County OKs plan for home for autistic

The Allen County Board of Developmental Disabilities voted Wednesday to approve the architectural specifications for a specialized home for autistic individuals with intensive needs.

“It’s individuals that need a high amount of supervision and a high amount of safety features in the home,” said Theresa Schnipke, superintendent of the Allen County Board of Developmental Disabilities.

The home, at 1208 E. North St., will house three young men with autism. Two have already been chosen as residents for the home. The third has yet to be chosen. Schnipke said to be considered, the third individual must have Medicaid waiver funding to live in the home. Individuals with home and community-based waivers will be probably be considered, but anyone with a young man with autism with intensive needs can contact the Allen County Board of Developmental Disabilities and they will assess the situation and see if they qualify, she said.

The young men living in the home will have 24/7 care available to them, Schnipke said. It’s a necessity because of their intensive needs.

The home is being built in partnership with LODDI, Inc., a nonprofit housing corporation proving housing to individuals with developmental disabilities.

Schnipke said the base bid for the project will not exceed $300,559. Funding for the project was acquired through an Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities Community Capital Assistance Fund grant of $247,500.