Tag Archives: Pioneer Center

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Pioneer Center Receives “Keeping Families Together” Grant

Presented By Accurate Heating, Cooling & Plumbing

(Ross County)- The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) has announced Pioneer Center will receive grant funding through the Keeping Families Together (KFT) Iniative through June 2023. The KFT Initiative aims to assist families with keeping their children in their homes and communities by making available funds to provide respite services and other supports for youth with complex behavioral health needs to enable them to remain in their homes. Many of these youth have a history that includes significant trauma and are at the greatest risk of being removed from their homes, entering juvenile justice or child welfare, and being retraumatized.

DODD awarded Pioneer Center the funding of over $60,000 based on the needs of the youth in the Ross County community. Respite services have been available on a limited basis; increasing the funding will further make this support available to more Ross County children and families in crisis. This grant will also fund the unmet need for parent training for families of multi-system youth and children with intensive behavioral health needs. Funding will also cover a unique service — young adult peer supporters who will work with Ross County youth and families. These peer supporters will be able to give their perspectives as ones who has lived through similar experiences.

The following Pioneer staff were integral to receiving this funding: Greg Williamson, Residential Services Director, Laura Martin, SSA Director, Pam Stewart, SSA Lead, Laurie Martin, Positive Supports Coordinator, Todd Tinker, FCFC Coordinator, and Missy Ramey, Family Connections Coordinator.

Pioneer Center continues to create meaningful services and partnerships for the individuals we serve and the families who support them.

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Swim Class For Developmentally Disabled Comes To Ross County

Presented By McDonald’s, I’m Lovin’ It!

(Columbus) — The Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio (DSACO) announces the expansion of the its iCan Swim Camp to Chillicothe, Ohio.

iCan Swim is designed to help people with developmental disabilities achieve their aquatic goals and learn valuable water safety skills during the weeklong program. iCan Swim is a program coordinated and managed by the Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio (DSACO) and in partnership with iCan Shine, a nonprofit organization that provides quality recreational programs for individuals with disabilities throughout the country.

DSACO brought the iCan Swim program to Columbus in 2019 in partnership with Goldfish Swim School. The incredible success of the program among swimmers with developmental disabilities helped fuel DSACO’s intent to offer this program to families in Chillicothe and its surrounding areas, in partnership with the YMCA of Ross County and the Pioneer Center.

”We are so excited to bring this program to Ross County as DSACO continues to expand its reach throughout Ohio! Creating pathways towards inclusion that help families—and communities—feel more empowered is a part of our mission, and we believe that this program is a win-win-win for everyone involved.”

The week-long camp will take place July 19 – July 23 at the YMCA of Ross County in Chillicothe, Ohio. Swimmers must be at least 3 years old by the start of the camp and have a disability. The fee to participate in the camp is $150. Swimmers who have a Down syndrome diagnosis qualify for DSACO’s Recreation Scholarship to assist financially with payment of the camp. More information and registration can be found on DSACO’s website at: dsaco.net/events/icanswim.

Additionally, DSACO is seeking volunteers for this program to act as physical, emotional, and motivational support to an assigned camper for the duration of the camp. Volunteers must be at least 15 years old, unless accompanied by an adult, and must be able to attend each of the 5 days of camp for the same session(s) each day. Volunteers must feel comfortable in water and know how to swim.

The Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio (DSACO) is the leading source of information, support, and referral assistance to over 5,000 individuals, families, and community professionals throughout 23 Central and Southern Ohio counties. Our mission is to support families, promote community involvement, and encourage a lifetime of opportunities for people with Down syndrome.

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Pioneer School Receives Grant from Ohio Elks Association

Presented By Classic Brands

The Ohio Elks Association Cerebral Palsy Fund has awarded $3,900 to Pioneer School to fund student sensory boxes.

Due to the pandemic this past year, the current sensory room items were limited to only certain students who had very specific sensory needs.

With the limited space and interactions to meet protocols, many students were struggling with these changes because the need for sensory input is not something that can be scheduled. With input from Pioneer’s therapy staff and intervention specialists, sensory boxes were created for each student.

Beth Montgomery and Linda Overly, Members of the Chillicothe Elks Lodge #52, presented the check to Education Services Director Regina Speas last month.


The Ohio Elks Cerebral Palsy Fund Board was created to maintain, administer, contribute, and donate funds or property to any Ohio Chapter or branch of any nationally recognized or local organization in Ohio which maintains, as a function, the care, treatment, training, and rehabilitation of individuals with Cerebral Palsy.

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Camp Cattail Unveils Recent Improvements

Presented By Classic Brands

Improvements to the restrooms at Camp Cattail are now complete, thanks to grant funding for the camp for the developmentally disabled.

Improvements include:

Men’s side: 2 urinals, 1 stall that is ADA complaint, Women’s side: 2 stalls that are ADA compliant, new sinks, new showerheads/shower, and new roof/drop ceiling/new lighting.

