At its monthly meeting on Nov. 27, the Board of Directors of the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities recognized Lucas County Commissioner Tina Skeldon Wozniak. The commissioner is retiring on Dec. 31, capping off a 25-year career in public service.
The Board also recognized Imagination Station for its commitment to children with developmental disabilities, and Service Support Specialist Sarah Covey, who was named Staff Person of the Month.
Commissioner Wozniak
Lucas County Commissioner Tina Skeldon Wozniak has been a friend of the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities for so many years.
Part of it is probably because she can connect to so many of us and our individuals as a Licensed Independent Social Worker herself.
Most of it is that in a 25-year career in public service she has been a champion for all individuals.
She was instrumental in appointing Nathan Turner, an individual served, to our Board of Directors in 2020. It was a watershed moment not only in the long and rich history of Lucas DD, but for the entire system across the state. At the time, hardly any county boards had an individual served be part of their own governing body. This action helped Lucas County lead conversations that led to state law in this latest Ohio biennium budget. County Boards of DD now must have at least one person with developmental disabilities on their board by 2025.
Commissioner Wozniak annually acknowledges the Board with a proclamation recognizing March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. We have had her full endorsement every time we had a levy request on the ballot. Her leadership and support in those endeavors and beyond recognize her commitment to the belief that all individuals have worth and should be considered contributing members of our community.
Commissioner Wozniak is retiring on December 31st, capping off 25 years of service on the Board of Lucas County Commissioners and Toledo City Council. Thank you, Tina! On behalf of the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities, we are honored to present you with this November 2023 Special Recognition Award for all you have done to help better our Board and our individuals.
Imagination Station
The Children’s Units of the SSA Department at the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities would like to honor the team at Imagination Station for their ongoing efforts to meet the needs of children with disabilities.
Imagination Station first reached out with a grant proposal for the Board’s summer camp grant in 2022. The goal at that time was to create a scholarship for children with disabilities and purchase some disability friendly items, such as higher tables to accommodate youth in wheelchairs. Their goal that year was to serve five children eligible for Board services. Throughout the summer, the staff found that many of the disability friendly items were helpful for many of the youth who attended camp. They started to plan on having items available to any child in camp who needed them. By the end of the summer, they had surpassed their goal after supporting 25 youth eligible for Board services!
Imagination Station staff submitted another grant proposal for the 2023 season. This time they were determined to support at least 20 youth eligible for Board services. From summer 2022 until summer 2023, the staff at Imagination Station worked to replicate the things that worked during camp into their day-to-day activities. Tall tables are available in more places throughout the building and noise canceling headphones are available to those who request them, just to name a couple of things added. They continue to incorporate things like quiet spaces and sensory related items into daily activities for any child, thus making those children eligible for Board services truly included in the daily activities of camp. This summer the Imagination Station supported 40 youth eligible for Board services and a total of 67 youth with disabilities!
The Imagination Station truly models the “I” in our acronym of LIFE – that all people have a right to be included in their community. They recognize the importance of changing the way they see the children that come through their doors so that all children can be included in the fun and learning taking place in their building every day.
Tonight, we honor and thank the compassionate and caring staff at Imagination Station for their collaboration with us and their innovative thinking to meet the needs of all youth in our community. We are honored to present the team with this November 2023 Special Recognition Award!
SSA Sarah Covey
Lucas DD Service and Support Specialist Sarah Covey exemplifies the mission and core values of the Board. She gives 100% of herself in everything she does and every interaction every day. She tirelessly works to go beyond the expectations of her job, while still making the effort to treat all those around her with the type of kindness that only few possess.
Sarah has developed a reputation of being the go-to person for most things SASS related. She always makes herself available to co-workers, individuals, families and community members, whether they need assistance or just an ear to listen.
Through her role as a mentor, Sarah has become a leader; working to guide and support others in the field. She is known to give her time and input in the development of new policies or procedures; most recently, volunteering her time to assist in development and testing of Ohio ISP.
Her awareness of person-centered planning and advocacy for the individuals we serve is well known throughout the agency. Despite her busy schedule, she makes sure that she is always reachable and actively involved with all individuals she serves. In the last year or so, she has assisted two sisters in moving out of an abusive environment; providing them with the support, respect and patience needed to facilitate such a major change. They are now thriving as a result of that move, doing things on their own that they never got to do, like choosing their own clothing, going to dances, and attending local county fairs.
Sarah is the unit cheerleader, focusing on a positive work environment and leading by example. For this and all that you do, we thank you, Sarah! The Lucas County Board of DD is pleased to present you with the November 2023 Staff Person of the Month Award.