MRDD has forum, work sessions

By William K. Alcorn

It is likely the agency’s name will be changed, requiring a strategy to inform the public.

AUSTINTOWN — Finances and programs, and improving and updating the agency’s Web site to provide more information on both, were among topics discussed during the Mahoning County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities’ annual public forum.

The forum Monday at Leonard Kirtz School was attended by about 75 family members of MRDD clients, board staff and others wishing to have input into the county board’s 2009-10 annual plan.

Participants split into work sessions. They were:

UAdministration: Discussion focused on finance, buildings and grounds, technology, human resources, Medicaid and risk management.

UAdult services: Participants talked about sheltered workshops, retirement, supported employment and transportation.

UChildren’s programs: Topics were parent and support team communications, marketing/public relations and the annual planning process.

UCommunity support: The focus was on service and support administration, residential services and waivers, family resources, housing, provider relations and quality assurance.

UMarketing and public relations sessions participants said it is important to begin work, with levy renewals coming up in 2010 and 2011, to alert the public to the new name for the agency.

It is probable, said MRDD Superintendent Larry Duck, that the state will mandate removal of the word “retardation” from the agency’s name, and rename it Mahoning County Board of Developmental Disabilities. It will be necessary, he said, to develop a strategy so people understand that it is the same agency, just with a different name.

The marketing and public-relations participants also recommended that publicity focus on programs, not just on individuals, and development of better ways to get parents involved and keep them informed. Other suggestions were to collaborate more with other organizations so the agency is “not so isolated.” They urged that the Web site be updated and used to improve communications.

The administration session also addressed the Web site, suggesting that it be used to publish the annual budget and other financial information so anyone who is interested can become informed.

Suggestions emanating from the annual forum get put into action, said Duck.

For example, he said reaching out to area public schools for clients was a suggestion from a previous public forum that produced positive results. Duck said greater contact and involvement with school districts resulted in increased enrollment at the board’s Leonard Kirtz School and the Summer Enrichment Program that used to be called a summer camp.

He said the number of clients in the enrichment program rose from 108 for the 2008-09 program to 118 this summer, which was listed as one of the Mahoning County board’s top 10 accomplishments in 2008-09.

alcorn@vindy.com