Mak ing t he dif ference in mee t ing lifelong need s • w w w.por t

Expressions
October 2015
Volume 22, Issue 3
Making the difference in meeting lifelong needs
Portage County Board of
Developmental Disabilities
Dennis M. Coble
Administration Building
2606 Brady Lake Rd.
Ravenna, OH 44266-1657
•
w w w.portagedd.org
Superintendent’s Office:
330-297-7261
Board Office:
330-297-6209
Fax: 330-297-1202
Website: www.portagedd.org
Business Office:
330-297-8991
Service & Support
Administration:
330-297-4100
Family Support
Services Program:
800-237-6828
Transportation:
330-297-6462
Adult Services:
Portage Industries
7008 State Rte. 88
Ravenna, OH 44266-9134
330-296-2839
Fax 330-297-8994
Children’s Services:
Happy Day School
2500 Brady Lake Rd.
Ravenna, OH 44266-1698
330-678-2400
Fax 330-673-3714
PCBDD
Emergency Number
330-678-7559
PCBDD
PCBDD does
does not
not discriminate
discriminate inin
provision
provision of
of services
services or
or employment
employment
because
because of
of handicap,
handicap, race,
race, color,
color,
creed,
creed, national
national origin,
origin, sex
sex or
or age.
age.
Emily Schmidlin lives by the credo of “giving back as a way to honor those who help her.” In August she was
given another opportunity to do just that in Lukodi, Uganda. She accompanied a team from ChildVoice, a nongovernmental organization, to the Lukome Centre, a therapeutic community for adolescent girls.
Schmidlin has cerebral palsy, uses a wheelchair and relies on friends and attendants to help her complete most
of her daily living activities. Accessibility is always an issue when she travels, but says Schmidlin, “I go where I can,
and rely on the creativity of others to get me places that are seemingly out of reach. Flexibility is key.” Schmidlin also
noted that “Living without running water and electricity were not the struggle I thought they would be. It seemed
inconsequential compared to the struggles of the girls living there.” The girls at the Centre were abducted as children,
and forced to serve as child soldiers, wives of army commanders, and sex slaves during the war torn years of Uganda.
Now they are back in Uganda attempting to rebuild their lives. The Centre provides them, and their children, with
counseling, educational and vocational training, reintegration support, and temporarily – a place to call home.
Schmidlin took with her numerous needed items which she collected from her community including medicines,
batteries, and over 50 pairs of flip-flops. The group also completed service projects including the cleaning and
decorating of a preschool classroom, installing playground equipment, and assisting nearby elderly residents.
Locally, in keeping with her theme of “giving back,” Schmidlin teaches Sunday school, serves on her church
council, is a Board member of her local Mental Health Agency, and served 6 years on the Ohio Developmental
Disabilities Council. She is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Clinical and Mental Health Counseling at Kent State
University.
When asked “Why Uganda?” Schmidlin explains, “Lukodi is the name of my service dog. He was named after the
Centre in Lukodi, Uganda as a symbol of hope, and trained to provide a helping hand for someone. That someone was
me and it was my honor to serve and love, just as my furry companion has done for me."
www.portagedd.org • October 2015 • Volume 22, Issue 3
Thank you to everyone who came
out to see us at our booth at the
Randolph Fair and at the Ravenna
Balloon A-Fair. It was great to see so
many people stop by.
As the upcoming election
approaches I wanted to share with
you some important information
regarding the county board and the
Renewal Levy, Issue 27, that will be
on the ballot this November 3rd.
Omar Nagi

What are the terms and millage rates of Issue 27?
Issue 27 is a renewal levy of an existing five-year term levy. We are
seeking to convert it to a continuing levy that creates no new
increase of taxes for an amount of 1.8 mills commencing in 2016.
This levy was first approved by voters in 1996 and it has been
renewed in 2000, 2005, & 2010.
Renewal of Issue 27 will provide long term minimum funding of
services for eligible individuals with disabilities. Renewal will preserve
the Rollback and Homestead Exemption, and the ‘Medicaid Match’ pulls
more dollars into the county.
