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Napoleon proclaims March 2025 Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month; Hope Services describes early-intervention work
Summary
Mayor Joseph read a proclamation declaring March 2025 Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and representatives from Hope Services described programs that serve about 420 county residents from birth through adulthood.
Mayor Joseph proclaimed March 2025 as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and recognized Hope Services and the Henry County Board of Developmental Disabilities for more than 50 years of local service.
During a presentation to the Napoleon City Council, Dawn, a Hope Services early-intervention worker, described the agency’s work with “birth to 3” children and their families, including occupational, physical and speech therapy, social-work supports and parent coaching. “We do a lot of coaching of parents,” Dawn said. She told the council Hope Services serves “about 420 individuals with disabilities just in Henry County” and offers services from infancy through adulthood.
Jessica, a Hope Services participant, spoke about program activities and community life. “It doesn't matter if you have a disability or not. As long as you do your best, that's all that counts,” she said, and described involvement in sports, cheer and a travel “heart trip.”
The proclamation read by the mayor highlighted community participation and urged support for “full access to education, housing, employment, and recreational activities” for people with developmental disabilities. The proclamation text included an explicit call for citizens to “take the time to get to know someone with a disability” and to support opportunities that enable people with developmental disabilities to “live productive lives and achieve their potential.”
The presentation preceded routine business and was followed by applause for Jessica and members of her team.
