Historical Summary

Services to people in Newberry County with disabilities and special needs were first established in March 1978. Several families and some interested citizens formed the Newberry Adult Activity Center Board. Under the leadership of Ms. Pat Wilson, Executive Director, the actual service provision to the six consumers did not begin until March 2, 1979 in the basement of the old hospital on Hunt Street. In the early 1980’s, the program moved from the old hospital to the union hall located on Park Place in the Mollohon Community. They remained there until 1997 when the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (SCDDSN) gave the agency a grant to build a new workshop on Nance Street that now serves over 100 consumers on a daily basis.

In addition to the adult workshop, the agency operated a small center-based child program for children from birth to six years of age for many years that was located in the basement of Gallman School. As SCDDSN changed its scope of service delivery, the Newberry child program, as well as many others across the state, was closed.

The Newberry County Board for the Mentally Retarded and Developmentally Disabled (NCBMR/DD) was created in July 1983 by an ordinance approved by the Newberry County Council. The S. C. Department of Mental Retardation (SCDMR) changed its funding situation and stated it would only contract with local boards established in accordance with the current legislature. The same board members from the Adult Activity Center Board constituted the new MR/DD Board of Directors.

In July 1985, the Newberry Adult Activity Center Board was renamed the Newberry Agency for the Developmentally Disabled, at which time they obtained status as a 501(c)3 organization. This status allowed them to receive tax deductible contributions. The same year there was a change in leadership when Ms. Debbie P. Turner became the agency’s second Executive Director.

The first residential programs offered by the agency were the Elizabeth Hunter and Reverend H. A. McCullough Community Residences. These 12-bedroom facilities were built with a loan from the Farmers Home Administration and began operation in 1988. These homes, located on Hawkins St. and Holloway St. respectively, are licensed as Intermediate Care Facilities for the Mentally Retarded (ICF/MR) by DHEC.

In 1993, legislation was passed changing the name of SCDMR to SCDDSN, which included the eligibility for services for people with autism, head and/or spinal cord injuries and other lifelong disabilities. That prompted the change in the name of the NCBMR/DD to the Newberry County Disabilities and Special Needs Board (NCDSNB). That same year saw the development of the first Community Training Home II (CTH II) in Newberry. Over the next 6 years, 7 more CTH II’s were opened in Prosperity and Newberry. The NCDSNB currently operates 11 CTH II’s, McCullough ICF/MR and serves 57 people in the various residential programs it operates, including the CTH I program.

In July 1999, the Fairfield and Newberry DSN Boards merged to form the Fairfield/Newberry DSN Board (FNDSNB). This was done in an effort to reduce administrative overhead and increase the amount of funding available for service provision. This was the same year SCDDSN instituted capitated funding for all agencies, which meant that funding levels for consumers would be the same for all boards across the state.

In July 2001, the Fairfield County Council initiated action to dissolve the FNDSNB. On November 30, 2001, the joint board was dissolved and separate boards were reconstituted.

The current NCDSNB provides services and supports to over 200 persons and their families, encourages personal outcomes for those served, and has an annual budget of $4.2 million and employees 160 full and part-time staff. Mr. Fred Owens is currently serving as Executive Director for NCDSNB.

Updated March 7, 2006