Hello All!

It is hard to believe summer is already half over! APSI's Fiscal Year 2014 has come to an end and we are ready to welcome FY15 and all of the opportunities and challenges the new year brings. This is a busy time for APSI and others in the field of Developmental Disabilities throughout Ohio.

There are many exciting new initiatives being implemented around the state. Significant changes have already been made to the SSA and CMS rules, and anticipated changes to the Behavior Support Rule are right around the corner. These changes and the continued focus on self determination and employment first provide amazing opportunities for our staff to advocate for those we serve. APSI continues to actively collaborate with DODD and other stakeholders to develop a system of supports we can all be proud of. 

Thank you for everything you do on behalf of APSI!

Karla

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Office Locations: Tiffin
                            Toledo

______________________________________________________________

                             Gallipolis

______________________________________________________________

In May of this year, Governor Kasich signed a resolution recognizing May 11-17, 2014 as Ohio Nonprofit Awareness and Appreciation Week.

According to The Ohio Association of Non Profit Organizations (OANO), Ohio Nonprofit Appreciation Week was created to recognize the outstanding services that are provided by nonprofit organizations to enrich communities across the state of Ohio.  

As part of the celebration, OANO coordinated the creation of a video collage made up of clips from nonprofits throughout Ohio. Each clip was to be 15 seconds in length and provide information about the mission of the agency.  As an OANO member, APSI was happy to be one of the 52 agencies who chose to participate! 

Kelly Miller, Assistant Deputy Director of DODD's Division of Legal and Oversight, provided training during the morning session related to  recent changes to the SSA Rule and anticipated changes to the Behavior Support Rule.

Following the training portion of the day we were joined by APSI Board Members, award recipients and other honored guests for lunch and the presentation of the Ron Kozlowski Advocacy Award to Marvin Moss, and the Russell Kinnebrew Advocacy Award to Jill Couch.

Marvin Moss received six different nominations for the Kozlowski Award and those who nominated him all spoke of his unwavering lifelong commitment to advocacy efforts in his own life and the lives of others.

Following the presentation of the advocacy awards, APSI's Board President, Tom Gannon, presented longevity awards to those APSI staff members with five or more years of service. We are proud to report that 52 of APSI's 108 staff members have five or more years of longevity with APSI and sixteen APSI staff members have twenty or more years of longevity!  

Tom Gannon made two exciting announcements to close the day. First, he shared with those present that APSI's Board of Trustees was happy to be able to approve $1000 raises for full time PSRs and $500 raises for other full time employees. He explained that there may be some exceptions to these amounts and the HR staff would be sending out specific amounts to each individual employee. Lastly, Tom shared that all APSI employees would be entitled to a $15 Applebee's gift card as a token of appreciation from the board members.   

Great food and great company made for an enjoyable day!  Click here to view photos from the day!

 

As fiscal year 2014 draws to a close, we would like to extend our thanks to those who made a financial contribution to APSI this year.

Over the course of the past fiscal year APSI has received donations from current staff members, former staff members, APSI Board Members (past and present), family members, friends of APSI, and even some foundations!

Thanks to the generosity of those listed below APSI receieved over $8,000 in contributions. Thank you everyone!

 

9/11/14  All Staff Training by Michael Kirkman of Disability Rights Ohio and APSI Program Staff at Overbrook Church in Columbus 10am-3pm

9/15/14  Tony Kippins of Retirement Plan Advisors holding retirement planning meeting in SW region

9/16/14  Tony Kippins of Retirement Plan Advisors holding retirement planning meeting in SC region

9/18/14 Tony Kippins of Retirment Plan Advisors holding retirement planning meeting in NE region

 

Denise Burnison (NE)

Aaron Davis (SW)

Heather Lifland (SW)

Ronda Stephens (CO)

Jill Couch (NW)

Ellen Miller-Moore (EC)

Joe King (SC)

 

Eric Bell (SC)

Scott Shaffer (SC)

Valerie Heisey (NW)

Karen Henson (SC)

Peggy Hufnagel (SW)

Cindy Ison (CO)

Tricia Boggs (SW)

Cameron Seymour (SW)

Linda Whetsel (NW)

Anthony Ivey (NE)

Melanie Domyan (SC)

Chris Meister

Beth Hamilton

Carole Martyn-Dow

Pat Uhlenhake

Best Wishes to Ellen Miller-Moore of the East Central region on her retirement after 25 years of service with APSI!

Amanda Jackson, PSR

(EC)

 

Chad Sproul, PSR

(NE)

Jennifer Anatra, PSR

(NE)

Dean Zwayer, PSR

(EC)

 

HR Happenings

We are pleased to report that APSI concluded the third year of its strategic planning process in June of 2014. It is truly remarkable how much progress has been made since 2011! 

We have decided to continue the strategic planning process in FY15 and will be focusing the majority of our efforts in areas related to quality assurance, enhancing our infrastructure, and increasing collaboration with families and outside stakeholders.