A Leader for All Seasons

Patrick J. Johnson, Jr. LCSW, President of Oak Hill was chosen as keynote speaker for Catholic Charities Help & Hope Breakfast on December 16, 2011.  To read complete article, click on Vol. 5, No. 4 issue 

Frank Szilagyi appointed new board chair

Mr. Frank J. Szilagyi, Esq. was appointed  chairman of Oak Hill's Board of Directors; he began his term in November 2011.  Szilagyi is a trial lawyer with more than 20 years of experience; has been a partner of the firm since 2000 and currently serves as the Managing Partner of Szilagyi & Daly in Hartford.  Mr. Szilagyi resides in West Hartford.    

Bonnie Ohlendorf appointed to board of Oak Hill Foundation

Ms. Bonnie Ohlendorf has more than 30 years finance and charitable management service experience with Bank of America; most recently in its Philanthropic Management Group.  Ms. Ohlendorf has served on Oak Hill's selection committee for the John A. Coccomo Foundation which awards outstanding students who are visually impaired or blind with college scholarships.  Ohlendorf has said, 'Oak Hill is her favorite charity,' and was recognized in 2010, as Oak Hill's Donor of the Year.   and is a generous supporter of Oak Hill.  Ms. Ohlendorf resides in Cromwell. 

In photo, left to right: Erich and Bonnie Ohlendorf 

iPads Give Children A Voice

Born with cognitive and physical disabilities, Angelica attends the Oak Hill School where students have access to the latest technology to enhance their learning and quality of life.  She does not have the coordination to maneuver a computer mouse, but when her teacher, put an iPad in front of her, she did something she had never done before.  She reached for it and held on tight.  “I’ve never seen her so engaged before.  She is able to hold it herself.  Because of her limited vision, she needs objects up close to see,” said Leslie Abrahams, Oak Hill School teacher. 

Dale Reeves, licensed Speech Language Pathologist at Oak Hill likes its versatility.  “All children respond to the iPad and in different ways.  Children that typically do not reach out and respond to other things, respond to this device.  It’s accessible, has a gentle touch screen, and has a lot of applications.  Students can use it to improve communication, math and reading skills.  Along with leisure skills which help children entertain themselves.” said Mrs. Reeves.    

With the text to speech application, it can give a child a voice.  Mrs. Reeves said, “For Angelica, she can convey her wants and needs; interact with her classmates, teachers, family members and medical providers.  That’s very important for her and others who are non-verbal or may be difficult to understand.” 

The iPad is also, generally, less expensive than computers and other devices specifically designed to help people with disabilities speak, read, or write.  Mrs. Reeves uses a variety of applications with her students and one is called, Proloquo2Go, which allows a student to touch an icon that prompts the device to speak things like, ‘I need to go to the bathroom,’ and Math Magic which helps students practice arithmetic. 

Mrs. Reeves said, “Right now, we have an iPad in every classroom, but my wish is for each student to have an iPad.  There is so much available technology now.  It’s much more affordable and a great learning tool for children with disabilities.”    

If you would like to provide an iPad to help an Oak Hill student succeed, you may make a donation online by visiting www.ciboakhill.org, and click DONATE NOW! 

Governor and Hartford Mayor Tour NEAT Center at Oak Hill

In August, Governor Dannel P. Malloy and Mayor Pedro Segarra toured the NEAT Center at Oak Hill located in the Blue Hills section of Hartford.  The Governor’s “Job Tour” was coordinated by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development. 

Both men were greeted by Oak Hill staff and board members, along with other invited guests including Terrence W. Macy, PhD, Commissioner for the Department of Developmental Services.  During their hour long tour, they met several individuals with disabilities served by NEAT where each demonstrated assistive technology that has helped them to succeed at work.

Press release (8/17/11) Governor Malloy visits Oak Hill on Job Tour

NEAT Expands to Groton; donates equipment to help people in Joplin., MO

The NEAT Center at Oak Hill expands with a new location in Groton; with two other locations in Hartford and Stratford, and   Wishing to better serves the needs of people with disabilities in New London County, Bruce Stovall, Vice President, Oak Hill Centers and Kathryn Green, Executive Director, Lighthouse Voc-Ed Center formed a collaboration and opened the satellite office in August.   NEAT – Groton is located at 744 Long Hill Road; for more information, call (860) 445-7626, or email: info@neatmarketplace.org

In August, NEAT donated several pieces of durable medical equipment, such as patient lifts and other assistive technology to benefit people devastated by the tornado that ravaged Joplin, Missouri.

Press release (9/26/11), Lighthouse Voc.Ed Center and NEAT parter to present App-Tastic conference

Oak Hill's Parents & Guardians Advisory Committee

Oak Hill Parents & Guardians Advisory Committee meets several times a year.  Our next meeting will be Sat. 1/21/12, 9:00AM at the NEAT Center at Oak Hill, located at 33 Coventry Street, Hartford. 

Immediately following the meeting will be a workshop, After the Cap and Gown, from 10:00AM-11:00AM.  The focus is on planning for your son or daughter after they reach the age of 21.  For more information or to receive meeting updates from Oak Hill Parents & Guardians, please contact us via parentsandguardians@ciboakhill.org

Do One Thing Today!

All the progress focused on safe, quality community-based care is at risk as the state comes to private agencies like Oak Hill.  Please consider doing ONE thing, today, to make your voice heard.

Parents/Guardians page

1.       BECOME ACTIVE in our Parents and Guardians Committee

2.       ENGAGE EXTENDED FAMILY,

3.       ATTEND MEETINGS of our Oak Hill Parents and Guardians Committee.  All are welcome.  Meetings scheduled monthly (except during the summer months); 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at the NEAT Center, 33 Coventry Street, Hartford, CT 06112 at Oak Hill (corner of Coventry St. & Holcomb St.)

4.       CALL AND/OR WRITE your state senator and representative 

5.       PARTICIPATE in public hearings at the Legislative Office Building.

6.       USE YOUR WEB-BASED SOCIAL NETWORKS

7.       LETTERS TO THE EDITORS  

Become an Oak Hill Ambassador

We rely on goodwill ambassadors like you to help us advance our mission.  Join now and be counted! Every new ambassador helps our cause. 

NEAT featured on ABC News (WTNH-TV 8)

A NEAT place to buy or donate durable medical equipment; news story on WTNH-TV 8 (ABC) Good Morning Connecticut, 8/23/10

NEAT Center and iPad open world for people with disabilities.  Featured at October's Tools for Schools Event; app helps those with disabilities to communicate; see news story on WTNH-TV 8 (dated 11/1/10).