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The latest news and updates from Muskingum County Board ofDevelopmental Disabilities

FOCUS

OutstandingCommunity Partners

PARTNERS OF THEMONTH FOR JUNE, JULY,

AUG., SEPT.

ESSENTIALEMPLOYEES

NETWORK NIGHTS HAVESPECIAL GUESTS

I N T H I S I S S U E

EMPLOYEES REACHMILESTONES

BACK TO SCHOOL

AND MUCH MORE!

The County Board continues to select an outstanding CommunityPartner each month and recognize them for their support for

individuals with developmental disabilities. The Muskingum County Health Department was selected in June.

They have been phenomenal with their communication efforts duringthis pandemic allowing us to keep the individuals and families we

support informed of any and all updates.East Side Community was selected in July. ECM strives to meet notonly the basic needs of those who come to them, but to provide an

atmosphere of trust and compassion.We selected Lois Frame in August. Lois is our sign language

instructor. She is passionate and dedicated around her work. Wehad to move the most recent classes to a virtual platform but Lois

didn't miss a beat.Lastly, we selected Adams Lane Care Center in September. The

center employs an individual who is supported by the Board. Theyalso collaborate with us in a variety of ways to provide opportunities

for people to connect and give back to one another.

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Caleb had been off work for the first 6weeks of the pandemic. He returned towork with a little hesitation. Whenasked what was different about his jobupon returning in the middle of thispandemic, he stated that he has to weara mask and he has to do extra cleaning.On another occasion while at Walmart,Caleb was wearing his mask and gloves.He expressed that he was a little afraidto touch anything. However, he statedthat the gloves he was wearing wereclean, as he had just changed them. Heis very aware of the importance ofstaying safe and keeping others safe. Hesaid, “The masks make me feel safer.”When told how much we appreciate hiswillingness to work through all this hesaid, “Thank you! That means a lot!”

Shawn, also, worked through this pandemic. His main jobwas taking in the carts. He had to wear a mask and gloveswhile working as well, but continued to do his jobthoroughly without complaints. Upon thanking him for hishard work through this pandemic, and how we appreciatehim, he said “thank you. I don’t mind.”The next time we walk in Walmart, we can thank anassociate for their willingness to keep us safe by doing theirpart during this pandemic!

Meet Caleb

Meet Shawn

Essential Employees

Check out our brand new "Essential Workers" video on ourwebsite under the Community Services tab.

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Tabby decided she wanted to quitsmoking and with the support of herteam she was able to stop. She nowhas more money to spend on gettingher hair done, her nails and of coursebetter food. She is even inspiringothers to quit. We are all extremelyproud of Tabby and look forward toseeing her continue to live her newlifestyle. Watch the video on ourwebsite, get the whole story and seehow she did it and how she isbenefiting from being smoke-free!

The FANS Network is tired of sitting around being bored. One of their newest activities they are hosting is virtualBINGO. Who doesn't like to play BINGO? You can evenwin prizes! For a complete list of all FANS activities youcan always visit our website and see the calendar ofevents listed under the Community Support tab.

At MCBDD, we know that people are the essence of any great organization and that itis our employees, working together, that establish us as a leader in our field. Webelieve that each 5-year milestone in an employee’s career is the perfect occasion tostop and reflect on their contributions, to say thank you.

Fans Hosting BingoNights

Tabby's Journey

Thank You!

Misty Baird Mary Peadon Joe Neff Sandy Drenten Melinda Russell Paul Mainini 5 Years 25 Years 20 Years 30 Years 10 Years 20 Years

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We are having some very special guests coming to the

next couple Network Nights in September & October.

Representatives from the Ohio Treasurer's Office will be

joining us on September 22nd to explain how you can

save your money without losing your benefits through a

STABLE Account. On October 13th members from the

Sheriff's Department will be talking about their "Be Smart

About Safety" program. Join us!

Stable Accounts andMuskingum CountySheriff's DepartmentComing to NetworkNights

#InThisTogetherIn March, Gov. DeWine ordered all Adult Day Services (ADS) toclose, and the results were felt by all of our provider partners.Agencies providing ADS services were forced to close due toCOVID-19 while in-home providers were short-staffed due tomore people requiring in-home support. As the County Board, we worked with our provider partners toanticipate and fill gaps in staffing and Personal ProtectiveEquipment (PPE). Direct Support Professionals took ontemporary roles with other providers to deliver in-homeservices. This allowed services to continue and the well-beingof those we serve to remain a top priority. It also gave us thechance to show what it means to be IN THIS TOGETHER.We are so proud of our Direct Support Professionals. Duringthe week of September 13-19 we are celebrating them, theirhearts, and the work they do to support people with disabilities. Thank you DSPs!

Want to make a difference in someone's life? Become a friend with a person with disabilities? Playgames and visit others all at the same time of having fun? Maybe you have items that you no longer usebut someone else could benefit from those items. This is what FANS is all about! Call Missy Hartley for

more details at 740-453-4829.

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It's been a long spring break to say the least! Starlight students finally reunited with teachers,although in a much different way. Small dots line the floor in the hallways and classrooms, eachone is set six feet or so apart. Timings and schedules are shifted around, and assigned seats havebecome more prevalent. The building is also full of signage promoting sanitary practices. For the past few weeks, we have felt “anxious” and “apprehensive” about returning to school. Butwhen the doors opened on the first day, those feelings morphed into excitement. We were all onboard to see the kids again and have teachers and aides “do what they do best,” to move forward.Getting the kids back into learning is what we live for. Some in-person, some virtual. Our staff andstudents are doing an outstanding job with adjusting to all the changes and learning is back to thefocus for all. It's been a huge relief just to get going.

Back to School!

Become a FAN Today!

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Administration ........................740-453-4829

Community Services ...............740-453-4829

Starlight School .......................740-455-4176

Bus Garage ...............................740-455-4178

Early Intervention ..................740-453-4829

MISSION STATEMENT 

Working in partnership with individuals with developmental disabilities and their

families, providing opportunities utilizing public and private supports, to live, learn,

work, and play in the community.

1304 Newark RoadZanesville, OH 43701

Contact Us

Board MembersPresident - Michael Norman

Vice-President - Benjamin WhitacreSecretary - Diana White

Robert BeitzelSteven HarenDrew Hansen

Catherine Martin

Superintendent - Kellie Brown