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Local organization in need of more space

By CAROLYN CARY
ccary@TheCitizenNews.com

Fayette Community Options, formerly known as the Disability Training Center, invited members of the community to a luncheon to give a personal view of its facility.

The Fayette County Developmental Disabilities Task Force is preparing to submit an application for a block grant to build a new center for adults with developmental disabilities. It was formed early this year to assess the needs of the disabled adults in the county.

The current facility, the Fayette County Service Center, is located at the end of Industrial Way in Fayetteville, and can accommodate 34 consumers a day. It has a waiting list for 39 Fayette County residents.

The consumers arrive at 9 a.m.; some are driven by family members and some are picked up. They engage in various activities until they leave at 3 p.m. Some work in the community, participate in Special Olympics, go shopping or a movie. Many volunteer in the community such as clothing banks.

They must bring their own lunch as there is not the funds nor proper kitchen facilities to provide lunch.

The funds to otherwise operate come in part from the county commissioners, donations, those parents of consumers who are able to pay, and in-kind donations.

Assisting in the campaign is the McIntosh Trail Community Service Board. Based in Griffin, it serves Fayette, Butts, Henry, Lamar, Pike, Spalding and Upson counties. It is made up of volunteers, elected officials, advocates and other interested persons. It assists these counties to provide outpatient, day, residential treatment and housing services for people with mental illnesses, developmental disabilities, and addictive diseases. It offers services in 32 sites.

“We very much need to find enough donations and grants to build a much larger facility here in Fayette County,” said center director H. Dean Roach. “As the county grows, so will be need for a place for adults with developmental disabilities. We already have a waiting list that is more than twice as long as the consumers we can now serve.”

The Fayette Center can be reached at 770-461-1351 and Roach can be reached at 770-358-8273.