Richland Newhope - Richland County Board of Developmental Disabilities

06/10/2026

Mark your calendars and support the Special Olympics Showcase Fundraiser next month!

Join us for an exciting day of fundraising in support of Richland county's finest athletes!

06/08/2026

Phil and Drew kicked off their summer with two memorable fishing trips to Clearfork Reservoir, City of Mansfield!

Spending the day fishing from the dock was the perfect way for them to enjoy the beautiful weather, complete with sunshine, fresh air, and great company. While they had plenty of bites and excitement, the fish managed to outsmart them every time.

Even so, each trip was a success! One of the highlights was meeting new friends along the way. Fellow anglers were incredibly kind and helpful, sharing fishing tips, stories, and advice on how to land “the big one.”

Although they didn’t catch a fish this time, Phil and Drew made great memories, learned a few new tricks, and enjoyed every minute on the water. They’re already looking forward to their next summer adventure at Clearfork Reservoir, City of Mansfield!🎣

06/01/2026

Larry K. recently celebrated an incredible 40th work anniversary at Bob Evans on Trimble Road in Mansfield!

Larry was honored with a commemorative plaque, cards, a cake, Cleveland Guardians tickets, apparel, and gift cards in recognition of his dedication and hard work.

With ongoing support from RNI, Inc., he has built an inspiring career that highlights the power of commitment, teamwork, and community support.

Congratulations, Larry, on this remarkable milestone!

05/27/2026

Congratulations to Our Project STIR Graduates!

We are proud to celebrate 13 incredible individuals who have successfully completed Project STIR training at RNI, Inc.!

Project STIR (Steps Toward Independence and Responsibility) empowers people with developmental disabilities to build confidence, advocate for themselves and others, and become better leaders in their communities.

We can’t wait to see the positive impact they will continue to make!

Please join us in congratulating these amazing graduates!

05/24/2026

Richland Newhope's Administration, Service and Support Administration (SSA), Early Intervention, and Therapy offices are closed tomorrow, Monday, May 25th.

For assistance, please contact our on call (419) 774-4244.

05/15/2026

Residential Employee Spotlight - LaDonna Meyer

How long have you worked for Richland Newhope?
As of April 15th, 2026, I’ve been here 21 years.

What do you like best about your job?
I love watching our individuals try new things and genuinely light up with happiness. Hearing their laughter and seeing pure joy always makes my day brighter.

What led you to work in this field?
While I was in college, I completed my practicum at the Crawford County Board of DD. I was there for three months, and during that time, I completely fell in love with the work and the people I served.

What states have you lived in?
I was born in McDowell County, West Virginia, and grew up in a holler where my father worked as a coal miner. When I was 10, we moved to Ohio. After that, I spent two years in Texas, two and a half years in England, where I lived on a pig and sheep farm. While I was there, I went to a Genesis concert and even saw Princess Diana and Prince Charles. I moved back to Ohio when I was about 21 years old.

Statement from LaDonna’s supervisor, Jessica Reich:
“LaDonna really likes to stay organized with her administrative duties, like filing and training records, while also showing a lot of initiative by supporting the staff and residents directly. LaDonna has the ability to balance several types of work and tasks which is why she does well being the Residential Team Assistant.”

05/08/2026

We recently held our 3rd Annual Downtown Business Tour for Richland County students. More than 65 students gathered at the Richland Academy of the Arts, which graciously served as the event’s central meeting location. Participating schools included Mansfield City School District, Lexington Schools, Madison Local School District, Shelbywhippets, Clear Fork Valley Local Schools, and Pioneer Career and Technology Center.

Students toured downtown Mansfield businesses and connected with professionals from a variety of career fields. Participating businesses included The Holden Agency, McDonald's, Swavory, Mansfield Police Department, Buckeye Bakery, Richland Source Studio 19, Renaissance Theater, and Mansfield Richland County Public Library. Businesses provided hands-on activities and shared information about daily operations and career opportunities.

We extend a heartfelt thank you to the volunteers, school staff, participating businesses, and the staff at the Richland Academy of the Arts for helping make the day a success. Their collaboration continues to provide valuable experiences and opportunities for students throughout Richland County!

05/04/2026

We’re Hiring!
Scan the QR code or visit our website at www.rnewhope.org/jobs
to apply today.

04/29/2026

Several police and fire departments throughout Richland County now have a simple but effective tool to support individuals during emergencies: "First Responder Cruiser Kits.”

The purpose of "Cruiser Kits” is to help first responders better support individuals experiencing sensory overload, communication challenges, or heightened anxiety during emergencies and community interactions.

Each kit includes items such as noise-canceling headphones, fidgets, stuffed animals, sunglasses, mini colored pencils, coloring books, comic books, and communication boards created by the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities.

We still have a few departments to visit, but our goal is to equip every first responder vehicle in Richland County with a Cruiser Kit.

So far, we have dropped off bags at the Lexington Police Department, Mansfield Police Department, Mansfield Firefighters IAFF Local 266, Plymouth, Ohio Police Department, Bellville, Ohio Police Department, and Ontario Police USA.

A special thank you to Endless Abilities, Inc. and Blackwater Market Comics & Coffee for collaborating on this important project!

04/21/2026

Yesterday, our agency had the pleasure of hosting City of Ontario, Ohio Mayor Josh Bradley, Safety Service Director Michael Morton, and Ontario Police USA Officer Roose for tours at Raintree, Justine Home, and Sterkel Park.

We were also honored to present Officer Roose and Officer Martin with our Hero with Heart CARE Award in recognition of their life-saving actions back in February. With their incredible act of courage and quick thinking, they were able to save Allen's life with LifeVac USA.

Great conversations were held about our Residential services and their impact on the people we support and our community. It’s so important for elected officials and community members to see firsthand the depth and scope of our agency’s services.