DatelineDateline December 2007 Published by the Franklin County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities “Helping people to live, learn and work in the community” Charitable giving hits new high FCBMRDD staff have pledged time, it appeared probable that such people in our community depend on over $77,000 to the 2007 Combined would be the case again this year. our help.” Charitable Campaign, exceeding the Superintendent Jed Morison Campaign coordinator Jack Brown- agency’s goal and surpassing last praised the staff’s generosity. ley expressed thanks “to everyone who year’s record total of $75,821. “I continue to be deeply impressed contributed and provided leadership.” For the past five years, FCBMRDD with our staff’s commitment to this has led all county agencies in total sup- campaign. They understand that many port for the annual campaign. At press

Bruce Burns honored for service to agency A veteran member of the Franklin County Board of Bruce Burns is ending his tenure as a board member MRDD was recognized for his service to the county on after twelve years of service. He was an appointee of Pro- November 15th. bate Judge Lawrence Belskis. During his tenure, Mr. Burns held the posts of President, Vice-President, Chairman of the Human Resources Com- mittee, Chairman of the Finance Committee, and liaison to Franklin County Residential Services, Inc. Mr. Burns brought much-needed expertise to the board. A professional planner and businessman, he encouraged the agency to engage in strategic planning and efficient management practices. He proposed a personal, emergency planning tool that became a model for many counties. He was a strong advo- cate of individualized, therapeutic education programs. Mr. Burns also brought a parent’s perspective to the board. He and his wife, Margaret were the proud parents of Roger, a student at Northeast School until his untimely death at age 18. In 2000, Mr. Burns helped bring statewide attention to the struggle of elderly parents to provide care for their adult children with disabilities. Superintendent Jed Morison presented Mr. Burns a clock as a token of appreciation from the FCBMRDD com- munity. “Your willingness to help, your knowledge of the issues, your creative thinking, and above all your dedication to our clients, have made you an invaluable board member,” he said. Parting thoughts

Note: The following remarks were lot of gratitude, nonetheless, made by FCBMRDD board member I loved his smile. I loved his Bruce Burns at the Community Star impishness, I loved his little Awards Banquet on November 1st. He triumphs against all the odds. is leaving his post after twelve years of I loved him. And anything I service. could do to make him happy, free of pain, experiencing life, During the twelve years I’ve been I did because I loved him. on the Franklin County Board of So this is the mean- MRDD, and before that, nine years on ing of life. It’s not to amass ADD’s Board of Trustees, I’ve learned Bruce and Margaret Burns at the Star wealth, things, power. It’s not to seek Awards Banquet. the meaning of life. During my twelve the envy of those you know. It’s to years with you, we have shared small give your everything to your family although it’s really, really good lasa- and large victories; and we’ve shared because you love them; to give 100% gna. My first thoughts are of you. For joy, challenge and grief. to your career because you love doing me it’s being welcomed into a group My mom told me when I was little it; to give 100% to every experience of family and friends who get it, who that, in everything you do, you have because you love people, knowledge, understand, who know the meaning of to give everything. You have to give and experience itself. life. It’s like heaven must be all the your all, 100% all the time. Being little, For these past twenty-nine years, time (only with really great Villa Milano I didn’t know what she meant exactly. I have been honored and humbled lasagna). My dad, a fireman and war hero, to be associated with all of you. I’ve On behalf of all the people you told me if I expected gratitude for what been honored to share your joys, to teach, feed, hug, clean and clean up I did, I’d have a long wait. I asked, commiserate with you when we’ve after, and love; on behalf of their fami- “Then why try so hard?” He picked me shared loss, and to offer you any sort lies; on behalf of the people of Franklin up so I’d be looking him in the eyes, of support I could humbly give. County who don’t know half of what and said, “Because I love it.” When I think of coming here for you accomplish for us all, I thank you. This all came back to me with our annual Community Star Awards, I love all of you and each of you. my son, Roger. Not one to show a my first thought is not the lasagna,

True dedication

The strong devotion of Palmer Donavin manag- the community to persons ers pose in front of the with disabilities - especially donated building. From that of the Palmer-Donavin left are: Bob Mcollow, Manufacturing Company Vice President of Op- -- was celebrated at the erations, Robyn Pollina, Chief Financial Officer, ribbon-cutting ceremony Ron Calhoun, President on October 25th for the & C. O. O., Dave Zim- Palmer-Donavin House, a merman, Vice President respite facility located on of Sales. McDowell Road in Grove City. The company built and donated the facility to Photos on this page cour- Franklin County Residen- tesy of Franklin County tial Services, Inc. Residential Services.

