit based on a Holiday movie. The movie clip was projected on
the wall behind the stage. Class Five demonstrated cooking skills by showing how to
prepare a holiday popcorn recipe. Connor Helms “read” the recipe using a switch
operating a voice output device while his friends demonstrated each step. Mrs.
Reinbeau directed Class Four as they played the bells after a clip of “It’s a Wonderful
Life”. Class three showed us how the Peanuts gang practiced for their holiday program
as Blaze Alfman shouted “Good Grief.” Class Two performed their version of the most
widely read holiday story in the world, “The Christmas Carol”. Jakub Snell as Scrooge,
practiced carrying the basket of food and money for the Crachets all week; building his
upper arm strength and smiling about being a star. Class One performed their version
of the Peanuts Gang which included Lucy (Malaika) collecting 5 cents for advice to
Charlie Brown (Maddox). The program offered opportunities to practice language and
movement, as well as discussing how to help others.
Mikayla carries a first prize wreath
in her role as Snoopy in the
program
Drew, Clarese and
Brittani demonstrate
how the Peanuts gang
rocked in celebration
Class Two performed their
version of Dickens the
Christmas Carol and Ethan
said “God Bless them
Everyone!”
Jordan
demonstrated
cooking techniques
during the holiday
program
Jakub said “Bah Humbug” in
his role as Scrooge, but came
through to help Tiny Tim in
the end
Jestin celebrates the new year and
returning to school with friends
Muskingum Starlight Industries Adult Day Program & Workshop
Page 4
New Faces at Muskingum Starlight Industries
Adult Services has many new faces. We have recently hired 5 new staff members between the Adult Day Program
and the Workshop. We are excited to have all the new members on our team.
Ryan Dobbins was hired in the workshop to be an enclave supervisor. He previously worked at Midwest for
2 1/2 years. He is originally from Buford Georgia. He attended Zanesville High School and graduated from
Foxfire. He has a fun personality and enjoys fishing , camping, mudding and drawing.
Mark Schneider was hired as an enclave supervisor at the workshop. He previously worked at Print
Masters. He is a graduate of Zanesville High School. He has 4 children; Justin, Jeremy, Chris and Tabby. He
also has three grandchildren; Jheim, Carlee and Jordan. In his spare time he enjoys hunting and fishing.
Savannah Robinson was hired to be an enclave supervisor at the workshop. She is from Roseville and
graduated from Philo High School. She has been in 4-H all her life and loves animals. She has 14 horses. She
was Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion with her turkeys. She also took pigs, horses and
chickens to the fair. She would like to further her education and attend college concentrating on animal
assisted therapy. In her spare time she collects wine glasses.
Elizabeth Tokie was hired in the Adult Day Program as an Adult Services Worker. She has multiple pets, Bob
her fish, Pudge her pug, Naomi her husky and KiKi her cat. She graduated from OUZ with a bachelors in
Psychology. She wants to pursue her master's degree. She is currently writing an article for American
Psychology for a study in gender bias. Her favorite color is pink and she has a significant other of seven
years, Nathan.
Karrie Huston was hired in the hygiene/mobility position. She works out of both the workshop and the
Adult Day Program. She has three children, Slade, Skye and Stone. She is very busy with them getting them
to all their activities that they participate in. She has worked in the field for 2 years as home staff at RHDD.
She graduated from Tri Valley High School. She enjoys running and spending time with her significant other
Jerry.
Job Club
Job Club tries to have an outing at least once a month.

In December, Job Club had a Wii and pizza party at the workshop.
There were four individuals that attended the party.

In January, the Job Club went to the movie, Frozen, and had dinner at
the mall. Everyone ate wherever they wanted to eat. Some had
Wendy's, Taco Bell, pizza and subs. There were five people that
attended this outing.

