As you know, three vendors submitted qualifications to operate the centers. Based on a thorough review process, we have selected one of the three vendors who best meets the needs of the people served, is aligned with what families want, and represents the best option for staff employed at each of the three adult centers. That vendor must now enter into negotiations with the county to lease or purchase the buildings and equipment.

The first step in this process was an appraisal of the buildings, which was completed at the end of September. With approval from the county commissioners last week, we began discussing options for the three adult center buildings with the provider. Until those negotiations are completed, the county purchasing department has advised us not to announce the chosen provider. We do not know how long this process will take, but we will continue to provide you with information it become available.

We recognize that these changes are difficult on staff, individuals, and everyone involved and we're doing all we can to make this transition as smooth as possible. To honor the time and commitment that our adult center employees have made to HCDDS, last month the board passed a resolution authorizing a retention package for any adult center employee subject to separation from county employment as a result of transitioning services to a private provider.

Matt Briner and Melissa Morelli, from the integrated services team, continue to meet weekly with adult center staff to provide updates and answer questions. If you have questions about the RFQ process, email  [email protected].

In everything we do, we continue our longstanding commitment to supporting opportunities for people with developmental disabilities to live, work, learn, and fully participate in their communities. 

Alice C. Pavey

 

	Jason is recognized for his donations  to Ronald McDonald House.

Jason Morency remembers how it all started. His grandpa, who worked for UPS, shared his hobby of collecting pop tabs for Ronald McDonald House.  "I decided to help and it blossomed," he said. "I collect them because it helps benefit the kids, who can't live normal lives."

 

Morency spends hours, sometimes days, collecting and separating tabs, filling up one bucket at a time. He's meticulous in his work - sorting aluminum from steel tabs and keeping them organized by color.

 

"I drop them off by the gallon - most of the time it's around 50 gallons at a time - and it takes close to 10 months to collect," he said.

 

Morency knows exactly how much he had on each trip to Ronald McDonald House and, as of July, has donated more than 6,375 pounds of tabs, or about $2,800 worth of tabs. Friends, relatives and local schools have all helped, and Morency said his hobby has helped him get to know the community. His mom, Sue, added that he will go door-to-door collecting tabs and knows many of his neighbors.

 

Sorting tabs into 5-gallon buckets for donation

"I enjoy doing it - just seeing the smiles on the little kids' faces who are there is worth it," he said. "I have my grandpa to thank for all this."

 

When he's not collecting tabs, Morency also volunteers at the Anderson Ferry Food Pantry, where he's helped out for 10 years, and at Matthew 25 Ministries. He works at the dining hall at Xavier University and recently moved into his own condo, which has much more space to store his pop tab collection.