Superintendent’s Office

Sharon Woodrow, Superintendent
2040 US Highway 50
Batavia, OH 45103
(513) 732-4890 (office)
(513) 732-7006 (fax)
swoodrow@clermontdd.org

Barbara Berens, Executive Secretary
(513) 732-5027
bberens@clermontdd.org

Spring is on the way – I’m sure of it – no matter what Mr. Groundhog tells us!  One more month of uncertain weather and March will bring us growing things, more daylight, and warmer weather.

At DD we are gearing up for Dancing with the Stars for Saturday, March 2nd;  February is always a flurry of finding last minute dancers, lining up pledges for The Flying Pig Marathon later in the Spring and all the events that will celebrate DD Awareness Month in March – lots to do for sure. Dancing with the Stars, our biggest fund raiser for Respite, will accept pledges for dancers, sponsors for the event or just donations.  Please see other areas of this newsletter for information about how you can help.

We are really involved in our partnership with Southwest Ohio Developmental Center (SODC) and Hamilton County DD Services to assist 8 individuals from SODC to live in our community.  The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities is providing funding for housing which will include extra supports and services to ensure that individuals can be safe, happy and productive.  Clermont DD is providing the Service and Support (think case management) and planning as part of this bigger team.  We are really happy that this project, in the works since early 2012, will finally get off the ground – either this month or next.  We’ll have more information in the April Beacon.

Our Annual Action Plan, which is our agency’s strategic plan, was finalized and approved by our Board at their January meeting.  We have worked very hard with many stakeholders to ensure that this plan for 2013 represents as much as possible, supports and resources that can assist individuals and their families to an easier life in our community.  Waiting lists are, unfortunately, inevitable, but we continue to work to identify ways to help in an effective and efficient manner.

Access to some mental health services, previously an underserved need for many folks eligible for our services, has been improved and we are continuing to look for ways to expand this area.  Our partners, the Clermont Mental Health and Recovery Board, Life point Solutions and Wright State University have been invaluable as we’ve worked to develop more appropriate programs and services for individuals with a co-occurring Mental Health and DD diagnosis.  More needs to be done; all resources are being stretched, but we recognize the need and will continue to address it as we can.

The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities Accreditation team visited and reviewed our programs and services in mid-January.  We are very pleased to report that the surveyors were most complimentary and we expect a good outcome from this process.  Becoming and staying accredited with DODD, for the longest period of time possible – five years – has been our goal.  Exceeding expectations, following best practice and being the place where people with DD can come to expect quality is our standard.

Call us anytime with questions or comments and see you in April.