I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce myself and give you a short background on my employment history.

I got my start in developmental disabilities back in the 1980′s when I worked for the Association for the Developmentally Disabled in Columbus; first in direct care and then as a group home administrator. I then went on to work for UPS where I stayed for 18 years, 16 of which were in operations management. I decided to leave UPS because I wanted to go back to college and hopefully get back into the DD field. I graduated from Ohio State with my degree in psychology. Shortly after, I relocated back to Logan and in order to get started I took a job as a substitute at Hocking Valley Industries, the workshop in Logan. I worked there for over a year and also worked as a substitute teacher for the Logan schools. I was fortunate then to be able to pursue this opportunity and am grateful for the chance to become part of the team at ATCO and the Athens Co. Board staff.

I began my employment with the ACBDD on January 9, 2012 and look forward to working with all of you.

Mark Cullison, Adult Programs Habilitation Manager

Hello from the Beacon students and staff. We enjoy sharing our fall activities with you. Many of our classes have enjoyed nature walks and a recent trip to the Sweet Apple Farm near Belpre. Our students are continuing to develop social skills with trips into the community to enjoy local restaurants and upcoming holiday shopping. In the classrooms, many students are working on writing, reading, communication and math skills. The students really enjoy coming to school and working with all the staff. We always seem to have an abundance of energy and happy smiles!

In December, we are looking forward to our holiday performance by the ATCO Choir and holiday movie. We are especially excited about our visit from Santa on December 20. We are all on our best behavior! On behalf of the students and staff, I would like to wish all our readers a Merry Christmas and Peace in the New Year. – Cathy Hunter

It’s been a busy year for the Primary I class. The students are learning the letters of the alphabet and learning to “sign” each letter. They participate in pre-writing and writing skills several times a week. In October, the class enjoyed going to Sweet Apple Farm, seeing the animals, and riding the hayride. In November, the class had a field trip to Lowe’s, toured the store, and got to build a monster machine to take home. Afterwards, they had lunch at Burger King. What fun they’ve had! They have plenty more learning and activities to look forward to throughout the rest of the school year! Happy Holidays! – Jennifer Trotta

Residential Provider Awards Day on October 20, 2011 was an exciting and fun event. Over 100 people, providers and individuals were in attendance, and staff as well. Every residential provider present, whether agency or independent, received a “Certificate of Appreciation” for all their hard work, acknowledging that we could not meet the needs of our individuals through the County Board without their help and dedication. Thirty-three independent or agency residential providers received our “specialty awards”: Sherry Bail, Genie Leal, Denis Barber, Johamar DeJesus, Mary Antonetz, Sue Buck, Rebecca Wemer, Thomas Linn, Amanda Decker, Matt Davis, Chad Hemsworth, Greg Brown, Jacqueline Crites, Margaret Payne, Julie Davis, Michael Deck, Amanda Patrick, Estavan Vasque, Darrick Quinn, Jordan Salyers, Christine Stumbo, Lynne Friihauf, Amanda Whitlatch, Terry Collins, Jennifer Bauer, Kelly Dresher, Clayton Ray, Russ Ellis, Roseanne Reeves, Zachary Patrick, Tyler Patrick, Michelle Scarbough, and Carla Perry. The “Rookie of the Year” award went to a committed team from Hearts of Hope Institute: Zachary Patrick, Tyler Patrick and Michelle Scarbough, while the Residential “Provider of the Year” award went to Carla Perry from Havar, Inc. Other Residential agencies were recipients of several awards: Sechkar Group, Buckeye Community Services, and RHDD. Independent providers were not left out of awards and prizes, as well.

Several companies donated toward the event and should be recognized for their support of the County Board: Graham’s Gemmy Gifts; Rachel Gifts for People and Pets; Loretta’s Consulting, LLC; uptown Wendy’s; Brennan’s; Bargain Billy’s; WG Grinders; Kiser’s BBQ; Subway-The Plains; Taco Bell-East State; Valero City Limits; Larry’s Dawg House; Heiners Bread; Jimmy Johns’; Alvis Auto Repair; Quiznos; Precision Imprints; New-To-You; Pepsi Bottling Company; Holiday Inn Express; Foodland-The Plains; Bagel Street Deli; China King Buffet; Dairy Queen-Columbus Road; Sonic-Stimson; Buckley Brothers-The Plains; Dr. Carey at Chiropractic and Associates; Johnson’s Upholstery; Athens Recreation Center; and, Regis Hair Salon-uptown Athens.