2 12/2007 ‘Stars’ celebrated, memories stirred All photos by Jeff Thompson. It isn’t possible to travel back in time, of course. Then again, if you closed your eyes for a few minutes during the 4th Annual Community Star Awards Banquet, and listened as the Dave Powers Band played such oldies as the Monkees’ I’m a Believer, and the Beatles’ classic Sgt. Pep- per’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, followed by the advertising jingle Let’s Go Krogering, you might have imagined that you’d been transported back to 1967. Oh, how the mind plays tricks at times! In reality, the annual gathering at Villa Milano, which was held on the evening of November 1st, had a dual purpose: to recognize extraordinary achievers in the FCBMRDD com- munity for 2007, while celebrating the fortieth anniversary of county boards of MRDD. The background music consisted of top hits from 1967, the year that county boards were created. John Martin, Director of the Ohio Department of MRDD, and In opening comments, Superintendent Jed Morison Superintendent Jed Morison look on as Angel Ratliff waves to reminded the more than eight-hundred guests of the county the crowd. Angel won the Child Participant Community Star boards’ early history. Award. “Let’s never forget those pioneers who laid the foundation for today’s programs and services,” he said. Special recognition was given to FCBMRDD board member Bruce Burns as he neared completion of his tenure of service. John Martin, Director of the Ohio Department of MRDD, assisted in pre- senting the awards. Other dignitaries on hand included County Administrator Don Brown and former FCBMRDD Superintendent Steve Pleasnick. The fourteen Star award winners -- twelve individuals and two organiza- tions -- were announced by emcee Frank New, who movingly described the way in which each helped advance the agency’s mission. As the winners came forward, the crowd broke out in thunderous applause. Younger members of the audience and old-timers, together at Robin Mathis, winner in the Transportaion Staff their dinner tables, shared in the festive spirit. category, and her bus assistant, Marie Kelso.

It was an evening that any time traveler would relish. More ‘Stars’ on next page.

‘Dedication’ continued from previous page. Andrea Cambern from WBNS-TV, Ron Calhoun President and C. O. O. of Palmer- Donavin, Ed Harper Executive Director of Franklin County Residential Services, Cheryl Grossman Mayor of Grove City, Patrick Rafter President/C.E.O. of Cre- ative Housing, and Jed Morison, Superin- tendent.

3 12/2007 Virginia Ryder, Community Star Volunteer John Martin and Early Childhood Staff Award win- of the year accepts her star from Superin- ner, Bruce Fingerhut. Michael Christen, honoree for tendent Jed Morison. Service Coordination Staff, had a big smile for everyone.

David Ciminello represented the Kroger Company winner of the Community Employer Star Award with Maggie Scott , Employment Servicces

Judy Beck, Community Star Award winner for School Person- nel, holds her grandson, Aidan.

Jean and Ted Williams, Community Star Award winners as Parent/Fam- ily Members .

Rose Sawyers Commu- nity Star Award winner for the Support Servic- es category seen here with Superintendent Jed Morison. 4 12/2007 The Dave Powers Band includes Dave, Andy Smith from ARC Indus- tries South and Dr.Michael Cox from Capital University.. Frank New, who served as emcee, de- scribed the achievements of every winner. Frank and Linda Rockwell are responsible for organizing the event.

John Martin, Martha Cornwell, the Community Star Award winner for Residential Staff and Jed Morison. John Martin shared a laugh with Mi- chael Davis, honoree in the Supervisor category.

