Byesville Rotary hears about job of Direct Support Personnel

Pictured: Tanya Hitchens, Byesville Rotary speaker chair, Tina Todd, executive director of Guernsey Residential, and Jennifer Oakley, Provider Support and Employment Navigator for GCBDD.

Tina Todd, executive director of Guernsey Residential, spoke to Byesville Rotary about how her organization provides and manages residences aimed at enabling people with developmental disabilities to live as self-directed a life as possible. Guernsey Residential works closely with the Guernsey County Board of Developmental Disabilities

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Todd explained that a major element in their program is their staff of Direct Support Personnel (DSP’s). Most of Guernsey Residential clients need some type of support during their daily routines. The DSP’s provide that support on a 24/7 basis.

A DSP works 24/7 for 7 days then has 7 days off. DSP’s provide all types of support from purchasing supplies for meal preparation, insuring meds are taken appropriately, accompanying clients to outside entertainment such as movies or concerts, driving clients to and from appointments or to their work location.

Todd pointed out that it is important for a DSP is to understand and interact with each client as an individual and to develop a relationship of trust. She described DSP’s as special people that are hard to replace.

Todd explained that one of her biggest challenges as executive director of Guernsey Residential is to find and hire people to become DSP’s. She stated that in Ohio 10-20% of positions for DSP’s are vacant. People to fill DSP positions are in very high demand in the United States.

Todd pointed out that when she interviews a person for a DSP position, she looks for a person who communicates well, has a passion for helping others, is flexible, has good listening skills and lots of patience. Ohio law requires that a DSP be 18 years old and have a high school diploma or have a GRE certificate, and be able to read and write English. Eight hours of additional training is required and DSP’s will attend continuing education classes during their employment such as first aid, CPR, as well as instruction on how to administer medication. 

Todd finished her presentation with a lively question and answer session with the Byesville Rotarians attending the meeting.

Shana Fair announced that there will be no meeting on Tuesday, March 17, which is the day of the primary election. Instead, the club will meet at Georgetown Tavern on the Hill for spaghetti and some fun on Wednesday, March 18.

Connect with #ByesvilleRotary at: www.Byesvillerotary.blogspot.com , Twitter Byesville_Club, or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Byesville-Rotary/256548047818283. The club meets 7:30 am, Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Walk-ins are welcome at the club’s meeting. #6690

Byesville Rotarians learn about Guernsey County oil and gas development

Pictured: Mike Chadsey, Director of Public Relations, OOGA; and Shana Fair, President Byesville Rotary.

Mike Chadsey, Director of Public Relations for Ohio Oil and Gas Association, spoke to the Byesville Rotary. Chadsey described the Ohio Oil and Gas Association (affectionately nicknamed OOGA) as a trade association representing all facets of the oil and gas industry in Ohio.

OOGA members include the oil and natural gas producers seen drilling in Guernsey County, national oil and natural gas producing companies, plus international oil and natural gas companies. Chadsey stated that the U.S. is the largest national gas producer and Russia is number 2. Together, Ohio and Pennsylvania rank number 3. The discovery of Ohio’s oil shale has given Ohio a presence in the international oil and gas industry.

Chadsey shared a little-known fact that in 1814, Ohio had the first discovery of oil in the U.S. Landowners Thorla and McKee were drilling for slat brine to make salt. They found brine and some awful smelling stuff that created a nuisance for them by polluting their salt brine. Salt evaporated from the brine was valuable and could be sold for preserving and flavoring food and raising livestock. The black smelly stuff was not considered valuable until 1859 when refining made it useful for use in homes.

Drilling companies active on our area include Encino Energy, Ascent Resources, Montage Resources and EQT—the oldest and largest company in the U.S. Chadsey pointed out the currently many drilling companies are consolidating so we should expect names to change. Currently, Ohio produces more gas than it consumes

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Chadsey explained that the oil shale and the drilling companies are the bottom level of a complex of industries that are part of the oil and gas industry. This complex of associated industries may take up to 10 years to develop.

Industries and businesses drawn to an oil and gas producing area include natural gas power plants such as the one being built along I 77 and south of I 70. Another level of industry is the ethane cracker plants which break the ethane into its chemical components which are used to produce plastic such as polyethylene. A final level of industry is the establishment of plastic manufacturing plants which like to be located near to the plastic supplies they need.

Chadsey pointed out that our area has advantages other than oil shale—good weather for one—in this case no hurricanes which can force power plants to close down. Additionally, Guernsey County is within a 1-day drive to 50% of North American markets.

Connect with #ByesvilleRotary at: www.Byesvillerotary.blogspot.com , Twitter Byesville_Club, or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Byesville-Rotary/256548047818283. The club meets 7:30 am, Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Walk-ins are welcome at the club’s meeting. #6690