Join us in welcoming the newest members of the Summit DD team! Including our new FCFC team. Be on the lookout for future job openings on our Careers page.
Megan Hamilton, Referral and Support Specialist
“I worked at Hoover Kacyon Law Firm as a Legal Assistant. Before that, I was living in Panama City Beach, Florida and worked as a paraprofessional in a special education classroom and then became a 2nd grade teacher. I am so excited to be here at Summit DD. I am looking forward to changing peoples lives for the better and making things easier for them every day. I love spending time with my family! It is my favorite thing to do. I enjoy taking my boys on walks and playing outside with them.” – Megan Hamilton, RSS.
Trudy Bachmann, Referral and Support Specialist
“I have had many years of professional and personal experience working with individuals of all abilities. Working in this field is my passion! Most recently, I worked for Akron Public Schools as an Educational Assistant in an MD classroom. I am very grateful and excited for this new chapter in my life, working at Summit DD. Many employees at Summit DD have talked about the genuine team comradery that takes place here, and; I am so looking forward to being a part of it. In addition, I look forward to helping others and I hope to make a positive impact in their lives. I love spending my personal time with my 2 beautiful daughters, my brother, sister-in-law and my amazing friends. I go for walks, enjoy nature, play cards, watch movies, listen to music and dog-sit for family and friends.” – Trudy Bachmann, RSS
Terra Steiner, HR Generalist
“For the past 4 years, I worked for Cuyahoga County Department of Human Resources. I truly enjoy the Human Resources field and I am very excited to be part of the wonderful HR team here at Summit DD. I am looking forward to being able to support the incredible staff and stakeholders that work so hard to care for the people of our community. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my 15 year old daughter, running, CrossFit, travelling and being outdoors as much as possible.” – Terra Steiner, HR Generalist
Join us in welcoming our new FCFC team!
Family and Children First Councils (FCFCs) were created in 1993 by then Governor George Voinovich for the purpose of streamlining and coordinating existing government services for families and their children. There is a FCFC in every Ohio county. Summit County can be particularly proud of its high functioning Council and each member’s commitment to working together to better serve families. Membership of the Summit County Family and Children First Council is comprised of executive leadership of local governmental entities, community organizations and family representatives. John Trunk, Summit DD Superintendent serves as a member of the full council and many of its committees (i.e. Executive, Finance and Service Oversight).
Summit FCFC coordinates systems and services at both macro and micro levels. Macro, or system level coordination offers a shared, cross-system governance structure, pooled funding and program and policy alignment. At the micro level, multi-system involved youth ages birth through 21 and their families are offered care coordination using a collaborative, cross-system team planning approach that is strength-based and family-driven. Some of the programs and Initiatives Summit County FCFC oversees that are closely aligned with Summit DD are Part C Early Intervention Service Coordination, Wraparound Service Coordination and Cross Systems Training. Other committees include the FCFC Early Childhood Advisory Committee (chaired by Kathy Supple, Summit DD Early Intervention Senior Manager) and the FCFC Service Review Committee (on which Summit DD Senior Managers, Darann Warner and Jennie Petrarca serve).
Summit DD became the host organization for Summit FCFC on July 1st, 2021. Previously, Summit FCFC was housed at the Summit County Health Department. Several years ago Council began exploring where might be the best fit for FCFC. Recognizing that FCFC and DD Missions closely align, that work of both entities often intersect and finding opportunities to fiscally and programmatically streamline, the decision was made to move FCFC to Summit DD. This new partnership is very exciting and will build capacity for both the Council and Summit DD and is a win for the whole county.
Janice Houchins, FCFC Director
“I am excited to join the Summit DD team because of the great staff and positive energy and culture. I’ve worked closely with a number of staff and all are dedicated, hard-working and committed to quality. But most of all, they love their jobs and have fun and laugh together. The fact that the new staff orientation video providing an overview of Summit DD included “bloopers” confirmed my belief that this is the place I want to work! Favorite things to do in my free time include bicycling, walking and spending time with family.” – Janice Houchins, FCFC Director
Stacey Garske, FCFC Program Manager
“I am very excited that Summit DD has agreed to be the administrative agent for FCFC. I think this is going to be a great fit for our program and it allows me to continue to do the work I love doing (for the past 20 years)!! I am looking forward to being part of Summit DD and getting to know all the fabulous people that make this agency great. In my free time, I love to spend time with my friends and family, do outdoor activities (hike, swim, tube, camp, grill, and so on), attend Broadway musicals, and travel. I am the mother of two children, a 23 y.o. daughter and an 18 y.o. son, and two dogs.” – Stacey Garske, FCFC Program Manager
Linda Stewart, FCFC Care Coordinator
“I am so happy to be on the team at Summit DD working in a warm inclusive environment with friendly happy coworkers. I am so looking forward to continuing to collaborate with everyone as we serve the residents of Summit County. In my free time I enjoy FaceTiming with my 7 month old granddaughter, Alijah and spending time with family. I enjoy shopping, redecorating my home and going to the spa for massages on occasion.” – Linda Stewart, FCFC Care Coordinator
