Inclusive playground planned for Fox Island
Logan County Board of Developmental Disabilities members heard from members of the Come Play at the Lake, Fox Island project, at their Thursday evening virtual meeting.
Members Cynthia Defibaugh, Mike Hibner and Charlie Strete shared a presentation on inclusive parks and gave the specific details of their current fundraising efforts. The team has already raised over $100,000 out of the projected costs of $300,000.
Superintendent Bauer expressed his gratitude to the Come Play at the Lake team for their diligence and enthusiastic support during the pandemic to continue their dream of an inclusive playground on Fox Island.
The board approved a resolution to match the fundraising efforts of the Come Play at the Lake team up to $150,000 for the Fox Island playground.
Plans are to start construction on the new playground this spring.
The superintendent related that the project aligns with the agency’s strategic plan goal of Community Inclusion – “All people with developmental disabilities will be members and participate in the life of their communities.”
The board’s strategic plan created this objective in 2018 to increase the number of inclusive parks in Logan County so children of all abilities can play together.
In the fall of 2019, the Come Play at the Peak Playground opened at Mary Rutan Park following similar community fundraising efforts to create an all-inclusive playground.
Also during the meeting, the board was informed that the Logan County Health District staff have worked closely with the LCBDD to help distribute vaccines to vulnerable citizens, including people with developmental disabilities.
Superintendent Bauer and school superintendents meet regularly with Logan County Health Commissioner Dr. Boyd Hoddinott to receive current information about COVID-19.
“The LCHD has been very helpful and has worked closely and cooperatively with our agency,” the superintendent said. “Over 100 people with developmental disabilities have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and some have received the second dose.
“The agency’s SSA department did amazing work registering and organizing the vaccinations with the LCHD.”
Several videos were made and are available on our Facebook page to encourage others to get their vaccination. One of the videos were shared with the Ohio Association of County Boards (OACB) and Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) and can be accessed at, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmamSQl265o&feature=youtu.be.
Bauer is also working with Mary Rutan Hospital to coordinate the vaccinations of the LCBDD staff in March. This will help with the staffing shortage the agency is experiencing because of quarantine requirements.
Superintendent Bauer also presented information and updates from the Ohio Association of County Boards. He reviewed the 2020 OACB highlights and discussed their four pillars of service: Advocacy, Communications, Professional Development and Technical Assistance.
“They are a wonderful resource for our agency and provide needed support for County Boards of DD and for the people we serve,” he said.
The superintendent reflected on everything that LCBDD did in 2020 and he and the board expressed his gratitude for the staff and providers and how they stepped up during the difficult year.
“People with developmental disabilities are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19. The safety measures and services provided by the employees and providers (DSPs) provide a safe environment for the people we serve. It has required many additional job responsibilities, and employees have done exceptional work during the pandemic. We are grateful for their dedication and hard work during this exceptional time.”
Superintendent Bauer was overwhelmed by the numerous thank you letters, e-mails and cards that he received thanking the board for the end-of-the year recognition and appreciation incentives.
In financial business, the board ended the 2020 calendar year with the general fund at 80.56 percent utilization and the Community Support Fund is 88.18 percent utilized. Revenues in the general fund are 97.95 percent collected while the Community Support Fund is 137.56 percent collected.
Year-to-date expenses in the general fund are 6.4 percent lower than this time last year and the revenue general fund is 2.23 percent lower than this time last year.
In final board business, members passed a resolution recognizing October as Logan Counties Disability Awareness Campaign. The Board also updated and made changes to several policies and procedures and updated a few annual contracts and agreements.
The finance committee will meet virtually at noon Monday, Feb. 26. The next virtual board meeting takes place at 5 p.m. Thursday, March 4. These meetings are open to the public.
Contact Deb Morrison at (937) 292-3011 to receive the link to join the meetings.