Through The Years...
1977-1979
In August of 1977, the SB40 tax levy was passed to provide residential and other related services to people with mental retardation/developmental disabilities in Lincoln County. A total of $60,280.00 was collected in tax revenues that year. Also, in 1978, the Lincoln County SB40 Board was appointed by the County Commission and our agency -the Lincoln County SB40 (now referred to as COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES for People with Developmental Disabilities) built the first group home off South Main Street in Troy (now Opportunity Court). In 1979 construction was completed on the second group home.
1984- 1985
On September 4, 1985, Jim Struttman of Hannibal Regional Center (HRC) informed the SB40 Board that HRC is interested in constructing a multi-purpose building for Early Childhood and SELS (adult day program)-the Board was receptive to the idea of locating such a building. On November 6, 1985, the Board formed a building committee for planning construction on the multi-purpose building. On December 4, 1985, Bob Wermuth gave his notice of resignation to the Board of his position as Administrator for Housing, effective December 31, 1985. Bob retained the position of manager at the sheltered workshop.
1986-1987
On January 8, 1986, the Board approved signing a contract with Bob Kuda to draw plans, build and oversee the construction of the multi-purpose building. The County Court stated that after a treasurer was appointed to the SB40 Board the board could handle their own funds. On March 3, 1986, the first full-time Executive Director, Mary Sullivan-Thomas, was hired to oversee operations. On November 16, 1986, the ground breaking ceremony for the new multi-purpose building took place. The Board began to fund transportation to the workshop. In July 1987, Mary applied for and received a grant from Missouri Planning Council for $8100.00 to start Early Intervention services. In the Summer of 1987 The Learning Center (multi-purpose building) was completed (pictured) to house the Early Childhood and Adult Day Program (SELS -later called ACETS and now referred to as Community & Employment Services) and administrative offices. The Early Childhood Board and SELS program asked the SB40 Board to officially assume full responsibilities for the programs. December 2, 1987, the Board approved further preschool expansion of services by allowing enrollment of non-handicapped children ages 0-5 (into available spaces) into our preschool. Also in 1987, the Lincoln County SB40 became one of the first providers in the state of Medicaid Waiver Services.
1988-1990
On April 6, 1988, Darla Gamble was appointed SELS Program Specialist. We changed our name from Lincoln County Handicapped Housing Board to Lincoln County SB40 Board/Residential Facilities. July 16, 1990, the Department of Mental Health requested that the Lincoln County SB40 assume residential services responsibility for 19 residents of Rosewood Group Homes. Our agency began providing Individualize Supported Living Services (ISL Services) and leased three apartments at Marblehead. The agency purchased a house on Charles Street in Troy and began to build a 4-bedroom home in Trojan Lake Estates. In December 1990 we signed a contract with Vocational Rehabilitation to enable us to hire a Job Coach.
1991-1992
In August 1991, Supported Employment received a $13,500.00 grant from the Missouri Planning Council. In 1991 we began providing Community Integration Services. The Board started a deferred compensation (457) retirement plan for full-time employees. The agency received it's first 3 year National Accreditation from CARF.
1993-1994
In January 1993, our agency began conducting Program Evaluation (n.k.a. Outcome Measurement). In 1993 we began contracting with all four school districts in Lincoln County for Early Childhood Special Education Services. The agency received a Respite Care Grant through the federal government. March 3, 1993, Mary informed the Board she was asked to serve as a MACDDS Representative on a DMH Committee to assist in developing state Certification Principles. In 1994 a grant was received to hire a Job Developer for Supported Employment. The Adult Day Program-SELS, was combined with Supported Employment to better serve individuals receiving those services.
1995-1996
June 1995, our agency wrote a grant, on behalf of the Sheltered Workshop, to the Department of Natural Resources to receive $100,000.00 to expand their recycling program. Our board agreed to provide the required matching funds. In July 1995, our agency received our second 3 year CARF Accreditation. In 1995 a portion of the Preschool classes were moved to an inclusive setting at Head Start. Susan Mudd was promoted to Director of Children's Services. In 1996 we began providing Community Inclusion Services to individuals in the Day Program. 1996 our agency agreed to do the Sheltered Workshop's bookkeeping and took over temporary management of the Sheltered Workshop at their board's request.
1997-1999
In June 1997, our agency received an $8000.00 grant from Ronald McDonald House Charities for the preschool sensory integration room; The Troy Kiwanis helped McCarthy Bros. Construction complete the playground; Cuivre River Electric, Troy VFW and the Silex Lions Club awarded the preschool with grants to purchase kitchen appliances. In 1997 the new Preschool, which is located at 123 ABC Lane in Troy, was built and opened that August for the '97-'98 school year. October 19, 1997 was the Grand Opening of the new preschool building located at 123 ABC Lane. 1998 Kathy Williams was hired as Residential Director. 1998 construction of new residential offices in the main building was completed. In May of 1998, one of our residential clients fulfilled his lifelong dream and purchased his own mobile home. On February 10, 1998 a second residential consumer purchased her own home. In the Spring of 1998, Toyota donated a new Sienna Van to our agency which was presented by Bodine Aluminum. We began transition services with local school districts for students transitioning from school to work. Our Board approved an agency funded retirement plan for all full-time employees. In Spring of 1999 our agency began providing space for a satellite office for Vocational Rehabilitation. In January 1999, our agency underwent it's third CARF Survey and was given zero recommendations which is an outcome achieved by less than 3% of the 3,000 agencies surveyed by CARF.
2000-Today
In 2000, our agency was featured in the Missouri Community Betterment Project. We helped organize and held a Transition Fair for high school students and their families at the Troy High School. We assisted in conducting a Transportation Needs Assessment for Lincoln County through the Lincoln County Journal. In June 2001, our agency received an operations grant from MO DOT. December 12-14, 2001, our agency successfully completed it's fourth CARF survey and received another 3 year accreditation. In 2001, the number of young children receiving services had reached an all time high with sixty-eight children receiving ECSE Services and seventeen infants/toddlers receiving Early Intervention Services. In March 2002, Lincoln County began providing public transportation through The Linc. In April/May 2002, the Elks Dental Van came to Lincoln County for the first time. In 2002 Support Care Management was added to Employment Services and we began conducting Comprehensive Transition Assessments with the Troy School District. We received a new van through a grant from MODOT. Today, our Residential Services has expanded to eight rental, four agency owned, and two client owned residences. Agency wide we serve approximately 200 clients, and employ about 80 people. The agency's budget this year is approximately $2,700,000. The estimated SB40 (county) tax revenues to be collected for the 2002-2003 fiscal year is $407,015.00.