Diane Knupp will continue to serve as superintendent of the Preble County Board of Developmental Disabilities through December 31, 2013. During its regular meeting on March 13, the board unanimously voted to rehire Knupp after accepting her retirement notice during its October 2011 meeting. Per the board's retire/rehire policy, the Superintendent's salary and benefits will be reduced by 20 percent. The contract end date is a continuation of Knupp's contract prior to her retirement decision.
“Diane has done an outstanding job of leading this agency,” said Board President Jean Bussell. “Most notably, under her guidance we received a five-year accreditation from the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities. This is a first for the PCBDD. The board, the individuals that receive services from the PCBDD, families and our community are fortunate to have Diane serving as superintendent of the County Board.”
Link Established to Learn More About Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are insects that feed on human blood. They are often found near sleeping areas in the seams of mattresses, box springs, cracks and crevices in bed frames, and usually spread to gaps behind baseboards, pictures, wallpaper and electrical outlets. Bed bugs hitchhike into a home on used furniture, clothing or other items brought from infested areas.
To learn more about these insects, go to the Ohio Department of Health's website at www.odh.ohio.gov and search for Bed Bugs Know the Facts. Also, contact the Preble County General Health District at 937-472-0087 or online at www.pcghd.net.
Pavers Being Installed at Kylie Pierson Memorial Garden
The paver project is being completed at the entrance way to the Kylie Pierson Memorial Garden. Thanks to Greg Arnett for volunteering his time and talents by installing the pavers. All of the pavers should be in place this fall.
Also, you can still purchase a paver for $50. The form is available on this site or you can stop by the PCBDD offices in Eaton to complete a form. Call Corey Mangan at 937-456-5891 ext. 124 for details.
For the first time in the history of the Preble County Board of Developmental Disabilities a five-year accreditation certificate was earned from the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities. This includes DODD’s areas of excellence.
"You, the board members and staff are to be commended for your efforts in achieving this status," said John Martin, director, DODD, in a letter to PC Superintendent Diane Knupp. "Department staff and I are well aware that this accomplishment required considerable commitment of resources and energy."
The comprehensive state accreditation review is a very rigorous and thorough process, taking nearly six months to complete. All areas of county board operations are reviewed including personnel administration, services and support and the general efficiency and effectiveness of the county board.
"It is very gratifying to be recognized knowing that our staff is delivering quality services and supports for the individuals we serve and their families," said Diane.
Director Martin continued to write: "Our accreditation process is designed to assist county boards in continuously improving the quality of their services and supports to individuals with disabilities. Your efforts are now acknowledged as being in substantial compliance with state accreditation standards."
The new accreditation certification began Dec. 1 and has an expiration date of Nov. 30, 2016. Previously, the highest certification achieved by the PCBDD had been three years.
Pictured are (front, l-r) PCBDD Board Member Lori Shiflet, L&M Adult Services Director Terry Stevens; (back row, l-r) SSA Director Patricia Lozano, Executive Assistant Lisa Scarbrough, PCBDD Board VP Dr. Eva Howard, PCBDD Superintendent Diane Knupp and Transportation Supervisor Regina Fullmer.
Snake Man Show Draws Big Crowd
Scott Trochelman, president/owner of "The World Around Us", presented a terrific show about corn snakes, lizards, turtles and other animals that make their homes here in Ohio.
Scott and Alex, who brought her Savanah Monitor lizard, told the audience about how these animals survive in the wild and what to do in the event you would ever come upon one of these reptiles. Children and adults got the opportunity to hold the snakes and lizard during the program.
The fundraiser benefited the ASK Playground Project. This playground is being constructed behind L&M Products, Inc. and will be totally handicapped accessible. It features slides, a Sway Fun, swings, basketball court and much more.
We thank Dayton Children's Medical Center, the New Paris Kiwanis Club and the First Presbyterian Church in Eaton for making this possible.
Newly Formed Business
When it comes to talking about her newly-formed business, Kim Perry is very excited. Perry is the proud owner/operator of “Creative Etchings by Kim”, a home-based business located in Eaton. She produces state-of-the-art photo engraved jewelry. These etchings are of photographs and names or sayings produced on metal pendants and other pieces.
“I like doing this and seeing the look on people’s faces when I hand over their necklace,” Perry said. “They act surprised and tell me how much they like it.”
