On Tuesday September 13th, 2011 OVRS will be honoring our DSP staff (Direct Support Professionals) with an open house at the OVRS Main Office from 1:00 to 5:30 pm as a Thank You to the services they provide to the individuals they support.  The theme of this years event is "You Rock".  More information and pictures of the event will be coming soon...

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The annual OVRS day at Coney Island took place on August 4th, 2011.  A special thanks to OVRS Program Coordinator Tammy Wyatt for organizing the event and countless staff (too many to mention) that worked to ensure that the event ran smoothly.

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Earlier this year, Priscilla Faux, HR Director of OVRS had a brainstorm that Fernbank Park would serve as the perfect location for an afternoon picnic of food and games to be enjoyed by all individuals supported by OVRS.  The afternoon of Friday June 17th, 2011 could not have turned out better.  A special thanks goes out to the Hamilton County Parks Board and the very attentative park ranger on duty that day that stopped by the lodge on several occasions to see if everything was going well and if he could be of any assistance.  As you can see from the pictures below, it was a day enjoyed by all. 

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An afternoon of appreciation was held on Sunday November 7th at the OVRS Office to recognize the efforts of the network of 25 to 30 foster providers.  These individuals open their homes to individuals with developmental disabilities of varying degrees and make them apart of their family.  Karen Kelly (OVRS Supported Living and Foster Program Coordinator) and Barb Sweeney (OVRS Program and Training Coordinator) organized the terrific event. 

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The Farm in Delhi served as the perfect location for staff and individuals supported by OVRS to celebrate Halloween and come dressed in their favorite costume.  As the sun was setting for the day on the evening of October 29th and darkness was fast approaching folks began gathering at The Farm to enjoy the food, festivities, and good music.  A special thanks goes out to Program Coordinators Dawna Von Trotha and Tammy Wyatt for organizing the event and Yolanda Hill for her DJ expertise.

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The week of September 13th was declared DSP Recognition Week by Ohio Governor Ted Strickland.  DSP stands for Direct Support Professionals and OVRS relies heavily on roughly 120 of these individuals to provide the direct care and quality supports to the individuals served by OVRS.  An Open House was held at the OVRS Office the evening of September 20th to recognize their hard work and dedication.  Many DSP's along with the individuals they work with attended the gathering.  A "wall of stars" covers a hallway wall at the office with pictures, drawings, and acknowledgments to individual staff for a job well done by their peers, supervisors, and individuals served. 

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August 5th served as the perfect day for the annual OVRS Coney Island tradition.  The day was a great way for the individuals supported by OVRS services in both residential and foster settings to get together for a day of food, swimming, and just basking in the sunlight around the pool.