By 1808Delaware
The Delaware County Board of Commissioners convened on July 24, for a session that shed light on significant advancements in community development and policy updates. The commissioners, led by President Jeff Benton, Vice President Gary Merrell, and Commissioner Barb Lewis, discussed several key topics during the meeting.
Guardianship Services Board Marks Progress
One of the highlights of the session was an update on the Guardianship Services Board. Created last February, this board has been making strides under the guidance of Adam Reinhardt, Chief Adam Moore, and their team. With a focus on guardianships for individuals in need, the board has fostered strong relationships with various community partners.
Commissioner Benton passionately emphasized his efforts in raising awareness about guardianships and their importance. Meetings with organizations such as Centero, Southeast Healthcare, DD boards, mental health boards, and Safe Harbor have been instrumental in spreading the word about the services provided by the Guardianship Services Board.
Challenges in Housing Resources
One of the critical challenges the board faces is finding suitable housing resources for individuals requiring guardianships. Currently, they are struggling to find suitable accommodation for an individual at Twin Valley. Social workers are working diligently to secure a suitable place for them, but the process has proven difficult.
Moreover, there are Delaware County residents in hospitals like St. Anne’s, Ohio State, and Grady who may be in need of guardianships. To address this, the board is reaching out to hospital community partners, including Ohio Health, Mount Carmel, and Ohio State, with hopes of forming partnerships to provide better care.
Medication-Assisted Treatment Program Expansion
The session also delved into Delaware County’s efforts to combat substance use disorders through the Medication-Assisted Treatment Program. The program, headed by Cassie Neff, aims to support individuals with long-term opiate substance use disorders. Utilizing medications like Suboxone and Vivitrol, combined with cognitive behavioral therapy, the program seeks to provide essential support to those seeking recovery.
Transportation Projects for Community Development
The commissioners were enthusiastic about recent transportation projects that will drive community development in the region. Several projects were announced to help facilitate traffic improvements, particularly in areas directly impacted by the Intel project. These projects aim to ensure that the transportation infrastructure can handle the expected increase in traffic due to Intel’s presence.
Updates to Personnel Policy Manual
In another important matter, the commissioners adopted updates to the Delaware County Personnel Policy Manual. The updates include provisions for lactation breaks that are free from teleworking video systems, reasonable accommodation for employees, and limitations on the use of cellular phones or smartphones in county vehicles to promote safe driving practices.