 Who pays for this levy and if this levy is renewed,
will my taxes increase?
Business and homeowners pay for this levy. Issue 27 is a renewal—
meaning that if passed there will be NO INCREASE in tax rates for the
levy. Tax levy renewals do not increase taxes.

What will the Issue 27 renewals cost me as a
taxpayer?
If your home has a market value of $100,000, the levy cost would
continue to be approximately $36.00 per year or about ten cents (.10)
per day
 How much revenue does this levy produce
for the Portage County Board of Developmental Disabilities?
This levy accounts for approximately 27% of total annual Board levy
revenues and 20% of total annual Board operating revenues.

What will the renewal mean for the Board’s
longer-term fiscal status?
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The Board has not sought additional local levy support since 2004.
Issue 27 renewal should keep the Board in strong fiscal condition until
2017.

2004 to 2014 Operating Funds Expenditures
Comparisons
● Salary Costs were 3% less in 2014 than in 2004.
● Full-Time employment has been reduced by 15% since 2004.
● Administration costs remain low at approximately 8% of
operating costs.
● IT operations and Family Support Services Program
administration were outsourced.
● The Board has strived to increase Federal revenues from 2004 to 2014—more than doubled during this time period.
 What if the Levy Is Not Renewed?
The Board would lose nearly 20% its total operating revenue and
nonrenewal would result in immediate cuts to many of the programs and
services individuals depend upon and the initiation of waiting lists for
services.

How do individuals with Developmental
Disabilities Benefit from this levy?
● The Board will provide or fund services to almost 1,000 individuals in 2015.
● Service and support needs for most individuals are across their lifespan.
● Approximately 250 children/families receive Early
Intervention (EI) Services annually. The Board is the only
provider of EI Services in Portage County.
● Board provides funds for an array of services and supports to over 290 children in Portage County School Districts annually.
● Board currently provides or funds day program and daily
round-trip transportation services to approximately 350
individuals.
● Enrollment in Board-administered and partially funded
Medicaid Home and Community-Based Waivers has
increased fourfold since 2004 (from 96 to 430 persons)
with future enrollment projected to increase steadily.
● The Board funds a very comprehensive and generous Family
Support Services Program as well as Special Olympics, Akron Rotary Camp Summer Program, and recreation/leisure programs.
● Approximately 650 individuals receive Service & Support Administration services.
● Annual Community Survey responses indicate a very high level of satisfaction with Board-provided or funded services.
● Except for Medicaid waiver requests, there are NO WAITING LISTS for services in Portage County.
Residential Resources
Condos Open for the Disabled
STUFF THE BUS Project
During their 15th Annual Car Show, The Ravenna
Moose Lodge #1234 Chapter #540 and the Portage
County Board of Developmental Disabilities partnered to
‘stuff a bus’ for The Center of Hope.
Cindy Everson, Vehicle Operator, drove the bus to the Moose Lodge at Holiday Sands
where the bus was stuffed with can goods and non-perishable items. Cindy drove the “stuffed
bus” to the Center of Hope where Omar Nagi, PCBDD Superintendent, and Karen Anderson,
Project Coordinator (also a Board employee) presented Ann Marie Noble, Director of
Emergency Outreach Services for Family & Community Services, Inc. with the collected items.
Thank you to everyone who donated!
Residential Resources for the Developmentally
Challenged, Inc. opened three condominiums in
Ravenna Township to house individuals with
disabilities to live on their own in the community.
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on September
30th to celebrate the opening. Norma Wagar and
Bonnie Sisley did the honors of cutting the ribbon
at the ceremony and Pam Danner, chairperson of
Residential Resources for the Developmentally
Challenged, spoke to those in attendance and
explained the importance of this event. Residential
Resources was started years ago by Earl and
Mary Lohr.
Art Sessions Now Available for Children and
Adults with Physical and Cognitive Disabilities
Since joining the Summit ArtSpace family of artists,
Hattie's Creative Arts can now bring its program to the public.