In February Job Club went to Sunrise Strikes to bowl and eat pizza. The
weather cooperated and we had five individuals that participated.
Further information and notices will be sent out for upcoming events in
the near future.
Muskingum Starlight Industries Adult Day Program &Workshop
Page 5
New Opportunities for MSI
MSI has come upon two new business opportunities for assessment sites. One is Lucas Truck Sales and the other is
The Oaks At Northpointe and The Oaks At Bethesda. We are sending one employee and one staff to Lucas Monday
through Friday 9:30am to 3:30pm. They are learning to sweep the floor, use the floor scrubber, take out the trash,
wrap up hoses and put tools away. They also do general housekeeping in the lunchroom and the drivers lounge.
They have two buildings and are looking to hire two people. We have not started to do assessments at The Oaks
yet. They have multiple opportunities for MSI. They range from the kitchen, laundry, housekeeping, therapy,
clerical, and maintenance. They have worked with other county boards and have placed multiple people with jobs.
They did offer to let MSI use their meeting rooms as well. MSI has taken advantage of that by having TAPS training
there and the new Job Club meetings. We are excited to have both of these new opportunities.
Special Olympics Program
Muskingum County Board of DD takes pride in
providing Special Olympics to eligible
individuals from Muskingum County. Here’s
our current activity list:

Basketball Team: (October—March) Practices
are Tuesday and Thursday. In order to be on the
team, you must do at least one year of skills and
have a score at a competition of over 70.

Basketball Skills: (January—March) Practices
are Monday or Wednesday

Swimming: (September—December) Practices
are Mondays and Wednesdays

Bowling: We have a tournament in the spring.
To be able to participate, you must have
participated in an average of 15 games. These
may be acquired on your own or you may want
to join the Starlight Bowling League. (Contact
Star Brandom at 452.2141)

Bocce: (March—June) Italian lawn bowling.

Cycling (April—June)

Track & Field: (March—June)
——————————————————
Requirements to Participate:


A Special Olympics Physical Form (to be completed by a doctor)
A Special Olympics Release Form (signed by an adult athlete or guardian)
Contact Information:

