Beth Shalosky was born and raised in Lancaster, but during her interview, she joked that she doesn’t know her way around and to not ask her for directions. Beth and her family have been connected with Fairfield DD about 13 years. Her oldest child was connected as a teenager before the family moved to Licking County.

Due to personal circumstances, the family returned to Fairfield County, and this time Beth had four other children with her. She admitted that at first she was reluctant to come back.

“I was very hesitant about coming back because when I was here prior, it was not a good situation,” she explained. “After being in Licking County and having good SSAs, I was really hesitant when they split up the boys and girls.”

Beth raved about her children’s team in Licking County. Because of that positive experience, it was hard to come to terms with the transition to two new Individual Support Coordinators here. However, her opinion changed after meeting Shannon and Allena. “Shannon and Allena have been great and have been doing everything I need them to do,” she said. “They are going above and beyond by finding places for the kids to go and exploring alternative avenues.”

Beth expressed her gratitude for the efforts of Shannon with one of her children. “Shannon has been amazing and has done a great job of weeding out who would be good or not so good,” she smiled. “She is really good about putting in the effort to find the right fit.”

Since returning to Fairfield DD, Beth has noticed a big difference between her children’s ISCs. She expressed that it feels now that the ISCs truly care for her children.

“Shannon comes to the house and doesn’t just do business. She also engages with the
children and plays around with them, whether she has time or not,” she shared. “I know that she has a lot to do too, but she took the time, and that means so much to us.”

Beth also described how it’s not just Fairfield DD who has changed in a positive light, but also the community.

“The community seems now that they are willing to accept more adults and kids with
developmental disabilities,” she said. “Coming from a county that was desolate with resources when we were looking when I didn’t have resources at all. Fairfield County is trying to incorporate ways for these kids and adults to succeed and give them opportunities.”

One resource that Beth is excited about is getting involved with the YMCA here in
Lancaster.

“We hope to get involved with that and build confidence and do extra classes like dance and gymnastics so the kids can be secure in who they are and what they want to become,” she expressed again, just how different the resource availability is since returning. “You
guys have a lot of opportunities for them to continue to grow and get older, to find other resources to find jobs, or even to be artsy and crafty. The things we have all talked about have been very hopeful that we can find those things out in the community.”

She also praised the local school districts and how it has helped her children thrive. “The kids have just blossomed between where we came from, a not very friendly kid home, and we had to leave the family home,” she shared. “Now we are in a very loving, rambunctious, environment. They can be themselves, and school has been great, and inclusive, and more on their level.”

Beth even asked one of her sons how he felt about summer starting and gave him the
option of going to a different school. She laughed and said he declared he likes his school and has no interest in going anywhere else!

“They are very much loving it down here,” she laughed. “It goes to show if you show them
compassion and talk to them, show that you are and try to help them, then you play a more
important role in their lives.”

Her family dealt with difficult changes as she battled a brain tumor and other health
complications. The family also faced personal relationship changes, and Beth had no idea
how those would affect her children.

“Those kids had no idea where I was or what was going on, and there was no one there to tell them I was going to be okay,” she said.

Beth talked about relying on her faith to help her through the tough time, but also stressed
the importance of reaching out to others for help. Her advice to other parents going through something similar was this, “If you’ve got friends that you really trust, and now I lean on Shannon and Allena. I also have taken care of myself and signed up for counseling,” she said. “I can put things in a different perspective and say these are my feelings and this is what I am going to do. This is how I am going to take care of my kids.”

But she could not finish the interview without talking about the resilience of her children and how much they have grown.

“I have amazing kids. Through all the transitions and ups and downs, I am in awe of how much my kids actually love me. I really thought my divorce was my fault,” she shared. “The divorce was hard on them, and they didn’t hold it against me. They are so resilient, and I am in awe of that.”

“It is so amazing to me that they all have special niches, and it’s amazing that they are
awesome little people,” she laughed.

At the end of the interview, we asked Beth if there was anything else she wanted to share about her children or any advice she had for other families going through something similar.
“I hope they can find what they need. Whether it’s just the faith to keep pushing on or someone they can reach out to. I just hope it brightens someone’s day.”

Two years ago, Shannon started her role as an Individual Support Coordinator (ISC) here at
Fairfield DD. Since August, Shannon primarily works with children ages 4 to 13 years old,
and her journey to this line of work began when she was a child herself.

