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News...
News...
March Developmental Disabilities.
The Board is gearing up for March Developmental Disabilities awareness month. We have many events planned to highlight Board services and accomplishments of those we serve. I would encourage anyone to attend a Cougars basketball game between local rivals of St. John's Villa, the Sheriff's Department, Rotary, and the Amish. It is apparent the Cougars play hard and everyone one has fun.
The Board is in the process of quality improvement. I heard a term the other day that I like and think best sums up our quality initiative which is "right sizing". The Board is right sizing job positions and services. It was unfortunate we had to lay off staff due to the loss of a contract. The positives from this situation are now our buildings have more room to provide better services, we no longer have a waiting list for workshop services, and the Board is helping laid off staff by working them as subs and/or providing unemployment services.
I am privileged to be part of a county collaborative project between the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities and 18 county boards of developmental Disabilities. Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities Director, John Martin, has agreed to pilot a county collaboration project with Belmont, Carroll, Coshocton, Fairfield, Guernsey, Harrison, Hocking, Holmes, Jefferson, Knox, Licking, Morgan, Monroe, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Tuscarawas, and Washington counties which make up Region #5 and are part of Mid-East Ohio Regional Council (MEORC). Director Martin chose MEORC due to the county boards already sharing services to reduce costs and provide better services and the counties are small, relatively poor, and part of Appalachia.
The county collaborative project is working on making county board services more user friendly. Parents, guardians, and those seeking services should be able to have faster response regarding eligibility. If they are eligible, then it will not matter what county they go to for services. The collaborative project seeks to eliminate long individual service plan meetings that are set up for rule compliance, and receive service that is requested without being put on a waiting list for predetermined Board services. The excitement about this project is we are allowed to recreate the system so families can get the services they need and eliminate duplication of service, many hours of paperwork, and the wasted hours just to meet compliance. The new system will be person centered and focused on what positive outcomes were achieved for the individual with developmental disabilities.
I believe that most people in the developmental disabilities system realize it has become too complicated and time consuming. The reason for the current state of the system was good intentions of protecting health and safety of everyone served so we created laws, rules, assessments, and individual service plans to cover anything that could possibly go wrong in someone’s life. The current system makes it difficult for individuals to enjoy life and have the dignity of risk. Under this new system, individuals with developmental disabilities will still have health and safety needs met and have more options for services.
LAY-OFF NOTICE
Matt Campbell, Superintendent
The Board received a certified letter on December 20, 2010 stating Day Program/Workshop services for up to 25 individuals would no longer be needed as of January 1, 2011. The Board’s last day in session was 12-22-2010, because of Christmas and New Year’s break. I had to enact a lay-off procedure due to the loss of around $266,000 from the 25 slot contract.
In order to offset the loss of $266,000 in revenue; 6 part-time workshop specialists, 2 full-time workshop specialists, a full-time job coach, and a full-time mechanic received lay-off notices on 12-21-2010 with January 7th being the last day working. A non-renewal notice was given to a production logistic coordinator at the workshop which his last day will be March 23, 2011. The workshop went from serving 91 adults to serving 68 adults. The workshop went from 40 part-time and full-time staff to 29 full-time staff.
A rapid response event was held on 1-5-2011 at Carroll Hills Industries to help staff with unemployment. Staff who are laid off will have first right to sub based on their seniority. Staff will also be notified of any Board positions that may come open in the next year.
It was with deep regret I had to enact lay-off procedures especially at this time of year. I also feel horrible that so many good staff lost their jobs especially because Carroll Hills has a family atmosphere with services. I know the Board and staff will greatly miss the wonderful 23 individuals we had the privilege to serve. I wish everyone the best and hopefully something positive will result from this situation.
Newsletter
I firmly believe the purchase of Quality Support Services (QSS) from Mid East Ohio Regional Conference was a great move by the Board. Management staff is half way through the 6 trainings for QSS. I am now aware that our strategic plan is in need of revision to improve the mission, vision, and add core values to the document. The mission, vision, and core values need to be communicated to all staff and stakeholders of the program. This quality model has given staff tools and the ability to network to improve services.
Goal #1 on our strategic plan is to improve quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of Board services. Staff is exploring many changes in the way we do business to improve quality. Staff will be visiting county boards to benchmark services already in place that address quality, efficiency, and effectiveness. Carroll Hills Industries (CHI) has already improved day habilitation services, but will send a staff to Coshocton and other county boards that have been identified as model day habilitation service sites.
