Three teens placed outside of the community will return to Allen County thanks to a collaboration among four organizations. The partnership among organizations will allow them to be closer to their families and local services that benefit them.

Earlier this year, Allen County Children Services (ACCS) and the Allen County Board of Developmental Disabilities (ACBDD) identified the need to create a housing option for three youth who are receiving ongoing services from both agencies to meet their needs. These youth have been placed several hours away in residential facilities because there were not supports in our community to provide adequate care. Thanks to this partnership, the youth are returning to our community where they will be close to family and residing in a family-style home.

The ACBDD and state capital housing dollars assisted Living Options for Developmentally Disabled Individuals, Inc. (LODDI), in purchasing a home for these youth. LODDI is an affiliated non-profit that provides affordable housing for people with developmental disabilities. LODDI will continue to maintain the home as part of their housing network. In the middle of a staffing crisis, Benchmark Human Services offered to assist in the daily operation of the home and provide person-centered services to the youth. This multi-agency collaboration will ensure safe and stable housing for these youth.

This endeavor marks the first time these four local organizations have worked together to make this type of home and service model possible.

ACCS is grateful for the willingness of the partner agencies to collaborate and make this possible.

This picture shows officials from ACCS, ACBDD, LODDI and Benchmark outside the home which they toured today.