Campaign begins for MRDD levy renewal
The levy represents about 50 percent of MRDD's $22 million 2006 budget.
AUSTINTOWN -- The Mahoning County Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities has kicked off the campaign for its 3-mill, 5-year levy, which is on the Nov. 8 general election ballot.
The levy raises about $11.5 million a year, which represents about 50 percent of MRDD's $22 million 2006 budget.
This year's levy is a renewal, which means no new taxes, said Larry Duck, MRDD superintendent.
The Mahoning County MRDD is funded by two levies. The second, a 2-mill, 5-year levy, which will be up for renewal in November 2006, produces some $5.2 million a year.
These levies are needed to maintain services, Duck said.
Services provided
The MRDD program offers educational, vocational and support services to families with developmentally disabled children and adults. Nearly 1,200 individuals are enrolled in the County Board of MRDD programs, Duck said.
Specific programs and services include:
ULeonard Kirtz School for school-age (6-21) and preschool (3-6) children.
UEarly intervention services for children ages up to age 3.
UAdult services programs at sheltered workshop sites operated by the county board for 550 adults.
UPurchase of service day programs for 60 adult clients at two private MRDD providers.
USupported community employment program for about 90 individuals in community businesses.
URecently opened the Centre at Javit Court, 153 Javit Court, for elderly and medically fragile clients. There are 50 clients in the program, and the new Centre can serve up to 95 individuals when fully operational.
UFunding for residential programs in the community for some 150 individuals.
UTransportation services for all program participants with a fleet of 40 buses and vans.
UCase management and professional services such as nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy.
Increasing need
The need for MRDD services is growing. There are some 100 individuals referred to the program each year for eligibility consideration, Duck said.
There are about 450 individuals on the waiting list for future Medicaid waivers that fund residential and support services.
Many of these individuals live at home with aging parents or family members who one day will be unable to provide in-home care, Duck said.
The state share of the local budget is also shrinking, the superintendent said.
Last year, the Mahoning MRDD lost $4.1 million dollars in Medicaid funds because the state eliminated the community alternative funding system.
Before the loss of CAFS funding, the county board was getting about 65 percent of its revenue from local levies. Now, the percentage of the budget from local levies is 77 percent, Duck said.
"The continued operation of the county's MRDD program depends on local levy funding," he said.
alcorn@vindy.com