The Rehab Center

REHAB RENEWAL CAMPAIGN
Achieving Our Potential... Taking The Next Step

THE REHAB CENTER BELIEVES THAT ALL PEOPLE DESIRE AND HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE
RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN WELFARE AND DESTINY

REHABILITATION SERVICES OF NORTH CENTRAL OHIO
Rehab Renewal Campaign
"Achieving Our Potential.....Taking the Next Step"

Case for Support

Mansfield, OH

Historical Perspective

For over 50 years, The Rehab Center has been an integral part of North Central Ohio, as a pioneer providing physical therapy, speech therapy and an orthopedic clinic to today being a comprehensive, one-stop, full-service rehabilitation service treatment center. Changes have occurred and expansion has taken place, adding new areas of patient care in an ever more complex setting. Innovative programs, as much a part of vision as of necessity, have continually been undertaken in response to individual and community needs.

In the early 1950's, polio, cerebral palsy, downs syndrome and other disabilities caused by birth defects were increasingly affecting families throughout Ohio. Local specialized treatment facilities were not available, requiring those afflicted to travel long distances to outside communities for treatment and services, many times relying on family and local service organizations for transportation. This deficiency in community resources took a heavy toll on the family, as many children were unable to walk, talk, or dress themselves without assistance.

The call for local medical rehabilitation services in the Mansfield area was answered by a young therapist, along with community leaders and service club organizations which provided care and transportation for the disabled children. In 1954 the Richland County Crippled Children's Society was opened in a two room house on West Third Street to serve handicapped children. That year 53 children were served. As the needs of North Central Ohio changed, the Crippled Children's Society responded. The two room facility on West Third Street outgrew its space and a new center was opened in downtown Mansfield in 1961. Ten years later, in 1971, the Crippled Children's Society became the Rehabilitation Services of North Central Ohio, Inc. (The Rehab Center), in order to better identify the clients served and today reaches 3,000 children and adults.

The past decades have witnessed The Rehab Center's pioneering efforts and numerous "firsts." During the formative years, it was the first of its kind to provide physical therapy, speech therapy and an orthopedic clinic in North Central Ohio. It also opened and operated the first kindergarten for crippled children (1965). Some of the other ‘firsts' for area residents have included the Hearing and Speech Center (1963) and the Amputee Clinic (1965).

In the years after its founding, the agency quickly realized that a long-term community need was not being met. The children upon whom the agency's mission was founded were growing up.

For a second time in their lives, these adults, were faced with limited or no rehabilitation services, as The Rehab Center was geared towards children. The Rehab Center responded and became an organization for all people with disabilities.

In 1964, Progress Industries vocational workshop was established to meet the needs of the aging children and adult population. The charge was to offer on-the-job training to adults with disabilities and to assist them with the development of marketable skills and employment training. Progress Industries opened its doors to 13 clients with disabilities at its original Bowman St. location. Four years later it moved to Distl Avenue and now calls the Sterkel Boulevard property its home.

In 1974, The Rehab Center experienced another 'first' in the area of 'rehabilitation professional excellence' by attaining national accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), making it the first and ONLY facility in Ohio holding accreditations in five distinct program areas: physical restoration, audiology, speech pathology, vocational adjustment and sheltered employment.

In 1997, at the request of the Mental Health Board, The Rehab Center added behavioral health counseling for children and their families. Children who have been victims of abuse make –up nearly half of the children treated at The Rehab Center today.

New Beginnings Recovery Services was originally formed in 1988 to provide drug and alcohol rehabilitation services in North Central Ohio. In 1999, New Beginnings fully merged with the Rehab Center as its fourth division. True to The Rehab Center's history of 'firsts', New Beginnings' adult residential treatment facility was a 'first' of its kind as well – as it was and continues to be the only male and female residential drug and alcohol treatment facility in Richland County. Community members no longer needed to travel out of county to seek these services.

Throughout the years, during good times and bad, The Rehab Center has been a steward to the communities it serves. From its humble beginnings in two rooms to today's facility located on Sterkle Boulevard, The Rehab Center remains on the cutting edge. It is still the only full-service comprehensive rehabilitation facility in the area where the treatment plan for each patient's and their family's physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, behavioral health and chemical dependency treatment is coordinated and managed together, instead of separately.

The Situation Today

Today the legacy of the Rehab Center continues and thrives as 3,000 children and adults are provided services annually through its four main divisions: Medical Rehabilitation, Behavioral Health, Progress Industries and the New Beginnings.

