Early Intervention is grounded in the philosophy that young children learn best from familiar people in familiar settings.
Your team works with you in your home or other places you and your family spend time to develop a coordinated plan called an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). You and your team will work through the IFSP using your existing supports and resources and build upon them to enhance your child’s learning, development, and involvement in your family routines. Referrals for our EI program are made through Help Me Grow at www.helpmegrow.ohio.gov.
School-Age Programs
Portage County DD continually strives to improve support and services for staff, students, and families across all of Portage County. We work collaboratively with school districts and continually adapt our services to support the current needs of the community. These services and supports include the following, listed below, but we encourage you to reach out at any time with additional questions or requests. Please contact our Educational Services Manager, Vincent Valerio:
Email: vincentv@portagedd.org
Phone: 330-906-1025
HANDLE WITH CARE
Behavior Management System
Handle With Care® is a trauma-informed crisis prevention and behavior management training program designed to help developmental disability professionals safely support individuals with challenging behaviors through de-escalation, relationship-based strategies, and safe physical intervention techniques.
Trusted by more than 6,000 organizations across all 50 states and internationally, HWC training is designed to help create safer environments for both staff and the individuals they serve while promoting dignity, respect, and compassionate care. HWC training is developed to align with applicable state and federal laws and with standards established by accrediting and regulatory agencies, including The Joint Commission, CARF, Council on Accreditation, the U.S. Department of Education, Departments of Human Services, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
Staff Professional Development
We want to meet the needs of your staff and school and welcome your requests. We will look to customize training wherever possible. Some other more common opportunities include:
- County Board Services, Contacts, and the Eligibility Process
- Autism 101
- Building Strong Transition Programming – Career Discovery & Customized Employment
Lending Library
We provide a continually evolving list of adaptive equipment, sensory-related needs, and assistive technology FREE of charge on loan. Contact us with your needs and to see what is available!
Happy Day Services Facility Usage
We welcome groups to regularly use our indoor swimming pool, gym, sensory room & life skills room! All ADA accessible. Contact us to schedule today!
Building Independence Transition Program
A transition program to support and strengthen the capabilities for meaningful community integration and independence for transitioning youth across Portage County. This is a FREE, semester-long (18 weeks) program, to be offered two days a week. One day will be classroom-based lessons and activities, held at your schools, and one day of hands-on and/or community-based instruction. Transportation can be provided by Portage DD if you are not able to provide it. Building Independence aims to serve 6-8 students per class. Curriculum Themes include:
- Goal Setting
- Community & Communication
- Getting a Job
- Independent Living Skills
Explorers After-School Club
The Exploring Program is an after-school, career-education-based program for transition-age youth. Our Exploring Program will guide youth through hands-on and interactive character and career activities. We will also tour local businesses and meet with area employers to learn about jobs in our community and what makes a good employee.
Requirements:
- Must be at least 14 years old and currently in high school
- Able to attend after-school/evening activities and have reliable transportation to and from our meeting sites.
Time Commitment:
- Sessions will be two evenings a month
- Classroom sessions will be held at Happy Day Services once a month and business tours will be held throughout Portage County.
- Contact our School-Age Transition Coordinator- Laura Fechter (lauraf@portagedd.org 330-678-2400) to sign up
Title IX
In regards to the Title XI policy and procedure regarding sexual harassment and misconduct, no person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.
To report any such harassment or misconduct, please reach out to one of Portage DD’s two Title IX Coordinators:
George Gabriel, Director of Service & Support Administration
Phone: 330.442.0641
Email: GeorgeG@portagedd.org
Vincent Valerio, Director of Education & Child Development
Phone: 330.906.1025
Email: vincentv@portagedd.org
5.08 Title IX Policy and Procedure Regarding Sexual Harassment
Policy 5.08 Appendix A
Akron Area YMCA/Rotary Summer Day Camp:
https://www.gotcamp.org/rotary-camp-portage-trailblazers-day-camp
Parent Council for Portage County Developmental Disabilities:
https://www.facebook.com/Portage-County-Parent-Council-1536164543289804/