BUCYRUS―At the January 2023 Crawford County Board of Health meeting, the Crawford County Board of Developmental Disabilities (DD) was chosen as the 2022 Public Health Partner of the Year.
The Board of Health annually reviews collaborative activities Crawford County Public Health conducted with community partners during the previous calendar year to select a Public Health Partner of the Year.
Kate Siefert, Health Commissioner, shared with the board members some of the contributions that make the Crawford County Board of DD stand out in our community. “This recognition is long overdue if we reflect back on the collaborative assistance the Board of DD provided during the peak COVID-19 clinics following the release of the vaccine. They provided staffing assistance by sending their nurse, Jenny Burton, to work side-by-side with our nurses to ensure the people they provide services to would be welcomed by a familiar face when arriving at a clinic.
More recent examples benefiting our community include the addition of a Tech Room and establishing a Lending Library.
The Tech Room showcases technology tools that can be used in homes to increase the independence of people with developmental disabilities. The Lending Library contains adaptive equipment that was selected by our Help Me Grow Early Intervention staff that can be used to increase participation and promote safety for people with developmental disabilities. The Lending Library equipment can be loaned out for trial periods to help them find the right tool and the right fit before purchasing.”
On behalf of the Board of Health, Commissioner Siefert presented the Board of DD with their award on February 16th to thank them for their efforts. Superintendent Court Sturts spoke about their appreciation for the recognition. “Every day we are focused on supporting and improving the lives of those with developmental disabilities to provide them the opportunity to experience a life more fully integrated into our community. We provide support across the lifespan of people with developmental disabilities while also working within our community to promote access and inclusion for those with disabilities. We can’t do all of that without strong community partnerships and we are grateful to have opportunities to collaborate on projects.”
This is the fifth year of honoring a community partner for their efforts that help Crawford County Public Health fulfill its mission to educate, empower, and improve the quality of life for the Crawford County Community. Previous recognition has been awarded to Sheriff Scott Kent (2018), Avita Health System (2019), Crawford County EMA (2020), as well as the Bucyrus Public Library and the Crestline Public Library (2021).