Logan County Board of Developmental Disabilities participated in a training during their Thursday evening virtual meeting led by RTC Industries Inc. Executive Director Tonya Reed, who detailed board-sponsored grants that provided for specialty services tailored for clients during the pandemic.
She related that March 16, 2020, RTC was forced to close the Studio, Instant Replay, and some of the offices, and then all offices were closed on March 18, 2020, as a result of the health crisis.
The agency was approved for the LCBDD Provider Support grant March 27, 2020. Also, through the COVID-19 Crisis Services Grant, RTC was able to loan staff to Champaign Residential Services Inc. to assist with HPC services needed in CRSI group homes.
RTC utilized the grant money to fund remote services, in-person visits, Zoom classes, deliveries of packets to clients, increased virtual communication, tablets and IT assistance.
The agency hosted a Zoom book club that read three books and is in the process of getting a book published by the book club participants. Other creative endeavors included deliveries of art projects, Zoom cooking classes, a Halloween party via Zoom with trivia and costume contests and sending letters to residents of area nursing homes.
With the new grants, they were able to utilize the RTC Instant Replay area to provide creative services, and were able to install a divider in the Pos-Abilities area and open a storage room to provide services to people safely.
Reed said the LCBDD Grant allowed them to safely serve nearly 100 individuals, make 1,445 contacts and provide 10 tablets to individuals so people with developmental disabilities could receive meaningful services during a challenging time.
The grant also allowed them to increase provider wages from $12 per hour to $13.75 per hour.
“We are very thankful to the Logan County Board of Developmental Disabilities and all of the support that we have received from them,” Reed said. “This support has been crucial to us and the people we serve during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Superintendent Saul Bauer shared a letter from Scott DeLong, CRSI president, who expressed appreciation for grants and other supports from the LCBDD.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Logan County Board of DD stepped up in so many ways, assisting with finding staff, providing emotional support and just being there for everyone.
“Highlights that meant so much to staff where goodie bags during DSP recognition week, $250 Christmas Gift Cards, meals dropped off periodically to the homes, boredom buster bags, Christmas caroling at each of the homes while delivering lawn decorations, bags of activities at Christmas, weekly provider meeting, grocery shopping for CRSI staff, providing PPE, assisting with vaccinations, and providing incentives for staff during a COVID outbreak.”
During the regular meeting, officials offered their thanks to the community for the support of the spring 2021 flower sale.
“We are truly blessed to have such a supportive community. We could not do all of the wonderful things we do without your generosity,” Bauer said.
“I would like to give special thanks to Becky Robison for spearheading this fundraiser and coordinating all of the volunteers,” said Deb. Morrison, human resources director. “We are truly blessed with wonderful employees, volunteers and a supportive community who made this event so successful.”
Proceeds from the flower sale benefits many causes, including the “Come Play at the Lake” project to support inclusive playgrounds in Logan County, with earth-moving now under way at the Fox Island playground site.
The total cost to complete this playground is approximately $325,000 and donations are still being sought to assist with the completion of this project. If you would like to donate, contact Becky Robison, at (937) 292-3008.
In other board business, the superintendent shared the new LCBDD Protocol to Prevent the Spread of Severe Illness During a Pandemic. Effective May 31, employees can conduct in person meetings as requested by families or individuals following safety protocol. Virtual meetings or phone calls are still the preferred options.
The updated protocol is available at https://www.logancbdd.org/.
Deb Shotts, LCBDD nurse, also provided related information to LCBDD staff: If staff are not fully vaccinated, then they are asked to continue wearing a mask, stay 6 feet apart, have good ventilation and wash hands. People are considered fully vaccinated: two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
In financial business, the board ended March 2021 with the general fund at 21.35 percent utilization and the Community Support Fund is 24.10 percent utilized.
Revenues in the general fund are 49.53 percent collected while the Community Support Fund is 111.13 percent collected and the Capital Fund is 100 percent collected. Year to date expenses in the general fund are 14.32 percent higher than this time last year and the revenue general fund is 2.21 percent higher than this time last year.
The finance committee will meet virtually at noon Friday, May 28. The next virtual board meeting takes place at 5 p.m. Thursday, June 3. These meetings are open to the public. Contact Deb Morrison at (937) 292-3011 to receive the link to join the meetings.