Key points:


	•		Governed by a 36-member Board of Directors
	•		Annual operating budget of $4.6 million
	•		56 full-time, 25 part –time employees and 100+ program volunteers
	•		131 individuals are employed through Progress Industries
	•		50 people are employed through Precise Janitorial Services
	•		Partner agency of the United Way of Richland and Ashland Counties and Shelby and Willard United Funds
	•		Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)
	•		A Contract Agency of the Richland County Board of Mental Health and Recovery Services
	•		Certified by The Ohio Department of Mental Health
	•		Certified by The Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services

Site locations:


	1.		Rehabilitation Services of North Central Ohio, 270 Sterkel Blvd., Mansfield, OH
	2.		New Beginnings Residential Treatment Facility, Sturges Ave., Mansfield, OH

Programs and Services by Division:

Of The Rehab Center's 3,000 clients, over 80% of those individuals are below 200% of the poverty guidelines and qualify for a sliding fee payment consideration. Yet even with this tremendous volume, The Rehab Center's mission and philosophy has remained clear in its belief that all people desire and have a right to live in dignity and are responsible for their own welfare and destiny. Either alone or in cooperation with other organizations, The Rehab Center will make that goal possible through the provision of comprehensive rehabilitation services. Vital programs and services provided to the community include:


	1.		MEDICAL REHABILITATION SERVICES:
			Over 1300 clients were served in these programs in 2006, 924 through programs and services and an additional 400+ through contract services. Services include: Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech / Language Therapy, Audiology and Pediatric Therapy Programs.

	2.		BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES:
			745 individuals received services in 2006 in all of these programs including contract services. Services include: Children's Case Management, Deaf Services, Gateway Program, Mental Health / Psychological Assessments Counseling, Kinship Navigation Program and Parenting Classes.

	3.		PROGRESS INDUSTRIES VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SERVICES:
			417 individuals were served in these programs in 2006. Services include: Vocational Evaluations / Assessment, Work Adjustment Services, Placement / Job Seeking Skills, Adult Case Management, Drop In Center, Computer Training and Progress Industries workshop.

	4.		NEW BEGINNINGS RECOVERY SERVICES:
			New Beginnings served 351 individuals in 2006. Services include: Adult Residential Treatment Services and Outpatient Drug and Alcohol Treatment Program.

The clients of The Rehab Center are a reflection of the diverse cultural, ethnic and racial make-up of the communities it serves. The services of The Rehab Center are available to all residents of its service area and it serves those with lower incomes by providing nearly $500,000 per year in charitable care to persons who would not otherwise be able to afford quality rehabilitation services. The Rehab Center is committed to providing the most needed rehabilitation services to the citizens of North Central Ohio.

The Rehab Center is the only full-service comprehensive rehabilitation facility of its kind in North Central Ohio where the treatment plan for each patient and their family's medical therapy, drug and alcohol, mental health and vocational treatment is coordinated and managed together, instead of separately.


	♦		In Richland County and its surrounding counties, there are over 43,000 persons living with a disability.
	♦		In Richland County alone there are over 24,000 individuals living with a disability who are 5years and older.

The Rehab Center's Kinship Navigator Program was named as a Grandparent Resource Site, which is part of a nation-wide initiative to define and provide 'best practices' for programming related to kinship care families. This site is 1 of 10 sites across the country that received nationally recognized funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation's grant to Western Michigan University.


	♦		Over 6 million children living in the US are estimated to be living with their grandparents or another relative.
	♦		Richland County has 1,666 grandparents who have reported that they are the primary caregiver for a grandchild.

The Rehab Center's Deaf Services is one of 9 community centers in Ohio for the deaf and hard of hearing and is partially funded by the Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission.


	♦		The Rehab Center's Deaf Services provides the only interpreting services within a 7 County radius
	♦		The Rehab Center's Deaf Services provides the only summer camp experience for the deaf and hard of hearing youth in North Central Ohio.

The Rehab Center is the only mental health provider agency in the area that provides mental health services for children as young as 3 years.

The Rehab Center is the primary site in the area that accepts Medicaid for hearing aid purchases.

The Rehab Center is one of 2 organizations in Richland County that provides intensive medical therapy services for birth to three year olds and the only facility that uses a "team centered" approach.

The Rehab Center's New Beginnings Residential Treatment Facility is the only halfway house in the County that provides residential treatment to both women and men.


	♦		50% of clients served will obtain and maintain employment and have earned income during their treatment program. Those not obtaining employment are actively seeking employment or will be involved in vocational training unless presented with a validated disability and 50% of clients will maintain or improve employment income at their 1-year review.

The Rehab Center's Progress Industries is the only vocational workshop in Richland County that provides training and employment opportunities for adults with a physical and/or mental health disability and at-risk high school students.


	♦		70% of the students referred to the program will successfully transition to community job sites and 85% will graduate from high school

The Rehab Center's Gateway Program is a model program for the State of Ohio, providing linkage services for Richland County families. Families with children between the ages of 0-18 years are given a comprehensive assessment of their family structure. Once needs are identified (medical, dental, mental health, vocational services and etc.), the resource coordinator works with the family to connect them with the needed community resource(s). Referrals for services are accepted from public/private schools, Juvenile Court, Children's Services and other community agencies.

The Challenge Facing The Rehab Center and its Solution

For over 50 years The Rehab Center has remained steadfast in its commitment to satisfy unmet community needs by providing a broad range of medical, behavioral, vocational and mental health rehabilitation services in the north central Ohio area. The Rehab Center has consistently responded and expanded its services to meet those needs, particularly for individuals who lack the ability to pay for the personal, high quality services they need but which they are unable to access elsewhere.

