Our Focus
The focus of the Department of Community and Provider Relations is to enhance the quality of services to persons served by the Portage County Board of Developmental Disabilities by working to develop and implement initiatives to support providers in the county. To accomplish this mission, we host Provider Meetings which are a forum to review rule changes, promote collaboration amongst providers, and host speakers, and training on pertinent topics as well as promoting the need for direct support professionals. The department is also a resource to assist providers in the certification process, especially for Independent Providers.
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Currently, courses in First Aid and CPR are offered at a cost to providers actively serving persons in Portage County or in process of being certified (person must have a Portage County address or be identified by a SSA as a person selected for services, see events page for fee details). We also offer the OADSP Curriculum including Frontline Supervisor, Initial and Advanced Proficiency courses, and Initial and Annual Training for agency and independent provider staff to assist in enhancing their knowledge and skills at no cost as well as Trauma-Informed Care training. Background Checks are also available at a cost to providers actively serving persons in Portage County or in process of being certified (a person must have a Portage County address or be identified by a SSA as a person selected for services, see event page for fee details).
To schedule an appointment, please email Josie Norsic: josien@portagedd.org
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The Nursing Support Manager completes quality assurance assessments and monitors patterns and trends of deficiencies for compliance with applicable rules. The Manager supports the provider with developing the plan of correction and recommends re-training as needed. A QA RN Bootcamp which reviews the Quality Assurance RN process, Initial and renewal courses in Medication Administration Certification 1, 2, & 3 are offered at a cost to providers actively serving persons in Portage County (see events page for fee details). This position also serves as a resource to providers and Service and Support Administrators for medical, medication, and treatment-related concerns and delegated nursing questions.
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For more information, contact Jennifer Dippel at jend@portagedd.org
Advocacy & Community
The Advocacy and Community Resource Coordinator works to promote self-advocacy through county-wide advocacy meetings and facilitates Board-supported participation of persons served to attend statewide Advocacy training and conferences such as Project STIR and Synergy. This position also serves as the Local Coordinator for Portage DD Special Olympics and is the chairperson of the Human Rights Committee which reviews plans for many persons served by providers in the county. For more information, contact Colleen Brown at colleenb@portagedd.org
The Community Employment Coordinator is available to support persons served employed in the community, persons seeking employment, current employers, or businesses interested in employing a person with a developmental disability. For more information, contact Tiffany Jones at tiffanyj@portagedd.org
The Provider Support Coordinator helps find staff of all kinds for persons served by Portage DD to assist at home, work and in the community. This includes coordinating the DSP-U program at local high schools, training students to be Direct Support Professionals. For more information, contact Katrina P. Kohout at katrinak@portagedd.org
For more information on Meetings scheduled, class availability, fees, and scheduling information, click on Training and Events on the Home page of this website. Questions? Contact Michelle Dolensky at michelled@portagedd.org
Provider Resources
- Providers of Services, Becoming a New Provider and Provider Certification Training Requirements
- What To Do Once Certified
- Provider Compliance
- Topical Areas
Provider Services Management (PSM) for Certification Instructional Videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ1qXvA8kYSkmVfaP6KTmeedg2ffQhP_A