About Knox MRDD

Fifty years ago, a group of Knox County parents of children with developmental disabilities banded together to support and enrich the lives of individuals in Knox County who had developmental disabilities. Ten years later, the Knox County Board of MR/DD was established as the local government agency charged with the responsibility to serve and protect these same individuals and their families.

Over the past forty years, the Board has filled many roles, doing whatever was necessary to help individuals live fulfilling lives and be welcomed as members of our community. As our residents' needs have changed and government regulations have evolved, the services and supports offered have changed to ensure that the Board continues to serve the best interests of individuals in Knox County.

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Featured Notices

School Supply Drive

The Knox County Board of MRDD in partnership with Interchurch Social Services is hosting a school supply drive from June 22– July 10. This drive will help provide school supplies to children of needy families in Knox County so they can be more successful in school. Drop off locations include the Knox County Board of MRDD and Knox County Head Start (11700 Upper Gilchrist Road); Krogers (855 Coshocton Ave); Gambier Head Start (115 Meadow Ln, Gambier); Interchurch (306 W Gambier St); and The Freedom Center (106 E Gambier St). Come in during any of these locations' regular business hours to drop off new school supplies for area children. The supplies will be distributed through the Backpack Giveaway at Riverside park August 13, 5pm—7pm. For a list of items needed click HERE

For more details on the Backpack Giveaway visit www.backpackgiveaway.com

Bill Passed to Remove MR

COLUMBUS - The tireless efforts of self-advocates for the developmentally disabled from across the state has pushed Senate Bill (SB) 79, known as the “MRDD Name Change Bill,” all the way through the Senate. This bill passed the Ohio House of Representatives by a unanimous vote Wednesday, June 10th, and unanimously passed in the Senate on Wednesday, June 17th.

This historic legislation will remove the word “Mental Retardation” from the Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (ODMRDD) and the 88 county boards it governors.

“They listened to my testimony and they removed the word that burns my heart,” said John G. Gillespie, a self-advocate and trainer for People First of Ohio. Gillespie was one of many self-advocates that testified before the House of Representatives on behalf of this bill. The bill was co-sponsored by more than two-thirds of the 128th General Assembly by the time it was voted on by the House of Representatives, passing unanimous.

"Self-advocates across the state deserve credit for their determined efforts to educate legislators and gain their support for the name change," said Joellen Hunter, Advocacy Director People First of Ohio.

SB 79 has already been approved by the Senate once, but Senators needed to vote once again on the measure because amendments were added by the House. One of these changes, Amendment 5362, gives County Boards of MRDD the opportunity to exhaust all of their existing supplies that have the word “mental retardation” before making the change.

The bill now awaits the signature of Governor Strickland, effectively becoming a law ninety (90) days after his signature.

The movement to remove ‘mental retardation” from state and county agencies follows a national shift away from use of the term 'Mental Retardation' in agencies that are responsible for providing services to individuals with developmental disabilities. Ohio is one of only six states that still had the term ‘mental retardation’ in the name of official agencies.
 
Sadie Hunter, Executive Director People First of Ohio said that the self-advocates she worked with over the last ten years of advocating for this change gave her the strength to believe this change would happen.  “"I am so proud of the advocates,” she said “and the other agencies in Ohio who got on the bandwagon and supported the advocates desires.”

Steve Oster, Superintendent of The Knox County Board of MRDD, said that the Knox County Board of MRDD had already begun planning for the name change and has a representative participating in a workgroup that is putting together a state-wide awareness campaign.

“The Knox County Board serves a very diverse community of individuals,” said Oster. “People aren’t aware that the individuals we serve with Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Down Syndrome, Mental Retardation and many other developmental disabilities have so much to offer their communities. We look at this change as an opportunity to educate the community about the many abilities of people with developmental disabilities.”

Born Learning Trail

Knox County’s own Born Learning Trail was unveiled on June 20th at United Way’s Day of Action at Riverside Park.The Knox County Board of MRDD  joined The City of Mount Vernon, The Community Foundation of Mount Vernon & Knox County, Mortellaro McDonalds, Ohio District Kiwanis Foundation, The Energy Operation Round-Up and Kiwanis Club of Mount Vernon in supporting the installation of equipment that promotes the on-going learning experiences that shape young minds and help them be more successful in school.

Over 30 toddlers and parents joined us on our obstacle course reinforcing gross motor skills, following directions and problem solving. Coloring books that emphaisze the acceptance of children of all abilities, stickers, bubbles, and information about early learning and reading skills were provided to each.

Knox County's Own Danielle Brown is Ms. Wheelchair Ohio 09!

Knox County’s own Danielle Brown from Danville won this year’s Ms. Wheelchair Ohio. Brown, 25, competed against individuals with disabilities from across the state for the Ms. Wheelchair America pageant’s Ms. Ohio crown.
As part of her responsibilities as Ms. Wheelchair Ohio 2009, Brown will spend the year speaking at events across Ohio advocating for awareness and accessibility for all individuals with disabilities. She will have the opportunity to travel, visiting advocacy groups, making public appearances and conducting radio, print and TV interviews.
Ms. Brown recently graduated from the Knox County Career Center where she received a degree in Computer Office Technology. She is the treasurer of the Knox County Aktion Club, a Kiwanis sponsored club for adult individuals with disabilities to learn leadership through community service. She also models clothing for the local Fashion Bug and has participated in Special Olympics, winning gold and silver medals in swimming. She is currently seeking sponsors to help her compete in the national Ms. Wheelchair America pageant taking place this August in South Dakota.
For more information visit:
www.MsWheelchairOhio09.com or e-mail MsWheelchairOhio09@gmail.com

Parent 2 Parent Group Gets Rolling

Parent 2 Parent needs you! The Knox County Board of MRDD is supporting the formation of the Parent 2 Parent Support Group. This group welcomes families to build the connections that will help their children live fuller lives in the community. Parents of school aged children with disabilities can tap into the experience and specialized knowledge of other parents that understand their questions, concerns and frustrations. Parents experienced in the challenges and triumphs of raisings a child with special needs can provide a family struggling with the same concerns and challenges as they once did with guidance, support, resources and advocacy. All participants are volunteers that can have as little or as much involvement as they would like. To learn more about this growing program go to: www.knoxmrdd.com/p2p.html

Special Edition of The Ambassador

The Knox County Board of MRDD could not wait to tell everyone about all the great partnerships, events and activities that happened in March! So, we issued a special edition of our Ambassador newsletter, called ‘Branching Out,’ to talk about all our community growth! To read this publication online (PDF format) click HERE!

Our Goal is "Green"

If you have not yet given us your e-mail address, there is no better time than the present! You can receive publications and other information the “green” way. You can help save money and save trees! Please send us your name and e-mail address to: support@knoxmrdd.com.