The Beacon

“ L I G H T I N G T H E W A Y T O B E T T E R

C O M M U N I C A T I O N ” September/October

2013

Clermont County Board of Developmental Disabilities

THE “GOOD FORTUNE”

RECOGNITION DINNER

Please join us as we honor the many individuals from our community, who donate

countless hours to our agency each year. Recognition will be given in the following

categories:

Providers, Advocates, Self Advocates, Employees, Foster Parents, Volunteers,

Friends of DD, Business Partners, and Community Leaders

You MUST RSVP

Call or Email

Suzanne Diesel

513/732/5028 SDiesel@clermontdd.org

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Receptions Eastgate

4450 Eastgate Boulevard

Cincinnati, OH 45245

$15 Per Person

Doors Open/ Cash Bar - 5:30 p.m.

Dinner - 6:00

Program Begins - 6:30 p.m.

Celebrating our “Good Fortune” through

our relationship with YOU!

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From the Superintendent Sharon Woodrow

This whole page ad is paid for by: The Committee to Support People With Disabilities,

Gerald Werring, Treasurer,

2371 Whitmer Road, Batavia, OH 45103

Hello and happy fall; hasn’t the weather been glorious?

This communication from me is paid for by the Committee to Support People with

Disabilities, our levy committee, because I want to implore all of you to vote FOR

the DD Levy which will be on the November 5th ballot. This levy is a renewal of

our five year operating levy, first passed in 2003. It generates about 2.9 million

dollars for us, which goes to babies, children and adults for therapies, family

support, adaptive equipment, employment support, residential support and crisis

assistance. Our budget would have to be cut and services curtailed dramatically if

this levy is not renewed. Families are able to stay together and expensive

hospitalizations are often avoided because of the services we can offer to

individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

Now, the good thing is that this levy will not cost you any more money. This levy

is a renewal – no new money is being requested. Right now, the owner of a

$100,000 home pays and will pay $21.83 and the owner of a $200,000 home, $43.65.

And, I would be remiss by not saying that our board is deep into strategic planning for 2014 and beyond and we

are looking at options to increase efficiencies and save money on what we are currently doing. We understand our

responsibility to manage our resources and stretch every dollar. We assure you that we’ll do our part to budget

wisely and provide services effectively – to the most people possible. A draft of our 2014 plan will be available

sometime in November.

We would be glad to come and speak to your group; we can answer questions over the phone, through email, or in

person. Please do not hesitate to give us a call. We need your help to continue to support our citizens with

developmental disabilities.

For more information or to request a tour please contact me, Sharon Woodrow, at 513-732-4890 or Lisa Davis, at

513-732-4921.

We’re counting on you and we thank you for all you’ve done for us and for the individuals we assist.

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*Limited space available RSVP to Angie Stanton 513-732-4923.

10/1

Movies

$5

*price is movie only

TBA

Milford Cinema

10/7

Dinner on the

Road *

$15

5-7

Golden Corral/

Eastgate

10/23

Halloween Dance

FREE

7-9

Mt. Carmel American

Legion

10/25

People In Action

FREE

12:30-2

Grissom Building

10/28

Cake Decorating/Witch’s Brew Coffee Shop *

$10

(Includes Lunch)

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Meet at JcPenney

parking lot

Quarter Auction

Thursday, October 10

7:00 p.m. (Doors open at 6:30, Auction begins at 7:00 p.m.)

Paddles will be 1 for $2 or 3 for $5

Vendors: Scentsy, Deb’s Design, Mary Kay, Thirty One, Mialisia,

VersaStyle Accessories and more!

This half page ad is paid for by: The Committee to Support People With Disabilities,

Gerald Werring, Treasurer,

2371 Whitmer Road, Batavia, OH 45103

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The Clermont DD Empowers Me Board presented the 2nd Annual “Let the Good Times Roll”

Car Show on Saturday, August 17. There were 79 entries (12 more than last year) and 21

vendors from several local businesses and crafters participated. Sponsors for this year’s event

were: Mullins Maintenance, Stigler Supply, Murphy Supply, Owens Roofing, Senior

Independence, Care Source, Total Class Construction, Fiscus Trucking, KBC and General

Mobility Repair. Pictures were courtesy of Michael and Kimberleigh Szaz of MIKIM Photo,

and Shaun Steward of the Grissom Building.

Many thanks to the Car Show Committee who made this event possible. We’ll

see you in 2014!

Let the Good Times Roll!

2nd Annual Car Show

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School is Back in Session

Clermont DD welcomed back Wildey students and staff on Monday, August 26. Good luck on

a great year!

Celebrating NDEAM in October Each year, Clermont DD recognizes individuals enrolled

in our Community Employment Department by

celebrating October as National Disability Employment

Awareness Month (NDEAM). This year’s theme,

“Because We Are EQUAL to the Task” is well suited to

the 75+ individuals who are working in the community.