Perry attends L&M Products, Inc. where she receives services from the Preble County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities. She also works for L&M’s enclaves at Parker-Hannifin.
Holly Comley, recreation coordinator at PCBMRDD and Special Olympic coach, said Kim works hard at everything she does. Recently, Carnahan Jewelers in Eaton showed their support for Perry’s business by putting her work in a window display.
“Kim is a very artistic person so this business is a natural for her,” Comley said. “She has drawn and painted pictures for years and made other kinds of jewelry. The work she is doing now is beautiful. She receives a great response after the people see the quality work she does.” Perry added that she completes orders (usually) within a day or two after they have been placed. While professional photographs cannot be used due to copyright laws, people bring her regular snapshots or images from digital cameras that are professionally reproduced on dog tags and pendants.
“At first, I didn’t think I could do this but with help from people at L&M, I am happy to say that I can do this on my own,” Perry said with a smile. “I like doing this for people and I also like doing it for the money. I’m proud of what I’ve been able to accomplish, especially on my own.”
Like most new business owners, Perry has had to learn many things, such as inventory control, budgeting and making sure she adjusts her schedule to be available to produce and complete her orders.
“Kim has really improved in operating her business,” says Kim Posey, Perry’s service and support administrator (SSA). “She has had a lot to learn like money management and making sure she has what she needs to complete orders on a timely basis. All of us at MR/DD knew she could accomplish this and we are eager to help her whenever she may need it.”
In addition to working at Henny Penny, Parker and her own business, Perry stays busy by playing on the Special Olympic basketball, softball, and track and field teams. Additionally, she is a member of People First, a self advocacy group. Perry received initial funding for her business through a Micro Enterprise grant and matching dollars from the Preble County Board of MR/DD. The grant is funded through the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council.
“All of us at the county board are very proud of Kim and her determination to make her business a success,” said Diane Knupp, superintendent, PCBMR/DD. “The agency’s vision is to provide the best possible opportunity for individuals with disabilities to have the kind and quality of life they choose. Kim’s business venture is an example of what’s possible when you support people to be all they can be. We’re all very proud of Kim. She is a role model for her peers and she leads by example.”
If interested in ordering a necklace from “Creative Etchings by Kim,” order forms are available by calling 937-533-6929 or at Carnahan Jewelers, 126 E. Main St., Eaton. If you would like a necklace or other item for Christmas, Perry urges you to contact her as soon as possible to make sure she has it completed by the holiday.
A Walking Path: MR/DD hosts dedication ceremony
By Eddie Mowen
R-H Assistant Editor
Susan Melzer and Kylie Ann Pierson are now forever linked, although the two lived completely opposite lives.
Melzer fulfilled many dreams of becoming a wife, mother and grandmother, before her death in 2004, while Pierson, an energetic toddler before contracting a rare genetic disorder, passed away just after her third birthday on July 5, 2006.
On Saturday, May 10, the Preble County MR/DD held a dedication ceremony to honor the two at the Preble County Board of MRDD/L&M facilities at 201 East Lexington Rd. in Eaton.
A Walking Path was dedicated in the memory of Susan G. Melzer for her 20 years of faithful service and dedication to individuals with mental retardation and developmental disabilities.
“She dedicated herself to volunteer efforts on behalf of the citizens with mental retardation and developmental disabilities,” said her widower, Jerry Melzer. “She also volunteered to serve as a board member on two very important boards. The Preble County Board of MR/DD and the Developmental Training Center.”
Her interests in the disabled also led her to assist with Special Olympics and she participated in career days at schools, encouraging young people to look at a career in nursing, which was her chosen profession.
She was serving her first three-year term as a board member when her illness with cancer was discovered. Even during her treatments, she continued to be an active member of the board.
“Amazingly, she also continued to bring her wonderful sense of humor and infectious laugh with her, lightening the mood while dealing with the many difficult issues to lead the agency in its mission to provide quality services,” Jerry Melzer said. “She even attending and contributed greatly in discussion and decision making in the August meeting, before her death of Sept. 4.”
A Memorial Garden was erected in memory of Kylie Ann Pierson and her love of flowers and butterflies. It is a place for everyone to find peace, reflect and rejuvenate. Kylie’s spirit lives on in the garden to remind everyone that each day is a gift to be savored and enjoy.
