Logan County Board of Developmental Disabilities Superintendent Saul Bauer announced during the agency’s Thursday evening virtual meeting that the Logan County Health District has approved the LCBDD Agency Plan along with the plan to re-open the Discovery Center.
Details of these reopening plans can be found on the agency’s new website, www.logancbdd.org.
Head Start and the RTC Day Program opening procedures also were shared with the board and those programs have resumed operation in the agency buildings, officials said. The Special Olympics Return to Play Guidelines for Ohio were updated as well.
Bauer has been working with the management team to update the Return to Work Plan, relating that the planning process includes protections for many of the vulnerable citizens in Logan County, and incorporates guidelines from the Ohio Department of Education, Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities, the Ohio Association of County Boards, along with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the LCHD.
The superintendent expressed his gratitude to the management team for their dedicated efforts and creative solutions.
“The team meets nearly every day to review services and plan for the reopening of these important and necessary services including Early Intervention, Preschool, Teens in Transition, Adult Day Services, Employment Services, Transportation, Special Olympics and Retiree services.
“The team has developed several plans and has reviewed plans from several agencies as services reopen throughout our county. Thank you to the management team and to the agency providers who continue to assure that people with disabilities receive necessary services.
Also during the meeting, Jon Brown, Residential Administrators Inc. executive director, trained the LCBDD board members on the Housing Corporation and shared the housing projects and plans.
“Nothing makes me happier than seeing the smile on the face of someone we helped move into a home,” he said.
His agency works with clients who have developmental disabilities, as well as mental health and alcohol/drug abuse problems.
Brown shared pictures of 10 homes managed by Residential Administrators for residents with developmental disabilities and gave an update to the condition of each home.
Residential Administrators applied for financial assistance from the state to begin two significant projects this year, including the building of a quadplex for individuals with developmental disabilities. However, funding for these projects was pulled back at the state level due to the pandemic.
The executive director said he loves providing a much-needed service in the community, and thanked the board for their continued support.
Brison Allmon was welcomed as the new maintenance supervisor, who joined the agency July 27. Brison has prior experience as a propane technician, exterminator/pest control, and maintenance experience and is currently training with maintenance supervisor, Gary Morris, who will be retiring in October.
Superintendent Bauer also expressed his gratitude to Mike Orahood, LCBDD custodian, who retired July 6 after nine years of service.
“Mike will be greatly missed by the staff and clients,” he said.
In other board business, Superintendent Bauer explained that most of employees continue to provide services remotely. If an in-person meeting or screening is needed, it is scheduled when few people are in the building and the required safety protocol are followed.
In financial business, the board ended June, 50 percent through the calendar year, with the general fund at 38 percent utilization and the Community Support Fund at 64.8 percent utilized.
Revenues are 53.4 percent collected while the Community Support Fund is 137.6 percent collected. Year-to-date expenses in the general fund are 1.85 percent higher than this time last year and the revenue general fund is about 4.18 percent higher than this time last year.
In other financial business, LCBDD completed its 10-year projection plan for the budget, which was submitted and approved.
Sarah Holmes, assistant auditor for Auditor of State Keith Faber, reported that she finished the audit of the agency’s Medicaid MAC. The audit was clean and updates will follow if anything is found in the review process.
The finance committee will meet virtually at noon Friday, Aug. 28. The next virtual board meeting is at 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3.
These meetings are open to the public. Details on how to attend will be announced in the local media and can be obtained by contacting the board office.