MAHONING COUNTY 70 clients to be reassigned at 3 sheltered workshops

The main goal is to serve more people without building new workshop facilities. There is a waiting list of about 70.
YOUNGSTOWN -- About 70 clients will be reassigned at three adult sheltered workshops of Mahoning County Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, effective March 18, a move officials said will even out the workshop populations and make room for 21 more clients overall.
At present, the Meshel MASCO (Mahoning Adult Service Co.) at 160 Marwood Circle, Boardman; Bev MASCO at 825 Bev Road, Boardman, and Rayen MASCO at 945 W. Rayen Ave., Youngstown, serve about 168, 190 and 155, respectively, Larry Duck, Mahoning County MRDD superintendent, said.
After the realignment, which was discussed at Monday's board meeting, the number of clients at each workshop will be about 180. The main goal is to serve more people without building new facilities. Duck said there is a workshop waiting list of about 70.
Other business: In other action at the meeting, the board approved a $46,529 grant application through Eastgate Council of Governments for a 15-passenger van. If the grant is approved, the local 20 percent match will be about $9,000, said Roger Aiello, director of adult services.
Aiello said MRDD also has a chance to get its grant through a competitive $400,000 Ohio Department of Transportation fund.
The board plans to spend $40,000 in donations received over a period of years for a playground upgrade at Leonard Kirtz School, 4801 Woodridge Drive, Austintown. A committee of staff, parents and clients will make recommendations, Duck said.