Pierson suffered from Alpers Disease, a rare genetic disorder that is characterized by unstopable seizures, progressive weakness, and eventually death.
According to her parents, she appeared to be a perfectly healthy child, except for gross motor delay, until Sept. 13, 2005 when she had a massive seizure that lasted at least 12 hours, and was stopped by putting her in a drug-induced coma.
It took over three months to get her devastating diagnosis.
Kylie was part of the Early Intervention Program since she was a year old, at the Preble County Board of MRDD, which is responsible for the coordination and management of services and programs that serve Preble County Citizens with mental retardation and/or developmental disabilities.
“In her short life she taught us many things, and this garden is a reflection of those lessons,” Kylie’s mother, Hope Pierson said. “Every day, Kylie and I walked through our garden at home and she pointed out the butterflies and the birds. She picked flowers. She picked grass and she picked weeds. Some days, she picked certain rocks. Each day we never knew why one thing attracted her attention and others didn’t. But it reminds me know to look at everything differently and with an open mind. The beauty of nature and the joy of the simple things provide enrich our lives if we just take the time to see them.”
Hope Pierson said the garden is a place Kylie would enjoy.
“This garden is a place I know Kylie would love,” she said as she began crying. “It’s filled with many of her favorite things. It’s a place for the community to reflect, relax, remember and rejuvenate.”
The ceremony ended with a balloon launch, as several pink and yellow balloons were sent into the blue sky.
“We thought a balloon launch would be a really nice way to honor Kylie and to honor Susan,” MR/DD Superintendent Dianne Knupp said. “We’ve worked real hard. It’s just kind of a culmination of Jerry’s vision and Hope’s vision and it’s not the end. We will continue to add to it and grow. We have lots of visions for the future for it to continue to grow.”
The garden and walking path have been made possible through volunteers and donations. The board operates under federal, state, and local statute and rules to provide its services.
“We’ve not used county board funds,” Knupp said. “We’ve done it all with donations and volunteer efforts.”
Knupp said Kylie and Susan are now forever linked.
“They are connected by this program,” Knupp said. “Susan being an advocate for people with disabilities and Kylie being someone who received services here. This was one way of tying it all together. I think it’s pretty cool you’ve got an adult and a child who brought this together. Families brought families together, too. Folks who wouldn’t have any other common bond.”
Jerry Melzer said there have been good and bad days since his wife’s death.
“As most of you know, when you lose a loved one who has been a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother, a step-mom, a grandmother, a step-gammaw, and an aunt Sue-Sue, a nurse, a board member, and your best friend, you have good day and bad days,” Jerry Melzer said fighting back tears. “This is a good day.”
Kylie's GardenKylie was a healthy little girl who enjoyed spending time with her family in their beautiful flower gardens. This all changed in September 2005 when Kylie was diagnosed with Alper's Disease, a rare genetic disorder characterized by severe, uncontrollable, seizures and progressive muscle weakness, with no cure. Kylie began receiving early intervention services through the Preble County Board of MRDD, at age 1 after she was diagnosed with Alpers Disease. Kylie's parents and support team fought hard against this progressive disease that ultimately took her sight, and eventually her life. Kylie's courageous fight ended on July 5, 2006 -when she passed away at 3 years, 3 months and 3 days old.
"Kylie always loved her parents garden with all its flowers and butterflies." Hope Peterson, Kylie's mother further states "What better way to honor her life than with a public garden? Thanks to the Preble County MRDD, Kylie's Garden has become a reality." Located at Lexington and North Maple Street next to the L&M Product Co. in Eaton, the Garden will be open to the public in Summer, 2007.
On Tuesday October 31, 2006, Hope Peterson met with Diane Knupp, Superintendent of the Preble County Board of MRDD, and they have formalized the plans to develop the Kylie Ann Pierson Memorial Garden on our property located at 201 E. Lexington, Eaton, OH.
The Board of MRDD recently installed the Susan Melzer Memorial Walking Trail behind their building. The center of the 1/8 mile meandering paved track is a perfect site for our garden and we are looking forward to providing a beautiful backdrop to walkers. Our future plans for the site matched Hope's visions for Kylie's Garden exactly. MRDD is so pleased to be working with Hope, who has graciously allowed us to honor Kylie by realizing the garden dream Hope has visualized for Kylie.