New sink at Camp Cattail

Old sink at Camp Cattail

New shower

Old shower

Bathrooms are open open Thursday afternoons through weekend.

Ross County Board of D.D. Community Outreach Director Courtney Lewis said- “Camp Cattail was rewarded a grant from the Landrum Endowment Fund. This second annual grant round was designed to support nonprofit and public organizations serving those with developmental disabilities in Ross County by working across the areas of community advocacy, inclusion, and employment, while also supporting parents and families. Camp Cattail Inc. received funding to increase the accessibility and overall experience of its day camp programs, which engage children and adults with developmental disabilities in activities such as walking and fishing. Grant funding will allow the camp to update its restrooms to be more accessible and up-to-date.”

The Landrum Endowment Fund was created in 2016 after George Landrum, a lifelong resident of Ross County, left an endowment of $1.2 million to the Ross County Board of Developmental Disabilities, also known as the Pioneer Center. George’s brother, John Landrum, received over 30 years of service from the Pioneer Center.

Camp Cattail Board Member and Human Resources Director Brady Ratzlaff, said- “Last year in early February/March (2020), Camp Cattail updated the shelter house (roof, siding, gutters…etc.) prior to COVID-19. This project was funded by Camp Cattail through the Chillicothe Enduro Riders Club event, Camp’s Benefit fundraiser, and other donations in 2019.”

Ratzlaff continued- “In 2020, we were unable to have the yearly benefit in August due to COVID-19, so we sought out a grant from the Landrum fund to help update our bathrooms. The bathrooms had outdated toilets, plumbing, and the roof was in despair. We were awarded $25,000 from the Landrum grant for Steve Core with Core’s Quality Home Repairs to makeover the bathrooms. The total project cost was $28,014.14. The difference in the grant and project costs has been paid with funds raised in previous events in the community. The bathrooms are now easily accessible for individuals with disabilities. The project was completed just in time for our summer camps.”

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Camp Dream: Goodwill, Pioneer Center & Ross County Park District Team Together

Presented by Hometown-Motors, Inc.

As summer plans fell apart for many this summer, Goodwill, the Pioneer Center, and the Ross County Park District came together to develop a new plan – Camp Dream.

Plans for the two-week social distancing camp began after Pioneer’s Services and Support Director Laura Martin reached out to Goodwill of South Central Ohio’s Missions Coordinator Cana Horner.

“The Pioneer Center wanted to find a way to bring summer enrichment back to children in the new normal we found ourselves in. Our community partnerships were more important than ever, and we knew this would be somewhat of a challenge, but a challenge Goodwill accepted with enthusiasm and determination,” Martin said.

Horner said her staff quickly sprang into action along with Pioneer to develop a robust itinerary for campers which included fun, exercise, and education. The Ross County Park District also jumped on board to help, providing not only the location at Buzzard’s Roost Nature Preserve, but providing staff to help with nature-based activities.

“Every detail was carefully thought out from establishing small enrollment numbers, the outdoor location, temperature checks and more. Camp Dream offered a wide range of activities built specifically with safety in mind and Goodwill went above and beyond to provide each camper with a sense of leadership, the joys of navigating nature, and in making new friends,” Martin said.

The camp, which began on July 27 and runs through Aug. 7, had 10 teen campers sign up and was supervised daily by staff from Goodwill’s Activities and Training Centers. Goodwill’s workforce development team also lent a hand and Horner taught a class on hygiene where campers made a dog with a bar of soap and a washcloth.

“I really enjoyed having the opportunity to interact with the kids and teach them something while also having fun,” Horner said. “If we get enough interest next year, I’m hopeful we may be able to do the camp again.”

Other presenters throughout camp included: Judi Mannion, Ross County Litter Control and Recycling director; Kathy Smith, Ross County Board of DD MUI coordinator; Kelly Stauffer, owner of Chillicothe Fine Arts; Allison Shoemaker, Ross County Board of DD disabilities advocate; Dana Letts, Chillicothe City Schools STEM coordinator; Myranda Vance and Allen Hawk, Ross County Park District; Brittany Freeman, ‘Leave No Trace’ educator; Andrea Gayheart, nail technician at The Guest House Spa in Washington C.H.; Capt. Ron Meyers, Chillicothe Police Department; Tricia Wallace, Ross County Board of DD recreation director; Heather Clark, Goodwill board member; and Roger Bellar.

Goodwill of South Central Ohio is a nonprofit organization focused on improving the quality of life and job opportunities for those with disabilities and disadvantages across our eight-county region. Donations and purchases made at our stores help to support these services in Pickaway, Ross, Hocking, Fayette, Pike, Athens, Vinton, and Jackson counties.

For more information on Goodwill, go online to GWISCO.org and follow them on Facebook.

Eian Davidson concentrates during an activity at Camp Dream. Photo provided by Goodwill
Camp Dream. Photo provided by Goodwill