1Services

The Scioto County Board of MRDD offers a range of services to individuals with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities. Listed below are descriptions of the available services along with contact information for your convenience. If you believe you, or someone you know, might be eligible for any of our services, please contact the number provided.

The moral test of a government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; the twilight of life, the elderly; the shadows of life, the sick, needy and the handicapped.

Hubert H. Humphrey, at the 1977 dedication of the Health and Human Services Building bearing his name

Professionals in the field of early childhood development and education visit families with children ages birth through two years old. The goal is to meet the developmental needs of the child and the family's needs as these relate to enhancing the child's development. For additional information about the Early Intervention program, contact our EI staff at (740) 353-7784.

Four preschool classes are available to children ages 3-5, which educate children with disabilities along side a small number of typically developing children. The teacher and aide teams use an emergent curriculum designed around the individual needs and interests of the children served. Various therapies are available as well. Classes are in the Carousel Center, located at 1112 Gallia Street in Portsmouth. For additional information about our preschool program, contact the Carousel Center at (740) 354-3995.

Children ages 5-21 who meet eligibility requirements may be enrolled at Vern Riffe School through their local school district. Each class at VRS has a teacher and an aide who work with six to eight students. Nursing services, social work, speech, occupational and physical therapies are provided as needed. The curriculum offers basic academics, practice in community skills, and help transitioning from school to work. There are also a variety of extracurricular activities available to the students. For additional information about VRS, contact the school office at (740) 353-1876.

Community Residential Services provides services designed to help adult individuals develop supports which will allow them to live as independently as possible in the community. For additional information about supported living or other residential options, contact this office at (740) 353-8448.

Service coordinators assist adults in setting goals and making plans for services. They also link necessary supports and monitor service quality and client satisfaction. Other functions of the office include service enrollment or intake, crisis intervention, abuse and neglect review and reporting, client advocacy, and referrals to other agencies. Individuals of all ages are served by this office. For additional information about service coordination, contact our Case Management office at (740) 353-4677.

STAR, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit company, which provides employment opportunities to adults with MR/DD. It is located in the STAR building at 2625 Gallia Street in Portsmouth. For additional information about STAR, call (740) 354-1517 or click here to visit STAR, Inc. on the web.

Eligible adults are helped in achieving goals by trained Individual Support Facilitators (ISFs). These goals include sheltered and competitive employment through Advantage Job Service, community involvement, recreational opportunities, and skills training through Advantage Community Connections. Supports for achieving these goals may be received at our facility within the STAR building or in the community, as appropriate. Day programming is also offered for senior citizens with MR/DD and others who do not work. For additional information about these services, contact Advantage Community Connections at (740) 353-7945.

FRS assists in meeting the special needs of families of individuals with MR/DD who live at home. Help comes in the form of financial assistance for respite care, home modification, adaptive equipment, special diets, training, and counseling for those who qualify. For additional information about FRS, contact Community Residential Services at (740) 353-4677.