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 Eagle Scout project memorializes students with disabilities
June 13, 2008
Students and staff at Margaret B. Rost School in Green Township paused on the last day of school June 5 to remember two classmates and a classmate's mom who passed away. Trees were planted in a dedication ceremony in memory of Arissa Sweeney (mom of Rost Student Brigette Sweeney), and students Christopher Redd, and James O'Rourke. Brian Hambrick of Scout Troup #350 planned and managed the tree-plantings and landscaping around the school building to earn his Eagle Scout Rank. Donations from Wilde Nursery, Delhi Kiwanis, Franks Adult Center, and Arissa's foundation of family and friends made the tree-planting possible. Rost School is operated by the Hamilton County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities for children with disabilities.
 Agency welcomes a new QI Director
June 09, 2008
Alice Pavey joined the agency on May 1 as the Director of Quality Improvement, replacing Charlie Stenken, who retired. With over 25 years of experience in the field, Pavey comes most recently from Montgomery County Board of MR/DD. She was Assistant Superintendent for Residential and Family Services, directing quality assurance and intake, among other duties. She has a Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University and a Bachelor of Science from Antioch College. "I am very excited to have an opportunity to work with the most innovative and progressive Superintendent in the State of Ohio," said Alice. "Under Ms. Phipps' direction, I look forward to developing the best quality services for the people we serve in Hamilton County." You can reach her via email at Alice.Pavey@hamiltonmrdd.org, or by calling 559-6738.
 What's a waiver?
May 06, 2008
By Marti Estep and Jerry Clark, compiled by Jennifer Taylor Waivers are often talked about but can be confusing for a parent, family member or friend who doesn't regularly work with them. To fully understand waivers, Medicaid must be explained. In short, Medicaid is a federal program that funds health care for people with limited income and resources, including people with disabilities. In Ohio, the Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) administers the state's Medicaid program. Waivers are a service from Medicaid provided to those who would otherwise be in a nursing home, hospital, or receiving long term care. A person can "waive” the option of this long term care, and use community supports instead. Various waivers are offered through ODJFS, Ohio Department of MR/DD and Ohio Department of Aging. Individual Options (I/O) Waiver This waiver is comprehensive and need-based. The amount of funding is based on an assessment by an individual's Ohio Developmental Disability Profile. The funding amount can change depending on the person's living arrangements, such as whether or not they have a roommate. Some services through I/O waivers can be personal care, respite care, home-delivered meals, supported employment, day habilitation, interpreter services and more. Level One waiver Unlike an I/O waiver, this waiver has set limits on the amount of funding, allocated in certain ways to respite programs, medical equipment and emergency assistance, among other things. Since waivers come from the federal government, county tax levy money previously used to pay for services now provided under a waiver is free for other resources in the agency. Hamilton County has seen growth over the past four years in the amount of waivers available for individuals served by the agency, and the waiting list for them is shrinking.
 New project focuses on community
October 19, 2007
One of Hamilton County Board of MR/DD's newest options for individuals is Asset Based Community Development (ABCD). Started in January 2007, it is based primarily on four principles: - Everyone has gifts
- Gifts are valued in the community
- People get together to do things and they are not paid
- There are many hospitable places in the community
In short, it is not about disabilities, programs, needs or labels. It's about people living in their community and using their gifts. If given the opportunity, everyone can use his or her gifts. A person may have a passion for helping others, taking care of cats, or knitting. These gifts are usually found as people develop relationships with those around them. It is a significant moment when someone has a chance to use their gifts, as the person becomes valued and connected with others. The aim of ABCD is for people with disabilities to use their gifts and participate as citizens in their communities. Connecting with others leads to less reliance on service systems. Four employees from the agency have worked with over 70 people throughout the past year to help them get connected and use their gifts. The majority of those, after they have been plugged in, require no ongoing support from the ABCD staff. Find out more about ABCD in “When People Care Enough to Act" by Mike Green, published by Inclusion Press, and in the work and writings of John McKnight, a co-founder of The ABCD Institute. For more information about the Hamilton County Board of MR/DD or to receive the ABCD newsletter, call Joe Erpenbeck, ABCD Supervisor, at (513) 910-1259.
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