MRDD board: Layoffs likely

NILES - The Trumbull County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities plans to lay off 18 people early next year.

The board anticipates losing 85 clients from the adult workshop and senior program because two care facilities did not renew contracts, Superintendent Douglas Burkhardt said.

The MRDD board recently authorized Burkhardt to notify 12 Fairhaven Industries workshop specialists, three bus drivers and three bus aides of impending layoffs when they return to their jobs after Christmas break.

"It's just very unfortunate and it's very hard," Burkhardt said. "These are very hard times and it's not getting easier. It's not an easy thing to do, but unfortunately, it is necessary."

Burkhardt said the cuts are necessary because the Enrichment Center in Warren and Orange Village in Masury decided against renewing their contracts with MRDD, opting instead to provide alternative services to their clients.

Burkhardt said each facility has contracted with the board for at least 10 years.

"It will be a change, but it is definitely one intended to be cost effective," Burkhardt. "I believe it's a way for those facilities to try to cut their expenses."

Gerald Wesley Sr., executive director at the Enrichment Center, said his facility opted to contract with another program for "budgetary reasons." He declined to comment on how much money he expects the facility to save by making the switch. It is funded through the state's Medicaid program.

Fifty-four Enrichment Center residents participate in MRDD programs, including 49 who attend a workshop and five who are active in the senior program. Starting in January, those residents will begin attending programs offered through the Nicholson Center in Warren.

"We had been contracted with (MRDD) for years but we decided to go with a facility that would cost us less," he said. "Everyone, or at least most people, are aware of the difficulties Ohio is having with its budget. This is just another part of that whole picture. It's strictly because of budgetary and financial issues."

Administrators at Orange Village were not available for comment on Tuesday.

As part of its vocational programs, MRDD employs some 350 workers and provides services to close to 1,000 individuals with developmental disabilities. MRDD offers services at locations throughout Trumbull County, including the Fairhaven school, three workshops and a senior center. Programs and services include early intervention, pre-school, school age, school-to-work transition, adult services, community employment, senior retirement, service and support administration, transportation, residential, and physical, occupational and speech therapies.

Employees from the departments hit by the layoffs will be on break Thursday through Jan. 4. The layoffs are scheduled to go into effect in February.

MRDD workshop specialists can earn up to $30,000 a year and, based on 12 months of continued work, the top annual salaries for bus drivers and bus driver aides average about $21,000 and $13,000, respectively.

vshank@tribtoday.com