the madison express€¦ · for 18 years along with her family: thom, matthew, cheyenne, shade and...
TRANSCRIPT
Volume 17, Issue 8 August 2016
The Madison Express
Visit us online at www.co.madison.oh.us/dd/
Madison County Board of Developmental Disabi l i t ies
Madison County’s Mighty Marlin
Nothing fishy about his success.
For about eight years, Isaac Tipton has been taking swim
lessons – first at the YMCA and then moved on to the adaptive
aquatics program at Ohio State University. Isaac is served by the
Madison County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
As a first-year member of the Madison County Marlins Swim
Team, Isaac has established himself as a great teammate, according to
his coach, Suzy Bennett. The Marlins are part of the Suburban East
Swim League (SESL), which is made up of four teams in addition to
the Marlins – Foxboro Baracudas, Eastmoor Swordfish, Hunters Ridge
Seahorses, and New Albany Dolphins.
“Isaac may have challenges with Autism, but you wouldn’t
know it from how he works so well with his team members,” Bennett
said. “For several hours each week of the summer swimming season, he gets to be just another swimmer
and that is indeed a blessing.”
Isaac’s commitment was noticed by others as he was unanimously selected to receive the
league’s prestigious Summit Award (pictured above), presented to one swimmer who has overcome
obstacles to participate.
“I can’t say enough good things
about his swim coach, team members,
or the league in general,” said Isaac’s
father Don. “Everyone was supportive
and cheered Isaac on each time he
participated in an event.”
Isaac has made an impact on his
teammates.
“Needless to say, there were
many tears of happiness and pride shed
by his coaches, parents, friends and
teammates when the award was
presented,” Bennett said. “The
Madison Marlins Swim Team is indeed
proud to have such an active swimmer
on our team.”
** See Isaac’s other sport on
Page 4
First Day of School
Proud grandpa (and
MCBDD board member)
Ted Slanker helps Sam
and Savanna Houk
celebrate their first day at
Fairhaven on August 17.
It was the opening day of
school for the Fairhaven
classrooms at London
Elementary and London
High School as well
PAGE 2 THE MADISON EXPRESS VOLUME 17, ISSUE 8
MCBDD Administrative Offices Enhance Security System
When visiting the Madison County Board of DD
Administrative Offices at 500 Elm Street in London, you
will be noticing some changes in the coming months.
In its continued quest to provide safe-keeping and the
maintaining of sensitive information, MCBDD is
establishing further security measures.
The newest involves
a new procedure when
entering the office. A
listing of employee
telephone extensions is posted in the main door entryway.
That way you can call upon your arrival, and that person can
let you into the building. The extension is also available for
the main reception desk.
The Madison County Board of DD appreciates your
cooperation.
Meet Missy Glover, Service Coordinator
Missy Glover has been a resident of Madison County
for 18 years along with her family: Thom, Matthew,
Cheyenne, Shade and Reise. She and her husband,
Thom, have been married for 22 years. She is a
graduate of Wright State University with a degree in
Education. Prior to her Service Coordinator position
with MCBDD, Missy was the Youth Director for
London First Presbyterian Church for the past 14
years as well as a substitute teacher for London City
Schools for the past 10 years. She has also worked
with youth programs in Dayton and Greenville.
Meet Mackenzie Garrison, Service Coordinator
Mackenzie Garrison is a recent graduate from The Ohio State
University where she received her degree in criminology and
psychology. Mackenzie has been an active volunteer for the
Special Olympics since 2009. In college, she was also a
member of sociology club and psychology club. She is 22
years old from Greenfield, and she currently lives in
Washington Court House.
PAGE 3 THE MADISON EXPRESS VOLUME 17, ISSUE 8
Tigers Softball
Underway
The Madison County
Tigers Unified Softball Team has
its season well underway.
Catcher Michael Long
takes a well-deserved break in
the summer heat.
Meanwhile, John David
Zeeck shuffles the ball to first
base from his second base
position to get the batter out.
Do The Right Thing training ensures safety not in ‘Jeopardy’
Training for 800 please Alex!
Each year to conduct her annual ‘Do The Right
Thing’ trainings, MCBDD Behavior Support Specialist
Tracy Anderson comes up with a different popular game or
gameshow to engage her audience.
This time it was the popular nighttime trivia
contest, ‘Jeopardy.’
Staff and other participants are put on to teams to
answer questions pertaining to behavior support.
Finally, the participants learn some of the basic
maneuvers to help save the people we serve from potential
safety concerns.
