Pace Enterprises plans expansion to Taylor County

Nov. 17--PACE Enterprises, which helps people with disabilities find meaningful employment, is expanding into Taylor County.

"Taylor County is not underserved ; they're unserved, " said Bob Pirner, director of development.

That lack of opportunity for people with disabilities led the Taylor County Commission to form New Horizons to establish a facility that could help the county's handicapped population, New Horizons President Buddy Haines said.

"I think it's gonna bring a lot of jobs and opportunities for the handicapped people in Taylor County, " Haines said of PACE's expansion.

The Commission spent about $100, 000 renovating the former Taylor County Sheltered Workshop at 119 Liberty St. in Grafton, Haines said. The workshop used to offer people with disabilities work making pallets, but didn't last. Haines thanked the many volunteers who donated their time and services working on the building.

Once the facility was ready, New Horizons realized it didn't have the expertise to offer what was needed and after some research, determined PACE was the most qualified and best organization at what it does, Haines said.

On Nov. 13, a ribbon-cutting for the building was held, but services won't be offered until January as there are still a few licensing and regulation hurdles to clear, Pirner said.

He said there is no reason to expect services won't be offered in January and PACE has already obtained its Certificate of Need, which is issued by the West Virginia Health Care Authority and is required to work with clients who are on Medicaid.

The Grafton location will be staffed by two or three full time employees and an equal number of part-time employees, Pirner said.

PACE is already taking applications for clients at the new location. To begin the process, interested parties should call PACE's Morgantown office at 304-983-7223.

"There are individuals who have disabilities who don't have the resources to get out of the house during the day so they are just stuck hanging out, " PACE's Director of Vocational Services Stacy Wilson said.

She said the new location will give those people resources, support and opportunities.

There will be two open houses for possible clients and their families, Wilson said. The first is at 5:30 p.m.Dec. 4 ; the second is 1 p.m.Dec. 14.

The PACE process involves three steps, according to its website:

First, a person with a disability goes to PACE and is evaluated and counseled to determine talents and career goals.

Then, training is provided to polish the individual's talents and help overcome obstacles.

Finally, the person is either introduced to a local employer or is employed in one of PACE's business opportunities.

Wilson is also working with the Taylor County Board of Education in hopes of bringing programming for students 14-21 years old this summer, through funding from the Department of Rehabilitation Services.

"The important thing here is the people in the county that aren't getting served, " Pirner said. "We're going to do something about that working together with New Horizons."

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