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First of all, many thanks to Robert Harbour for the benefit for Clermont
County MRDD which was held on August 8th. What a beautiful
setting Harbourwood is! We are always grateful to be supported by
people in our community who understand how necessary our services really
are.
It’s finally
moving month! Your MRDD Administration offices, the Adult Services
Program at DAC and our SSA and MUI department are all finally moving to
the Wildey Center. We are so pleased with our new setting and expect to
be announcing a “Grand Opening/Dedication” for sometime in October. You
shouldn’t see any interruption in services; our phone lines, email and
other necessary communication will be working as usual. Of course, our
Wildey School Age Program is in full swing; the students returned in
late August to their newly renovated and very bright and cheerful wing.
House Bill 562,
the Capital and Budget Corrections Bill, was recently signed into law by
Governor Ted Strickland. Included in this bill are some items of
interest to MRDD: Addressing Community Housing needs are part of the
$21,500.774 capital improvement appropriations plan which also includes
facilities’ infrastructure and improvement planning; reports will be
required from County Boards of MRDD who provide children with special
education and related services; up to 100 ICFMR beds may have the
opportunity to be converted to a Home and Community Based Waiver, thus
increasing community based options for individuals; there will be new
funds available to provide for children with intensive behavioral needs;
there is requirement that the Director of ODMRDD work with ODJFS and
university based programs specializing in services for individuals with
MRDD to establish a program for children with intensive behavioral needs
(including individuals diagnosed with autism); county boards and private
non-profit agencies are given more flexibility to construct housing; the
Tax Equity appropriation is being corrected to mitigate changes to
funding for County Boards in MRDD which were planned. This information
is not meant to be all inclusive so please feel free to call us if you
want further information.
Looking forward
to seeing as many of you as possible at our Wildey Dedication!
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