This unique experience is offered in a professional studio
environment to all Akron-area children and adults with physical
and cognitive challenges, in an entirely accessible location. As it is with all of our sessions, it is
not art therapy, but a program that pursues art for art's sake, directed entirely by the participant.
Hattie Creative Arts sparks the free expression of unvoiced artistic ideas. As an Arts Impact
partner, this program will expand Akron's conversation about the power and importance of
creative expression as a path to self-discovery and joy.
Art for Arts Sake sessions are available at the top of the hour:
Thursdays: 4-7 p.m.
Fridays: (day-limited availability)
Saturdays: 9 a.m.- 1 p.m.
Cost is $25.00 per 50 minute session
All materials included
Contact Phylliss Steiner at Summit Artspace at
330-888-5664 or phylliss.steiner@hattielarlham.org.
To learn more about Hattie's Creative Arts Program,
visit our website at www.hattiescreativearts.org.
Earl and Mary Lohr
Award
Nominations
Nominations are currently being accepted
for the Earl and Mary Lohr award. This award is
presented annually to someone who has made a
difference in the lives of individuals with
developmental disabilities. Nomination forms are
due by October 30, 2015. Nomination forms can
be obtained at the Dennis M. Coble Administration
Building, Happy Day School or Portage Industries
and are also available on the website.
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www.portagedd.org • October
August 2012
2015 • • Volume
Volume19,
22,
Issue
Issue
3 3
Portage Industries
Employee Taking
Pride in His Work
Save the Date
Save the Date!!! Parent Council will have
a 5K and Fun Run/Walk and Roll at NeoMed
in Rootstown. It is called Build a Gym, Build
a Life. The event will take place on June 19,
2016 in the morning. More details will follow. Please check the website or Facebook page!!!
Pictured above, front row: Dean DeCapito; back
row: from left to right, Jim Bobek, Lisa Bennett,
Kim Holbert and Linda Hodgen; not pictured,
Sharon Aquino, Colleen Brown, Debbie Kempisty
and Teddy (Dean’s therapy dog).
2015 Human Rights Committee
The Ohio Department of Disabilities
created a new rule for Behavior Support
Strategies that include restrictive measures.
A result of that new rule was a
reorganization of the Human Rights
Committee. This committee reviews
Individual Service Plans that include
restrictive measures. A restrictive
measure is any type of restraint,
time-out, or rights violation that is
needed in a plan to support an individual
due to behaviors that are harmful or have
legal consequences. The State requires
strict guidelines and Portage County
supports individual’s rights and safety.
The Human Rights Committee must insure
a number of factors are in an Individual’s
plan before approving the restrictive
measure.
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Daniel McBride has been
working his job on the 2nd shift
cleaning crew at PI for almost a year
now. Daniel refers to himself as “Mr
Clean” and even has his favorite Mr
Clean Tshirt to prove it. He describes
his job as “AMAZING” and states
that it’s a whole lot more fun than his
previous work. His supervisor, Mark
Karas describes Daniel as being
very thorough, which is extremely
important. Daniel loves to clean the
restrooms, clean the floors with the
scrubber, dusts the cobwebs and he
learned how to do the trash this year. Mark Karas and Daniel McBride
He is working on learning all the jobs
involved in cleaning PI. Daniel loves his coworkers and his boss, and particularly loves
when they order pizza on special occasions. He also loves his driver, Steve through
Argonne Homes.
Daniel likes to spend his money on replacing his old videos with new Blue Ray Discs.
He also loves to go out to eat to his favorite places: Olive Garden and Spaghetti
Warehouse. Daniel also loves participating with Powercorp activities, particularly
he loved Disney on Ice and “the best show ever” Frozen on Ice. (Daniel said he loves
all things Disney). Daniel also golfs and bowls with the All Star Training Camp program
through UDS. Daniel and his dad enjoy golfing together. As you can tell, Daniel has quite
a zest for life. Congratulations Daniel on all your hard work!
A Positive Message from Kim
Kim is 16 and is home schooled through ECOT.
She loves to sing, dance and to do art. Kim says that
she wants everyone to treat each other nice and to
stop the bullying. Thank you Kim for your positive
message!