The Preble County Board of MRDD is responsible for the coordination and management of services and programs that serve Preble County Citizens with mental retardation and/or developmental disabilities. The board operates under federal, state, and local statute and rules to provide these services. Kylie was part of their Early Intervention Program since she was 1 year old.
The walking track and garden will provide a safe location for Early Intervention play groups as well as provide the adults we serve an interesting and beautiful respite.
For more information on progress of the garden and plantings please visit the Memorial Garden portion of Kylie's website at www.kylieslife.com
Top of Page Progress Lies in History of the Past and Opportunities for the Future. Preble County Board of MRDD Celebrates 35 th Anniversary
In conjunction with the celebration of Preble County’s 200 th anniversary, the Preble County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (MRDD) is proud to be celebrating its 35 th anniversary this year.
In 2007, County Boards of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities celebrated its 40-year anniversary. On October 25, 1967, the Ohio General Assembly officially established a County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities in each of Ohio’s 88 counties via Senate Bill 169.
From its beginning of institutions with limited community options to a system today with numerous community options and approximately 80,000 individuals served, the Ohio County Boards of MRDD system has come a long way.
Diane Knupp, superintendent of Preble County Board of MRDD, said: “During the past few years we have witnessed significant changes in Ohio’s MRDD service delivery system. As new leaders, significant changes have occurred in the way services are delivered and constantly growing numbers of Ohioans seeking services all have created enormous challenges – challenges that county boards strive to meet every day.”
In celebration of the Preble County Board of MRDD’s 35 th anniversary, the agency is sharing its local history with area residents.
PCBMRDD traces its beginnings to a grassroots effort by parents who wanted an education for their sons and daughters with developmental disabilities. For about a century, through 1950, parents of children with developmental disabilities in Ohio had two choices:
1) They could send their child to a large state institution to receive services, giving up daily contact, or 2), they could raise their child at home doing whatever they thought was right. Parents in Ohio continued to seek help for their children – for their education and for a better life. In 1952, the Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC) was founded. The Association’s first duties were as advocates, developers, organizers and providers of transportation to children with disabilities. The ARC continues today in many counties throughout Ohio.
County boards have come a long way. Parents have supports they never had in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Parents relied on one another and volunteers to provide their children with services. Some parents had to travel out of county for their disabled child to receive services. When parents united to develop a local program for services they were typically held in a church basement during the early years.
In July 1967, as a result of Senate Bill 169, Ohio established County Boards of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities known as “169 Boards”. These are the forerunner of today’s Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities.
Locally, the Preble County Developmental Training Center was established by parents of multi-handicapped children who could not be appropriately educated in the existing educational facility. By establishing a training facility within the county, children had the opportunity to benefit from modern training and facilities without being removed from their beneficial influences for their home and community environments.
The Developmental Training Center provided individualized training programs for Preble County children, birth through age 21. The Center opened in February 1971 with five children in a church basement.
The adult workshop, now known as L&M Products, Inc., was originally located at 113 South Cherry Street in Eaton. It was established by the Preble County Board of Mental Retardation in November 1972 and began operations service for 14 individuals.
The Preble County 169 Board held its first meeting in January1973. By 1979, the number of individuals receiving services had grown to 41. In 2008 the board has grown to serve 276 Preble County residents with mental retardation and developmental disabilities.
In June 1978, a levy was passed to support the operations and that would become the first local tax dollars used to support local residents with mental retardation. This levy supported the growth of services for what has now become better known as L&M Products, located on the corner of Lexington and Maple streets in Eaton.
Today, the early childhood program provides services to 34 infants while seven children are on the waiting list for services. Early intervention services are provided in a family-focused playgroup and home settings emphasizing parent participation. Children in the program range in age from birth to three. Children are provided opportunities to develop physically, emotionally, socially and mentally to their fullest potential. The early intervention program works in conjunction with Help Me Grow through the Preble County Health District; as well as the Ohio Department of Health regarding the evaluation and assessment process for infants and toddlers.
The Service and Support Administrations (SSA) Division works to help people with disabilities and their families identify the services and supports they need to function as independently as possible. SSA staff are available to assist eligible individuals age three and older. For each person served, the SSA staff assesses needs, facilitates development of the support plan for the person, helps individuals select service providers, monitor to make sure needed services are received and provide crisis intervention 24 hours a day.
