SUPERINTENDENT
Rick Marriott, Sujperintendent
Pioneer Center
11268 Co. Rd. 550
Chillicothe, OH 45601
(740) 773-8044
ELIGIBILITY FOR SERVICES
Laura K Martin, Director
Adult Services Coordination
20 S. Paint St.
Chillicothe, OH 45601
(740)775-7044
lkmartin@rossdd.org
COMMUNITY INFORMATION
Dottie Fay, Community Information Specialist
Pioneer Center
11268 Co. Rd. 550
Chillicothe, OH 45601
(740) 773-8044
dfay@rossdd.org
INFANT AND EARLY CHILDHOOD
Child Development Center
101 University Drive
Chillicothe, OH 45601
(740) 772-7360
Cathy Frazier
cfrazier@rossdd.org
Sue Kniceley
skniceley@rossdd.org
Lisa Liston
lliston@rossdd.org
PRE-SCHOOL
Bev Billett, Head Teacher
Pioneer Center
11268 Co. Rd. 550
Chillicothe, OH 45601
(740) 773-2165
bbillet@rossdd.org
Other Pre School Staff:
Anna Madru amadru@rossdd.org
School Age
Wes Fisher, Principal
Pioneer Center
11268 Co. Rd. 550
Chillicothe, OH 45601
(740) 773-2165
wfisher@rossdd.org
Kari Karshner, Secretary kkarshner@rossdd.org
SHELTERED WORKSHOP
Ron Farrar, General Manager
First Capital Enterprises, Inc.
167 W. Main St.
Chillicothe , OH 45601
(740) 773-2166
rfarrar@fce-mrdd.net
COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT
John Hocker, Director
Community Services
Pioneer Center
11268 Co. Rd. 550
Chillicothe, OH 45601
(740) 773-8044
jhocker@rossdd.org
RESIDENTIAL SERVICES
Residential services from Pioneer Center are based on the philosophy that all people with mental retardation and/or developmental disabilities should live as independently as they are able. For some, that may mean living in an apartment or house of their own and receiving only minimal assistance from our agency. Others may require 24-hour supervision and/or medical care. Our focus is to provide for each person the most independent and personally satisfying home environment. Individuals are encouraged to be involved in their choice of where and with whom they live and who will provide their support services.
Currently the Pioneer Center provides residential services through contracts with state certified providers. Funding for services can be made through Supported Living or Medicaid waiver programs (Individual Options Waiver or Level 1 Waiver). Our community group homes serve 43 residents in throughout the community and more than 40 individuals live in homes of their own choosing through supported living and community waivers. People interested in residential services should contact their Service & Support Administrator (SSA) concerning placement upon the appropriate waiting list or the Residential Service Director for more information.
Frontier Development Corporation Homes
The Frontier Development Corporation purchases and renovates homes that are available to consumers as another residential choice. Homes are rented to groups of no more than four consumers who share living expenses and household chores. The Housing Corporation uses rental revenues for repairs and additional housing purchases. The Residential Service Director and the Service & Support Administration staff do placement and monitoring of services. The Frontier Development Corporation currently owns 14 homes in Ross County, including one emergency respite location. 26 people live in these homes.
For more information, contact:
Greg Williamson
Residential Service Director
11268 Co. Rd. 550
Chillicothe , OH 45601
740-773-8044 ext. 103
gwilliamson@rossdd.org
SPECIAL OLYMPICS
Pioneer participates in Special Olympics in Basketball, Bowling, Swimming, and Track and Field Events, at the local, district, and state levels. The mascot is “The Pioneer Tiger.” Competitions are held with other Special Olympics teams in southeast Ohio counties throughout the year. The Head Coach is Adaptive Physical Education teacher Cass Stull, who can be reached by calling the school at (740) 773-2165.
For more information, contact Cass Stull (cstull@rossdd.org) at Pioneer School, or Debbie Kennedy (dkennedy@rossdd.org), or either of them at (740) 773-2165.
SUMMER RECREATION CAMP
Natalie Matson
315 Page Rd.
Chillicothe, OH 45601
(740) 775-5413
TRANSPORTATION
Melissa Givens, Director
Pioneer Center
11268 Co. Rd. 550
Chillicothe, OH 45601
(740) 773-8044
mgivens@rossdd.org
SELF DETERMINATION AND CHOICE
John Hocker, Director
Community Services
Pioneer Center
11268 Co. Rd. 550
Chillicothe, OH 45601
(740) 773-8044
jhocker@rossdd.org
PEOPLE FIRST OF ROSS COUNTY
A self advocacy organization for Ross county people with developmental disabilities.
People First is an international organization, with a local chapter, organized and run by people with mental retardation or other developmental disabilities. People First is a self-advocate organization whose goals are to establish a support system to support each other and promote the community awareness of people with mr/dd. People First of Ross County has approximately 50 members and meets monthly. Adults of all abilities are welcome to join. Some of their activities include:
* Sponsoring a booth at the County Fair;
* Entering floats in the Halloween Parade;
* Participating together in recreational activities, such as the Paints games and Columbus Clippers;
* Singing at local nursing homes;
* Bowling
* Attending seminars and conventions for the purpose of educational opportunities
For more information, contact People First Advisor Karen Easter at
(740) 663-5063, or Heather Chaney at (740) 775-7044 or hchaney@rossdd.org.