From left are: Director of the Ohio Department of MRDD John Martin, Mark Stuntz, President of On The Mark Services, winner for Organiza- Michael Rigo is the Award winner tion category, and Superintendent Jed Morison. for Adult Participant. 5 12/2007 Managing for success - Adult Services aiming high by Kurt Smith Director, ARC Industries South The degree to which we are able to Adult Services staff are currently tracking, efficiently and effectively handle infor- engaged in a huge effort to assist in the behavior mation directly impacts our ability to development of this system to ensure manage- work efficiently and effectively. that it will meet present needs and be ment, Med- Since June, 2005 the Adult Ser- flexible for the future. icaid billing vices Department and ARC Industries The features of the system ensure and other have been developing and implement- centralized, accurate, timely informa- uses. ing a technology solution to support the tion to all staff working with participants, The goal of significantly improving services allowing the availability of custom- Vertex to program participants and support ized reporting to evaluate program product critical business functions. performance, and tighter security of software The ARC Information Management records to preserve confidentiality. As is in the System (AIMS) will be made up of cus- a byproduct, less paper will be used. final stage tom-built capability and two “off the AIMS will also provide useful data of roll-out shelf” software applications: Advisor, linkage with other FCBMRDD depart- at ARC Industries locations, with staff which will house habilitation-related ments such as Transportation and training nearly complete. Improve- data; and Vertex, for production and Service Coordination. There will also ments have already been noted in the business information. be consistency of business processes areas of inventory accuracy and billing across the Adult Services Department turnaround. All locations are loading The project is directed by the Advisor habilitation software with FCBMRDD staff with assistance with a single point of data entry feeding a single system. participant information. Data tests are from the Groundwork Group, and is being preformed. The entire AIMS sys- designed by Information Control Cor- Direct services staff will utilize the tem is on target for staff training in the poration. system to track and record all required fall of next year with a “go live” target of AIMS will integrate the two soft- program information, thus eliminating December, 2008. ware applications with custom-built the need to spend time shuffling paper and maintaining data in a variety of for- Big thanks are owed to the Franklin capability to provide complete technol- County Board and the ARC Industries ogy support to the workshops, living mats and in multiple places. This data will then be managed and delivered Board of Trustees for their support of skills centers, and the Employment this project. Services Department. to those who need it for payroll, goal

Winter weather advisory In preparation for the coming win- 2. Administration and Service 4. COTA bus riders: May report ter months, please review the following Coordination: Facilities are open and to their workshop and parents/provid- procedures. Should it become neces- staff are expected to report unless a ers may transport to their workshop or sary to cancel transportation due to State of Emergency has been declared work location only if they also pick the weather conditions, the following mes- that prohibits driving. individual up at the end of the day. sage will be broadcast on local radio 3. Adult Day Services operated by 5. Maintenance Staff: Expected and television stations: the Board: Open and staff is expected to report to work unless otherwise “The Franklin County Board of to report unless a State of Emergency directed by supervisor. Mental Retardation will be closed.” has been declared that prohibits driv- 6. Recreation & Special Olympics: 1. ECE and School facilities oper- ing. The residential provider/family Cancelled when transportation is can- ated by the Board: Closed for the day member may transport only if they celled. when the message is aired and staff is also pick the individual up at the end of the day. Please contact the workshop 7. If parents/providers feel it is unsafe not expected to report, unless report- for an individual to leave home for any ing has been pre-arranged. prior to transporting someone to make certain the shop is open and has ade- reason, such as frigid temperatures or No children should be transported to quate resources available to serve the icy conditions, the individual will not ECE or schools when the Board is individual that day. The cafeterias will be required to attend day services on closed. be closed on these days so individuals those days. will need to bring lunch and snacks. Please see the next page for a list of co- 6 12/2007 operating broadcast media. Good For You Notable Achievements in the FCBMRDD Community Career Milestones

