In The News
MOMENTUM REFRESH
2026 EVENT SCHEDULE
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June 6
Airport Day, Barnesville -
June 6 - 7
Art “Off” the Square, Caldwell -
June 6
Strawberry Festival, Martins Ferry -
June 22– 27
Harrison County Fair, Cadiz -
July 11
Jewett Community Day -
July 23 – 25
Caldwell Fireman’s Festival -
July 24 – 25
Freeport VFD Annual Festival -
July 29 – August 1
Betty Zane Days, Martins Ferry -
August 1
Arc – Everyone’s Got Talent, St. Clairsville -
August 2
31st Annual Polka Festival, Barton -
August 15
Belle Valley Park Festival -
August 20 -22
Scio Summer Fest/Street Fair -
August 31 – September 5
Noble County Fair, Caldwell -
September 8 – 13
Belmont County Fair, St. Clairsville -
September 23 – 27
Barnesville Pumpkin Festival -
November 21
St. Clairsville Tree Lighting -
December 12
Christmas Carnival & Outdoor Market, Caldwell
Celebrating the vital role of parents in Early Intervention
The first few years of a child’s life - especially from birth to age three - are full of big changes and important milestones. That’s where Early Intervention (EI) services through the County Board of Developmental Disabilities come in, offering support to help kids grow and thrive. While therapists and professionals play an important role, it’s really the love and dedication of parents that make the biggest difference. For April and Alan Boan, their commitment to their child’s development has led to amazing progress and their journey has inspired everyone on the EI team.
The couple welcomed their son, Maverick, into the world at 34 weeks, a premature birth that saw him placed in the NICU for a week. At four months old, Maverick was diagnosed with infantile nystagmus, a condition that impacts a child’s vision. April and Alan closely monitored Maverick’s development and when they noticed possible delays, like Maverick not bringing his hands together to clap, they discussed their concerns with their pediatrician, Dr. Morris, who referred the family to EI for a developmental evaluation.
EI implements an evidence-based approach that recognizes the child’s home as the best learning environment and parents as the best teachers. The EI referral brought specialized instruction, a vision specialist, and a speech therapist into Maverick’s home. A full developmental evaluation indicated a delay in cognitive and expressive communication.
April expressed how difficult it can be as a first-time parent to navigate so much information and how hard it can be to not compare every little thing Maverick was doing to other children. She understood that because he was born early there would be a gap but when he wasn’t meeting milestones, it still brought panic and worry. She recognized that he wasn’t talking or always understanding simple commands.
According to the County Board’s speech and language pathologist Meghan Johns, it is evident that April and Alan are providing consistent follow-through with Maverick.
“They are the perfect EI family to work with,” Meghan said. “April jumped right in and immediately tried strategies we shared.”
They understood that the work can’t just happen during the EI sessions but that it needed to be part of their everyday routines. This dedication has paid off as a quiet Maverick begins to open up and engage with those around him. He has many new words and is now putting them together.
Alan said he appreciates having access to Jan, the team’s vision specialist, both in their home and via video chat.
“She can see so much more about the natural way Maverick is at home versus how he may be when we go to Morgantown to see his doctor,” Alan said.
As April reflected on their journey, she noted the impact social media had on the couple.
“In today’s world you are surrounded by social media and so much information, it can feel like too much information, but to know early intervention is available to help, eases your mind,” April said. “They identified what he was excelling at and where he needed help.”
Parents are often the first to notice when something feels a little off and are the first and strongest advocate for their child. Their everyday insights help shape the right kind of professional interventions, and their feedback ensures that services are responsible and relevant.
Research consistently shows that when parents are actively engaged, children experience better outcomes. As Maverick grows, his parents continue to implement the EI strategies during playtime, mealtime, and bedtime.
While many parents in EI deserve admiration, there are some who go the extra mile at every visit and implement strategies consistently. April and Alan are two of those parents – always present, always engaged, and wholeheartedly committed to their child’s progress. They are the best example of what makes Early Intervention successful, and Maverick’s EI team is incredibly grateful to work alongside them.
Early Intervention is a statewide system of support for families of children with developmental delays and disabilities aged birth to three, and is funded by the County Board of Developmental Disabilities. If you or someone you know has a child who may need Early Intervention, referrals can be made at www.ohioearlyintervention.org.
Books on Acceptance Donated to Local Libraries
A collection of children’s books encouraging acceptance of people with differing abilities has been donated to the Puskarich Public Library and Conotton Valley and Harrison Hills Elementary School libraries by the Harrison County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
Titles include Just Ask by Sonia Sotomayor; All the Way to the Top by Annette Bay Pimentel; and You are Enough, by Margaret O’Hair. Another book, I Am Not a Label, introduces young readers to 34 artists, athletes, and activists living with disabilities.
The goal of this donation is to help children understand disability, practice kindness, and learn how to interact respectfully with people who are different from them.
“Young children are naturally eager to learn and more open to accepting classmates with developmental differences when they understand what those differences are,” said Harrison CBDD Superintendent Gloria Llewellyn. “These books do that while also highlighting the many ways we are alike, too.”
The Taggart Family (mom Sara is our Board president) presented the children’s book collection to Puskarich Library Director Sandi Thompson.
Harrison Disabilities Board Receives Highest Award
CADIZ – A three-year accreditation, the highest possible award, has been given to the Harrison County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
A nine-member team from the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities completed a comprehensive on-site review in October that yielded the result. The areas reviewed were service and support, health and safety, incident reporting, and the Board’s effectiveness.
The accreditation review included interviews with people with developmental disabilities and their families.
Harrison DD Superintendent Gloria Llewellyn credited the award to the team’s emphasis on providing a positive customer experience.
“Over the past few years, we’ve made changes in how we connect with people,” Llewellyn said. “We want people to live their best lives and it’s extremely important that we have relationships with each one in order for that to happen.”
The reviewers noted the Board’s commitment to doing what is right for people.
The review report stated that the Harrison County Board of Developmental Disabilities is resourceful and accesses grants and other sources to help people served.
“You are doing great things with your resources and do creative things to support people with disabilities,” said Katie Willi, lead reviewer for the Ohio Department of DD.
The Board’s support of providers and other community partners was also recognized.
“You set the tone for services delivered in the county and it’s clearly positive,” Willi added.
The Harrison County Board of Developmental Disabilities serves over 100 eligible people, coordinating and funding supports like early intervention (birth to three), school-age assistance, transition from school to work (ages 14 to 22), job-related skill development, employment, residential, respite and transportation. It also operates three integrated preschool classrooms.
Its seven-member board of directors is led by Sara Taggart, president, Chuck George, vice-president, and Mary Carter, secretary. Others serving on the Board are Julianna Dulkoski, Carolyn Kibble, David Ossman, and David Koch.
The Harrison County Board has once more been accredited by the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities for the quality supports and services it coordinates and provides. Pictured at their November 20, 2024, meeting are, left to right: board member Julianna Dulkoski, Superintendent Gloria Llewellyn, Vice-President Chuck George, Board President Sara Taggart, and board members David Koch and David Ossman. Not pictured are Mary Carter and Carolyn Kibble.