The Courtyard Muncie at Horizon Convention Center, which will be home to the Erskine Green Training Institute, will open tomorrow with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 3 PM. An initiative of The Arc of Indiana, the hotel will train individuals with disabilities for employment in hospitality, food service, and health care. The hotel, the Thr3e Wise Men restaurant housed there, and the IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital will also provide internships to the Institute’s students.
 
The hotel provides opportunities for individuals with disabilities to own a business housed in the hotel. The Institute will also train organizations and individuals working in the human resources profession in hiring practices for individuals with disabilities.
 
"This project is only possible because so many people have come together to achieve this dream," said Kim Dodson, executive director of The Arc of Indiana and Arc Innovations. "We are making history that will forever change the lives of people with disabilities."

Earlier this week, the National Disabilities Rights Network (NDRN) and the Department of Labor (DOL) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) announced an agreement concerning Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act. The agreement will strengthen collaborative efforts between the NDRN, the WHD, and Protection and Advocacy (P & A) agencies in protecting the rights of workers with disabilities and preventing exploitation. ​

Among the festivities of the Greater Greencastle Chamber of Commerce annual holiday Business After Hours, Chuck Schroeder, Executive Director of Putnam County Comprehensive Services (PCCS), passed the torch to his successor, Andrew Ranck. After 43 years at the organization’s helm, Schroeder has decided to retire. Schroeder will serve in an emeritus capacity until June 30, upon the completion of a few final projects, including the expansion of PCCS’ facility on Tennessee Street in Greencastle and the addition of sprinklers at PCCS’ Greenwood day facility. ​

Yesterday, Governor Mike Pence announced plans to construct the Indiana Neuro Diagnostic Institute, a new $120 million mental health hospital. The hospital will be located adjacent to Community East Hospital in an effort to provide patients with better access to other health services, and will include 159 beds and is projected to serve 1,500 patients per year. The focus of this neuro-diagnostic institute is to serve individuals with mental illness, substance use disorders, traumatic brain injuries, and intellectual and developmental disabilities. Construction of the facility is projected to be complete in September 2018. ​