(cont.) History of Human Service in Clermont County by Ida Kennard

The Council on Alcoholism

The Council on Alcoholism was formed in March 1975. Initial planning had been done by Gerry Salters, Chest Area Director, and Millard Knowles. It was incorporated with a twenty-four member board under a five year demonstration grant from the Division of Alcoholism, Ohio Department of Health.

Under John Kelly the beginning program was DWI training supported by fees from arrested drivers, directed to the program by the Courts.

Funding of an additional counselor was granted in 1976 by the Division of Alcoholism. In 1982 a residential weekend program will begin on the grounds at Grailville.

Clermont County Library

In 1945 the grassroots efforts of PTA groups across the County helped establish, by referendum, a county district in the eighty-eighth county in Ohio to seek library service. Yet the citizen board established was not able to wring operating funds from the County Tax Commission until 1955, subsequent to change in Ohio law and an appeal to the State Board of Tax Appeals. Thereafter Doris Wood was hired to establish a quality bookmobile and branch library system under a citizen Board. Joe Evans chaired the board for nearly twenty years.

Human Services/Youth Services

Clermont County Youth Services began as the Youth Development Council, planned by the Health & Welfare Council under Millard Knowles with funding from the Ohio Administration of Justice Fund. A Board of Trustees, answerable to the County Commission, was formed under Dennis Donnely as Director. The Board became advisory in September 1974 when the Commissioners established the Human Services Board to manage county social service programs.

Harlan Washburn was the first Human Services Board Chairman; Jim Taylor for the first Executive. The program consisted of counseling services, a drug education center, Headstart, the medical and dental clinics and weatherization.

In September, Martha Dorsey became Director with Coordinators over the four phase program. Mrs. Dorsey and Dr. Wasserman gave essential impetus to the completion of the new social service building begun in the fall of 1981 to house initially the Diagnostic Center, Mental Health and Youth Services.

Diagnostic Center

In 1973 Gilbert Dale, Executive of the County Mental Retardation program, wrote the first proposal for the Diagnostic Clinic involving the use of 169 Board funds. He also worked to exhaustion to help pass a one mill levy to fund the Clinic. Dr. Thomas Lin, a pediatrician, was the first Director, followed in 174 by Chris Shipman.

Other executives were John Hamiln and Thomas Wildey.  In April 1979, an administrative Board was formed under Kenneth Zul's leadership and the Diagnostic Center became a not-for-profit agency located in its own quarters on the Service Center grounds. James Carter became Director in 1979 and primary funding is now from the 648 Board.

*Note: I will post pictures of some of Mamas best friends - Doris Wood. And, Gilbert Dale became Mama's second husband - pictures of Gilbert will be added, too.