Liz Blakeslee Retires
A celebration was held at the end of July to honor
Liz Blakeslee’s retirement after 22-plus years with
the Madison County Board of DD. A number of
people were on hand, including Paula and Nancy
Manning, a pair of sisters with whom Liz has
become close with over the years.
Vicki gets surprise visitor to Fairhaven School
With the start of school just a
week away at the time,
Fairhaven secretary Vicki
Thompson gets a visitor from
an ‘old’ friend — Breanna
Carson. She is like many
former students who come
back to see their friend Vicki.
PAGE 4 THE MADISON EXPRESS VOLUME 17, ISSUE 8
Claiming Their Turf By Jenn Coleman
Job Club members have begun work on the
community Green Space Project to improve a local
city park area at the intersection of Elm and
Lafayette Streets in London — known as ‘Triangle
Park.’
Improvement has been slow but steady as
community-employed individuals with disabilities
volunteer their time outside of work hours to
mulch, weed flower beds and cut back the daylilies.
While these individuals (see Michael Payton,
Marlyn Zeeck and Brandon North at right — Jerrid
Fluor was also present) were working Saturday
morning 8/13/16 many community members
stopped by while walking or sitting in traffic at the
red light to thank members for cleaning up the
space! One person even gave a brief history to recall a barbershop that was originally located in the space
called ‘Ye Old Barbershop’. Members proposed installation of a ‘Little Free Library’ to give the space a
purpose and a concrete park bench. Stay tuned for further developments as the club members continue
their work. Volunteers are always welcome!
** If interested in Job Club, please contact Jenn Coleman at 740-852-7050x1845 or email
The Karate Kid
Earning a black belt in determination.
A number of years ago, Isaac Tipton tried his hand at
karate.
Despite patient instruction from Thad Hughes,
Isaac’s family decided to take a break.
About nine months ago they decided to return, and
Isaac has thrived.
“When Isaac first started karate he wasn’t very
comfortable touching or being touched by other students,”
said his father Don. “(But) he is much better with this now.”
Don gives a fair chunk of the credit to Thad — who
like his swim coach Suzy Bennett — have been very positive influences on Isaac.
“They are patient, but they don’t treat him differently than the other kids,” Don said of Isaac’s sport
coaches. “As Isaac’s parent that is always my greatest wish — be aware that Isaac sometimes needs some
additional instruction and patience, but don’t treat him different or lower your expectations.”
He is impressed with what Isaac has learned as well.
“Karate has helped with his focus, attention span, and ability to follow directions,” Don said of Isaac.
“Both activities help with physical conditioning and are healthy activities that he can do for a lifetime.” ** Above, Isaac (right) executes a move as coach Thad Hughes looks on
PAGE 5 THE MADISON EXPRESS VOLUME 17, ISSUE 8
August 2016 FOCUS ON COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT
Pathways to Employment
OOD Bridges to Transition Summer 2016 Programs- SUCCESS! By Jenn Coleman
Opportunities for Ohioans for Disabilities has been active in Madison County
this summer serving a total of 34 students! ‘Career Exploration Group 2’ and
the Summer Youth Work Experiences in the community are wrapping up this
month and the OOD Bridges team Jackie Hines and Patrick Kilbane are
beginning preparations for next year’s services. Services varied widely this
summer — individualized one-to-one services tailored to meet specific needs,
small group exploration services, supported summer jobs in the community
and summer temporary job services for youth ready to step out into the world
of work. OOD Bridges services are designed to be progressive and build upon
previous years services to ensure success in community employment by exit of
high school. This summer students were involved at numerous local businesses
learning about and experiencing work. In addition to working, four students
received ‘extra’ training from Denise Zerkle the
Madison County Board of DD’s Health Services
Coordinator on ‘Universal Precautions’ as an extra
measure of education to ensure safety while working
at Madison Health. Pictured above, Madison Pollard
and Clayton Conley, demonstrating their knowledge
of how to safely remove soiled latex gloves prior to
beginning their shift at the hospital. All students at
Madison Health (at right — Nick Brown, Madison
Pollard, Brett Adkins, Clayton Conley) worked across
the departments, Environmental Services, Dietary and
Material Handling. Other activities featured tours
where personal protective equipment was required
(below, Conner Warnock and Garrett Moore suited up
with personal protective equipment including a heavy
work coat, hardhat, eye protection and earplugs) to learn about
production work in the automotive industry. Other community
partners participating in education or work opportunities for the
students not pictured were Fine Designs and Interiors, Giant
Eagle, Krogers, Walmart, OPOTA, Stanley Electric, McDonald’s,
Cultiva Designs, Starr Trophy, London Fire Department, London
Police Depart, Madison County Courthouse, Sherriff’s
Department/ Dispatch office, Phat Daddy’s, Madison Garden
Center, Bluebird Retirement Community, SWACO, and Strader’s.
