Author Archives: Billie Jo David

Summit DD News

Summit County Public Health is Looking for Your Feedback

Summit County Public Health (SCPH)  is conducting a Community Health Assessment to identify what characteristics of a healthy community are most important to Summit County residents. SCPH is looking for input from individuals with developmental disabilities and their families about what is important to them and to help shape the public health priorities for the next several years. If you are interested in providing this input in a 30–60-minute focus group facilitated by SCPH please let us know at pr@summitdd.org.  You input can help create a positive impact for year to come. Please respond by May 17, 2022 to participate.

Summit DD News

Summit DD Board Appoints New Board President and Officers, Cramer Appointed

The Summit County Developmental Disabilities Board, or Summit DD, is pleased to announce the appointment of David Dohnal as Board President, Tami Gaugler as Vice President and Jason Dodson as Secretary. Dohnal replaces Tom Quade as President, having served the maximum of three terms at the end of 2021. 

Dohnal was appointed by Probate Judge Elinore Stormer and is serving his third and final term through December 2023.  Dohnal served on the Board of the Ohio Association of County Boards (OACB), the Governor’s Victims of Crime Task Force, the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) Abuser Registry Panel External Review Committee and as a Board Member with Advocacy and Protective Services (APSI). 

“I am sincerely honored to be selected to do this job again,” commented Dohnal at the January Summit DD Board Organizational Meeting. “In fact, it is just not a job,” Dohnal continued, “it’s a dedication and passion.”  Read More ›

Celebrating John Trunk’s Legacy: Happy Retirement!

For the past 8 years, Summit DD has been lucky to call John Trunk their Superintendent. From the first moment we welcomed him to our county, we knew we were in good hands. In July, John announced his retirement and since then we’ve known that the final day would soon come. Over the past several weeks, the community has echoed our sentiments. Summit County Council recently presented John with a commendation, recognizing his work to make this community a more inclusive place for children and adults with developmental disabilities. Earlier this month, OACB presented John with the Kenneth Legats Award for Visionary Leadership in administration. Just last week, several staff and community partners gathered to say goodbye and good luck to John.

John is closing out a four-decade career in the developmental disability field! See the impact he’s made on those around him in the tribute video below. And be sure to check out the slideshow below of recent celebrations for John. Read More ›

Superintendent John Trunk smiling

A Message From the Superintendent

Many industries across the country and in Ohio have felt the impact of staffing shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic. The disability service industry has certainly felt this impact, as many provider Agencies are struggling to hire and retain Direct Service Professional (DSP) staff. Read the letter from many statewide partners about the impact of this workforce shortage across the state.  Read More ›

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