Marion County Services for the Developmentally Disabled
Marion County Senate Bill 40
 

Mission Statement

People with disabilities frequently find that they fall through gaps in the servcie system. Filling in those gaps is the philosophy and purspose of Marion County Board of Services for the Developmentally Disabled (MCBSDD).

Our primary goal is to find innovative ways to support the families and bolster the independence of individuals with disabilities. Our mission is to increase choice, respect and competence.

A nine-member, volunteer board of directors appointed by the County Commission governs the activities of this publicly supported agency.

Who's Who

Cathy Arrowsmith, Executive Director -- Supervises all program supervisors, administration, and direct care staff. Monitor and manage all agency operations. Represent MCBSDD at all professional and service organizations.

Joy Pabst, QMRP -- Supervises Bridges and Community Integration supervisors and theri staff, heads the fund raising activities and Family Support meetings. Assists in planning Consumer Night Out, Special Olympics, and Athlete's Day events.

Relna Schroeder, CIST -- Supervises all the Independent Support Living (ISL) supervisors and staff.

Kris Sanderson, Community Integration Liaison -- Supervises the Community Integration staff, Respite, and assists in planning the Conumber Night Out, Special Olympics and Athlete's Day events.

Services Available/Provided/Purchased

Bridges, a day activity and training program, teaches personal care, community and pre-employment skillst o young adults with multiple disabilities. Participants engage in a variety of community activities designed to maximize their physical and mental capabilities.

Community Integration is provided to individuals who live at home or in a group setting. Supporting independent activities and decision making while teaching the skills necessary to live and work in one's own neighborhood provides the cor of this service.

Residential Services (ISL) provides supervision and training in individualized supported living arrangements for men and women with severe disabilities. The residences, each serving no more than three people, are integrated into the neighborhoods of Hannibal and are provided through a contract with the Department of Mental Health.

Recreation

1. Silver and Gold Friends Summer Day Camp serves children enrolled in special education classes for grades 1 through 12. The camp provides supervised recreational activities for children who would otherwise be unable to attend a camp due to the severity of their disabilities.
2. Athlete's Day brings the opportunity to compete in various track style events. Disabled athletes from near and far compete in this popular event.
3. Consumer's Night Out makes local events available after hours. Consumers enjoy the festivals and evening activities that would otherwise be unavailable to them.
4. Special Olympics, a new opportunity that has been added to MCBSDD in order to allow those who want to be a part of sports competition. MCBSDD had their firs Basketball competition in January of 2004 and are in the planning stage of future events.

Respite Care is a program that provides funding for families to purchase attendant services to enable them to attend a personal business and other concerns and is made available through a joint effort with the Hannibal Regional Center.

Family Support is a variety of services to families of children with disabilities that help to insure that their special needs are being met. These services include:

• Assistance with the purchase of adaptive equipment for those without Medicaid or other insurance coverage.
• Financial assistance with insurance deductibles and co-pay expenses for disability related services.
• Funding for parents to attend conferences and seminars relating to their child's disability.

Employment Services is when funding support is provided for employment programs enabling adults with developmental disabilities to earn incomes and demonstrate their productivity in the workforce.

Transportation is provided to individuals employed at the Northeast Missouri and Monroe City Sheltered Workshops, as well as a variety of supported employment work sites. MCBSDD operates a daily transportation route with door-to-door services in Palmyra and Hannibal. Passengers are transported to employment and training programs.

Referral/Eligibility

Eligibility for services includes any person whose disability began before the age of 22, is likely to continue indefinitely, and results in major problems in at least two of these areas:

• Walking
• Talking
• Learning
• Self-Care
• Self-Direction
• Living or Working Independently

Referrals generally come fromt he Hannibal Regional Center

Board of Directors Meetings

Board meetings are held every 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Meetings are held at the office of MCBSDD located at 3175 Palmyra Road, Hannibal, Missouri

2004 Calendar
January 13, 2004
February 10, 2004
March 9, 2004
April 13, 2004
May 11, 2004
June 8, 2004
July 13, 2004
August 10, 2004
September 14, 2004
October 12, 2004
November 9, 2004
December 14, 2004

Board of Directors:
Kevin Crookshanks, President
Donna Ried, Vice President
Casey Welch, Secretary/Treasurer
Jennifer Valuck, Past President
Sue Major
Richard Horner
Corless Morthland
Sandy Holman
Tamara Reed

Contact Information

Marion Co. Services for the Dev. Disabled
3175 Palmyra Road
Hannibal, MO 63401
Cathy Arrowsmith
Phone: 573-248-1077
Fax: 573-248-2978
carrowsmith@mcsdd.com