Trudy Hutchinson - Hetlinger Developmental Services
Trudy Hutchinson of Hetlinger Developmental Services provided our Rotary Club a rundown of the services that they provide to people who have developmental disabilities. They provide direct services to 70 people in our four-county area including an enrichment program and employment services helping people find work within their abilities in the community. Their funding comes from Medicaid. There are reportedly 85 additional individuals with developmental disabilities in our four-county area who are waiting for funding for Hetlinger to serve them. Some of these individuals have been waiting for eight to ten years. Hetlinger created a 501(c)3 foundation in 2002 to accept donations that are used to defray operating expenses.Hetlinger also operates a workshop employing those with developmental disabilities that provides subcontract work to local companies, such as Thermal Ceramics, Hopkins Manufacturing, Simmons Pet Food, and Hill's Pet Food. We thank Trudy and her staff for serving our local citizens in this worthy endeavor. For additional information, Hetlinger's website is www.hetlinger.org.