January 2024 Special Needs Living Magazine

UNIFIED RESOURCES: Supporting People with Disabilities in Portage County

Introducing you to the Portage County Board of Developmental Disabilities

BY TIM TORCH, COMMUNICATIONS AND HR MANAGER.

The Unified Resources (URR) program in Portage County, Ohio, provides critical services and support for those with developmental disabilities. This innovative program empowers individuals in their local community.

Background on URR

POWERcorps was their AmeriCorps program name when they were established in 2002. They successfully moved out of AmeriCorps in 2012 and into a fully financed community program and started the process of changing to their new name in 2016. FCS has served as Portage County’s provider of care and resources for people with developmental disabilities. The organization operates with the vision that all people, regardless of ability, deserve the opportunity to thrive.

URR provides programs for adults and teens. For both the adult and teen programs, participants must be between the ages of 12 and 17 and 18 years or older, respectively. Participants must be qualified to receive assistance from the Portage County Board of Developmental Disabilities.

The importance of support

Under the direction of its forward thinking Board of Trustees and 30-year CEO, FCS has established a reputation as a successful innovative force in social services. Portage DD fully funds the URR programs and has helped FCS fulfill the increasing demands of the community and assist those who are most in need.

This allows people to shape their lives and futures based on their strengths, capabilities, and aspirations. For Portage County residents with developmental disabilities, Unified Resources can open doors to possibilities they may not have had access to previously.

Family and Community Services, Inc. will focus on the future of youth, engage and empower communities, strengthen and support individuals and families, and provide tools for healthier lives to address the community’s needs effectively.

Empowering community members

The program creates a richer, more inclusive community in Portage County as participants get involved with local organizations, events, and businesses. When people with disabilities can fully participate in community life, everyone benefits. Participants gain valuable skills and experiences in the community. Local businesses and organizations also benefit from the diverse perspectives and talents that participants bring when they get involved.

Unified Resources helps make that vision of inclusion and participation a reality. Like the Portage County Board of Developmental Disabilities, the personalized support offered through Unified Resources is important and beneficial. When people with disabilities can fully participate in community life, we all benefit from their talents, perspectives, and humanity. Unified Resources exemplifies how valuing each person’s abilities and potential makes the entire community stronger.

Transforming lives

Portage DD believes that the Unified Resources program demonstrates the power of personalized support services to transform lives. The Portage DD-funded programs, for both adults and youth, represent expanded opportunities for personal growth, life skills development, and community involvement for Portage County residents with developmental disabilities. The services they offer will help the community as a whole and improve the lives of many residents, a goal that everyone should have in mind.

Conclusion

The Unified Resources program demonstrates the value and impact of support for people with developmental disabilities. By empowering participants, Unified Resources supports inclusion, participation, and belonging within the broader Portage County community. With its innovative approach and commitment, the program expands possibilities and transforms outcomes for residents with disabilities.

Unified Resources represents the power of community organizations to open doors through human-centered services. The Portage County Board of Developmental Disabilities fully supports Unified Resources and its mission and has helped establish it as a solid, successful force for good. By supporting fuller participation in community life, the program creates a richer, more inclusive Portage County for all. With the backing of the Board, Unified Resources makes a real difference in empowering people with disabilities.