News Release

Sometimes it takes just one person or one event to know you’ve found the right career path. For Liz Prather, that happened 35 years ago as she was beginning her tenure with Richland Newhope and her work in the developmental disabilities field.  There was one individual who she was responsible for training to do a job at Richland Newhope Industries, Inc. who made a lasting impression. 

When you first meet Maxson Brown, you can’t help but be captivated by his smile.  It belies the many challenges the 19-month-old has had to face during his short life and the many more still to come.

Providing for the many needs of someone with a disability can be difficult, especially if that person receives government assistance like Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Another option is a special needs trust (SNT).  There are two potential types: First Party SNT where the assets are owned by the beneficiary with a disability and Third Party SNT, which has assets owned by someone other than the beneficiary. 

The Richland County Board of Developmental Disabilities said goodbye in December to two long-time members. Margaret Davis and Virginia Harmon finished their third consecutive four-year term – the maximum allowed for board members.  The Mansfield residents both have children who receive supports from Richland Newhope.

The pavilion at Liberty Park in Mansfield is all spruced up thanks to Boy Scout Troop 123. 

There are many benefits to having a job.

A few years ago Tammy Staton was working a 9-to-5 job, wishing that she could spend more time with her three grandchildren but still be able to help her household financially.

The beginning - In 1970, I had just graduated from college and was preparing to go into physical therapy school at The Ohio State University that fall.  I was looking for a job that might be related to my future career and was led to the Columbus State Institute (CSI).  They had an opening for an aide in the Therapy Department.  I had no clue that this was going to be an eye-opening summer and the field where I would later spend much of my career.

John Penney has a special gift for remembering dates. “I can tell you all the presidents of the United States, when they were born, when they died,” says John.  “I know all of the vice-presidents, too!” As you might expect, he’s pretty good at Trivial Pursuit – especially history-related questions.  While history isn’t always challenging for John, other things can be. 

One of the newest providers of services in Richland County is Statewide Transportation LLC.  Founded in 2015 in Ashland County, the company now serves about 29 people in Ashland, Wayne, Holmes, and, as of May 1, Richland County. “We started initially doing non-medical transportation and HPC (Homemaker Personal Care) transportation,” says Co-Owner Heather Gentle.  “There’s such a need with a lot of things, and I guess with my background we decided to…add services.”

Leo Bishop may not be able to communicate with words, but his parents have no difficulty understanding their son, who turns 3 in August. “He can tell us things just by the way he cries, the way he squeals, the way he laughs, the way he smiles,” says his mother, Jeanine Bishop. That’s how they know Leo enjoys a new type of wellness program he started this past February.  Once a week, the family visits Raintree to use that facility’s small spa tub.  Ben Bishop climbs into the pool, and Jeanine hands Leo to his father.

Makayla Luther says she has been volunteering with people with disabilities for as long as she can remember. That says a lot considering Makayla is only 15 years old.