The taxpayers of Moniteau County are getting a pretty good return on their investment in the SB40 Board.
About $200,000 from local taxes goes to support the entity established in 200 in Moniteau county to provide services to persons with developmental disabilities.
Most of those funds are used to match with another $1.4 million from state and federal agencies, mostly Medicaid, to provide services including a residential home, day-time activities, transportation, personal care assistance, service coordination and respite.
Executive Director Lindell Harrison has been with the Moniteau County SB 40 Board for about 5 years. The retired public school administrator previously served on the Johnson County SB 40 Board for nearly a decade.
The board provides 15 full-time and 15 part-time jobs, though turnover can be high in the sometimes stressful and around-the-clock work environment.
Only about half of the estimated 120 residents in Moniteau County who qualify for services currently are taking advantage of them, Harrison said.
"A major issue is people don't know we're here," he said.
But they have found word-of-mouth is the best way to connect with eligible residents.
Essentially, those who qualify for services must have a cognitive disability documented before the age of 21.
Before the age of 18-21, children with these needs are served by the public school.
Once an individual is out of school, the board can help provide a range of services, Harrison said.
If someone wants to work, the board can provide transportation and job coaching.
If parents work during the day, the individual may attend the day program at the Learning and Vocational Center on Industrial Park Drive.
If an person is unable to live in his natural home, they may stay at the 11-bed Deerbrook I Apartments group home.
"We try to provide whatever they need to live a good, productive life," Harrison said. "These guys didn't ask for this; most of them were born this way.
"They've overcome struggles and benefited from services to get to where they are now."
The SB 40 Board's newest service is service coordination, which has been in place for about five years.
For the last seven years, SB 40, named for the Missouri legislation passed in 1969 allowing counties to establish a levy to support such an entity, has operated itself. Before then, it was contracted to the center in Sedalia.
A nine-member board of directors, appointed by the Moniteau County Commission, oversees the SB 40 services. Current members are Pres. James Canter, Vice President Darrell Hendrickson, Sec. Roberta Rothstein, Treas. Jean Jensen, Suzanne Taggart, Ed Kerley, Barb Denker, Darrel King and AnJanette Volkart.
One of the greatest difficulties statewide for this population is dental care, Harrison said.
And in the future, Harrison expects the number of those qualifying for services will increase with the rise in the autism spectrum diagnosis.
But, for now, Harrison said he is content the program is providing a valuable service to its clients.
"What may seem like small steps to some people may be huge for some of our people," Harrison said. "I've watched them grow and accomplish things, to be happy.
"Many of them are bright people trapped in bad bodies. I delight in working with them; I think they're wonderful people to be around."
Call 573-796-6131 or email to [email protected] for more information.