Staff will also be sent to county boards utilizing Caretracker. Caretracker is a computerized system that acts as a time clock for staff, keeps track of day habilitation services, and creates billing. Staff uses computerized screens in each area where they can touch screen activities and times for services rendered. This system eliminates paperwork, increases data bases, and reduces staff time for payroll and billing.
Management staff and direct care staff will form a committee to review and make changes to staff evaluations and pay scales. The intent is to improve evaluations and pay scales to reward good staff, ensure all staff understands what is expected of them, and to encourage all staff to improve performance. Dave Haught compared heating and cooling costs from 2008 to 2009 for Carroll Hills Administration (CHA) office. Insulation was added in 2009 and the cost savings was shown to be $240 per month. Board staff is utilizing data to further improve efficiency and has plans to replace windows at CHI and CHA and replace the heating and cooling unit at CHA.
Goal #3 is to strive to be more customer driven. In May a self-advocate advisory council will be created for all individuals receiving Board services. This self-advocate advisory council will meet monthly, be directed and run by those receiving services, and have the ability to report to the County Board. The hope is individuals with developmental disabilities will feel empowered to further direct their services and report on any health and safety issues. The Board will provide training where needed for individuals receiving services to improve their self-advocacy skills.
A 24' by 30' pavilion will be built at the Carroll Hills Administration Offices site. This pavilion was requested by staff to better serve individuals in wheelchairs and allow more individuals to enjoy being outside. Carroll Hills Industries is exploring a document scanning contract. Individuals at the workshop will scan in documents to electronic format for agencies to store on a server or archive to a portable hard drive or DVD. This will help agencies reduce storage costs, free up storage space, and improve the ability to retrieve documents. The document scanning process will also enhance the shredding service offered by CHI since the paper documents will need destroyed.
Matt Campbell, Superintendent
Talks about the CCBDD Strategic Plan 2009-2013
Everyone is aware of the difficult economic times we are facing. Many people may see these times as doom and gloom. Others may view these times as opportunities. Due to the overwhelming support from the Carroll County community for developmental disabilities services, I remain optimistic. The Board is blessed with having so many dedicated and talented staff.
The Strategic Plan is available below or by calling 330-627-6555 to request a copy. The Strategic Plan for 2009 to 2013 was developed with the goal to improve services for individuals with developmental disabilities. Some would say it is difficult to improve services with expenses increasing and revenue decreasing. That is why this plan is so important. The Board can no longer maintain the status quo. We must look at ways to be more effective and efficient with scarce resources.
The Strategic Plan was developed with input from staff, individuals with disabilities, parents, guardians, community members, and other stakeholders. The financial forecast shows a decline in Board reserves over the 5 year process. This decline in reserves is expected over the life of our main 10 year operating levy. It is also important that the 3 year 1 mill school operating levy passes November 3rd, 2009 to ensure school services remain at Carroll Hills. The Board is committed to being very careful to ensure there is enough money to maintain services until the passage of the next levy.
The transportation department has been a focus due to increased fuel bills, increased repair bills, the need to replace buses and vans, and the increase demand for routes for students and adults. The other concern is the perception and fairness of adults with disabilities riding yellow school buses without air conditioning to work. I recently made a decision to contract with Carroll County Transit to provide transportation for one route for our adults from home to work. This was a cost savings to the Board of around $4,000 per year.
My plan is to continue giving adult routes to Carroll County Transit. The Board will continue to provide van aides for each route. The Board also provides training to Carroll County Transit drivers and ensures Transit follows all rules associated with developmental disabilities. The goal is to reduce the Board routes from 6 buses and 2 vans to only 5 buses. The Board employs 5 full time bus drivers.
There are so many things happening this year that are changing the developmental disabilities world. Please be aware that the Board has purchased Quality Support Services from Mid East Ohio Regional Conference. Phone surveys will be conducted on September 28, 29, and 30th about the satisfaction of Board services. This is your community and we need your input. We need to know from the voters of Carroll County what services you expect for individuals with developmental disabilities. Thank you again for your support!
