TuscBDD Earns Highest State Accreditation Award

Fri, Oct 26th, 2018

PRESS RELEASE

New Philadelphia, October 17, 2018: At the October 2018 regularly scheduled board meeting for the Tuscarawas County Board of Developmental Disabilities (TuscBDD), The Board celebrated the earning of a three-year state accreditation award, the highest possible award that is granted by the state of Ohio. Accreditation Reviews are conducted by The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) to ensure that County Boards meet accreditation standards, as outlined in administrative rule. Based on the results of an accreditation review, a County Board is awarded an accreditation from one to three years.

TuscBDD’s review was conducted in early October over a period of two days by DODD’s Office of Provider Standards and Review with an intense review of documentation, on-site visits, individual interviews, human resource files, agency strategic plan, and advocacy efforts. The team of reviewers from DODD determined that TuscBDD is exceeding minimum standards of compliance. To conclude the review, Beth Chambers, of DODD left the TuscBDD team with encouraging remarks that commended the Service and Support Administration (SSA) Unit for their attention to the documentation that is required to stay on track and for their remarkable ability to connect and build relationships with the people that they serve. Additionally, Ms. Chambers praised the emotional and inspiring entrance presentation.

At the entrance presentation, TuscBDD employees as well as community members and people served spoke up about their commitment to quality lives for people living with developmental disabilities in Tuscarawas County. Dover Public Library Director, Jim Gill, and library employee, Elise Thompson, took the floor to share their experience of an inclusive workplace. “I have learned a lot from working with Elise; she has taught me to slow down and laugh,” expressed Gill. Thompson shared about her desire to work at the library, “I liked going to the library when I was little, so I thought I could get a job there.” Thompson gladly went on to share her new responsibilities, “I am starting to take on more responsibilities at the front desk, and I really like helping people in the library.”

To wrap up the entrance presentations, the Special Olympics Athlete Input Council President, Alex Adkins, spoke about having a say within the organization, “I want the athletes that I play with to be happy and to get a chance to play the sports that they choose. I think it is important for the athletes to help guide the program.” Additionally, six short films were unveiled that document the lives of six people in the Tuscarawas County community that receive services through TuscBDD. These short narratives reveal the essence of TuscBDD’s efforts to promote strong relationships with people that receive services while also highlighting the victories of those people. “Our SSA unit, school staff, and the entire agency work hard every day to ensure that people living with disabilities in Tuscarawas County are reaching their goals and living a good life in their community,” stated Nate Kamban, TuscBDD Superintendent. “I can’t thank our team enough; we are fortunate to receive zero citations which is great news, but we understand that there is always room to improve and are focused on only getting better.”

Also discussed at the October board meeting:

·TuscBDD was awarded a Grant for expansion of the TuscBDD Provider Support Program.

·The Better Together Bash lasagna dinner and awards ceremony fundraiser will be held on November 8, 2018 from 6-8 pm at TCC.

·Assistive technology plans were discussed.

The next board meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 19th at 5:30 PM. This meeting will take place at TuscBDD's Service and Support Center located at 610 Commercial Ave. SW in New Philadelphia. More information about TuscBDD's programs and services can be found online at www.tuscbdd.org, www.facebook.com/tuscbdd, or www.twitter.com/tuscbdd.