Thanks to the dedication of Pepe and Jennifer Aspra at their farm in Ross County, the kids at Pioneer have resumed horseback riding this spring. No matter what the disability is, the horses seem to like the kids as much as the kids like horses. Take a look at the photos and you’ll agree!

Pioneer Center is very excited to announce that long time teacher Chita Lewis will be starting June 4^thas Education Supervisor, assisting Director of Educational Services Stacy Guerra in a full-time capacity with our school age programming at Pioneer School.

Chitia has taught at Pioneer School for over 30 years, and currently teaches Pioneer School’s Transition Class.

Her primary responsibilities will be working with curriculum, community trip planning, mentoring and assisting teachers, placing substitutes, and managing the building in Stacy’s absence.

She will provide assistance with program development, professional development for staff, and attending meetings.

Congratulations, Chitia!

(Aaron Welch won an award at this year's Awards Event!)

March is Developmental Disabilities Monthin Ohio, and Pioneer Center celebrates all month. Mayor Jack Everson declared March as “DD Month” shortly after the month began, and during each week thereafter something was going on to further the honoring of those with developmental disabilities and those that assist them to live full, independent lives.

Each year Pioneer Center sponsors a “Provider Fair” in March. This year, over 40 providers of services for people with dd and their families gathered to display options for independent living. The list included employment, socialization, residential, habilitation, and recreational programs. Each year this event grows both in providers present and people attending.         Also in the mix for this year was a “Mini-Provider Fair” and Open House at Pioneer Schoolto help parents with questions about their students as they transition out of school age services and into adult services.

Pinwheel “gardens”appeared in front of Pioneer School and the Early Childhood Center in an effort to thank the community for its continuing support of Pioneer. Pioneer staff and people from First Capital Enterprises, Inc., Frontier Options, Goodwill, Easter Seals, and Goodwill deliveredPinwheel bouquets,complete with “Thanks to the Community” tags made by students at Pioneer School, to area businesses and organizations, thanking them for their support.

Pioneer’s Bell Choir,under the direction of music therapy teacher Kris Ramsey and music therapy intern Julia Young, traveled to several places to perform this month.

Kris also was also responsible for arranging the great music performances that were held in March, when formerBroadway star Elec Simon, of “Stomp”,arrived with 3 of his friends to perform for Pioneer students in the morning, and gave another lively performance at Chillicothe High School gymnasium for CHS students, adults in our dd program, and the general public. We hope to have Elec again some time. He brings a great message to young people and really entertains everyone too! Thanks to all the guys who gathered in Chillicothe! Thanks to the Board of DD for sponsoring this “extra special” activity this month, and thanks to Chillicothe High School for helping in the effort.

On March 26 and 28,approximately 93 people were outstandingly served by the Pickaway Ross Career and Technology Center’s Cosmetology program. We call it “Spa Day”,with the students at the Career Center doing manicures, hair styles, and hair cuts to make everyone feel great. A huge thank you to Katt Marriott, Shirley Good, and the students who performed the services. This event is growing by leaps and bounds! And in addition to their hair services, people were treated to a Career Center lunch sponsored by Frontier Development Corporation. Thank you very much!

On March 27, PioneerCenter retirees gathered at Pioneer School to enjoy a great mealand get together. Chitia Lewis’ class worked days over the lunch, deciding on the menu, shopping for the items, preparing the food, serving it, and cleaning up afterwards. Great retirees, great kids.

We ended the month with ourAnnual Awards Event, where 11 people and groups were honored. Those honored were:

Ross County Caregiver’s Award:                              Chaz and Tracy Kottenbrook

Clark Alexander Award:                                              Chillicothe Correctional Institute

Clark Alexander Award:                                               Sgt. Ron Meyers

Stauffer/Maddox Award:                            Martha Gearhart

Distinguished Adult Achievement Award:           Woody Van Horn

Distinguished Adult Achievement Award             Jim and Linda Rawson

Distinguished Student Achievement Award        Aaron Welch

Distinguished Student Achievement Award        Anthony Lawrence

Special Recognition Award                                          Daniel Detty

Special Recognition Award                                          Dale Smallwood

Pioneer Achievement Award                                    Julie Lambert   

      On October 11, 2011 Frontier Options, an adult center sponsored by Frontier Community Services,  celebrated with Linda Higgins, Beulah Nommay, Gladys Holycross, and Lavern Davis as they graduated from the Being Safe Class sponsored by Pioneer Center/Ross County Board of Developmental Disabilities. These ladies participated in a nine week class, which consisted of a one hour class per week. 

They learned specifics on the topics of: knowing and recognizing basic abuse, misappropriation, neglect, physical abuse, and sexual abuse. Each year when individuals are given their Bill of Rights for People with Developmental Disabilities, they typically have no questions. They are given this information annually by Pioneer Center Service and Support Administrator, but there may or may not be alot of conversation at that point. 

Howver, the Being Safe class gives them a visual example of what their rights are, and demonstrates what it means to have those rights violated. It is an intensive and extensive discussion. It is a tool we use to teach our individuals to be more independent and to empower them to speak out, and advocate for their rights. 

Something that is shown on the videos or discussed in the class may just be what an individual remembers if there is ever a situation in their life. The class also aides each participant to indentify and establish a “Safe Person”. This is a person that the individual identifies whom they feel they could talk to about anything that could potentially happen. Once this person is established each individual will notify their safe person, and let them know about the classes they are taking, and that they have identified them as their safe person. 

If the person is receptive, then they give the individual their contact information and accept that role. This helps complete what has been learned throughout the course, and ties everything together so that,  no matter what happens, there is someone specific for the individuals to turn to in the time of need, or crisis. 

On the last class there is a special Graduation Ceremony, where each participate is acknowledged individually and receives a certificate of participation. The  class shown  enjoyed breakfast together as a celebration of a job well done! 

In the photo, left to right standing, are Kathy Smith, MUI Coordinator and Being Safe trainer, Linda Higgins, Lavern Davis, and Laurie Martin, Lead Service and Support Administrator and Being Safe trainer. Seated are Gladys Holycross and Beulah Nommay.  

If you are interested in taking this course please call the SSA office at 740-775-7044 and ask to speak to Kathy Smith or Laura K. Martin.

The Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio has begun local support group meetings for families with children with Down Syndrome. The meetings cover Ross and Pickaway Counties, and will be held from 6:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. at Tyler United Methodist Church, 260 Mill St., Chillicothe, OH.

Each meeting will feature a speaker beginning at 7:00 P.M.

For more information contact representative Kim Kuehnle at (740) 412-8548, or kimberly.turtle@gmail.com.