Author Archives: Tricia Perduk

3 people from the Summer Youth Work Experience program smiling by a Stow fire truck

Celebrating Direct Support Professionals

DSP Appreciation Week Sept. 12-18: Celebrating Direct Support Professionals

Summit DD works with dozens of community organizations who provide the frontline services that people with disabilities rely on each day to work, live and engage in their communities. These organizations are made up of professionals called Direct Support Professionals, or DSPs.

DSPs know that what they do is more than just a job. They assist people in their homes so that they can live independently. DSPs provide the transportation people with disabilities rely on to get to their jobs, appointments and other community activities. And they also provide the hands-on job training and coaching services that help people find and keep jobs in the community. DSPs are the heroes among us and they deserve our gratitude. Read More ›

peeling paint on a house

Lead Poisoning: What You Need to Know About Lead and your Child’s Development

Did you know that 83% of all houses built before 1978 contain lead? And did you know that 69% of Summit County housing units were built before 1980? Why does this matter? It means your home could contain lead-based products and pose a hazard to your family if you don’t have all the facts. Lead is harmful to humans, especially young children whose brains and bodies are still developing. Find out how you can protect you child from lead exposure and some of the resources available to help support your family. Read More ›

Looking over woman's shoulder at computer screen

3 Simple Tips: Protect yourself from phishing emails

We conduct a lot of our lives online. Digital platforms offer us more options to connect and do business. They also open us up to cyber criminals. Email phishing schemes have been on the rise. But there are some things you can do to protect yourself. Summit DD’s Director of IT offers some helpful email safety tips to help you avoid becoming a victim. Read More ›

Artist rendering of new Cuyahoga Falls building exterior

Sneak Peek: Summit DD Facilities Renovation Progress

Pardon our Dust!

Renovations are underway at both the Barberton and Cuyahoga Falls facilities. As we shared in December 2020, Summit DD sold its 29-acre Tallmadge campus and is renovating our Barberton and Cuyahoga Falls buildings to provide staff  greater access to all of the communities of Summit County.

On May 6, 2021, Summit DD officially broke ground on the Cuyahoga Falls Center renovations. We celebrated by hosting a ceremony with many partners and community leaders, including Mayor Don Walters and County Executive Ilene Shapiro.

Progress at both locations is moving along nicely, with the expected reopening of the Barberton location to happen in late September and Cuyahoga Falls in December of 2021. We can’t wait!

“We all know at Summit DD that we cannot achieve our goal of helping create a welcoming community without our partners,” commented Summit DD Superintendent, John Trunk. “The ongoing support that we receive allows Summit DD to carry out our mission of helping more than 5,000 individuals with developmental disabilities achieve their fullest life potential one person at a time.”

See our Progress

Check out the progress below. And be sure to check back for updated pictures throughout the summer.

Barb Center 2Barb Center 3Barb Center1CF Center 1CF Center 2CF Center 3CF Center 4

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