Easterseals Serving Greater Cincinnati and Redwood have combined agencies. The new entity, Easterseals Redwood (ESRW), will meet the needs of the growing number of individuals with disabilities, veterans, and individuals facing economic challenges in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky region.
Read the full press release here.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Easterseals Redwood
We are combining to serve more clients and families in the Tri-State. The needs of people with disabilities are evolving; the numbers are growing. By sharing best practices and expertise, we can expand our services to those with disabilities, economic disadvantages, and veterans better and faster. The river sometimes impedes collaboration, but not in this case. We will serve clients and families in Northern Kentucky and Southwest Ohio from birth to adulthood. Imagine the impact!
The world is changing for people with disabilities and the providers who serve them; this was amplified during the pandemic. That’s why we believe this is the right time to combine. We are both strong agencies. Together we will be stronger, with the ability to:
- Expand and further develop innovative solutions that improve the lives of those we serve
- Serve more people with disabilities, economic disadvantages, and veterans
- Have the financial resources to meet unfunded mandates and regulatory compliances
- Dedicate expertise to key positions and build a more robust technology infrastructure
- Be better prepared to respond to for-profit entities who want to compete with us
- Be better prepared to weather future unforeseen challenges like COVID-19
- Be the employer of choice that attracts and retains the best talent
Both agencies are deeply rooted in disability services. In fact, both agencies were founded by families, for families, with a vision of creating a better future for adults and children with disabilities.
- Easterseals empowers through employment – helping individuals with disabilities, economic disadvantages, and veterans, access fulfilling and meaningful work opportunities, and leading the way to full equity, inclusion, and access.
- Redwood shatters barriers with educational, therapeutic, and vocational services – helping children and adults with severe and multiple disabilities to shine bright and reach their highest potential.
Yes, it will be Easterseals Redwood. We love this name because it conveys true partnership, the power of the combined brand, and comprehensive high-quality services we will provide to people across the region.
Easterseals Serving Greater Cincinnati is a local affiliate of a national organization. Its programs, service, and governance are all local, and 100% of the funds raised are used locally. The national Easterseals network supports its local affiliates through increased advocacy at the state and federal level, fundraising assistance, and a network of peers who are experts in disability services.
Pam Green, CEO of Easterseals Serving Greater Cincinnati, will be the CEO of Easterseals Redwood. Sharon Fusco, CEO of Redwood, will retain chief executive status of Redwood through the end of the year. She will focus on strategic planning, execution, and supporting Pam through the transition. Following the combination, Sharon will be on retainer as an executive consultant.
The directors and senior leaders of both agencies will remain the same as they are today. Current members of both Boards will be invited to serve on the new Easterseals Redwood board. The Board’s first chair will be from Easterseals. The second will be from Redwood.
- Easterseals empowers through employment – helping individuals with disabilities, economic disadvantages, and veterans, access fulfilling and meaningful work opportunities, and leading the way to full equity, inclusion, and access.
- Redwood shatters barriers with educational, therapeutic, and vocational services – helping children and adults with severe and multiple disabilities to shine bright and reach their highest potential.
About My Services
The programs and services you receive from our agencies today will continue just as they are, with the same staff, and in the same locations. We love what we do and how we do it. This combination is about serving more people in our region for many years to come.
You will go to the same locations and work with the same people you do today.
Everything stays the same for signing up for programs and services. You'll visit eastersealsgc.org or RedwoodNKY.org or contact your current case manager.
Easterseals Redwood will need time to ramp up staffing and other resources to begin services in another state. However, we know there are gaps in services for people with disabilities in both states. For instance, Easterseals does not currently offer medical therapy services. We want to grow to address these needs as quickly as possible.
Easterseals helps some veterans in Northern Kentucky today, most of whom have disabilities seen and unseen. We also partner with Boone County schools to offer Project Search for transition-aged youth with disabilities. We expect the combination with Redwood will help serve more Northern Kentucky veterans with access to new partners and opportunities.
We believe there will be opportunities to expand therapy offerings in Ohio and workforce development opportunities for veterans with disabilities in Northern Kentucky relatively quickly. We are hopeful that by the end of our first year as Easterseals Redwood, we will be able to start making announcements about new services available in the Tri-State.
