Word-of-mouth between parents increased number of enrollees at Horizons center since 2002

Cindy Schmoll was hired as director of the Horizon Enrichment Center in 2002 to increase the population at the center, then only attended by five people. "We were struggling to stay open," she said.

She talked to those who run special education programs in the schools and to civic clubs. "Basically it happened through word-of-mouth," she said, "parents talking to other parents." The center now has 34 people enrolled, the limit of its state license. On an average day the census is closer to 25. Most are from Cape Girardeau County, but Perry, Bollinger and Scott counties also are served.

Southeast Missouri State University pays the salaries of the not-for-profit's staff. St. Vincent de Paul School donates the use of the building. Medicaid pays the cost of attending.

When Scholl arrived, the center was trying to care for people with more severe disabilities alongside those with lesser disabilities. Schmoll said she quickly realized that separating them ensured a better environment for both the higher-functioning and lower-functioning adults. Some of the lower-functioning people at the center can communicate only by using basic sign language. Others use body language.

The center can't meet the needs of everyone with developmental disabilities. It is not set up to serve people with the most severe disabilities, especially those who sometimes behave violently. After leaving Parkview State School in Cape Girardeau when they turn 22, most of those developmentally disabled people have little choice but to enter a nursing home, Schmoll said.

"There is a need for another center because some parents don't want to put their children in a nursing home," she said.

-- Sam Blackwell