DCBDD Gives Back

On Monday, November 19, 2018, Delaware County Board of Developmental Disabilities (DCBDD) launched into a day filled with giving thanks. The day began with a Thanksgiving Luncheon for the entire staff of DCBDD prepared by members of the administrative team. “I always approach Thanksgiving with an attitude of gratitude,” shared Superintendent Kristine Hodge. “Our staff does so much to support people in our community. This is just our small way of saying thank you for their hard work and commitment to providing excellent services.”

After staff finished their Thanksgiving lunch, they dispersed into the community for an afternoon of giving back. A total of nine different community partners were touched by DCBDD’s outreach. A group of staff assisted United Way (UW) with cleaning and decorating the UW Teen Room as well as, assembling diaper bags and cleaning the UW Kid’s Room. Several teams from DCBDD stopped by a few of Delaware City’s elementary schools to practice reading with children one on one. Another group of staff members helped prepare for the distribution of turkeys and meal kits for the Hunger Games Drive by sorting the donated food into complete meal kits. Other teams from DCBDD spent time visiting with residents at Willowbrook, stocking shelves at Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore, organizing items at Lutheran Social Services food pantry and sorting toys at People In Need for the Holiday Clearing House. A final group of staff members made fleece blankets to be donated to Turning Point and Delaware County Jobs and Family Services for new babies born in need.

“I was able to spend the afternoon at the Willowbrook Day Program volunteering with a group of residents,” shared DCBDD employee Lisa Fowler. “I feel blessed to work for an agency that cares for the well-being of the staff and offers opportunities like these to share our time in the community in places where we are appreciated.  Gratitude feeds the soul.”

DCBDD appreciates the support it has received from the community of Delaware. “These outreach opportunities were a great way for us to share our gratitude during this season of Thanksgiving,” said Hodge.

2018 Strategic Plan Progress Report

DCBDD has nearly completed its second year of the 2017-2019 Strategic Plan. Outlined in this plan are six core goals:

  1. Goal One: Strengthen community inclusion opportunities, supports, and successes
  2. Goal Two: Increase community employment success
  3. Goal Three: Educate and support individuals and family members
  4. Goal Four: Strengthen providers’ ability to meet the needs of people with developmental disabilities
  5. Goal Five: Strengthen person-centered thinking throughout the agency
  6. Goal Six: Continuously improve internal operations

In preparation for the final year of the Strategic Plan, DCBDD would like your feedback on how well it did in accomplishing our 2018 goals. To review our 2018 Progress Report, please click here. After you review, please complete our brief 3-question survey to offer your feedback.

Meet Emma

Creative, funny, smart, and inquisitive are a few words that describe Emma. She is all around our American Girl. Emma is an active participant in her community, loves to read, and enjoys crafting things with her hands.

Emma just completed her sixth year of 4-H and has been elected as the incoming president for her 4-H club for 2019. According to Ohio 4-H Family Guide, “all 4-H programs focus on active involvement and quality experiences that stimulate lifelong learning of values and skills.”

This past year, Emma took a wide variety of projects to the fair. She took scrapbooking, sewing, vegetable gardening, seed art, and even made her own fairy garden. Emma received a total of seven blue ribbons and two outstandings. Her outstanding awards were for her beautifully designed seed art and for the pumpkin she grew.

Emma sews for more than her 4-H projects. It’s something she truly enjoys and has a lot of fun choosing the patterns. Emma has made custom clothing and quilts for her large collection of American Girl dolls. Her favorite outfit that she made for her dolls was a t-shirt and coordinating velour skirt. “I asked Emma if she wanted to make the skirt out of a fabric that is easier to sew,” shared her mom. “But she confidently said, ‘Nope I can do it!’ and she did.”

In addition to her joy of sewing, Emma loves to read books. She has so many books that her dad had to bolt her bookshelf to the wall to keep it from tipping over! “I know where everything is at the library. They should hire me to work there,” she teased. Emma’s favorite books are the American Girl books, especially those that teach her about the American Girl dolls she owns.  When we asked Emma what she thought she might want to do after school it was no surprise when she said she might become a librarian!

Emma is the youngest of six. She and her siblings have a close relationship and have grown up in a tight knit family. While the support from her family and community have been important, Emma’s mom also shared that the support of DCBDD has made things a lot easier. “When I have questions I can get help,” she shared.

We are happy to be a small part of Emma’s wonderful life. We look forward to seeing what Emma takes as her fair projects next year!

Meet Rick

Rick has been working with The Alpha Group for almost 20 years! Currently he is enjoying working on the janitorial crew. Rick finds joy in knowing his job creates clean spaces for others to enjoy. His favorite part about working at Alpha is spending time with his coworkers.

Outside of working at Alpha, Rick is an avid fan of all things Ohio State and the Walking Dead. In his free time, Rick likes to spend time outdoors fishing, camping, or riding bikes with his partner Marsha. We asked Marsha how she’d describe Rick, she smiled and said, “He’s a hard worker, a good person, and a good person to talk to.” When it comes to household chores, Marsha and Rick are good teammates. They take turns doing the cooking but since cleaning is one of Rick’s favorite jobs, he calls “Dibs!” on that.

Someday, Rick hopes to own his own lawn business. “I’m intelligent and I work hard,” he said. Keep up the great work Rick! With your determination and work ethic we know you’ll be successful!

#EmploymentFirst #employABILITY