2023 Annual Plan Goals

Guidance Through Life Stages

Focus Area

Guidance Through Life Stages

People served and their families will experience confident, seamless transitions from one life stage to the next — from babies to school-age children to adults to senior citizens.

Learn more in our Strategic Plan

Goals

Promote and advertise the new Life Stage Transition Guides to families and partner organizations to ensure access to this new resource and continually improve the content.
Host at least 24 family forums to link experienced parents with parents at earlier life stages, host timely topic experts, and share transition guides.
Link at least 350 new people with DD with community navigators, customized advocacy curriculum, or zoom/in person social groups so they nurture friendships and take leadership roles in their communities.
Engage at least four local elementary/middle schools to incorporate the “Including Samuel” program so students with disabilities experience lasting social connections.
Strengthen relationship with Educational Service Center and Hamilton County School Districts to better understand how they support students with complex needs and share spectrum of HCDDS support options.
Empower families to make informed decisions related to their student’s education with educational forums and connection to parent mentors.
Triage 75 potential Multi-System Youth by referring them to HCDDS’ expert assessment team and linking them to promising local supports that prevent placement.
Invest in strategies to re-engage people served with community employment so that 880, or 10% increase, are actively employed.

Empowerment of People with Developmental Disabilities, Families, and Staff

Focus Area

Empowerment of People with Developmental Disabilities, Families, and Staff

People with developmental disabilities, their families, and their HCDDS and provider staff will be empowered to reimagine, strengthen, and modernize supports for a good life. People with DD and their families will have increased access to technology and advocacy opportunities to foster independence. HCDDS and provider staff will have the support, skills, technology and training that promote engagement, confidence, and competence.

Learn more in our Strategic Plan

Goals

Empower three people with developmental disabilities to serve as mentors for two new contributors to My Life magazine. Invite partner organizations to contribute at least five relevant articles to My Life magazine. Measure current reach of magazine.
Market self-directed transportation so at least 100 people, with both waiver and local funding, access new transportation model. Partner with DSAGC and Metro for transportation training.
Invest in tools and training for staff and providers to confidently and competently transition to the Ohio ISP and Brittco. Host focus groups with people served, families, and SSA/Provider staff to evaluate effectiveness and inform improvements.
Target support for new providers and those experiencing rapid growth to provide site-based compliance and medication administration consultation, customized tools, and invitation to join the Northstar Advantage cohort program.
Strengthen Technology First approach with at least 50 new authorizations for technology devices and increasing use of remote supports and assistive technology by 15% each.
Conduct at least 25 in person technology consults and training for people served and families. Provide follow up support to ensure positive outcomes.
Champion public advocacy and successful strategies that support DSP workforce. Join local partners and families to develop additional creative options within current funding systems that target staffing shortages.

Community Engagement and Equitable Access

Focus Area

Community Engagement and Equitable Access

Identify opportunities and address common barriers so all people with DD have better access to transportation, housing, medical care, mental health, and inclusive neighborhoods. HCDDS will engage diverse community allies to partner on key initiatives for equitable access and good quality of life for people with DD and other Hamilton County citizens. Direct HCDDS funding to support these community initiatives.

Learn more in our Strategic Plan

Goals

Outreach, in partnership with DSAGC, RAAC, Autism Society, to at least 12 churches in underserved regions for equitable access to HCDDS supports.
Actively partner with promising new outreach initiatives to reach underserved people.
Select one neighborhood to pilot comprehensive community engagement and equitable access including mobile food, community council engagement, accessibility review recommendations, job opportunities, outreach to churches, non-profits, and police. (age/referrals by zip code)
Grow relationships with at least eight neighborhood clinics and community centers to link at risk babies with early intervention.

Develop comprehensive approach for inclusion of children with intense support needs in top- quality child care programs. Partner with experts to complete needs assessment, inform community leaders, and leverage potential grant for local pilot.
Partner with DSAGC and local camp directors’ team, to train and support at least eight camps to build capacity for campers with unique behavior support or medical needs.
Work with five new community landlords to accept housing vouchers. Educate landlords on supports HCDDS offers people with DD to be good tenants.
Strengthen relationships with law enforcement, courts, Prosecutor’s Office and Job and Family Services so they better understand the role of the Major Unusual Incident team, current MUI trends, and ways to partner to keep people with DD healthy and safe. Host round table to identify education and support needs.
Connect and support key initiatives to improve outcomes for multi-system youth including:

UC transition clinic supporting people DD most impacted by mental health/medical concerns
UC Health Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Program
CHMC clinic providing specialized care for youth with complex needs
Keeping Families together grant
Ohio RISE providing a high-fidelity wrap-around and in-home treatment approach
Family and Children First multi-system support for children with complex needs
New emerging opportunities at state, regional and local level

Long-term Sustainability of High-Quality Support

Focus Area

Long-term Sustainability of High-Quality Support

HCDDS will be thought-leaders and policy drivers to promote sustainable, high-quality support. This includes streamlining internal HCDDS processes, investing in skilled staff, and assuring fiscal health and responsibility. We will collaborate with regional and state partners on systemic solutions to DSP workforce concerns, leverage partnerships to reduce overlap and inefficiencies, and pilot bold, innovative approaches to address existing problems in a new way.

Learn more in our Strategic Plan

Goals

Analyze administrative buildings and make recommendations that align with strategic goals.
Formalize succession planning so current staff are prepared for leadership opportunities and roles.
Develop an improved performance management system including training for managers and creating simple, actionable performance evaluation.
Increase understanding of financial information and long-term planning for public, board, other stakeholders. Find new ways to educate community on our role and supports.
Use weekly “Good Morning/Great Week” and at least four diversity council sponsored lunch and learns to focus on diversity, equity and inclusion for new and seasoned staff. Implement DEI coaching and career development strategies.