Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities Director Kim Hauck recently announced that the Logan County Board of Developmental Disabilities is a recipient of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Grant, totaling $249,819.
“These investments are truly going to make a difference for people with developmental disabilities and their families by giving them more access to the communities where they live,” Gov. DeWine said. “People with developmental disabilities deserve opportunities, a reliable workforce, and an accessible state to live, learn, work, and succeed in.”
LCBDD Superintendent Krista Oldiges, along with the board members and staff, are focusing on ensuring Logan County is a place where everyone will be able to work, play and live together.
“This grant provides us with a wonderful opportunity to not only enhance LCBDD’s current services, but to make our community more accessible for people with disabilities,” Oldiges said. “Creating an inclusive community allows people of all abilities to participate and increases a sense of belonging.”
The board received $123,560 under the Supported Connections to the Community category of the grant. This will include:
• Music therapy for children birth to 3 years of age as well as responsive parenting classes for families that uses the IDEAS framework out of the Harvard Center for the Developing Child.
• Autism kits will be created with information on local, state and national resources along with sensory toys.
• Assistance with the cost of summer youth camps to help children learn, make new friends, and create positive connections and memories.
• Additional informal respite funding to help assist families to provide care for their child when they are not able to use traditional childcare options.
• Funding for modified or non-traditional transportation to out of county medical appointments for crucial care medical needs.
• Assistance for assistive technology equipment and subscriptions to ensure the doctor or therapist recommended equipment is obtained to assist the person with their medical needs when not covered by medical insurance.
In addition, the board received $126,255 under the Accessible Communities category of the grant, which will include:
• Providing sensory kits to the local libraries. These kits can be checked out to help children who feel overstimulated while at the library.
• Sensory-sensitive, adaptive and inclusive yoga classes will be offered for all ages at Home Grown Yoga.
• Handicap accessible door openers will be installed in community businesses.
• Increasing inclusive water activities including an ADA compliant kayak launch at Indian Lake and four Mobi-chair floating beach wheelchairs.
• A universal changing table will be available to borrow to provide accessible bathroom facilities for local community events.
The Logan County Board of DD will also have joint ownership in an accessible restroom trailer, which will be made available for community events and other activities in Logan County.
Contact Kelli Bader, LCBDD community first facilitator, at (937) 292-5878 to schedule the use of the accessible restroom trailer, universal changing table or if you are a business in need of a handicap accessible door opener.
