Many industries across the country and in Ohio have felt the impact of staffing shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic. The disability service industry has certainly felt this impact, as many provider Agencies are struggling to hire and retain Direct Service Professional (DSP) staff. Read the letter from many statewide partners about the impact of this workforce shortage across the state. Read More ›
Author Archives: Billie Jo David
Summit DD Superintendent to Retire, Board Names Successor
Summit County Developmental Disabilities Board today named current Assistant Superintendent, Lisa Kamlowsky, as the Agency’s top executive effective January 1, 2022. Today’s announcement comes after Summit DD Superintendent, John Trunk, last month announced his retirement effective December 31, 2021.
“There is no one more prepared to build on the successes of the past and to guide this amazing team into the future than Lisa,” said Tom Quade, Summit DD Board President. “She has the full confidence of the Board and of her leadership team,” Quade added. The move was made with a unanimous vote at Summit DD’s August Board Meeting. Read More ›
Return to the Community Driven by Individual Choice
A Message from Superintendent John Trunk
Over the past 15 months, Summit DD has been supporting individuals and families in new and innovative ways. We’ve connected to you in your homes virtually, stayed in touch over the phone, and helped support health and safety efforts with PPE and vaccines.
Summit DD will keep our Mission of supporting your needs, one person at a time, as more and more people return to the community.
What to Expect from Summit DD Staff
As vaccine rates increase and community spread of COVID-19 decreases, our staff are ready to resume in-person visits for individuals and families. If you would prefer to keep the visits virtual, we will respect your choices. We also will respect your wishes for masking. We have provided safety guidelines to our team, consistent with recommendations from the CDC, to ensure your health and safety. Your Summit DD point of contact will ask you about your preferences when scheduling visits. We have asked our staff to reschedule meetings if they are not feeling well and ask you to do the same to keep everyone safe.
Our staff have also been supporting providers, schools, camps, and employers as more organizations slowly open to full capacity. There are more opportunities for those we serve to fully engage in the community and we encourage you to talk with your Summit DD point of contact about your wishes to return to community-based activities.
We are also excited about the progress on renovations to our Barberton and Cuyahoga Falls location and can’t wait to welcome you there when they open later this year.
What to Expect from Service Providers
Each service provider will set their own guidelines that follow CDC guidance, including social distancing and masking, to keep you safe. Providers approaches may vary, we encourage you to talk with your team about the approach your provider is taking to ensure it meets your needs.
Over the next few months programs will slowly work towards opening at full capacity. The same staffing issues that impact many businesses right now also impact the provider community. Summit DD continues to support providers and is working to help them with the reopening.
If you have not yet been vaccinated and want to, we are here to help connect you to a provider.
As always, talk to your Developmental Specialist, RSS or SSA about your needs and desires so we can help build a circle of support that meets your individual needs.
Vaccine Roll Out Continues
Summit County Developmental Disabilities Board (Summit DD) has been dedicated to protecting the health, safety and welfare of those with disabilities for more than fifty years. The past year has strengthened the Agency’s mandate to do just that by delivering vaccines to those we serve. Read More ›