The Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities (DD) recently hosted an event to celebrate and honor people in our community who made a positive impact on the lives of 1597 children, youth, and adults who received support from the Board of DD in 2015.

Statewide, and across the nation, organizations devoted to serving people with developmental disabilities celebrate Developmental Disabilities (DD) Awareness Month in March to raise public awareness of the many abilities people have, regardless of disability.   Licking County Board of DD kicked off their March celebration with an event held at the Newark DoubleTree hotel.  One hundred-fifty people attended, including representatives from local businesses who provide direct services to people with developmental disabilities, community and state leaders, as well as, individuals who provide direct services to families and people who have developmental disabilities.

During the event, the Board recognized twenty-one local businesses and agencies who are certified by the Ohio Department of DD to provide services to people with developmental disabilities and receive funding from the Licking County Board of DD: Alvis House, Center for Disability Services, Community Living Experiences Inc., CSS, CSS James Street Day Habilitation Center, Custom CareGiving, Friends of Jesus, Gathering Place, Home Health Connections, KICKS, LICCO Inc., Licking County Aging Program, Living in Family Environments, Midwest Innovations, Midwest Health Services, Newark Resident Homes, PALS, Person Centered Services, Respite Connections, SPARK,  and Viaquest Incorporated.

In addition to honoring certified providers, the Board recognized eleven community partners.  With financial assistance from the Board, these agencies and organizations provide services to Licking County citizens with developmental disabilities:  Catholic Social Services, Licking County Coalition for Housing, Licking County Children and Families First Council, Licking County Special Olympics, Licking County Transit Board, Licking County Job and Family Services, Mental Health America of Licking County, Pathways of Central Ohio, West Licking County Special Olympics, and the Licking County Family YMCA All for One Summer Camp.

Sixteen people were presented with a “Make A Difference Award” for going above and beyond to make a positive impact on a person who has a developmental disability in 2015.  The awards were presented to Amy Adkins, Natalie Brown, Jeannette Bush, Jessica Dansby, Misty Denen, Dee Good, Samantha Howard, William Knobeloch, MD, Cassie Koehler, Jennifer Loy, Hannah Mihok, Christa Milner, Kaye Morrison, Natalie Mosher, Judy WIlliams, and John Wysocki.

2016 Make A Difference Award Winners

Pictured Front Row:  Jason Umstot, Judy Williams, Kaye Morrison, Cassie Koehler, Jeannette Bush, Samantha Howard, Natalie Brown, Director John Martin (Ohio Dept. of DD)  Back Row:  John Wysocki, Christa Milner, Hannah Mihok, Jessica Dansby, Amy Atkins, Dee Good, Jennifer Loy