“My grandpa was a social worker before it was an actual established profession. He worked
with what they called back then ‘the troubled youth’,” Shannon said. “Towards the end of
the first semester of my social work degree, I realized I had always had this feeling of
needing to be the person that I didn’t have. You should be proud of yourself because you
grew up to be the safe person you needed, and that’s how I feel now.”

Shannon explained that in her role, she helps parents navigate the system and resources
available. She also works with families on building their confidence and ability to advocate
and model for their children.

“When we start at an early age building the skills and confidence in the parents and the
child, we are laying the foundational work of independence that sets them up for
adulthood,” Shannon explained. “We are building that capacity to live the fullest life
possible. My job description is to get you to a point where you don’t need me anymore. I
want to make myself obsolete.”

Shannon stressed the importance of families reaching out and accepting help.

“Parents don’t want to be a burden, but I’d rather you be a burden right now and take the
help and assistance rather than ten to fifteen years down the road and not have the options
to take the help,” she said. “Help is not a bad word.”

When asked what her favorite part of her role is, Shannon sat back for a moment and
smiled.

“The light bulb moments. When mom, dad, or guardian sees that it makes a difference.
That the doctors were wrong and that the child can do it,” She smiled. “When the families
start to get over the fear and grief of what a diagnosis can bring, or what may come along
with a diagnosis. I am always waiting for that moment of, ‘I don’t need you anymore.’ Of
course, I will be sad, but I will be happy.”

During the interview, we discussed the term success and how that means different things
to each person.

“There is no one success. It can be, ‘I’ve made a friend’ to ‘I spoke a full sentence’ to ‘I
learned how to use my AAC device,” Shannon explained. “For parents, it could be ‘I
advocated for my child and got genetic testing ordered’ or maybe a parent finally feels they
are not alone. Success is as individual and unique as each and every person we encounter
in our role.”

When we asked Shannon what else people should know about her position, she spoke
about a few common misconceptions she encountered.

“A common misconception is that we have all the answers, that being connected to DD
means we will fix everything,” she said. “The reality is, we help you build your toolbox. It’s
easy to pick up a box and throw a tool in it, but it’s good to find tools that you actually need
to help you. Maybe along the way you may find tools that actually help someone else, too.”
“Here’s what to expect: your ISC is not here to do everything for you. We are here to walk
beside you while you learn how to do it. We listen, guide, and help. We are there to listen as
much as we are to guide and support.”

Shannon encourages others who are interested in becoming an ISC to go for it and be
confident in their skills.

“Don’t be scared of it, and don’t let your overthinking talk you out of your own expertise. We
all have something that we are very strong at that feels like breathing to us that benefits
others around us,” She explained. “We just have to figure out how to use it, don’t be afraid
to try!”

At the end of the interview, we asked Shannon if she had any final thoughts or wisdom she
wanted to share. Her first thought was to two of her favorite quotes from the novels, The
Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.

“Not all who wander are lost, and if I take one more step, that’s the farthest I’ve ever been.
Those ideas. DD is an adventure, it’s not an end, and it’s just the first step on a new journey.
Coming to Fairfield DD has been like coming home in a lot of ways,” she laughed. “Love
what you do, and you’ll never work a day in your life. The families I serve help me as much
as I help them.”

When Kenny walks into a room, you notice him right away—in the best way. His bright smile and easygoing energy make people feel welcome, and it’s clear he genuinely enjoys connecting with others.

One place that brings out even more of that joy is the bowling alley. Kenny is an accomplished bowler who practices whenever he can and even trains with a private coach, Ron Hatfield. With a high score of 215, he’s built an impressive record over the years, spending much of his life in leagues and even competing on his high school team. Bowling isn’t just a hobby for Kenny; it’s something he truly loves.

Outside the lanes, Kenny stays busy in other ways too. He’s active in his church, enjoys going out to dinner, and has a passion for music. Whether he’s creating playlists on Spotify or stepping in as the go-to DJ for family and friends, Kenny knows how to set the tone and bring people together.

Kenny has also been a valued member of the team at Fairfield Medical Center since 2019, where he works in the Dietetics Department. He takes pride in his work and appreciates the relationships he’s built with his coworkers. But what stands out most is his role as a mentor. As a former Project SEARCH student himself, Kenny now helps guide high school students currently in the program. He enjoys sharing his experiences, offering support, and showing them what’s possible.