Kudos to Adult Services staff 25 years members Annette Ammerman, Cathy Hutzel and Chris Reese for James McLaughlin their exceptional work in coordinating Richard Stoll preparations for the visit of the CARF survey team in November. Although the final results are not yet known, the 20 years team offered much positive feedback regarding the agency and staff. Kevin Gilmore Margaret Sherwood * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * A standout athlete, Transportation 15 years staff member David Dawson is con- tinuing his award-winning ways. At a Michael Berry Senior Citizen’s Olympics event held Johanna Nitz at Ohio State’s Jesse Owens Track, he won gold in the discus, shot put and ARC Industries West participant 10 years javelin. Congratulations, David! Kevin True -- known as “Little E” -- will present his Elvis Christmas show at Cindy Ashmore * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * West Central School on December 5th. Sue Boyers The show will include the famous hit, Jason Thomp- Blue Christmas. son shared a 5 years moment with his Denise Henkel special friend Andrea Cam- Terri Jones bern at the recent Amadu Kamara dedication cer- Mark Moxley emonies for the Palmer Donavin House, a respite facility at McDow- Your opinion ell Road. Andrea counts took time from Readers are urged to respond her duties as to the enclosed survey and needs newscaster for assessment. By doing so, you WBNS-TV to will provide information to help emcee the dedica- FCBMRDD improve services and better meet the needs of individu- als with disabilities. This needs assessment is used Closing Announcements in preparing the annual action plan. For information concerning closings, please listen to the following between Please take a few minutes to 5:30 and 6:30 a.m. complete the survey and return it to: Superintendent’s Office, Radio AM Radio FM Television FCBMRDD, 2879 Johnstown Road, WBNS (1460) WCOL (92.3 WCMH (4) Columbus, OH 43219, by February WMNI (920) WCVO (104.9) WSYX (6) 15th. WOSU (820) WNCI (97.9) WBNS (10) Anyone desiring additional WTVN (610) WSNY (Sunny 95) WOSU (34) survey forms may contact Linda Rockwell at 342-5950. QFM (96) FOX (28)

7 12/2007 Frank New named education pioneer Frank New, FCBMRDD’s Director of Planning, was honored as an “Ohio Pioneer in Education” on November 20th. Ohio Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Susan Tave Zelman presented the award at a FCBMRDD staff meeting at Administration. The “Pioneer in Education” award was established by the State Board of Education and the Ohio Department of Education in 1999 to recognize “exceptional and visionary men and woman who have significantly advanced educational practices” in the state. Frank began his career in 1962 as a teacher for the Cincinnati Public Schools. He joined the Ohio Department of Education in 1968 and went on to serve as Assistant Director, then Director of the Divi- sion of Special Education. He was lead author of the standards adopted by the State Board in 1982. He convened an advisory group to revise and reform spe- cial education services. According to Dr. Zelman, he is “a person whose name is almost synonymous with special education in Ohio.” Ohio Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Susan Tave Zelman presents Frank New with the “Pioneer in Educa- “He led the state through one of the most challenging times in the tion” award. history of special education,” she said. Frank joined FCBMRDD in 1991 after twenty-three years with the Ohio Department of Education.

DatelineDateline

The Franklin County Board of Mental Retardation Calendar and Developmental Disabilities December, 2007 Ben W. Hale, Jr. 4-5 Hanukkah Jerry Saunders 11 Franklin County Residential Services Board of Mildred Blumenfeld Trustees meeting, 11 a.m. Please call 844-3800 Bruce Burns for location. Paul S. Coppel 17 Public Hearing on FCBMRDD Annual Action Dean Fadel Plan, 2879 Johnstown Rd., 4 p.m. FCBMRDD does not discriminate in employment 20 Parent League meeting, 2879 Johnstown Rd., or services on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, 9:30 a.m. national origin, or handicap. 22 Winter begins. The following FCBMRDD staff contribute to the monthly 24-31 Winter recess for ECE and schools. Classes publication and distribution of Dateline. resume January 3rd. Jed W. Morison Carl Scott Mary Linden 25 Christmas Day - all county facilities closed. Michael Davis Amy Magginis Martin Kerscher 26-31 Winter recess for adult services. Programs Jennifer Cunningham resume January 2nd.

News releases, story ideas, and suggestions should be sent to Martin Kerscher at: 2879 Johnstown Road “Quotable quotes” Columbus, Ohio 43219 “If we could only figure out that each of us can do little things with great passion, the whole world would Information about FCBMRDD is always available on the internet at: change.” www.fcbmrdd.org -- Andrew Cherng