Gail Troxell receives the Self Advocate of the Year Award, assisted by Suzanne Diesel of CCDD.
October 28 was a night of great entertainment and fun as the Clermont County Board of Developmental Disabilities (CCDD) celebrated its annual Good Fortune Recognition Dinner at Receptions Eastgate.

The event is held each year to recognize the accomplishments of those who give back to the CCDD program. This includes providers, self-advocates, friends, advocates, volunteers, community leaders, and staff. Over 150 people were in attendance.

Bob Pautke was the Master of Ceremonies for the event. Pautke is President of SOAR with a Purpose, a leadership company focusing on molding ethical, effective leadership. He works with the Clermont Chamber Foundation in the LEAD Clermont program, and serves his community as a Pierce Township Trustee. Pautke entertained the audience at the Good Fortune Dinner with a hilarious spoof of “Carnac the Magnificent” from the Johnny Carson Show. His anecdotes and introductions of each award category kept everyone on the edge of their seats.

“We were so pleased that Bob could return as emcee for us again this year,” said Dan Ottke, CCDD Superintendent. “He is entertaining, yet genuine in his respect of the people who are recognized in each award category.”

Nominations were accepted in September in several categories. These nominations were judged by Liz Lafferty and her team from the Adams County Board of Developmental Disabilities and Venture Productions, Inc. Distributing the awards during the ceremony were members of CCDD’s Community Employment Department: Ethan Stuempfle, Eastgate Kroger; Aaron Strait, Panera Bread Milford; Amber Atkerson, Clermont County Public Library, Milford-Miami Township Branch; and Jake Jackson, Panera Bread Milford.

CCDD providers were recognized for their exemplary services to individuals with disabilities, caring for their personal needs, connecting individuals to social aspects in the community, and coaching the individuals to learn many skills. Thirteen providers were in attendance and received awards of recognition for helping guide individuals toward living a more independent lifestyle.

Self-advocates were honored for learning to speak up and voice their opinions about important life matters. Gail Troxell of Amelia received the Self-Advocate of the Year award for demonstrating strengths beyond measure when it comes to facing challenges and exploring options. She was instrumental in helping start CCDD’s People In Action self-advocacy group and has served on the board of the Ohio People First organization.

Kay Brown was presented the Advocate of the Year award for her work with the Regional Autism Advisory Council. Brown has been the Council’s coordinator since 1999, helping this four-county collaborative lead community partnerships, develop and implement a vibrant continuum of services that meets the lifelong needs of individuals with autism, and assist their families and those who work with the individuals to learn more about Autism Spectrum Disorders.

The Group Advocate of the Year award was presented to CCDD’s own Community Support Services Department. 2015 has been a challenging year, and this department has risen to the occasion many times to assist individuals from CCDD and their families around the clock, 365 days per year. They have endured changes in statewide rules and systems and partnered with each other to help individuals through many changes.

Kristin Varick was presented the Foster Parent of the Year award. Varick has cared for several children in her home and is the legal guardian for four of them. She is a single foster parent who home schools the children and provides them with a calm, caring, and nurturing environment that is truly a family experience.

American Micro Products and Record Express, LLC were presented Business of the Year awards. Both are companies in Batavia Township who have hired individuals from CCDD’s Community Employment Department, and all are thriving employees of the respective businesses. American Micro supports a mobile work crew/enclave within their business, consisting of five individuals and a supervisor from CCDD; this year, one of the individuals from the crew was hired full-time.

Volunteers were recognized in several categories including board members, teens, adult volunteers, and those who serve on committees. Lindsay Wright of Stonelick Township received the Volunteer of the Year Award. Wright is a senior at Clermont Northeastern High School and has been involved with assisting children who have special needs all through her school years. She became a teen volunteer at CCDD at the age of thirteen, helping with several holiday parties and events within the agency. This summer, she spent three days with athletes at the State of Ohio Special Olympics Games in Columbus, accumulating 72 volunteer hours and making new friends along the way.

Vince Abbatiello of Care Medical received the Friends of DD award for his assistance in fixing equipment for the students at the Thomas A. Wildey School. The equipment might have been sold by Vince to the students’ parents or it might be from another vendor; whatever the case may be, Abbatiello makes sure the students have equipment that works. This equipment includes walkers, wheelchairs, standers, and materials used by the Wildey Physical Therapist. Abbatiello has also loaned equipment on trial to therapists, to make sure it is the right fit for the student in need.

The Community Leader of the Year award was presented to Representative Doug Green. Green is a former employee of the Brown County Board of Developmental Disabilities, and in his travels as a State Representative, has been extremely supportive of citizens with disabilities. Green attended a Leadership Breakfast in Cincinnati for Clermont, Hamilton, Butler, and Warren County disability agencies, and voiced his opinion on the importance of support for individuals with disabilities. This summer, he introduced “Maiden’s Law” to the Ohio House of Representatives to assist pregnant mothers who are addicted to heroin and other opiates. This is something that is very important to CCDD’s Early Intervention Program, as they work with many children who are born addicted each year.

There were seven nominees for the annual Triumph award for staff which is given to the CCDD staff person who goes above and beyond the regular the duties of their work day: Connie Kearney, Habilitation Technician in the Adult Services Program; Tammy Plank, Adult Services Program Manager; Nicole Qualters, Instructor Assistant at the Wildey School; Cindy Schirmer, Wildey School Assistant; Terri Tolley, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent; Heather Wright, Registered Nurse in the Adult Services Program; and James Taylor, Facilities, Maintenance, and Safety Coordinator. The award was presented to Taylor, for his sincere support whenever his coworkers are in need, and unconditionally giving of his time, resources, and talents. Most importantly, he regards the individuals and families served by CCDD with the highest respect.

“This is a special night, because it is our ‘good fortune’ to work with so many kind, generous, and amazing people,” said Superintendent Ottke.

For additional information and pictures from the event, visit www.clermontdd.org.