For further information on participating OR volunteering to help with the Special Olympics, contact Sandy
Drenten, Special Olympics Coordinator at 453.4622. We hope to see you among our teams!
Page 6
Muskingum Starlight Industries Adult Day Program & Workshop
Featured Business — Fastenal
The Fastenal story began in 1967 when Bob Kierlin pooled together $30,000 with four friends and opened the first
Fastenal store, a 1,000 sq. ft. shop in his hometown of Winona, MN. (The original business plan was to dispense nuts and
bolts via custom vending machines, but the technology proved impracticable at the time. Several decades would pass
before Fastenal finally popularized industrial vending.) Any overview of their company has to start with a look at their
2,600+ store locations and the 10,000+ people who operate them. After all, when their customers think of Fastenal, they
don't think of some remote corporation; they think of the local "Blue Team" that serves them on a daily basis. Backed by
our global sourcing, quality, and logistics operations, each store is a local, one-stop source. That includes a broad core
inventory of commonly used products, as well as items that are custom-stocked to meet individual customers' needs.
Working within their decentralized environment, store personnel take a flexible approach to support local customers –
sourcing products, making emergency deliveries, managing a lean flow of inventory to points of use, and leveraging their
services, solutions and specialists to drive continual business improvements. So when you hear them talk about their
thousands of stores, remember that they are not talking about how big they are; they are talking about how local they
are. And that's what Fastenal is all about – using their corporate resources to be the best local supplier in every market
they serve. Fastenal began working with Starlight in 2011. They asked Starlight to price quote various kitting jobs. They
wanted us to count out a specific amount of parts and place them into a bag, seal the bag closed with an impulse sealer
and pack them into a master carton. We folds instructions sheets that are placed into the bags as well as assembling the
master cartons. Starlight prices kits ranging from 4 to 102 pieces. Thanks to the Fastenal in Zanesville, we also did a
kitting job for Fastenal in Coshocton. Thank you for your continued support!
Featured Community Employment Business Partner — Pizza Hut
Muskingum Starlight Industries (MSI) Community Employment Services is very privileged to have the support of many
businesses in the Muskingum County area. One such business is the Pizza Hut restaurant on Maple Ave. Through the
years, the Pizza Hut organization has been very supportive of our community employment program. Pizza Hut has had a
least one individual from our program in their employ since 1989 as dishwashers and janitors. Every person from our
program that has been an employee of Pizza Hut has been more than an employee they are treated as a family member.
We appreciate their continued support and wish them success in the future. Thank you PIZZA HUT!
Featured Enclave — Genesis Healthcare
Genesis Healthcare System is one of MSI’s enclave sites. Starlight has worked with
Genesis for over 22 years. They are the largest healthcare provider in a six county
region of southeast Ohio, including Muskingum, Morgan, Perry, Coshocton, Noble,
and Guernsey counties. The dedicated health professionals offer a level of care not
typically found in a small community. Services like open heart surgery, trauma care,
a level 2 neonatal immediate care unit, neurosurgery and comprehensive cancer
services. Genesis healthcare system is made up of two hospitals, first care facilities,
doctor’s offices and other community partners. They are building a new hospital
which is expected to be completed in 2015. While the hospital is being built many offices are being moved and the
crews are doing well with adapting to the changes. Working with Genesis, our employees learn great skills to help
prepare for community jobs. They are gaining skills like work ethic, problem solving, team work, appropriate
interpersonal skills and being flexible in the work setting. MSI gathers recycling and confidential material at several
Genesis locations. Our pick up locations are Good Samaritan Hospital, Bethesda Hospital, Physicians Pavilion,
Healthplex, Northside Oxygen and Medical Equipment, and nearly 20 other outside buildings. MSI sends an enclave
crew to various locations Monday through Friday. The enclave crews consist of one supervisor and two employees.
On Wednesdays MSI sends two crews out, one crew will go to Good Samaritan, while the other tackles the many
outside buildings. Deborah, one of the Enclave supervisors said the Hospital staff appreciates the Starlight
employees and what they do. The hospital staff looks forward to seeing the employees and vice versa. Alisha, one
of the recycling crew members, said she loves being able to buy her lunch at Good Samaritan. It makes her feel
more independent. Thank you Genesis Healthcare Systems for your support throughout the years!
Program-Wide News
New IT Specialist
Kyle Ledford, Information Technology (IT) Specialist, was
hired 12/16/13.
Kyle is a local resident; born and raised here in Zanesville.
He majored in Computer Science and has since worked in
IT/Computers in a broad array of areas. He has worked for
Cellular/Telecommunications companies and spent about
six years working for Public Libraries where he was also
elected to a National users group board to represent all
the Libraries using the library automation software that
the company developed. They are one of the top three
vendors worldwide, so the board represented a large
group of users.
Kyle Ledford
IT Specialist
He then worked for a Consulting company where he was
contracted as the Technology Coordinator for two Public school districts. He was later assigned
to a Bank as their on-site IT support. He has worked with doctors and healthcare IT related
situations, EMR and HIPPA policies. More recently, he spent time in the private sector with a
manufacturing company. He was the sole IT person responsible for all IT and ERP at Corporate
Office and 4 manufacturing plants in Ohio, Indiana and Mexico.
When Kyle isn’t working, he enjoys spending time with his two daughters, Hannah, 12 and Piper,
3. Due to Majoring in Music Ed before Computer Science, Kyle still tries to stay involved with
music. He plays the sax and has been a regular member of the Zanesville Civic Chorus for the last
17 years. He is also in the smaller Chamber Singers group from the Civic Chorus. He has recently
taken up photography as a hobby as well.
Kyle’s office is located at the Starlight Administration Office, 655 Zane Street.
Recent New Hires
Heather Jones
Program-wide Substitute
Cal Pritchard
Bus Driver
Page 7
MUSKINGUM
COUNTY
BOARD OF DD
655 Zane Street
Zanesville, Ohio 43701
www.muskingumdd.org
Follow us on Facebook
www.facebook.com/starlightprograms
Mission Statement:
Working in partnership with individuals with developmental disabilities and their
families, providing opportunities utilizing public and private supports, to live, learn,
work, and play in the community.
Board Members:
Caribeth Legats, President
Jim Robinson, Vice President
Shayne Barnes, Secretary
Cathy Martin
Michael Norman
LaTisha Shuster
Ben Whitacre
Superintendent:
John E. Hill
Any questions in regard to this
newsletter, please contact Cathy
Smith, Administrative Services at
740-453-4829 or
csmith@muskingumdd.org.
Focus Newsletter
Contributing Writers:
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next time it is published,
please email
mstclair@muskingumdd.org
Brenda Allen
Tim Duff
Missy Hartley
Kelly Jackson
Karen Linser
Cathy Smith
Melinda St.Clair
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