Clermont County Commissioners David Uible, Ed

Humphrey, and Bob Proud proclaimed October’s

NDEAM status on September 18 during their regular

meeting session. Matt Stricklin, recently employed with

Danbarry Cinemas in Eastgate, accepted the proclamation

on behalf of Clermont DD and shared his personal story

with the legislators.

On October 11, Clermont DD and the Clermont County

Business Advisory Committee will honor Big Lots Beechmont as Employer of the Year. This award will be presented at the

Clermont Chamber of Commerce Monthly Luncheon which will be held at Receptions Eastgate. Watch for pictures in the

November/December issue of “The Beacon.” And MANY THANKS to the Clermont County businesses who employ those

with developmental disabilities!

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Bridges to Transition is a partnership between Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities Agency

(formerly RSC), the Ohio Association of County Boards and Clermont DD. Bridges to Transition is a

part of our Community Employment office. We are headed into our fourth year of the project that

helps students 14-22 years old transition from school to work. Bridges to Transition offers many

different services that provide people with disabilities prepare for, obtain, and/or maintain a job.

This past summer we had our largest group of students working in the community! Students from all

over Clermont County worked at Big Lots, Batavia YMCA, Grants Farm and Coney Island. The

students worked three days a week and attended class once per week. We also had students participate

in a four week class that focused on skills needed for employment. These classes help prepare our

students to work in our summer programs, community based work assessments and permanent

placement in the community. Our summer opportunities allow students to connect with new people,

engage in our community, practice their skills and earn a paycheck! Bridges to Transition also serves

students throughout the school year.

Bridges to Transition strives to educate individuals, families and Clermont County School Districts

about the training and employment options for individuals with a developmental disability. We do this

by developing a plan of employment that fits each individual’s needs and monitoring their progress.

We understand that transitioning is a sensitive time and we are here to support you. More information

about Bridges to Transition can be found on our website or by contacting Haley Dunn at 513-732-

4880.

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On Tuesday, September 17th, thirteen people from the Grissom Center enjoyed a trip to the

Historic Loveland Castle, located on the banks of the Little Miami River. As well as being a

very beautiful building, the castle has many colorful creative gardens. The balconies had a nice

view of the river and property. Sir Harry Andrews built the castle for his wife originally in

1930. It is currently owned by the Knights of the Golden Trail. The castle serves as a museum

including suits of armor, swords, weapons, and historical artifacts. I was the photographer for

the trip, capturing many wonderful memories. We took a tour of the castle, which included a

Knight’s Table, many rooms with older items, a Knight’s throne, a spooky dungeon, and lots of

narrow and steep stairways. It was a perfect day to get everyone in the Halloween spirit! I

helped plan this trip because Halloween is my favorite holiday of the year. I hope you get to

visit this great, local historic castle.

The Loveland Castle

By Terry Lewis

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PIA NEWFLASH EXPRESS

In August our group People in Action volunteered at the second annual car show. That was held

at the Wildey School for the respite program. It was a big success a lot of people came. We had

a booth set up where we passed out information and fans too: since it was hot that day. We

were also made judges Gail, Sam, Amy, Melissa and Vida all at our booth passing information.

We also helped with the games as well, it was good day for all. Even Amy’s step dad Richard

Wentz helped out a lot. He helped with passing out information, bought lunch and even helped

other car owners. Mr. Wentz helped them by lifting things for them. We would like say thank

you to him for everything he helped us with. Pepsi (Gail's dog) got in the spirit of things too.

All of the kids loved Pepsi and thought he was adorable.

We also put on a Rights and Responsibilities conference for the DD providers. Where we had

Jonathon Sutter help us with our game Jeopardy. It was a fun for all. Josh greeted everyone at

the door and passed out candy. The teams with the correct answers also received candy as a

prize. Gail, Vida, Amy and Cathy read the questions for the teams and read them well.

Announcements- People In Action will be hosting some upcoming trainings. So be watching

for them, so you can come out and join us.

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Clermont County

Board of DD

2040 US Highway 50

Batavia, OH 45103

Board Members

Harry Snyder - President

Laurie Benintendi - Vice President

Kim Pellington- Secretary

Greg Carson

Robert Grant

Sheila Madden

Jennifer Mailloux

Superintendent Sharon Woodrow

THE BEACON is published monthly by the Clermont County Board of Developmental Disabilities. Please direct

any questions or send your press releases to: Lisa Davis, Community Relations Director Clermont County

Board of Developmental Disabilities 2040 US Highway 50 Batavia, OH 45103

513/732-4921 ldavis@clermontdd.org

www.clermontdd.org

Join us at the Wall

The Veteran’s Memorial Tribute will be

coming to the Union Township Veteran’s Park

October 9-13. This FREE event is sponsored

by the Clermont County Veteran’s

Commission, the Union Township, and several

other local, state, and national

organizations. Speakers, entertainment, and

interactive booths are planned throughout the

four-day event—the highlight being the

traveling Vietnam War Memorial Wall. Please

visit clermontdd.org for daily schedules and

more information.