And if all that wasn’t exciting enough!……the SSA Department wants to welcome a new person that needs no recognition to the County Board for all her outstanding work and dedication toward the individuals we serve……..a great big welcome to Barb North-Moss as the newest Service and Support Specialist! We look forward to working with you in the years ahead!

As the weather begins to cool and we are unable to venture outdoors much, the Developmental Activity Center has begun a friendship quilt project, we are creating a 9 square quilt that will be adorn3ed with fabric pieces that we have cut and se3wn to resemble objects and activities that we enjoy as a group. In October we will be having pumpkin carving and decorating on Halloween and have a costume day to celebrate. Everyone is welcome to wear their costume in or if you do not have one, we have extras you may borrow.

Dr. Gaskell with the Athens County Health Department has agreed to support our AED program and will provide us with a letter of recommend-ation. The nursing department would like to express our appreciation to Dr. Gaskell as this is mandated in order to maintain our AED’s.

On September 22, 2011, the infectious control nurse from O’Bleness Hospital provided County Board employees with an in-service on MRSA. This in-service was one continuing education unit to maintain regulations with the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities.

Laurie Palmer was hired as a part-time Adult Service Aide, working from 11:00 to 2:00 p.m.

To Your Health:
Loving myself heals my life
I nourish my mind body and soul.

Joanne and Lori work with local agencies to utilize other resources available in the community. Some of these agencies include Athens County Health Department, Athens Red Cross, and Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. The nursing department works closely with the County Board physical therapist in assisting individuals obtain wheelchairs and other adaptive devices.

The County Board serves as a clinical and community experience site for physicians in training. Medical students learn valuable information on caring for individuals with disabilities. The individuals served by the County Board have the opportunity to educate the medical students from Ohio University on their special needs.

Joanne and Lori offer a wide variety of nursing services to insure high quality service of care for the individuals we serve.

Our daily routine encompasses a wide variety of services from assisting individuals with personal care, medication administration, nursing assessments, emergency nursing care, routine nursing care and care plans. Health and safety and the individual’s dignity are very important to us.

Over the past year, Joanne and Lori have certified 60 county board employees in First Aid, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Automated External Defibrillator and Epipen use the for Anaphylaxis. We have an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) located in our facilities.

The County Board has employees that have state regulated training and are delegated to pass or assist with medications and perform health related task under the direction of the registered nurse.

Our participation in the Health and Safety Committee offers a professional dimension in providing quality care to the individuals we serve.

• Oct. 12: Sam’s Club Trip
• Oct. 19: Circleville Pumpkin Festival Trip
• Oct. 21: Spookghetti Luncheon and Halloween Party
• Oct. 31: DAC pumpkin carving
• Oct. 3, 14, 21, 28 Personal safety training with guest, Cheryl Cesta
• Oct. 18 & 25: Outings to Hocking College horse barn
• Oct. 22: Special Olympics bowling event
• Oct. 22: Halloween dance
• Oct. 6, 13, 20, & 27: Atco Choir

• Atco Bell Choir meets at Atco each Tuesday from 9-9:45 a.m.
• Hocking Writer’s group begins Tuesday October 4th, 12:30-1:30 p.m. at Atco.
• Atco Vocal Choir meets at Atco each Thursday from 1:30-2:15 p.m.
• Passion Works Cake Fight at University Mall, Sat. Oct. 8th, 10-2:00 p.m.
• Victorian Funeral trip to Marietta, Sat. Cot. 8th, leave Atco at 1:00 p.m. and return at 5:00 p.m.
• Zoo trip, Sun. Oct 9th, leave Atco at 8:30 a.m. and return 6:00 p.m.
• Movie Night has been changed to Tuesday, Oct. 18th!!!
• Spooky Hayride at Sweet Apple Farms on Friday, Oct. 21st, more details soon.
• Atco Halloween Party at Beacon School on Sat. Oct. 22, 6-8:40 p.m., cost is $4.00.
• Alternative and Augmentative communication Conference in Columbus on Fri. Oct. 28th.