MOUNT VERNON — There could be some capacity changes in store for the Mount Vernon Developmental Center, as well as the other nine MRDD centers in the state.

The budget plan for 2008 and 2009 calls for reducing capacity at the centers, according to Sherry Steinman, Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities spokeswoman. This means a reduction in the number of residents at the 10 centers. The residents would be allowed to move back into the community, on a voluntary basis, with the necessary support. She said staff members who care for these residents would have to seek other opportunities within the MRDD organization for which they are suited, or seek an early retirement program, if they are eligible.

“The budget plan does not call for closing any developmental centers,” she said. “It does call for reducing capacity, and using individual options, waivers, funded by the Martin vs. Strickland settlement and existing vacancies in the center, to close some cottages.”

The Martin vs. Strickland settlement was implemented to increase the availability of community services and supports for MRDD individuals by allowing waiver opportunities. The program is administered by local MRDD boards, which work with parents or guardians of MRDD individuals.

“ODMRDD wants to provide the county boards the flexibility to identify and serve the needs of individuals living in or desiring to return to their specific communities,” according to a letter from ODMRDD director John Martin sent last September to county board of MRDD superintendents.

Steinman said the possible closing of some cottages, small residential buildings at the various MRDD centers, should not be confused with the mistaken idea that there are plans to close any of the centers themselves. Of the 10 centers in the state, she said, some are bigger than others. A proportionate amount of individuals will be relocated in the community, depending on the size of the developmental center in question.

In April, Steinman said, the state board will have a better idea of the changes to come. She said there is no specific information available regarding any possible changes at the MVDC at this time.