Becoming an SSA: Ray's Story

Hello, my name is Ray. I recently had the opportunity of speaking with high school students about careers in my field. In my profession, I help people reach their goals, achieve their dreams, and live their best lives; I’m a Service and Support Administrator (SSA). An SSA helps to connect people with developmental disabilities to services in the community to help them meet their needs and achieve their goals. It’s a role that entails performing clerical work and adhering to governing regulations set forth by the state and federal governments. It’s also a career that is one of the most intrinsically rewarding experiences in the professional world.

I began my journey in this field during college; however, my initial goal was to become a math/English teacher for middle school or high school age kids. During my college years, I began working part-time for an agency that provided respite care for foster families. Respite care is a type of temporary care. I served as a mentor for kids, taking them into the community to participate in activities. I couldn’t believe that I got paid to do things like taking someone to play basketball, or to a haunted house, or even to Cedar Point to ride roller coasters! Some of the children that I worked with were also involved with the county board of developmental disabilities. Ohio's county boards of developmental disabilities are the local government agencies that fund and oversee services and supports needed by people with developmental disabilities. It was this job of mentoring children with disabilities that sparked my interest in the developmental disabilities field in particular.

Because of my experience with mentoring and providing respite care for children, I decided to pursue additional employment in the developmental disabilities field. I found a position with an agency providing direct support to adults with developmental disabilities and began working both jobs before I even graduated college. There was, and still is, a great need for direct support professionals (DSPs), which at that time resulted in my being able to accumulate more hours with the agency. I took on a full-time position with the adult provider agency and left the foster care agency.

During my employment with the adult provider agency, I was promoted and granted the opportunity to spearhead a new program in Tuscarawas County aimed at providing work experience through volunteerism for adults with developmental disabilities. I was excited to utilize my own creative ideas and put them into action. I had an absolute blast working with the residents, organizations, and the Tuscarawas County Board of Developmental Disabilities (TuscBDD).

When I heard there was an open position for a Service and Support Administrator at TuscBDD, I knew that I had to apply. It seemed to be the next logical step in the progression of my career in the developmental disabilities field. Needless to say, I was offered the position and still serve the county as an SSA.

Becoming a Service and Support Administrator wasn’t my original career goal; however, I can’t imagine being in any other field. The amazing people who I get to work with and for make this profession one of the best career choices. Knowing that I’m helping people achieve their dreams and goals is one of the best feelings in the world. I’m thankful for the opportunities that I’ve been presented, and I look forward to the opportunities of the future in my role as a service and support administrator.

Are you a student looking for rewarding employment? Are you interested in learning more about the many careers in the developmental disabilities field that range from information technology to community relations and beyond? If so, please contact the Tuscarawas County Board of Developmental Disabilities by phone at 330.308.7173 or by email at ksilverthorn@tuscbdd.org.

Written by guest blogger, Ray Snyder

Pictured: Ray Snyder (L), Sam Patterson (R)

It’s also a career that is one of the most intrinsically rewarding experiences in the professional world.

Kerri Silverthorn Fri, Apr 26th, 2019