DISCUSSION — OhioRISE care coordinator Vicky Filtz discussed the program with Lorie Dowler of the East Central Ohio Educational Service Center, who serves as an educational facilitator at Oakview Juvenile Residential Center in St. Clairsville. -- Contributed

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — OhioRISE was on hand to help students from across Belmont and Harrison counties plan their futures during the second-annual Roadmap to Transition Fair held at Ohio University Eastern Oct. 7.

Jefferson County Educational Service Center OhioRISE is a Medicaid managed care program for children and youth with complex behavioral health and multisystem needs in Belmont, Carroll, Columbiana, Harrison, Jefferson, Monroe, Stark and Tuscarawas counties and operated by the JCESC. OhioRISE was formed to coordinate resources and put families in touch with what is available.

According to organizers, the fair has expanded since last year, now hosting 57 businesses, agencies and vendors. About 500 students were expected.

OhioRISE care coordinator Vicky Filtz saw an excellent opportunity to speak with visitors about the tools OhioRISE can provide and the strong network of local partnerships for resources in a post-secondary setting.

“Making sure that they understand how to get connected with resources that can help prepare them with resume building, with job readiness skills.”

Filtz saw familiar faces.

“It was nice to see some of the kiddos who have been working with the program taking that next step. Some that have moved on from working with us because of the success that they’ve had, being connected to the supports and moving through those different points in their life.”

She introduced them to OhioRISE’s resources for older students.

“Our peer support program is really good for youth at that age and making that transition, because they can really go through and discuss how to take that next step with somebody who has walked down the path similar to theirs. It’s always easier to connect with somebody that has some of the shared life experience that you do.”

OhioRISE has forged close ties with programs for job seekers. Jacob Barr, workforce development supervisor with OhioMeansJobs out of Harrison County had a good experience with OhioRISE in his previous job working with intakes at Harrison County Children’s Services and the partnership has carried over to OhioMeansJobs.

“They do a very good job at bridging the gaps of things that we can’t do,” he said. “They’ve helped me previously with cases that I’ve had with children with disabilities I couldn’t find resources for.”

Kathy Klee, workforce mentor with Ohio Means Jobs of Belmont County, receives referrals of students from OhioRISE for career development and paid work experience.

Special Education Director Beverly Prati with Bridgeport Exempted Village School District knows the program well, since OhioRISE maintains a permanent office on the district campus while serving Belmont County students. She said OhioRISE builds on the connections that help students thrive and has become a trusted source for families who might not know the full range of resources available.

She also commends OhioRISE for helping to prepare students for these milestones.

“As they’re getting older and making that next step toward transitioning, having somebody who you have built a relationship with over the years is nothing but beneficial.”

Derek Ault, director of special education for the Bellaire Local School District, commended his district’s partnership with OhioRISE.

“They have been excellent advocates for their students that they represent. They work very well with the school districts, and they really push to get parent involvement,” he said. “They open up the doors for a lot of different services for the students that they serve, and they work with a lot of organizations locally, so the kids don’t have to travel outside the area to get those special services.”

Intervention Specialist Christa Biancarelli of St. Clairsville-Richland City School District has also seen the benefit of OhioRISE’s holistic approach and variety of resources.

“I’ve had OhioRISE involved with one of my students and its nice because they’re not only just one aspect of their lives, but they really help in many aspects to prepare them for graduation and adulthood,” she said. “I try to recommend OhioRISE to as many people as I possibly can.”

Martins Ferry City School District special education director Bethany Lucas feels the same about OhioRISE.

“They have kind of bridged everything from home to school to the workplace, keeping everybody together. We have them attend meetings that we have to help the students, to make sure they’re receiving what they need in school, at home and in the community. OhioRISE is a great program,” she said. Lucas added the results are evident in events such as the transitions fair. “They’re more prepared.”

Special Education Director Amy Sedgmer with Harrison Hills City School District said OhioRISE is a welcome resource.

“Many times, families just don’t realize they can tap into a specific resource and they need that care coordinator to show them and tell them and set that connection up,” she said. “The parents have also felt very supported and they’ve bridged that communication gap between home and school.”

Jayme Yonak, assistant administrator and special education director for Union Local School District, noted the importance of exposing students to a variety of options for post-graduation. She said students can find the prospect of leaving high school and taking on adult opportunities overwhelming.

“They can go and talk to people from OhioRISE or their intervention specialist or teachers and get a jump start on what they’re going to do.”

Cheryl Supanik, director of student services at the Belmont-Harrison Career Center and who serves on the core team organizing the transition fair collaborates with OhioRISE to form educational plans.

“Here today there are a lot of vendors that these students don’t know are available in the community, and OhioRISE provides us with that information as well, and the students.”

OhioRISE also made some new introductions. Lorie Dowler of the East Central Ohio Educational Service Center serves as an educational facilitator at Oakview Juvenile Residential Center in St. Clairsville. She was impressed after a productive conversation with Filtz.

“It sounds like a great program for kids, especially our older youth that sometimes don’t have support at home.”

To learn more about OhioRISE, call (740) 792-4011 or email ohiorise.info@jcesc.org.