Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities Director Kim Hauck announced Jan. 18 that $14.9 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money will be distributed across 67 counties, including Erie and Huron, to better support Ohioans with developmental disabilities and their families, according to a news release.
“These investments are truly going to make a difference for people with developmental disabilities and their families by giving them more access to the communities where they live,” DeWine said in the release. “People with developmental disabilities deserve opportunities, a reliable workforce, and an accessible state to live, learn, work and succeed in.”
Erie County will receive $283,000 and Huron County will receive $350,000, according to the release.
Also, Erie, Huron, Sandusky and Seneca counties will receive $200,000, the release said.
These funds are part of $56 million in total ARPA Home and Community Based Services money allocated to Department of Developmental Disabilities in the state budget signed last July, the release said.
All county boards of developmental disabilities and Councils of Government (COG) could apply for funding.
With these funds, people with developmental disabilities, their families and Ohio communities will see investments in things like universal changing tables and accessible public places and parks, the release said.
Highlights of the county projects include:
• Empowering people with developmental disabilities to live and engage independently, 32 applications received for $2.5 million
• Improving infrastructure to make communities more accessible, 43 applications received for $7 million
• Adding universal changing tables in public places, 49 applications received for $4.4 million
• Creating more community experiences for people with developmental disabilities, 27 applications received for $600,000
• Ensuring conferences and meetings are inclusive, 17 applications received for $220,000
• Increasing outreach efforts to unserved and underserved populations, 15 applications received for $140,000
“For many people with disabilities and their families, an inclusive community starts with an accessible community, and I want to thank county boards and their local partners across Ohio who have identified ways to make this a reality for them,” Hauck said in the release.
For more information and updates on project developments, visit https://dodd.ohio.gov/about-us/our-programs/ARPA.
The Department of Developmental Disabilities will communicate funding opportunities and post grant applications at https://dodd.ohio.gov/about-us/grant-opportunities, the release said.
