SERVICE & SUPPORT

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-Our Service and Support Administration (SSA) Department helps individuals and their families identify and receive the appropriate services and programs needed to ensure a safe and healthy lifestyle. Service and Support Administrators provide advocacy to safeguard the rights and protect the interests and choices of Board-eligible individuals. They monitor and work closely with other agencies and organizations that provide services, and may also assist people in the community to support individuals with developmental disabilities through information and discussion. 

Each Board-eligible individual has a Service and Support Administrator to help assess their needs, facilitate development of individual service plans (ISP), arrange for services and monitor the provision of those services. Service and Support Administrators often assist families with questions, planning or referrals on subjects such as Social Security, guardianship, Medicaid, waiting lists and other issues. SSAs are also able to coordinate residential placement, and serve as the gatekeepers for all Medicaid waiver services. 

The SSA works with individuals and families to:

• Identify issues and concerns of individuals and/or families;
• Assist in developing a customized Individual Service Plan (ISP);
• Find the resources individuals may need;
• Help select service providers;
• Monitor the progress of ISPs;
• Ensure services are effective and are being delivered according to the ISP;
• Provide information and referral to other community agencies; and
• Obtain services and supports that maintain an individual’s health, safety and welfare.

If you have questions regarding SSA services, please contact June Ginther
at 419-668-8840, ext. 1410.

PERSON CENTERED PLANNING

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The objective of Person Centered Planning is to balance “important to” and “important for,” and to ensure the appropriate information is included in a Person Centered Plan when addressing health, welfare and known or likely risk.

The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) has adopted the following person centered principles:

1. Beginning with a comprehensive understanding of the person is essential.

A thorough knowledge about the person receiving services – their unique history and experiences, their likes and dislikes, their risks and concerns, their interests and culture, and their strengths, talents and goals – is essential to planning supports.

2. Empowering informed choices increases independence.

Increasing opportunities for decision-making in small everyday matters and life-defining matters encourages self-expression, self-determination, advocacy, and independence.

3. Involving trusted supports increases opportunities for success.

Involving trusted supports such as close friends in service and support planning brings additional perspectives from those who know the person best. These supports promote physical and emotional well-being, and can offer encouragement as an individual works toward their goals.

4. Increased community membership enhances natural supports.

Expanding involvement in meaningful community activities and employment opportunities enhances a person’s network of personal relationships, or natural supports. Part of everyday life, and everyone’s experience, these are individuals who see one another regularly, and look out for and help each other – such as coworkers, fellow volunteers, and members of your church.

5. Ensuring plans and services are driven by the person is vital.

Developing a plan starts with the person receiving services – what is important to them and for them – and involves others chosen by that individual to aid in informed decision-making. The plan is coordinated by the individual’s Service and Support Administrator (SSA). For adults, the individual receiving services functions as the leader of the team; for children, the parent functions as the leader of the team and transitions that role to their child during the teen years, if not before.

These principles apply to all areas of planning and service delivery. By following these guiding principles, Service and Support Administrators will assess and address health, welfare and risk from the perspective of the person, their family, friends and community, and ensure that supports are in place to increase community membership and quality of life without compromising health and safety.