L&M Products provides employment opportunities for adults with disabilities through contracting with local businesses. It is a full-service manufacturing resource that provides assembly, inspection, labeling, packaging, project management, sorting, document scanning and records destruction through working with local industry. Adults with disabilities who work at L&M Products also have the opportunity to participate in other activities based on their interest. L&M offers a senior program for those who are of retirement age and no longer wish to work but want to remain active. An adult day activities component was developed in 2007 to address the needs and interest of individuals whose emphasis in not work and they are too young for the seniors program.
L&M Products currently partners with two local industries providing manpower through an enclave work group in their businesses supporting their production needs. Henny Penny Corporation and L&M Products have a 12-year relationship while Parker Hannifin Corporation is the newest partnership, developed in 2007.
Approximately 98 individuals access transportation services to get to and from L&M Products and community job sites. The MRDD board runs five bus routes daily, logging over 120,000 miles annually. Transportation services provide individuals with mental retardation an opportunity to work, recreate and access their community. This further supports the agency’s vision to provide the best possible opportunity for individuals with mental retardation and/or developmental disabilities to have the kind and quality of life he or she chooses.
March of each year is set aside as “MRDD Awareness Month” throughout the state of Ohio. The goal is to increase the public's awareness and understanding of people who have mental retardation and other developmental disabilities so that these citizens will have increased access in our communities to employment, education, housing and social opportunities.
This year the theme is:
Success! When doors open ─ we succeed. I may have a developmental disability but I can vote, I can volunteer, I can be a neighbor, I can work, and I can be a friend .
MRDD Month in March offers an opportunity for taking a crucial step toward improving the quality of life for people with evelopmental disabilities. It is, after all, often attitudinal barriers that affect everyday life for individuals with disabilities. In addressing those barriers, fears and negative attitudes can be replaced with awareness and understanding. Further supporting the Preble County Board of MRDD’s mission to support individuals with mental retardation and/or developmental disabilities to live, learn, work, and socialize as they choose by “Creating Opportunities for a Lifetime”.
Preble County’s MRDD service delivery system has come a long way and is very proud of its 35-year history of providing services to families in Preble County who have individuals with mental retardation. The Board looks forward to serving Preble County’s children and adults with developmental disabilities for many years to come. L&M Consumers Making A Major Impact in Preble CountyUsed with Permission of the Register-Herald, Eaton, Ohio First published February 22, 2006
The Preble County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities has been administering a variety of programs and comprehensive services to meet the needs of its adult consumers for the past 33 years.
“We want to provide new opportunities for all of our consumers (workers) and to introduce more Preble County citizens into the workforce,” says Diane Knupp, Superintendent, Preble County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities. “Also, we’re working to increase employer awareness about our untapped labor force.”
The agency is continuing to secure contracts for its sheltered workshop, L&M Products. Currently, several businesses are taking advantage of the dedicated workforce at L&M by contracting for a variety of services. Businesses (at press time) include (but are not limited to) Magnode Corporation, Nite Lites, North American Nutrition, Rohm and Haas and Vandor Corporation. Consumers do such jobs as light assembly work, packaging, operate small machines, collate, shrink packaging, inspection, mailing and more.
L&M’s highly competent staff promotes the rights and capabilities of its 104 consumers with an emphasis on people first and disabilities second.
“Our consumers have proven their abilities by producing great results and they work hard at their jobs,” says Ben Hollinger, Director, Adult Services. “Companies that contract with us are thrilled with the production and quality of work. Our consumers, whether it be individuals in the community, the enclaves, or those in the workshop, have proven to be a great asset to area businesses.”
L&M has enclave workers at Henny Penny Corporation and Hueston Woods State Park. Also, the agency has a cleaning crew that services the Preble County Engineers Office, the county’s mental health offices, Preble County MRDD offices and L&M Products.
By continuing its training and programming, more consumers will have the opportunity to maximize their potential and acquire the daily living skills needed to live and work independently. L&M Products – “Serving Individuals with Disabilities by Putting People First.”
Profile:
L&M Products 201 E. Lexington Road Eaton, Ohio (937) 456-7141
Established: 1973 Type of Business: Adult Workshop Operated by: Preble County Board of Developmental Disabilities Length of Time in Community: 37 years Number of Employees: 143 Senior Staff: Terry Stevens, Director, Adult Services Contact: Cindy Kaufman, Business Manager -- 456-7141
