Mary Alice Reporting –
Tuscarawas County was among 67 counties to receive funding for developmental disabilities.
Governor Mike DeWine announced that $14.9 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money will be distributed.
Tuscarawas County is getting $521,000.
This funding provides Developmental Disability boards to make community investments, said Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities Policy and Strategic Direction Deputy Director Steve Beha.
“Specifically HCBS ARPA dollars. The primary purpose for utilizing the funding should be to expand or enhance the HCBS services themselves or how waiver recipients can access their communities, different events, meetings, [and] conferences.”
Tuscarawas BDD Superintendent Nate Kamban explains that they will put the money toward several different programs.
“We’ve developed a lending library where families can tryout different assistive technologies, we wanted to update the playgrounds, also as part of that funding, where going to update our sensory room.”
Money will also go toward outreach to the Latino community, the development of a soccer field next to the Boards office, and the installation of universal changing tables in community parks.
Other counties awarded dollars included Stark at more than $265,000, Guernsey received over $96,000, Coshocton is getting almost $300,000, and more than $45,000 is going to Carroll.
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