Faced with the increasing number of persons in the community who need rehabilitative services but have limited ability to pay for them, The Rehab Center has committed its financial resources to providing those services rather than into its physical facilities. When The Rehab Center opened the Sterkel building in 1973, its facilities were state of the art. However, the funds generated by Rehab Center's operations, United Way contributions, special events, and other public and private revenue streams are simply not sufficient to pay for sorely-needed upgrades to the physical plant and equipment. As a result, the facilities at the Sterkel headquarters and the New Beginnings residential facility on Sturges Avenue are in dire need of repair, renovation, and/or replacement. These necessary tasks can only be accomplished by the Rehab Center reaching out for assistance to the community it serves.

To continue to meet the needs of clients and provide a facility that is both efficient and inviting to the thousands of individuals it currently serves as well as future clients, The Rehab Center is conducting a capital campaign. Monies raised through the capital campaign will cover the costs to support facility upgrades, enable the purchase of much needed equipment to continue the delivery of services and either purchase or build a new facility for New Beginnings' residential halfway house. Through the proposed campaign, The Rehab Center will be able to continue to fulfill its mission of providing high-quality medical, behavioral, vocational and addiction rehabilitation services to the North Central Ohio community.

After intense study by experts within and outside the Rehab family, the organization has identified the three/ most pressing funding issues which it faces.

$1,350,000 in Facility Improvements for the comprehensive rehabilitation facility located on Sterkel Blvd., including:


1.	Exterior upgrades	$100,000
2.	Lighting & Electrical	$150,000
3.	Roof	$175,000
4.	Windows	$175,000
5.	Interior re-allocation of space	$300,000
6.	HVAC System	$450,000

If the needs are left unaddressed, further deterioration is anticipated and the cost for improvements in the future will increase substantially. By addressing these critical needs, the agency will continue its legacy to provide a safe and pleasant environment along with efficiently delivering quality services to those its serves. An estimated $15,000 per year from energy efficiency improvements will be saved. Dollars saved can be allocated into existing programs and services.

$800,000 in Program Equipment, including:


1.	Therapy Equipment (physical & occupational)	$75,000
2.	Program Evaluation Tools (testing equipment, books, materials, etc.)	$75,000
3.	Audiology Treatment Equipment (deaf & hard of hearing)	$100,000
4.	Furnishings	$100,000
5.	Progress Industries Equipment and Machines	$150,000
6.	Technology (telephone system, network server, etc.)	$150,000
7.	Vehicles (Precise, Progress Industries & New Beginnings)	$150,000

Medical and Behavioral Health Services: New program equipment including occupational and physical therapy and audiology will allow an increase in efficiency and in the quality of services provided. If equipment is not replaced, some services will no longer be provided because replacement parts for existing equipment are no longer available due to the age.

New equipment will enhance The Rehab Center's ability to recruit and retain qualified professionals. Added efficiency of new equipment to the programs will allow the agency to extend services to more people while maintaining the current number of employees.

Progress Industries Services: New program equipment will allow the agency to secure additional community and government contracts which in turn will provide additional jobs and training opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

Obtaining competitive employment allows individuals with disabilities opportunities to be self-sufficient tax-payers rather than recipients of government funded public assistance programs.

$850,000 in New Beginnings renovation/new building construction:


1.	Site preparation	$50,000
2.	Furnishing	$50,000
3.	Building structure	$750,000

The New Beginnings halfway house is based in a home on Sturges Avenue that was built prior to 1900. Although the home has been modified over the years, the electrical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning are inadequate and the overall construction is not efficient as a residential treatment center, programmatically or otherwise. The cost to remodel the facility will be greater than purchasing another building and making accommodations to fit our client's needs or building a new facility. These improvements will benefit the entire community. As individuals overcome their addictions they transition from being dependent upon government services to becoming self-sufficient, working tax-payers.

A new or remodeled one-story handicapped accessible facility located on the city's bus line to ensure client reintegration into the community is desperately needed. Not only is the current facility not handicapped accessible, the building which originally was a home does not allow for efficient programming of services.

The new patient room configuration will allow more flexibility for treatment in an ever changing mix of male and female clients. Appropriately designed treatment areas will allow more flexibility in scheduling based on the varying group sizes. It will also increase efficiency as more than one group will be able to meet at any given time.

A Special Financial Appeal
Rehab Renewal Campaign – "Achieving Our Potential…Taking the Next Step"

The Rehab Center has chosen to launch a $3,000,000 capital campaign to support capital improvements at the facility, purchase necessary program equipment (physical therapy, occupational therapy, audiology treatment and Progress Industries) and to construct a new facility/purchase an existing facility for New Beginnings treatment and residential halfway house. From May, 2006 through August, 2006, executives of The Rehab Center and the trustees along with the Ketchum Consulting Group conducted an in-depth planning and study to determine both the necessity and feasibility of conducting a successful campaign.

The feasibility of raising the money was studied. Detailed meetings and interviews were held with community, corporate, business, foundation, and government leaders. Much care and planning went into whether a campaign for The Rehab Center could succeed. After careful review of all of the data gathered during the planning process, it was indicated that The Rehab Center is well-positioned for campaign success.

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