Note: This Superintendent’s Message accompanies the winter edition of the LCBDD newsletter Momentum, which will be available in early March. If you would like to receive this newsletter and be added to our mailing list, contact Anna Jeffries at 740-322-6911 or anna.jeffries@lcountydd.org. For a digital PDF version of the newsletter, click here.

Every year as we prepare for Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month at LCBDD, we choose a theme that fits with our goals for the year.

This year, we decided to focus on partnerships — and use the tagline, “Your team, working together.”

I can’t think of a better way to highlight the strength of the work that we do than to celebrate the collaboration we have with our partners.

We are fortunate to have a great team of LCBDD staff members who go above and beyond every day for the people we support.

Our departments work together to form supportive teams that surround people and their families to address their needs, both current and future.  This compliments the expertise each person brings to the table as they work together to move the best plan forward.

But collaborating isn’t just something that we value internally. Our agency simply wouldn’t be able to do the important work we do without our many partners in the greater community.

We work with more than 40 agencies and over 100 independent providers every day, who provide the hands-on, direct care that people we support need.  These providers, and the Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) who work for them, are essential parts of our team.

There are too many amazing organizations to list here, but our community partners — such as county school districts, human services agencies, local businesses and state and local governments entities — make us stronger and more efficient. We are so grateful to live in a county that values teamwork.

Lastly, I want to recognize our Licking County citizens. By supporting our agency, the people we serve, our staff members and our community partners, you are part of our team. Thank you Licking County! We are proud to be, your team, working together.

Contact Superintendent/CEO Jason L. Umstot by calling 740-349-6588 or email: Jason.Umstot@lcountydd.org.

Editor’s note: Looking for a way to thank a great Direct Support Professional (DSP), provider agency, independent provider or community partner?

Email your “Shout Out” to Anna Jeffries at anna.jeffries@lcountydd.org or give her a call at 740-322-6911 to share your positive experience.

Your message could appear in the next edition of “Momentum!”