Washington County receives federal funds to aid residents with developmental disabilities

Washington County has been awarded federal funds to help residents with developmental disabilities.

Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) Director Kim Hauck announced Jan. 18 they will distribute $14.9 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to 67 counties to better support Ohioans with developmental disabilities and their families, according to a press release.

The Washington County Board of Developmental Disabilities (WCBDD) will receive $77,500 for various projects, according to the DODD website.

"For many people with disabilities and their families, an inclusive community starts with an accessible community, and I want to thank county boards and their local partners across Ohio who have identified ways to make this a reality for them," Hauck said.

DeWine agreed with Hauck that the funds will make a difference for Ohioans with developmental disabilities.

"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," DeWine said in the release. "People with developmental disabilities deserve opportunities, a reliable workforce and an accessible state to live, learn, work and succeed in".

Superintendent of the Washington County Board of Developmental Disabilities Brenda Riffe said WCBDD was awarded the funds for several projects. They will be given $15,000 for home modifications and for transportation issues, she said.

They will use the funds to make home modifications for people with complex behavioral needs, Riffe said.

There are families that don't have the means to modify their homes to make their homes safe and secure. The modifications also help foster independence, Riffe said.

"Transportation is one of the biggest hindrances to individuals with disabilities (being able to work)," Riffe said.

Part of the $15,000 will be used to pay for cab services and rides on Community Action Bus Line (CABL) buses to help people with transportation, Riffe said.

According to Riffe, WCBDD will also receive $20,000 to help purchase one large or several small pieces of accessible playground equipment. They have not picked a site yet for the playground equipment and are still looking, Riffe said.

Riffe said they will receive $37,500 to help with getting five universal changing tables put in the community.

Universal Changing Tables are height-adjustable adult size changing tables, according to the website of Changing Spaces Ohio, an advocacy group dedicated to adding universal changing tables in public spaces.

A lot of the people that WCBDD serves have a difficult time going to community events because of the lack of restrooms with universal changing tables, Riffe said.

Riffe said WCBDD plans on putting three tables with day service providers and two in the community.

According to Riffe, the tables cost $7,500 a piece. WCBDD is working to identify locations that can accommodate a changing table.

Some buildings' bathrooms do not have the wall space to have a universal changing table installed. Their goal is to get the universal changing tables installed in downtown Marietta, she said.

According to Riffe, WCBDD will also receive $5,000 to help individuals and their caregivers access and attend community events.

"A lot of our folks are on fixed incomes," Riffe said.

Also, a lot of the individuals they serve have direct service providers that don't have the means to attend events. So, WCBDD will help people with developmental disabilities and their direct service providers attend events like the Washington County Fair.

All of these projects will help WCBDD in its goal to help the people they serve be independent.

"Our goal is always to get them into the community so they can live independently, as they should, to be a member of the community and work and live and play just like anybody else," Riffe said.