CINCINNATI (WKRC) — A newly renovated home in Madisonville is offering a new housing option for some of Hamilton County’s most vulnerable young people — youth with developmental disabilities and mental health needs.
The James L. Bower House, located on Oaklawn Drive, is a collaboration between Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services and the Hamilton County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board. Officials from both agencies cut the ribbon Wednesday and gave tours of the updated space.
The project was created to address what leaders described as an unmet need for youth who have both developmental disabilities and mental health needs.
“We talked about what would best meet needs, and we, together, identified a critical gap in services that we had, which was kids that do have a developmental disability and mental health need,” said Leia Snyder, superintendent of Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services.
A newly renovated home in Madisonville is offering a new housing option for some of Hamilton County’s most vulnerable young people — youth with developmental disabilities and mental health needs. (WKRC)
The first floor includes six bedrooms and is intended to help teens with emergency housing needs. The home will also offer short-term stays for respite care.
“I am proud to represent a facility that represents hope, innovation and a deep commitment to serving some of our most vulnerable youth,” said LaNora Godfrey, president and CEO of the Hamilton County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board.
The lower level is designed for longer stays and will serve young adults ages 18 to 21. The goal is to help residents build skills for independent living, including planning meals and cooking.
“They’ll receive assistance with daily living, skill development, to do things like prepare meals and learn how to care for their home, do laundry, grocery shop, plan, budget, that sort of thing,” Snyder said.
A newly renovated home in Madisonville is offering a new housing option for some of Hamilton County’s most vulnerable young people — youth with developmental disabilities and mental health needs. (WKRC)
Godfrey called the house a game-changer for the community.
“It’s exciting because it’s going to give families an opportunity to serve their kids in another environment, work on the home environment, receive them back in, as well as allow older, transition-age youth to gain independence,” she said.
The house is named for James L. Bower, who died in 1991. His family attended Wednesday’s event and is helping support the home’s mission. Bower ran a nonprofit organization and built more than 70 housing units in the area for people with mental health needs.
“He always liked to reach out to the underprivileged, especially through housing. It’s a blessing that they were able to do this and name it in his honor,” said Therese Bower, James’ widow.
Teens and young adults who may be eligible for services at the home will be referred by either Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services or the Hamilton County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board.