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Eligibility for Stark DD programsIn order to be eligible to receive services from Stark DD, an individual must provide proof of residency in Stark county and a birth certificate or other proof of age. Evaluations that indicate that the individual has a developmental disability that occurred before the age of 22 is another basic requirement. Children younger than age three who are at risk for developmental delays are eligible for the Early Intervention component of the Early Childhood Program. Evaluation data must be presented to document delays in one or more of the following: cognition, communication, self-help, social, emotional, and motor skills. Developmental assessments and physicians' referrals are appropriate documentation. Children ages three to six may be eligible for preschool programs if they are under six years of age on the 30th day of September and have disabilities as defined in the Ohio Department of Early Childhood Education's preschool rules. Eligibility will be based upon a current Multi-Factored Evaluation provided by the child's local school district of residence. Students ages 6-22 must have evaluation data provided by the school district of residence. All county boards of DD in Ohio establish eligibility through the results of the Children's Ohio Eligibility Determination Instrument or COEDI. Adults ages 16 and older can enter the Stark DD program in two different ways. Students, ages 16-22, who still receive school services from their local education agency must be referred through the school district's Individual Education Plan (IEP). Adults not referred by a school district must meet the criteria established by the Ohio Eligibility Determination Instrument (OEDI) and must provide documentation that shows the developmental disability occurred before the age of 22. For more information regarding eligibility, call 330-479-7746. The Stark County Board of Developmental Disabilities operates two schools. Eastgate Early Childhood and Family Center provides educational services to children from birth through age five. Southgate School provides educational services to children, five through 21. Both schools are fully chartered by the Ohio Department of Education. Rebecca Stallman Southgate SchoolFor more than thirty-five years, Rebecca Stallman Southgate School has been a viable educational alternative for students with varying degrees of mental retardation and other developmental disabilities. Rebecca Stallman Southgate School offers a unique approach to the flexibility required in providing services for students with special needs. Each of the school's 164 students receives a personalized education plan designed to meet their needs and maximize their potential.
Services include:
Eastgate Early Childhood and Family CenterEastgate is fully accredited through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). After an extensive application process, highly trained program assessors visited our programs to determine that it meets NAEYC standards. Following accreditation, all programs are subject to random, unannounced visits by assessors to ensure that we continue to meet the standards. Eastgate provides free educational and support services for children with special needs and their families. Children birth through two years old may be referred to Eastgate through early intervention programs, family members, doctors, hospitals and other agencies, Services are based on child and family needs determined through Individual Family Service Plans (I.F.S.P.) for birth - two year olds. Parents are an important part of the school team. Eastgate provides parent training classes, support groups, case management, and family resource services. Services are available in the home, other community settings or at Eastgate and may be in a group setting with other children or in individual settings. Each child's intervention program is adjusted based on progress and changing needs. During scheduled parent-staff meetings, parents provide input for their child's goals for each program year.
Early Intervention delivers services for infants and toddlers, birth through the second birthday, who are at risk or who display developmental delays.. Early intervention specialists at Eastgate are certified by the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities and teachers are certified by the Ohio Department of Early Childhood Education. To be enrolled in the Early Intervention Program at Eastgate Early Childhood and Family Center, the child must first be enrolled in Help Me Grow (HMG). Your HMG Service Coordinator will facilitate your referral to Eastgate. Once Eastgate services are officially listed on the child?s Individualized Family Service Plan, delivery of ongoing services will begin. Eastgate services are available in your home, other community settings or in our center. The child?s intervention sessions may be in a group setting with other children or in individual settings. Each intervention program is adjusted abased on the child?s progress, changing needs, and family priorities. Your Early Intervention (EI) Specialist will be the primary person providing instruction for you and the child. Eastgate services include Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Speech Therapists, and behavioral support. You may request a meeting or conference with any of the child?s staff at any time. When developing the Individualized Family Service Plan, you will be asked to provide your input for outcomes and objectives. You input is much valued and necessary to the development of your family plan. Toddler classes (around 18 months-3 years) have 5-6 toddlers in a class session. There is an instructor and assistant. Classes are usually two times per week for two hour sessions in either morning or afternoon. Space availability and family schedules are used to determine which toddler class each child will attend. Transportation is not provided to toddler classes. You are welcome to visit the child?s toddler class at any time. Eastgate has a comfortable Family Waiting Room for families to relax and meet other families while waiting for your toddler. Siblings are welcome! Full day preschool programs are available for children ages three through five years who have disabilities as well as for typical peers. Typical peers serve as great role models and help socialization. Stark DD transportation may be available. Supportive services for children from birth through age five and their families are based on the individual child's needs. They include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language services, nursing services, nutritional counseling, daily living skills, physical education, play and socialization activities, gross and fine motor skills, psychological services, behavior assistance, music, and computer education. Eastgate staff also assists families in the referral process to other agencies for services. The Stark County Toy and Resource Lending Library (also known as Toys to Go) loans developmental toys and resource materials to parents, teachers, and therapists for children aged birth through five years. Toys to Go also offers a Special Needs division available to parents, teachers, and therapists working with children with disabilities. Community resource information is available along with specialized adaptive switches and toys. Membership is open to any parent, teacher, or therapist working with children between birth and five years or any family in Stark County who is referred by a professional. Fees are $10 per year or five hours of volunteer time per year. Hours are Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday 9:30a.m. to 2:30p.m. Improvements have included a 1.3 million-dollar renovation project in 1998-99 school year funded by a matching state grant from the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities. The project included additions and renovations to classrooms, hallways, and offices. Some of the changes included wheelchair accessible playgrounds, new restrooms, the creation of a toy-lending library, a therapy room and new play and classroom equipment. Adult Services
