NEWS RELEASE

DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2007

The Board of Defiance County Commissioners met in regular session at 8:30 a.m. in the Hicksville Village Council Room, Hicksville, Ohio on Thursday, February 1, 2007. Chairman Thomas L. Kime called the meeting to order. Also present were Commissioners, Otto L. Nicely, James E. Harris, Jr., and Lyla Gurwell, Clerk. Joanne Goerlitz, Deputy Clerk was present during the late morning portion of the session.

General Session – The Commissioners were presented with various resolutions and documents for approval. The Commissioners reviewed agenda items, discussed upcoming meetings, and reviewed and updated the calendar of events.

The Defiance County Senior Center will be holding its annual “Seniors With A Heart Auction” on Saturday, February 10, 2007 at the K of C Hall on Elliott Road in Defiance. They have a large variety of items for the auction. They will also have food items and 50/ 50 drawings beginning at 11:00 a.m.

Defiance County Help Me Grow, Heather Huffman and Family & Children First, Tina Mohring came in to update the Board and introduce themselves to Commissioner Jim Harris.

Heather explained that the Help Me Grow program is dedicated to serving Defiance County expectant parents, newborns, infants and toddlers so that the children are able to start their school years healthy and ready to learn. Help Me grow offers screenings that are free to everyone with children from birth to age three. Among the services offered are developmental screenings such as speech & language screenings, social skills, and fine motor skills. They also provide prenatal visits, newborn nursing visits, family support services as well as other specialized services.

Tina explained the Family & Children First Council is a statewide initiative aimed at assisting families who have children working with multiple child and family serving systems, such as mental health, juvenile court, children’s services and the school system. Services are coordinated through the Wrap Around process so that parents are less overwhelmed and more supported. They also work to improve the overall family serving system in Defiance County,

United Way of Defiance Director, Carrie Wetstein came in to speak with the Commissioners and update them on United Way Matters.

Carrie has been with United Way since July 2006. Carrie informed the Board they set a goal of $335,000. That goal was met plus an additional $11,000 in donations.

Carrie indicated she works with a very energetic group of people who are willing to rally others to contribute to the United Way Program. Based on agency contributions, Carrie feels they will be able to meet the goals they have set and will meet and exceed future goals.

News Release Approved: ____________________________________________________

Otto L. Nicely, Defiance County Commissioner