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Director's Message
Mike Corbett - President Wow, how time flies by. It has been too long since updating our web site and I know there is no way of filling you in on everything but please allow me to hit some of the exciting highlights of the past couple of years. First, for history sake, I began in this position as a staff member of the Delaware County Board of Developmental Disabilities. We (DCH) managed property for the Board and for individuals with Developmental Disabilities, as we still do today. Our mission was simple then and remains the same, DCH will provide housing opportunities and options for people with disabilities and special needs. In my message to you in 2002 I wrote "Currently we only serve Delaware County Ohio but are not bound to any specific area. I would consider us a young agency. Although we were established in 1991 our first employee started, full-time in January 2001. Prior to this a representative of the Delaware County Board of Developmental Disabilities would serve on the board of trustees and facilitate any functions needed. One project at a time we grew. Over 10 years we created 9 properties, providing housing to approximately 40 individuals. This past year we have purchased 1 property and are in contract to build 2 additional homes. Properties are located throughout the county and we aspire to provide services in other counties as we grow." Today Delaware Creative Housing owns 39 properties, meeting the housing needs of over 120 individuals in Delaware County. Additionally we own commercial property renting to 5 different businesses and we have contracted to manage other commercial property as well. Our staff has grown from one Executive Director in 2001 to five fulltime positions and several contracted and part time positions. We will soon begin partnering with Mid Ohio Board of Independent Living (MOBILE) to install temporary ramps for individuals exiting institutions and/or nursing homes in Delaware and several surrounding counties. We strongly believe in and encourage you to look into both the Ohio Visitability Strategy Group and the Ohio Independent Living movement. I couldn't possibly share with you any of the above without sharing the incredible team of professionals I work with. These are the people that make it happen and as a team we have improved and expanded the services we are able to provide and each of us always keeping people with disabilities at the forefront of everything we do everyday. |
DeAntha Groff – Operations DirectorDeAntha joined our Management Team in the latter part of 2012 and comes with many years of experience in the Business and Finance fields, as well as Human Resources and Sales/Marketing. DeAntha also has extensive experience in non-profit organizations and the field of developmental disabilities. She has served as a DCH board member during our early development and completed several terms. DeAntha again joined our board when an opening was available once more, resigning from the board to accept the position of Operations Director. DeAntha brings a new perspective to our team; hers is one of governance and policy setting as a board member… and then transitioning to the position of a management staff member. For that, we are all very excited and we anticipate great things happening because of it. DeAntha coordinates our HUD projects, files, reviews and trainings. She also oversees all tenant/lease issues and works closely with tenants’ families and county board staff, as well as operates the rent subsidy program that provides rent to different landlords within the community. DeAntha works closely with the Accounting Department and also works very closely with our Maintenance Department, making sure our properties are always top notch! |
Dan Welsh - Maintenance Supervisor In December of 2006 we welcomed Dan Welsh as our Maintenance Supervisor. Dan immediately took on the supervision and training of the maintenance department and with his background in HVAC and his organizational skills Dan was and remains a great asset for us and the individuals we serve. Dan too shares the goal of "the best house on the block". |
Ryan Morgan - Facilities ManagerProviding housing to people with disabilities is the cornerstone of this agency, however it is not always what people need. In 2004 Creative Living Systems, Inc officially established itself as a non profit corporation. There are times when individuals really need their current living situation to be improved or modified to make it a success. They don't need to move, they need their house to be made their home. With that in mind, In October 03' we hired Ryan Morgan. Ryan is an engineer and was hired to oversee the design and installation of environmental modifications. We had no idea the need for this was so great and have been scrambling ever since to keep up with the requests for modifications. Providing ramps, bathrooms, doorway widening, grab bars, overhead lifts, stair lifts and porch lifts etc. I projected 35 projects our first year, and granted this was a guess, I never would have guessed that since 2003 average 100 projects per year, in over 20 Counties throughout Ohio. We are an approved provider for four different Medicaid Waivers. We stand by our projects, guaranteeing workmanship is easy when what you provide far exceeds the norm. Additionally, we have been hired to consult for both private and public entities and we administer the County Boards' "Accessibility Grant" in Delaware County. |
Jeremy Fetty - Maintenance Supervisor In 2005, the Ohio Department of Commerce approved Creative Living Systems, Inc as a home manufacturer. We submitted plans for a three bedroom, two baths, completely accessible home that we manufacturer right here in Delaware and then transport directly to your lot. In January 2007 Jeremy Fetty left Delaware Creative Housing as the maintenance supervisor and became Creative Living Systems’ first Director of Manufacturing. He has since created and had approved a four bedroom two bath, accessible home. Additionally, there is an accessible one bedroom duplex awaiting approval. Jeremy also coordinates a five year grant we were awarded by the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council to develop partnerships between county boards of developmental disabilities, their non profit housing boards and their local career center to build accessible homes and train on accessibility. This new division is busy statewide and Jeremy has also hit the ground running and is not looking back. Where this venture will end up, no one knows but I do trust that Jeremy will get us there. |
Gay Corbett – Controller/Human Resource Director.In June 04' we welcomed Gay Corbett who took on the role of Controller. As we grew, as we provided more services, as we entered into agreements with many entities we quickly realized that an experienced and well organized individual was wise for us to seek. In that one year we grew to having over 250 vendors, 50 community landlords receiving rent subsidies. Today she has the additional role of Director of Human Resources and oversees all employee benefit issues. She supervises our administrative assistant as well as numerous contracts for accounting, auditing and insurance and works closely with the Operations Director to implement policies and procedures as well as completing multiple annual audits. When this all began no one thought one day millions of dollars per year where going to flow through here, but having Gay oversee those processes has truly been a gift. |
Donna Cackler – Administrative AssistantDonna joined our team in early 2013 and basically "hit the ground running"! Donna has many years of experience in the Business and Finance fields, including owning and running Cackler Farms with her husband for more than twenty years. She also has several years of experience working in the field of developmental disabilities, and we know she will be a great asset to our organization. Donna is well organized and willing to help in whatever capacity is needed at any given time… making her a pleasure to work with each day! She works closely with the Accounting Department and the Operations Director, making sure everything is handled in a meticulous fashion. Donna helps us manage the Medical Equipment Library and she is also that friendly voice that answers your phone calls or greets you when you visit our corporate office. |
Sincerely,
Michael Corbett,
Executive Director
