Adult Services

The Geauga County Board of DD offers a full range of programs for adults with developmental disabilities throughout their life. For those individuals who are interested in work, programs include employment opportunities and work training in a sheltered workshop or enclave and employment in the community. For those individuals where work is not a priority, Geauga County Board of DD offers an Enrichment Program and a Senior's Program for older adults. The ultimate goal is independence, productivity and integration into the community. We start by asking what is important to the person, not by measuring what's wrong with the person.

Community Employment Program

Committed. Conscientious. Reliable. Responsible. These are words most used by today's employers when describing the type of person they would like to hire - and thanks to the Community Employment Program, many local businesses are finding these qualities in employees they hire through the Geauga County Board of DD Adult Services Program. Developed in 1988 with the basic philosophy that all people, regardless of disability, have the right to pursue a community-based work environment, the Geauga County Board of DD's Community Employment Program is enabling its workers to live a life enriched with meaningful, productive employment. Examples of positions held by Metzenbaum clients include general laborer, dishwasher, stock clerk, housekeeping, assembly, library aid and nurse aid - and the list continues to grow. The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) allows a certain portion of an employee's salary as a write-off for the first year the worker is employed.

Enrichment Program

For those individuals who are not able to work or who work on a limited basis, Geauga County Board offers an Enrichment Program. The Enrichment program focuses on recreation-leisure, health and wellness, and community activities. Individuals can participate in arts & crafts, games, physical exercise, a sensory room and much more!

Metzenbaum Sheltered Industries

Metzenbaum Sheltered Industries, Inc., offers diverse subcontracting services to local businesses and industries. MSI employs individuals with developmental disabilities that live in Geauga County. Work contracts with MSI prove mutually beneficial with companies receiving quality work at a competitive price; and MSI employees receiving training, work opportunities and fair wages governed by the Department of Labor.

A small example of the work done at MSI includes:

Packaging - such as blister packaging, heat sealing

Bagging and boxing

Small assembly

Mailing - including electronic weight counting

Production of hardware kits

Presorting and packaging parts to be used in assembly or repair of an item

Seniors Program

For those individuals age 50 or older who choose not to work full time, a Retirement/Senior Program is available. The Geauga County Board of DD's senior program shares a facility with the West Geauga Senior program in Chesterland, Ohio. The joint program enables the seniors with disabilities to participate in dances, parties, and special events with the non-disabled seniors. The location of the program is in a beautiful and serene area on Caves Road. The seniors have access to a party center, snack bar, farm market and paved walking trails. In addition, opportunities for swimming, community trips, arts & crafts and physical activities are available.

Sheltered Workshop

The Sheltered Workshop is located in Chesterland, Ohio and provides adults with disabilities a variety of jobs such as sorting, collating, assembly and packaging. Opportunities for employment training, learning new work skills, improving social skills, teaching responsibility, and the importance of being a good employee are available. Individuals who work are paid on an hourly rate or a per piece rate and are employed be Metzenbaum Sheltered Industries, Inc.

Supported Employment

A Supported Employment enclave is located at the Dillen Products facility on 84880 Bonner Drive, Middlefield, Ohio. The supported employment enclave's primary duties involve assembling and completion of Dillen Products merchandise.

Additional Program Services

In addition to the listed programs, the Adult Services Department also employs a full time RN to assist with medical needs. The RN also works with individuals so taht they can become able to self administer their medication.

Social Work Services provides of services to individuals and families that include:

Counseling

Education

Guardianship and Advocacy

Benefits Counseling

A physical therapist is contracted with to provide assessments and training to Geauga County Board of DD Adult Services employees. Trainings focus on use of gait belts, mechanical lifts, standing tables as well as how to transfer an individuals who uses a wheelchair, gait training, range of motion excercises etc.

A psychologist is employed to provided psychological services, consultative services and psychological testing.

Enrichment
Retirement
Sheltered Workshop
Supported Employment
Community Employment
Metzenbaum Sheltered Industries

Staff

Adult Services

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