Wherever he is, at work, at church, or at the bowling alley, Kenny brings enthusiasm, kindness, and a willingness to help others succeed.

When someone is going through a major life change or facing challenges, having the right support can make all the difference. That is where Jamie Parker comes in. 

As a Behavior Support Coordinator, Jamie works alongside individuals, families, and providers to help people get through changes and create positive ways to communicate, connect, and grow. She helps people express themselves, feel more confident, and be active in their communities. At the same time, she shares tools and ideas that families and providers can use right away to help people build independence and find more opportunities in everyday life. 

One of the most important parts of Jamie’s work is helping others understand choice and handle challenges in positive, respectful ways. By sharing knowledge and offering support strategies that build on what is already working well, she helps individuals and those around them build skills and confidence over time. 

One of Jamie’s favorite parts of her role is both learning and teaching. She values the connections she builds and enjoys helping others feel informed and encouraged. Seeing progress, big or small, is what keeps her motivated. 

Over the past two years, Jamie has continued to develop her skills through ongoing training, including becoming certified to teach CPI de-escalation strategies. She has also focused on creating positive supports that help people succeed and reduce the need for limitations. As part of Fairfield DD’s internal leadership program, she has further developed her leadership skills and connection to the agency. 

For Jamie, success means continuing to build her toolbox of knowledge and supporting others in meaningful ways. And as she puts it, behavior support is rewarding work. Every day brings something new, and her team is proud to do it together. 

At Fairfield DD, much of the work that helps students succeed happens behind the scenes. Two staff members, Angie and Julia, play an important role in creating positive learning environments for preschool and school-age students.

Angie and Julia work closely with students, often one-on-one or in small groups. They help students learn new skills and reach goals by supporting positive behavior strategies that are made just for each child.

Working together with others is a big part of their job. They join classroom meetings and behavior support discussions, so everyone knows the strategies being used. They also help write and share positive behavior strategies so teachers, therapists, and other team members can give consistent support.

Data helps track how students are doing. Angie and Julia create tools to collect information and show classroom teams how to use them. They review the results and share what they learn to guide next steps and celebrate progress.

They also bring fun and creativity to learning. Recently, they led staff in an ASL Bingo game to practice American Sign Language signs students may use. Activities like this provide hands-on learning and help build confidence for both students and staff.

Angie and Julia keep learning too, taking part in training and following research-based practices. Whether they’re helping students, supporting staff, or taking on additional tasks, they show a strong commitment to student growth.

Their favorite part of their role? Getting to know each student and advocating for skills, adaptations, and strategies so that students can continue to grow and learn.

Through teamwork, creativity, and positive support, Angie and Julia help students build confidence, gain new skills, and reach their potential.

Communication styles differ. My’Only, a Forest Rose student, uses both an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) device and sign language to share her thoughts, ideas, and personality with the world. 

This month, My’Only joined two of her teachers for a special visit to Bloom-Carroll Elementary School, where she helped read to three classes of 3rd graders. Seated at the front of the room, her face lit up as she began reading aloud using her AAC device. 

During the Q&A that followed the book, My’Only confidently called on students and answered their questions, especially relishing the chance to share her recent birthday. Her presence sparked curiosity and thoughtful conversations among the students. Her teachers, Julia and Angie, asked the class to imagine what it might feel like to go a whole day without speaking. Many students shared that they would feel frustrated or upset, which opened the door to a meaningful discussion about why tools like AAC devices and sign language matter. 

Julia and Angie helped the class understand that even when someone communicates differently, they still have plenty to say. My’Only then taught the students a few sign language phrases, including “thank you” and “friend,” giving them a hands-on way to connect. 

Her day of communication didn’t end at the school. At lunch, My’Only used a tablet kiosk at Steak ’n Shake to independently order her meal, another moment that highlighted how her AAC device supports her confidence and independence both in school and out in the community. 

My’Only’s positive spirit touches everyone she meets. She embodies Fairfield DD’s mission by demonstrating what it means to lead a life of greater independence and to make meaningful contributions. 

This school year marks the first time Forest Rose’s Senior Room has been able to explore the community every day. Senior Room instructor, Donna Goehring, says the visits have been great for the students to get out and create community connections.

