December 2022 Special Needs Living Akron/Canton

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: REM OHIO

Growth and independence for all abilities

WRITTEN BY SARAH SMITH

REM Ohio is a leading provider of home and community-based care for Ohioans with intellectual and/ or developmental disabilities. The organization believes that everyone deserves to live a full, more independent life. REM provides individuals with quality services and personalized supports that lead to growth and independence, regardless of the physical, intellectual, or behavioral challenges they face. The organization has made this our mission for more than 50 years, and today the 40,000 team members nationwide continue to innovate and enhance care for 50,000 individuals.

REM Ohio has a long history of supporting all people with DD. When a need in the community is identified, the company develops a service to meet that need. REM has consistently developed specialty homes when the need was identified. Homes have been designed to support people with Autism, Prader-Willi, diabetes, and more. The leadership team at REM Ohio is committed to supporting people with the highest quality possible.

The REM brand was started by Robert E. Miller in Minnesota. Bob had the desire to move people out of large state-run institutions, so he began opening smaller homes in the community to support these people. REM came to Ohio in 1987.

“I began employment as a Program Director the day after our first home opened here, opening adult foster homes to support people with developmental disabilities,” said Jo Spargo, Executive Director. “REM Ohio has since grown to support more than 1,200 people across the state in more than 40 counties. Our leadership team is committed to quality services to people with DD in all of our locations and services.”

REM is a large company with vast resources and yet seeks to maintain the family-like connection of a small provider. This allows the company to reach more people, employees, and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. REM believes every person has the right to live well, and the company continues to grow and support more people to do just that.

Ohio is rich with services for people with DD, often making it difficult for caregivers to navigate those services. REM seeks to partner with the families who receive our services. Transitioning to adult services from children’s services can be particularly challenging. REM has been navigating this process for over 35 years and is a valuable resource.

“When I sought my first position as a young social worker, the DD industry had numerous openings, so I decided to try a job in that field,” continued Spargo. “I had exposure to people with DD growing up. More than 35 years later, I know I am blessed that I was led to a position where I could make a difference and impact so many lives. I cannot imagine working with any other population.” As the mother of a son with special needs, Spargo is a tireless advocate for people with DD. She has served on Ohio’s DD Council by Governor’s appointment for seven years from 2013-2020. While serving on this council, she has been the Chair, Vice Chair, and Public Policy Chair. Spargo attends annual legislative advocacy events in Washington, D.C., meeting with legislators or their aides to advocate for issues important to the DD community. In addition, Spargo has served as an Ohio Health Care Association IDD board member for the past three years.

REM advances its mission and vision through philanthropic and socially responsible investments and activities that benefit the individuals the company serves, our employees and contractors, and the communities in which we work. REM does this through charitable foundations called Community Partners and Community Champions, Network Angels, and through the Annual Volunteer Day. Because of these efforts the company has helped 630 team members and families in need through Network Angels with $990,000 of assistance provided since 2010. $2.65 million in grants have been awarded through the charitable foundations. The employees have volunteered for 372 projects across 36 states in the annual Volunteer Day.

REM Ohio, Inc. is a Sevita Healthcare Company and is located at 470 Portage Lakes Drive, Suite 206, in Akron. More information can be found at www.rem-oh.com or by calling 330-644-5216.