40. Community Need Residents in Dayton and the Miami Valley have relied on GESMV to deliver quality services to our community since 1934. And we see that need increasing. In Montgomery County, 17.9 percent of the population lives below the poverty rate, often in need of specialized employment services or other resources to help them. In a recent GESMV Community Needs Assessment, poverty was a major issue of concern among stakeholders. The greatest barriers identified were limited public transportation, the benefits cliff, and living wages.

In 2018, the employment participation rate for people with a disability was 19.1% compared to 65.9% for those without a disability. GESMV offers extensive services to assist people to find and maintain employment. Skills are often cited as a barrier to employment. Through its skills-training and certification programs, GESMV helps people gain critical skills to help them gain that first job or advance in their careers.
Working-age adults are not the only ones who rely on our services. Seniors, especially those with age-related disabilities, and their caregivers depend on GESMV to provide solutions for the growing needs of seniors. Census information tells us that 18% of the population of Montgomery County is age 65 or older, slightly higher than the Ohio average of 17%. In Trotwood, 12.8% of households had someone living alone who was age 65 or older. Families need services that allow their parents or spouse to live as independently as possible.

In the U.S., mental illness impacts one in five people. The good news is that recovery is possible. Recovery varies by individual, but may require counseling, medication or both. The recent closing of Day-Mont Behavioral Health Care has created a void in services, especially for residents of Dayton’s West Side. The Memorial Day Weekend tornados have also increased stress and anxiety for Trotwood residents. As a certified mental health facility, GESMV is well positioned to help fill that void.

The West Dayton Community Services Center will extend GESMV’s ability to reach people in need and further its mission of empowering people with disabilities or other disadvantages to achieve independence and improve their quality of life.

GESMV will better meet the needs of the citizens of West Dayton and Trotwood by creating a neighborhood setting where a variety of life-changing services are offered. Families can access services much closer to home, reducing transportation or other barriers and increasing the opportunities for success. Services include:
• Adult Day Services (ADS) for older adults with age-related disabilities;
• Adult Day Support for adults with developmental disabilities;
• Employment services to help people overcome obstacles and find meaningful work;
• Behavioral health services for people with mental illness or substance abuse disorder;
• Skills training to help people gain skills to help them get that first job or advance in their careers; and
• Car Seat Safety Program to help children stay safe when traveling, through the distribution of car seats to families who meet an income guideline or have a child with a disability.
Senior Services – ADS provide a safe and nurturing environment for older adults. The program is a medical model, meaning that a nurse is in the program daily and can administer medications, provide treatments, and assist with activities of daily living like bathing and showering. ADS give adults with dementia the opportunity to be around other people and do activities they enjoy, while giving their caregivers – usually a spouse or adult child – a break. GESMV offers one of only three adult day programs in Montgomery County, yet nearly 109,000 people in Montgomery County are age 60 or older. As baby boomers continue to age, the need for senior services will also increase. Adult day programs offer an affordable alternative to nursing homes and allow people to stay in their own homes. With the new Center, the number of adults receiving services will double. The Center will support an average daily attendance of 60.

Services for Adults with Developmental Disabilities – GESMV is committed to helping people of all abilities access their communities and experience the vibrancy and connectivity it provides. Through this day program, adults with developmental disabilities, including autism, can participate in activities that offer personal growth and greater independence. The program focuses on the unique needs of each individual. Program goals include assurance of good health and safety practices, teaching individuals to make informed choices about their goals and activities, planned exploration and participation within the community, and support towards a path to employment.

Employment Services – In Montgomery County about one in six people lives below the poverty line. In a recent Community Needs Assessment, poverty was a major issue of concern among stakeholders. The greatest barriers identified were limited public transportation, the benefits cliff and living wages. GESMV has long been a leader in employment services, assisting nearly 10,000 individuals annually to identify career goals, build employment skills, find a job, and advance within their careers. GESMV offers many of these services free of charge to anyone who is motivated to work. We assist people with a variety of employment barriers through multiple services. And, having a job is powerful. It brings a sense of pride and ownership while also providing income that can lead to self-sufficiency.