Donna also expressed how important it has been for the community to see that the students are just like everyone else.

The senior room has visited a range of businesses and departments in the community. Some of the students' favorites have been exploring the Lancaster Police Department, enjoying a tour of The Wagnalls Memorial Library, and learning how maple syrup is made at Warner's Maple Syrup.

When asked what the student’s favorite part of the visits was, Donna said it was the hands-on experiences.

“The engagement is a huge part, and it has made them more outgoing. One student’s social skills have seen leaps and bounds,” Donna said. “They have accomplished their academic goals, so this is a chance for them to gain more independence and not stay at their desk all day. The more they go out, the more they will be prepared for after they graduate to be in the community.”

Each day, Donna will explore businesses in the community, looking for people who will be engaging and provide the opportunity for the students to get involved. During a trip to the Lancaster Police Department, students were introduced to all the departments, given the chance to sit in the back seat of a police cruiser with the lights on, and even had the opportunity to speak with the Chief of Police.

Other staff members at Forest Rose have seen the positive impact the trips have had on the students. Assistant Director of Children’s Programs Jenna Trager and Student Services Supervisor Jennifer Arbuckle both described seeing students who had several behavioral issues now smiling more and being more independent at school. They believe the students have become more adaptable to different places and schedules. In some instances, they have even noticed students are better able to communicate their problems or express what is causing them discomfort.

Donna also highlighted how important it is to have good staff who are adaptable and more than happy to attend the trips. She says the staff does a fantastic job of modeling for the community. 

Meet Todd McCullough, Fairfield DD’s Director of Operations!

Todd describes his job as making sure the systems behind the scenes work so staff can focus on supporting people.

That behind-the-scenes work includes Fairfield DD buildings, technology, safety, fleet, assistive technology, and the many improvement projects happening across the agency. Todd says a huge part of the role is solving problems, reducing barriers, and putting good processes in place so things run the way they should.

“Operations may be behind the scenes, but it directly supports our mission. Safe spaces, reliable technology, accessible tools, and strong infrastructure all help staff deliver services and help the people we serve live with greater independence,” Todd noted when asked how operations connects to Fairfield DD’s mission. “When we do our job well, it makes it easier for everyone else to do theirs.”

One of his favorite parts of his job is working through complex challenges and turning them into practical solutions that improve things in the long term.

“I also value helping teams grow, strengthening how departments work together, and building systems that make daily work more consistent and less frustrating for staff.” He shared.

Todd believes success in the operations department is usually invisible to most people. He expressed that if staff can walk into a building, log into their systems, do their work safely, and go home without having to think about operational problems, then that's a good day. Smooth, reliable, and responsible is what they aim for.

When asked if there was anything he’d like people to know about the operations department, Todd had this to add,

“Operations isn’t just about fixing things when they break. It’s about planning ahead, managing resources responsibly, and continuously improving how we work. Most of the effort is focused on preventing problems before they happen and building systems that support people for the long run,” he said. “At the end of the day, my goal is simple: remove obstacles, support our teams, and help build an organization where staff can do their best work serving our community.”

When it comes to navigating benefits and fostering independence, Tyler Cordle is here to help.  

Tyler serves as an Individual Benefits Coordinator at Fairfield DD. His mission? Helping people obtain, maintain, and maximize their benefits while empowering them to take charge of the process.  

Rather than doing everything for the individual, Tyler provides guidance and resources so they can apply for benefits on their own. This approach reflects Fairfield DD’s commitment to promoting independence.  

Every situation is unique, and Tyler understands that life changes often bring questions. Parents may wonder what happens when their child turns 18. Others ask how marriage might affect their benefits. Tyler is there to provide clarity and support through these transitions.  

He also encourages individuals to work—even if they receive benefits. Employment not only adds extra income but also creates opportunities for personal growth and community connections.  

Tyler’s favorite part of his job? Helping people live better, more independent lives. Advocacy and support are at the heart of what he does every day.  

He credits his success to the incredible support from his supervisor, Michelle, and mentor, Darenda Geer. Tyler says the entire Fairfield DD team—from leadership to coworkers—shares the same mission: helping individuals live their best lives.  

Thanks to Tyler and his team, independence isn’t just a goal—it’s a reality for many in our community.