Carroll County Board of Developmental Disabilities hires a new Director of Educational Services
The Board hired Linda "Alicia" Hall to replace Tammy Maney as Director of Educational Services. Alicia currently works for New Philadelphia Schools as an itinerant teacher, transition coordinator, and assessment co-chairperson. She has 19 years teaching experience between New Philadelphia, Claymont, and Palm Beach County Schools. Alicia has a Masters Degree from Ashland University and completed Administrator Specialist License through the Franciscan University in 2009.
Alicia will attend the in-service on October 16, 2009 and begin work at Carroll Hills School on Monday October 19, 2009. We welcome Alicia to our wonderful school program.
Director of Educational Services - Alicia Hall
Carroll Hills Family & Children's Program Center
2167 Kensington Rd. NE
Carrollton, Ohio 44615
Phone: 330-627-7651
Fax: 330-627-6606
E-mail - ahall@carrollhills.com
How the Passage of the "Name Change Bill" Senate Bill 79 affects Carroll Hills Programs, Carroll County Board of Mental Retardation & Developmental Disabilities.
The Carroll County Board of Mental Retardation & Developmental Disabilities better known as Carroll Hills Programs, was one of those that early on knew the stigma associated with the "mental retardation" and choose to be known as Carroll Hills. The passage of Senate Bill 79 will change the name, Carroll County Board of Mental Retardation & Developmental Disabilities to Carroll County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
Governor Ted Strickland signed Senate Bill 79, that changes the name of the Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities to the Department of Developmental Disabilities, as well as the names of local Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (MRDD) boards to County Boards of Developmental Disabilities. The bill also removes the term "mental retardation" from the titles of other state and county entities, councils, commissions, and various funds that use the term. Two amendments to SB79 were voted on affecting County Boards of MRDD, 5360 will remove all references to multi-County Boards of MRDD from the Ohio Revised Code. The other amendment 5362 provides County Boards the opportunity to use existing supplies and stationary on which "mental retardation" appears through October of 2009.
Carroll Hills Programs, Carroll County Board of Developmental Disabilities
CARROLL COUNTY BOARD OF DD
LOOKING AT WAYS TO CONSERVE ENERGY AND REDUCE COSTS
"GOING GREEN"
When people talk about energy conservation and being responsible to the environment normally the words going green are used. Board employees continue to look at ways to save money and provide a safe environment for individuals with disabilities. Our maintenance staff has done a wonderful job keeping up with the times by utilizing technology. We have many other staff that has made suggestions on ways to become more environmental friendly. Please see the following ways Carroll County Board of MRDD has improved.
1. Carroll Hills Industries has shred and recycled 18,840 lbs of paper for the Board and other businesses in 2008.
2. Exit signs have been replaced with LED lights.
3. Heating and cooling adjustments are made during off hours by roof top timers.
4. Transportation has a no idling policy limiting buses to 15 minutes.
5. Carpet is recycled when replaced.
6. Carroll Hills Administration building has automatic sensor lights in bathrooms and storage closets.
7. Staff ensures lights are turned off at night.
8. Agency is keeping track and record of utility bills.
9. Transportation recycles metals from vehicle parts.
10. The maintenance department uses green friendly salt called Green Scapes Ice Melt during winter months.
11. We recycle cleaning fluids and oil.
12. Carroll Hills Industries (CHI) installed new energy efficient lighting in 2007. The lighting was installed in rooms 1,2,3, and in the three hallways. As old fixtures go bad they are replaced with new energy efficient fixtures. New ceiling tiles were installed at CHI to save heating and cooling costs. The main hallway at Carroll Hills School has soft white energy long life bulbs. All other areas have florescent bulbs and new ballasts to save money.
13. Maintenance department are using green (environmental friendly) paint.
14. We recycle aluminum cans.
15. Carroll Hills School collects ink cartridges, cell phones, Campbell labels, and box tops to recycle and receive funds to purchase items for students and adults in the program.
If you have any suggestions on other ways the Board can save money and promote going green please let us know.
Carroll Hills Budget by Supt. Matt Campbell
The Board was hit hard this year with state budget cuts and increased costs. State budget cuts in revenue to county board led to internal budget cuts in supplies, equipment, training, over time, and freezes on contract employees raises. Read More...
Thankful for Levy Passage
I am very thankful for the passage of our main operational levy. The vote was so close and only passed by 278 votes. I believe this was due to the large voter turnout and the tough economic times everyone is facing. Read More...