$600,000 Grant to Enhance Afterschool Services

Youngstown, OH May 25, 2022 – The Ohio Department of Education awarded grants to a number of organizations for afterschool and summer programming. I Am Boundless received $600,000 to expand their existing afterschool services to children in Mahoning and Trumbull counties over the next two years.

Boundless plans to use these funds to provide more transportation services, hire additional specialized staff, and serve families that do not have Medicaid or other funding sources in low-income areas who otherwise may not be able to participate in the programs.

“Our biggest barrier for our program has been getting kids to our site and then back home. This grant provides funding for three more drivers, gas, and maintenance of our buses,” Deborah Smith, director of Behavioral Health at Boundless.

Ultimately these Boundless programs will serve approximately 30 children with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD) or behavioral health challenges, who will greatly benefit from the dedicated curriculum designed for this population. Traditional after-school programs are not equipped with the same clinical staff of behavior specialists and social workers that Boundless provides.

“These kids have already been in school all day when they come to us. So, our treatment program goal is to have a lot of fun and focus on social skills, increase positive behaviors, develop friendships, and learn new skills.” Smith said.

With the additional funds, innovative programs will include autism fitness classes, a gardening group, a state-of-the-art sensory room, and community field trips.

“We are very thankful for this two-year grant, and it is our hope that as our community sees the need, additional funding will be available after that time. Without this grant we simply cannot provide enough transportation to serve these kids,” Smith said.

Boundless fall programs begin in mid-August. There are currently openings and parents can contact I Am Boundless at 800-409-2729 or on the website at iamboundless.org. For questions and more information, please contact Molly Mallory at mmallory@iamboundless.org.

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I Am Boundless, Inc. is a nonprofit organization with a mission of building a world that realizes the boundless potential of all people. For forty years, the Boundless family of nonprofit companies has provided people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and behavioral health challenges the freedom and opportunity to live boundless lives. From residential support and job training to primary care and autism services, we proudly offer person-centered care that celebrates each individual and encourages them to become active participants in the communities where they live, work, and play.