Behavioral Health Services – Mental illness impacts one in five people and their families. The good news is that recovery is possible. Recovery varies by individual, but may require counseling, medication or both. In a recent Community Needs Assessment, “alcohol/drug use” was most frequently cited as the major issue of concern. The opioid crisis has also impacted the need for services across the Miami Valley. As a certified mental health facility, GESMV provides services that assist children and adults through the recovery process. Services include diagnostic assessment, individual and group counseling, case management, medication-assisted treatment, and medication management. Additionally, GESMV received funding from the Montgomery County Alcohol & Drug Addiction Mental Health Services Board to assist to provide specialized employment services. This program helps adults who are in the pre-contemplative, contemplative, and recovery phases, and has an emphasis on peer-support.

Skills Training – Businesses are experiencing a skills gap, where the labor force does not possess the skills required by employers. GESMV has multiple training programs that help bridge that gap including digital skills training, interactive computer-based training for job seekers, and specialized certifications to enhance employment opportunities. In 2018 GESMV received $300,000 through the Google Digital Skills Accelerator grant to help advance youth and adult’s technology skills. Trainings include Google programs as well as the Microsoft software suite. Participants have learned techniques across the technology spectrum, from how to turn on a computer to obtaining advanced certifications. Other certifications are available

GESMV will create the Center in Trotwood on East Main Street. On the attached map, GESMV’s property is highlighted in red. (The Dayton Metro Library Trotwood branch is highlighted in blue.) The facility will be approx. 12,000 sq. ft. Adult Day Services for seniors will occupy approx. 8,000 sq. ft. and will offer specialized care to help adults with age-related disabilities live as independently as possible. Activities include brain fitness, music and art therapy, intergenerational programming, and community outings.

In the adjacent space, behavioral health professionals will offer counseling and pharmaceutical management, individual and group counseling, diagnostic assessment and case management. Employment and skills specialists will help people prepare for and obtain employment. Staff will assist clients in identifying employment goals, assist with resume development and interviewing skills, and help them obtain work. Computer skills training and industry-recognized certifications will be available for people who want to obtain an above entry-level job or to advance in their careers. An Adult Day Support program to assist adults with developmental disabilities will ensure that clients are connected to the community and enjoy greater independence, and the Car Seat Safety program will be offered to help families with limited financial resources keep their children safe when riding in vehicles.

The facility is located on an RTA bus line and is highly accessible to people desiring services. In addition to the program space, a conference room will be available for community use. GESMV will assist approximately 800 people at West Dayton Community Services Center in its first year. Additionally, GESMV will create 12 new jobs; eight in the Adult Day Services for seniors program, three in the Adult Day Support program for people with developmental disabilities, and one office manager position.
The GESMV purchased six acres on East Main Street in Trotwood in May 2019. GESMV has contracted with Moda4 to create a building design with the same look, feel and branding as those on GESMV’s Campus on South Main Street in Dayton. GESMV is also working the Dayton Metro Library, whose Trotwood branch is adjacent to GESMV property. This will ensure continuity within the neighborhood.

GESMV will begin construction in early 2020 and the facility will open in late 2020. The West Dayton Community Services Center will primarily serve the northwest quadrant of Montgomery County, the area north of State Route 35 and west of I-75. In Trotwood, the median age is 41.8, which is 6% higher than in Ohio; 24.9% of the population is Caucasian and 69.9 is African American.

The 2019 Community Health Needs Assessment for Southwest Ohio reports that a high Community Need Index (CNI) score (3.4 to 5.0 on a 5-point scale) is an indicator for socioeconomic variation, barriers to care, and an increased need for health care services. Eleven zip codes in Montgomery County have high scores, and the zip codes closest to the location of the new GESMV West Dayton Community Services Center are among the highest: 45417 has a CNI score of 5, 45416 has a CNI score of 4.4 and 45426 has a CNI score of 3.8.

State capital funding through the Priority Development & Advocacy Committee will help GESMV complete its West Dayton Community Services Center, specifically to create a Community Computer Lab and Digital Skills Training classroom where anyone can come to advance their employment opportunities by enhancing their knowledge and skills to equip them for high-demand technology jobs.