Logan County Board of Developmental Disabilities Superintendent Bauer shared information during the board’s Thursday evening virtual meeting about a new program called “Pandemic Pals.”
He explained that the people the agency supports are lonely due to the protocols and mandates necessary to keep safe during the pandemic.
“The holiday season for many can be a lonely time of the year and this year many people are missing companionship. The LCBDD has created a simple way to reach out and fill someone’s life with cheer,” Bauer said.
To participate, people in the community are asked to share a small amount of their time with another person, such by making simple phone call. Contact Kelli Bader at kbader or (937) 292-3086, and she will set up participants with “a safe and rewarding way to reach out to someone in need during the holidays,” officials said.
Also during the holiday season, the LCBDD, provider agencies and friends have organized a safe way to continue the Christmas tradition of caroling.
Beginning next week, volunteers will stop by several designated homes to sing Christmas carols and share holiday cheer with music, a gift basket and a decoration. Clients will remain in their home and the groups that will be visiting will do so from a safe distance.
Superintendent Bauer also presented information about updates to plans for assistance for local COVID-19 crisis services.
He said difficult conversations about the willingness of providers to continue providing care when the potential for becoming ill or carrying the illness to their family started in March and continues to occur, and now a plan has been developed.
The LCBDD created a model that provides continuity of care for people served who are ill and in quarantine due to COVID-19 or with COVID-19 related symptoms. Members approved this plan of action to address a person’s needs or an agency’s needs in response to the pandemic and to help with emergency services associated with COVID-19.
The board is prepared to offer temporary financial and personnel (CB staff) assistance to HPC and ADS Providers in Logan County. This temporary emergency financial assistance is meant to help providers retain and access direct service providers during emergencies.
“By providing a mechanism to increase support for continuity of care during this crisis we will better serve individuals during the different stages of the COVID-19 diagnosis, treatment and recovery,” members said.
In personnel business, the superintendent welcomed new employee Sydney Burton, an instructor at the Discovery Center filling the position of Jill Stackhouse, who will retire at the end of the year. Burton is a graduate of Bellefontaine High School and Bowling Green State University, and attended the Discovery Center as a child.
The board and agency officials also expressed appreciation to the longtime teacher.
“Congratulation Mrs. Stackhouse on your retirement,” members said. “You have touched many lives over the past 25 years of service.”
The LCBDD Early Intervention services continues to provide services to infants and toddlers. Referrals can be made by contacting Early Intervention at (937) 292-3065 for an appointment or for more information, visit www.logancbdd.org/early-intervention.
In financial business the board ended October at 83 percent through the calendar year with the general fund at 68 percent utilization and the Community Support Fund is 87 percent utilized.
Revenues in the general fund are 91 percent collected, while the Community Support Fund is 138 percent collected.
Year-to-date expenses in the general fund are 6 percent lower than this time last year and the revenue general fund is 4.49 percent lower than this time last year.
In final board business, Superintendent Bauer and the Board expressed their gratitude to the employees of the LCBDD and employees of provider agencies for their excellent services during the pandemic.
The finance committee will meet virtually at noon Monday, Jan. 28. The next virtual board meeting takes place at 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4. These meetings are open to the public. Contact Deb Morrison at (937) 292-3011 to receive the link to join the meetings.