Thank you to all of our community partners, parents, students and providers that made this year’s
summer 2016 Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities ‘Bridges to Transition’ service a success!!!
If you are a business/ agency and would like to explore ways to get involved please contact Jenn
Coleman at 740-852-7050x1845 or email [email protected]
PAGE 6 THE MADISON EXPRESS VOLUME 17, ISSUE 8
Tigers Benches Installed
The Madison County
Tigers received new
benches for their locker
rooms at Fairhaven
School, thanks to the
talents of MCBDD’s Scott
Duf fey and Randy
Redding.
At right, Scott poses
with some of his and
Randy’s handiwork.
Coughlin Automotive Sponsors MCR Van Coughlin Auto
displayed their
commitment to
individuals with
disabilities by
p l a c i n g
sponsorship on a
Madison County
Ride Van. Jay
Hicks shows the
finished product.
Superintendent’s Spotlight
Say Cheese!
We want to see some of the great things being done by the people we
serve. Send your photos with the essential information (who, what they
are doing, who took the picture) and at least one will be selected each
month to be spotlighted in The Madison Express.
Email Superintendent Susan Thompson directly at
PAGE 7 THE MADISON EXPRESS VOLUME 17, ISSUE 8
MCBDD Serves Up Annual Staff In-Service
The Madison County Board of DD served up a bunch of guest speakers for its annual staff in-service, held
at Fairhaven School on August 15. This year — in addition to the MCBDD staff, the event was also
attended by family members of people with disabilities, board members, agency providers, independent
providers, and community members.
At bottom — Columbus Developmental Center Program
Director Curtis Wright presents ‘Trauma Informed Care.’
Below left — Other presenters included Scott Philips (Assistant
Deputy Director of DODD MUI Unit) and Heather Winkhart
(RN over Infection Control at Madison Health).
At right — MCBDD’s John LaCivita helped prepare a lunch for
all in-service attendees.
Other presentors for the day
included:
Defensive Driving with Brian
Kirk, Retired Investigator with
Ohio Highway Patrol
Customer Service 101 with
Cindy Stout, VP of Marketing
and Physician Services at
Madison Health
Comments by MCBDD
Superintendent Susan Thompson
MCBDD shows
the Olympic Spirit
USA, USA!
For much of the month of August, the
MCBDD Administrative and Fairhaven staffs
have been showing their patriotism through
support of the Olympics.
Whether it is participating in the daily
trivia contests or wearing red, white and blue,
the staff have been rooting strongly since the
opening ceremonies August 5.
Below, Service Coordinator Ron Mast
Learn about STABLE Accounts Saving and investment solutions for people with disabilities
FREE Presentation Friday, August 26, 2016
9:00am — Fairhaven School
Nationwide enrollment for individuals with disabilities
Tax-free savings plans for disability-related expenses
Save and invest without losing needs-based benefits
Please RSVP to:
Carol Ansel ([email protected] or 740-852-7050 x1838)
Leigh Spohler ([email protected] or 740-852-7050 x1837)
Madison County Board of
Developmental Disabilities
Superintendent
Susan Thompson
(740) 852-7050 x1820
(740) 852-7051 FAX
Organization Services
John LaCivita, Director
(740) 852-7050 x1816
Family Support Services
Carol Ansel, Director
(740) 852-7050 x1838
Children Services
Mike Mast, Supervisor
(740) 852-7052 x1910
Rivalry Quilts Donated
The Madison Correctional Institution
(MaCI) Community Stiches Program donated both
OSU and Michigan themed quilts to our local
Special Olympics Committee. The program,
comprised of nine offenders, is led by Liz Lassell,
who is an experienced quilter herself. Mrs. Lassell
donates not only her time but works tirelessly to
secure donations which contribute greatly to the
program’s success. The Community Stiches
Program regularly donates quilted items to local
nursing homes, veteran’s associations, the Senior
Center as well as the Help House. To date, the
program has donated roughly $20,300.00 in
product to aide those in need.
The offenders were particularly excited to
design and donate quilts to the Special Olympics
and hope the rivalry between OSU and Michigan
will help raise money for this worthy organization.
Pictured are (from left) MaCI Warden Richard, Liz
Lassell, and MCBDD Superintendent Susan
Thompson.