December 2022 Special Needs Living Akron/Canton

NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT: MAKING MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS

Get to know summit DD

WRITTEN BY SARAH SMITH PHOTOS COURTESY OF SUMMIT DD

Summit DD is a levy-funded government organization that provides and coordinates essential services for more than 4,700 people with developmental disabilities throughout Summit County. Whether it’s early intervention services for a newborn child, employment services and transportation for some adults, or independent living skills for others, Summit DD provides a lifetime of support for those eligible for its services.

In July 1949, Summit County began providing community-based disability services in two small classrooms in the basement of an Akron church. Parent advocates continued to advocate for training and education programs, and by 1968, Summit County’s first “Board of Mental Retardation” board members were sworn in. Thanks to the efforts of these parent advocates, the Ohio County Board system was created.

The Weaver School and Workshop opened in Tallmadge in 1971, and two more adult centers opened by the end of the decade. Residential programs began with the goal of bringing individuals who lived in institutions back to Summit County. By the end of the 1970s, more than 1,100 adults and children were served, and Summit DD offered social services, home training, preschool, school services, adult services, residential services, and transportation.

Summit DD is the community resource that connects adults and children with developmental disabilities and their families to services and supports in Summit County. It is the Agency’s goal to connect people with disabilities to supports that empower each individual to contribute to their own success and to that of their community. Helping people of all abilities reach their full potential, one person at a time, is Summit DD’s mission.

One such person is 76-year-old Marvin, who has a full support system to provide assistance. The team is composed of his family, medical professionals, direct support team members, and his Summit DD Service and Support Administrator (SSA). “I never dreamed a support system, as Marv and I have today, would have ever been possible!” Gary, Marvin’s younger brother, shared.

In addition, through an essential Summit DD program, Jason has access to crucial assistive technology devices that help him access the world. Using digital braille devices, Jason can email and text on his computer and cell phone with family, friends, and support staff. He has become so skilled in technology, that he trains other individuals who are deaf and blind by working for a federally funded program called I Can Connect. A look at Summit DD by the numbers highlights the impressive scope of the organization:

It is the Agency’s goal to connect people with disabilities to supports that empower each individual to contribute to their own success

• More than 1,000 children and families from birth to age three receive early intervention services from Summit DD. These services are provided at no charge to families and individuals who qualify for Summit DD services.

• More than 2,300 teens and adults are enrolled on a Medicaid Waiver through Summit DD for essential services.

• Summit DD helped fund approximately 400 Summit County Special Olympics athletes last year.

• 629 Families accessed Family Engagement Program (FEP) funds to provide access to community classes, camps, special equipment, and COVID-19 or respite needs.

• Summit DD invested more than $550,000 local dollars in providers and early childhood workers for appreciation, retention, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) initiatives.

• The organization’s investment in the Medicaid program invests $60 million of federal dollars directly into the local economy.

• Nearly 400 new individuals (ages 3 and up) were found eligible for services last year.

• Summit DD connects and funds services for people through more than 900 private providers throughout Summit County.

• The investigation team closed more than 1,100 Major Unusual Incidents (MUI) with 99.8% ontime performance.

Thanks to the support of the wonderful Summit County community, Summit DD can fund, coordinate, and provide services like early intervention, day programs, transportation, and in-home supports, that more than 4,700 children and adults rely on each day to reach for their goals. More than 89 percent of Summit DD’s funding comes from an operating levy, which will be on the ballot in November 2023.

More information can be found at www.SummitDD.com or by calling 330-634-8000. Summit DD is located at 2355 Second St., Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44221.