(Submitted by Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities)
The Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities (WCBDD), like most of the world, has had to adapt to the challenges and changes posed by the Coronavirus Pandemic. Nearly a month into the crisis, the board has settled into a solid groove of working from a distance and providing quality services at a time when the need hasn’t been greater.
The CommUNITY Celebrity Basketball game held on March 10, may have been the last Wood County event that brought together county officials, local mayors, state representatives, and other dignitaries for something other than to discuss the coronavirus and its inevitable impact on local society.
Behind the scenes, the WCBDD was already devising a Pandemic Response Plan that would address the health and safety needs of the people served, their families, and the staff who serve them.
The WCBDD parking lots may look empty, but thanks to already available technology, it’s business as usual and in many respects busier than usual. Immediately, the WCBDD addressed the need to social distance by deploying most of the workforce to a telecommuting status and closed off parts of campus that would allow for minimal exposure to those still needing to work in the buildings.
Following the governor’s orders closely and the guidance from the Ohio Association of County Board of Developmental Disabilities (OACB) and the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD), the WCBDD found in many respects the plan was right on par or ahead of what was being suggested by the state.
The Service and Support Administration department has been making 975 daily phone calls to individuals and families, 7 days a week. They ask pointed questions that assist in identifying needs a person or family may have. These needs might include food, household supplies, medical supplies, or personal protective equipment (PPE).
The county board then meets those needs by utilizing a network of essential board employees who shop for items and then provide a no contact delivery service to anyone who has identified a need for themselves or family. This allows people served by the WCBDD to stay home and limits the number of people needing to be exposed in the community.
In addition to those deliveries, the students of Wood Lane School, receive meals and their classwork utilizing the same delivery system. Teachers are also calling or having virtual interactions with families to ensure the faculty is providing help to meet the goals of Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
Early Intervention continues to meet with families, but instead of it being in person, the developmental specialist visits the family’s home virtually to provide as much support and guidance as possible. The virtual tools have even been used to provide evaluations for enrollment into services.
Adults served by the WCBDD continue to have their team meetings held virtually, as well. Behavior Support professionals have been able to assist providers and families during this challenging time in history through phone and virtual means. The intake and eligibility department has continued to enroll people into services.
All pieces of service and support have been maintained during the pandemic crisis in large part due to the available technology. There is someone available on-call 24 hours a day.
In taking a holistic approach, the WCBDD has set up online support to keep both staff and people served in contact with each other. In addition to a private Facebook group, affiliated groups like AKtion Club, People First, and Venturing Crew are offering virtual meetings.
Recreation and Special Olympics are also offering virtual hangouts and guided activities to help minimize the disappointment of canceling group events, practices, and activities.
The Health Supports and Provider Relations department has identified many needs of the provider network and works to meet those needs daily by providing PPE and support with staffing.
Volunteers have been creating cloth masks and donations have been solicited from private companies making masks. The WCBDD launched a page of their website to assist with the emergency hiring of residential staff, which has been an ongoing need prior to the pandemic.
Direct support professionals are a needed and valued position to maintain the health and safety of the people served by the WCBDD. The WCBDD continues to assist all providers with supports to assist in the hiring and training of staff. The supports include First Aid/CPR, Med-Certification and the completion of background checks.
The WCBDD encourages anyone who finds themselves out of work during the pandemic to look into becoming a Direct Support Professional. For those interested in more information, please call the WCBDD at 419-352-5115 or visit the website at www.woodcountydd.org.
Additionally, if anyone finds themselves in immediate need of WCBDD services, they should reach out by calling our 24 hour on-call number at 419-353-0541.
