County 6th in Ohio in DD employment services

CELINA - Mercer County Cheryl Ann Board of Developmental Disabilities members on Monday learned the county ranks sixth in the state in integrated employment services.

Of Cheryl Ann's adult clients, 52.53 percent are employed in Mercer County and receiving a paycheck. Ohio's state average is 29 percent.

Superintendent Shawn Thieman said Mercer County has been approved for a second ARC home grant for $161,760 to purchase the 10th special-needs home. A home search is beginning in St. Henry. Earlier this year, a grant in the same amount was approved for the construction of an ARC home in Celina. In addition to the grant amount, ARC contributes between $50,000 and $90,000 per home to accommodate the needs of the two to three residents per home.

Board members will use Facebook, Instagram and other digital methods to reach and educate prospective voters as they prepare for the levy renewal on the November ballot. Levy committee members also are working on traditional yard signs and other forms of communication.

Board members want county voters to renew a five-year, 1.94-mill operations levy that would continue to raise $1.2 million annually. The owner of a $100,000 home would continue to pay about $32.87 per year, Thieman has said.

"We are lucky to have what we have - a good tax base and strong manufacturing production, in addition to successful levies," Thieman said.

Chad Sapp of the Mercer County Educational Service Center thanked board members for the opportunity to facilitate the ESC's Community Learning Center on Cheryl Ann premises.

"We have windows, doors, a parking lot, outdoor area and the gym," he said about the program's previously not having had a home.

The program helps Mercer County residents transition to the work world.

Cheryl Ann staff member Karen Leugers presented results from the summer work exploration program for 14- to 17-year-olds. Teens ages 14-15 participated in a "what does work look like program" as they bagged groceries, purchased drinks at McDonald's and then returned to their classroom to create their own breakfast and reviewed nutrition facts. They also visited Walmart for a retail experience and then enjoyed recreational time operating remote-controlled airplanes at Bunge Park and a summer's-end pool party. The group met for an entire day once weekly from the end of school until the Mercer County Fair.

Teens ages 16-17 experienced a more in-depth work exploration as they discussed construction and built their own planters and filled them with plants. They visited S&S Farms, a hydroponic lettuce grower, where participants cut, packed and boxed the product. The fish hatchery and Pets and More covered areas of animal care, while Kids Kastle provided insight into child care, food preparation and laundry. CJ's HighMarks restaurant provided a behind-the-scenes kitchen experience, while Marshall's demonstrated the stock room and retailing experience. Students also learned how to check tires for air pressure and volunteered at the Senior Citizens garage sale.

The board heard about language changes in the Employment First Policy: Four Paths to Employment, which will track and monitor participants. Members approved the motion to adopt the new language.

The "Brutus Buckeye" chainsaw sculpture auction raised a record-breaking $10,000 at the Mercer County Fair with 50 percent going to Cheryl Ann programs and the remainder going to various other organizations and the fair board. Kerry Roberts of C-Town Wings and the Spoltman family battled for the highest bid with Roberts taking the win in the end.