“ Treat each
other nice and stop
the bullying ”
Halloween
Un-Skating
Roller Skating for EVERYONE!
Crushing on Brad Paisley
At Kelly Cochran’s annual ISP meeting, when she was asked “ if she could do
anything, what would it be?” She didn’t even hesitate when she answered “My dream
would be to see Brad Paisley in concert!” She had previously seen Kenny Rogers and
Rascal Flats and is a big country music fan. Shortly after her meeting the Blossom Music
Schedule came out and Brad Paisley was playing. Her staff from Leeda helped her get
tickets and took her to the concert, with her friend Mary Moore.
The evening started off with fine dining at the Red Lobster and then they went to
their seats in the 14th row in the pavilion. The ladies both said that they had a great time at
the “Brad Paisley Crushin’ It World Tour” . He played solo with no back up band the entire
concert, without taking a break and came back for an encore. They said that he played all
their favorite songs, and they had fun dancing and singing with other concert goers. They
said they didn’t get out of Blossom until after 11:30 at night, but it was definitely worth it.
They didn’t care that they were tired, as they said the concert was the best they had ever
been to. (Mary had previously seen Amy Grant). They both said that Brad was pretty sexy
and wore his signature white cowboy hat the entire show. They declared” this concert a
winner” and they each got souvenir T-shirt to remember their fun evening.
Wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, canes,
and shoes permitted in the rink.
No fee. Free skate rental. Refreshments
provided. Costumes welcome.
Springfield Lake Roller Rink
1220 N. Main St.
Akron, Ohio
Directions: Take Route 224 to Canton Rd/
Route 91 South, go 1/4 mile, turn right on
Springfield Lake Dr., follow road to rink.
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www.portagedd.org • October 2015 • Volume 22, Issue 3
Dream Come TRUE!
On August 18, 2015, Catrice Robinson
supported by Krystie Harris of All Hearts
Home Health, traveled to Blossom Music
Center to see Chris Brown and Omarion!
Catrice has loved Omarion and his music for
years, but this is the first time she has seen
him in person. Omarion found out what a
faithful fan she was before the show started
and when he came out on the stage, he
bent down and sang M.I. A. to Catrice who
was in the front row, sporting her brand new
airbrushed I love Omarion t-shirt! The fans
were screaming, dancing and crying! Catrice
made a scrapbook of her DREAM COME
TRUE!
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Pictured left to right, Brian Lewis, Dustin Bailey, and Brian Hewlette.
Job Experience
Dustin Bailey, Brian Hewlette and Brian Lewis started training washing buses
over at the transportation department. Since they have started everyone at
transportation has been grateful. They wash inside and outside the bus, sweep the
floors, and clean the windows.
Good job guys.
Robert Zamrzla
Volleyball Team Members: Brandon Boyett, Donald F., Shanna Gentile, Ben
Salvo, Kristin Maccharola, Joe Persavich, Jerry Dowling
Special Olympics Volleyball Team Places
The Special Olympics Volleyball team placed 2nd when they went to Columbus.
On July 16 the team went to Plum Creek Park to celebrate and play against the staff.
Great job everybody. We are very proud of you!
Surprise Trip of a Lifetime
to See Pope Francis in D.C.
In September, Robert’s family surprised
him with a trip to Washington D.C. to see Pope
Francis. He was able to tour the city and see
all of the amazing sights.
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2606 Brady Lake Road
Ravenna, OH 44266-1657
October/November/December 2015
October 21, 2015
Board Meeting
5:00 p.m.
Dennis M Coble Administration Building
November 6, 2015
Agency In-service Program Closed
November 9, 2015
Programs resume
November 18, 2015
Board Meeting
5:00 p.m.
Dennis M Coble Administration Building
5:00 p.m.
Dennis M. Coble Administration Building
November 26 & 27, 2015 Thanksgiving Break
November 30, 2015
Programs resume
December 16, 2015
Board Meeting
Winter Break
December 21, 2015 – December 31, 2015
Our mission is to assist individuals in developing their abilities to achieve a life as active members of our community.
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