Habilitation and Day ProgrammingAfter the age of 22, individuals with developmental disabilities rely on Stark DD to provide assistance, life-long learning and activities that add to the quality of life for individuals of all abilities. Habilitation services for adults provide training and support in vocational skills and opportunity, self-care, behavior supports, communication and socialization skills. Work might include contract production, shipping and receiving, janitorial and specialties like ceramics, wood products, crafts and hand-sewn products. These individuals may be employees of The Workshops, Inc. The Workshops, Inc. (TWI)The Workshops, Inc. (TWI) is a 501c3 non-profit organization that enters into an annual contract with the Stark County Board of DD to employ adult enrollees. TWI secures and manages the work performed in the workshops and other sites and uses its earnings to pay enrollee wages and benefits, provide and purchase equipment, materials, vehicles and other necessities. Work groups include up to 15 people and each is directly supervised by a Workshop Specialist II who is registered by the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities. The Workshops operate year-round. Work days are typically six hours long.. Enrollees are paid based on their productivity and receive a minimum of ten paid vacation days during the workshop shut down in July and December, paid holidays and up to ten absent days. Most enrollees pay Social Security (FICA), federal, state and city tax through payroll deductions. Individuals are assigned to the nearest workshop to minimize travel time Sheltered Workshops provide paying jobs that include sorting, collating, painting, ceramics, assembling, packaging, woodworking and more for local manufacturers and organizations. Enrollees are placed on specific jobs based upon their programming needs. Community Work Experience (CWE) helps enrollees make a transition from a workshop setting to employment in the community. Job opportunities include custodial work, manufacturing jobs, etc. throughout Stark County. Individuals employed through CWE typically work in a work crew or enclave. Supported Employment assists an enrollee in finding a job in the community and provides important supports, such as job coaching and counseling, to help that enrollee be successful on the job and more independent. In some cases, individuals may be employed in work enclaves, These are groups of individuals who work in a community setting under the direction of a supervisor who is employed by Stark DD. Enclaves can be either a mobile unit or a single setting. One hundred fifty eight individuals are employed in these enclaves and work at jobs such as janitorial, recycling, grounds keeping and assembly/production. TWI has a board of five voting members representing a variety of businesses and industries in Stark County. There are also two ex-officio members, the DD Superintendent and a DD Board member. TWI also employs a Director who runs day-to-day operations. The TWI Director reports to the Stark DD Superintendent and the Stark DD Board. Each year TWI submits an independent audit and an annual report to the Stark DD Board. The minimum age for enrollment is sixteen, but individuals typically join the program at eighteen years or older.
IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT THE WORKSHOPSQualifying - To qualify for Workshop employment, an individual must be a resident of Stark County and have substantial functional limitations as determined by the Ohio Eligibility Determination Instrument (OEDI) administered by the Intake Specialist. The enrollment process - Once an individual determined to be qualified, an intake specialist will help the family or caregiver complete the necessary forms. The completed forms are reviewed during a meeting that includes the intake specialist, the program nurse supervisor, the vocational evaluator and the individual and his/her family, when appropriate. A vocational evaluator will then complete a work evaluation Plan and will as the individual's plan coordinator, until the individual is assigned to a work group. An intake specialist then forwards the admissions Packets to the adult services director for review and recommendation to the superintendent for approval. Once the individual is approved for an adult services program, a functional assessment will determine his/her interests, preferences, choices and functional abilities. The assessmenet includes independent daily living skills, vocational and social development, auditory, sensorimotor skills and career interest. Based upon this information and the individual's interests and preferences, the team recommends appropriate placement and programming within in the adult services program. The functional assessment report is reviewed with the individual, his/her family and the assigned staff. A permanent plan coordinator is assigned and the placement area is finalized. TransportationTransportation is available to individuals in Board programs living throughout Stark County. Stark DD provides transportation to schools and workshops as well as van services to selected areas of community employment. Transportation Department vehicles typically travel more than two million miles a year, providing services to more than 1200 individuals utilizing 91 buses and 39 vans and trucks. Service and Support AdministrationThe Stark DD Service and Support Administrators assist 1,631 individuals and their families to identify and acquire appropriate service and support. Individuals can choose these services for themselves among a variety of resources. Administrators assist communities to develop the capacity to support people with DD and provide information to individuals, families and communities. Service and Support Administration provides advocacy to safeguard the rights and protect the interests and choices of eligible individuals. Administrators also monitor and work closely with agencies and organizations that provide services to individuals with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities. Service and Support Administrators work with individuals and families to identify
Specifically, Ohio law mandates the Service and Support Administration within each county board of MRDD to provide the following services:
Stark DD Service and Support Administrators
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The Stark County Board of DD provides four programs that serve adults..jpg)
