Grant partnership promotes sensory inclusivity at Jefferson County health department
SENSORY FRIENDLY — Health Commissioner Andrew Henry of the Jefferson County General Health District demonstrated the health department’s new portable sensory tower, obtained through the nonprofit KultureCity through grant funding from Encino Energy’s Community Partnership Program. -- Christopher Dacanay
GRANT AWARD — Jackie Stewart, center, Encino Energy’s vice president of external affairs, presented the Jefferson County Board of Health with a ceremonial check for $3,790 from Encino’s Community Partnership Program Tuesday. From left are board members Suzanne Brown, Mary Mihalyo and Dr. Mark Kissinger; Stewart; board member Terry Bell; Health Commissioner Andrew Henry and board member Anthony Mougianis. -- Christopher Dacanay
SUPPLIES — Among supplies included in the Jefferson County General Health District’s sensory bags are fidgets, noice-canceling headphones and verbal cue cards. The supplies were obtained from the nonprofit KultureCity through grant funding from Encino Energy’s Community Partnership Program. -- Christopher Dacanay
SENSORY FRIENDLY — Health Commissioner Andrew Henry of the Jefferson County General Health District demonstrated the health department’s new portable sensory tower, obtained through the nonprofit KultureCity through grant funding from Encino Energy’s Community Partnership Program. -- Christopher Dacanay
GRANT AWARD — Jackie Stewart, center, Encino Energy’s vice president of external affairs, presented the Jefferson County Board of Health with a ceremonial check for $3,790 from Encino’s Community Partnership Program Tuesday. From left are board members Suzanne Brown, Mary Mihalyo and Dr. Mark Kissinger; Stewart; board member Terry Bell; Health Commissioner Andrew Henry and board member Anthony Mougianis. -- Christopher Dacanay
SUPPLIES — Among supplies included in the Jefferson County General Health District’s sensory bags are fidgets, noice-canceling headphones and verbal cue cards. The supplies were obtained from the nonprofit KultureCity through grant funding from Encino Energy’s Community Partnership Program. -- Christopher Dacanay
STEUBENVILLE -- Through a grant partnership with Encino Energy, the Jefferson County General Health District has invested in improvements that establish it as a pioneer in sensory inclusivity.
A $3,790 donation from Encino's Community Partnership Program provided for all health department staff to be certified through the flagship Sensory Inclusive program of KultureCity, a nonprofit that provides staff training for sensory-inclusive accommodations. The department also received transportable resources to accommodate clients' sensory needs in and out of its office.
The department is now the only KultureCity-certified organization in Jefferson County and the first certified government agency in Ohio, according to a release from the department. Health Commissioner Andrew Henry said the department can now better help youth and adult clients with sensory sensitivities to engage in public spaces that would normally be inaccessible due to overwhelming stimuli.
"Through training and sensory inclusive supplies from KultureCity, the JCGHD will now be able to 'Make the Nevers Possible' for members of our community who often miss out on special events or experiences," Henry stated in a release from Encino, referencing KultureCity's motto. "We're thankful for the generous donation made by Encino, and we're very excited to give those with sensory issues a pathway to try and help withstand certain environments."
Sensory Inclusive is typically used by private venues such as zoos and stadiums to develop their own sensory rooms for clients to avoid overstimulation, Henry said. Health department staff received training from medical and neurodivergent professionals in how to recognize clients with sensory needs and how to handle instances of sensory overload.
The department also procured sensory inclusive supplies from KultureCity, including three sensory bags containing fidgets, noise-canceling headphones from Puro Sound Labs, verbal cue cards and weighted lap pads. The department also obtained a portable sensory tower, complete with colorful lights and fiber optic cables.
Materials are available for all health department clients who visit its Steubenville office, which is now equipped with a dedicated sensory room. However, all materials can be transported to live events or entertainment by the department's Wellness on Wheels mobile clinic, opening the events up to those who couldn't otherwise attend due to a lack of sensory accommodations.
Individuals or families can download the free KultureCity app, where they can view what sensory features are available and where they can be accessed. The app's Social Story provides a preview of what to expect at a health department event, prior to attending.
Sensory sensitivities are not restricted to a certain age group, the health department's release states. Challenges with sensory regulation -- including becoming overwhelmed by crowds, lights, sounds, smells or other external stimuli -- may be experienced by individuals with autism, dementia, PTSD or other conditions.
Enter KultureCity, which has been promoting accessibility and inclusivity for those with sensory needs since its founding in 2014, according to the health department's release. The nonprofit has certified more than 1,800 venues for sensory inclusivity and distributed nearly 1 million sensory bags. Furthermore, KultureCity has reportedly saved 48 lives through its first responder training and partnered with a varied list of figures, businesses and communities, extending its sensory education reach to leaders in the NFL, NBA, MLB and FIFA.
KultureCity's Executive Director Uma Srivastava stated, "Empowering communities through inclusion and innovation, the JCGHD is aligned with the same visionary spirit as KultureCity and is championing a world where every individual, regardless of ability, is not just accepted but celebrated for their unique contributions to the tapestry of humanity."
Bringing KultureCity's initiatives to the health department and Jefferson County was possible through the grant partnership with Encino, Henry said, expressing his gratitude for the relationship.
Henry noted Encino's Community Partnership Program assisted the department in obtaining medical supplies for its WOW mobile clinic in 2021, and afterward, the program financed the purchase of mannequins for the department to begin offering CPR classes. Now, Encino's program has assisted with sensory inclusion at the department, at the special request of Nursing Director Kylie Smogonovich.
"Public and private partnerships are a major priority for Encino," stated Jackie Stewart, Encino's vice president of external affairs, "and the relationship we have with the (the JCGHD) illustrates our commitment to the health and safety of Jefferson County. We look forward to seeing how impactful this will be for Jefferson County."
Encino is one of the largest private oil and natural gas producers in the U.S. and ranks in the top 25 of natural gas producer in North America, according to a release from the Houston-based company.
Founded in 2011, the company has been operating in the Eastern Ohio Utica Shale since 2019, after acquiring Chesapeake Energy's regional assets for $2 billion in 2018. Encino has four active drilling rigs across its asset counties: Carroll, Columbiana, Guernsey, Harrison, Jefferson, Noble and Tuscarawas.
On hand to present a ceremonial check to the Jefferson County Board of Health during its regular August meeting Tuesday, Stewart said the Community Partnership Program closed out 2023 by hitting the $2 million mark for distribution. The 2024 community report will be released in January, she added, but donations are expected to "surpass all previous donations in the company's history."
Encino's grant activities have been "heavily weighted" on supporting first responders and 4-H activities, Stewart said, noting that Encino has participated in six county fairs and live auctions this year, including the Jefferson County Fair, which concluded Sunday.
Stewart said that the grant program's funding request period will reopen in January. According to Encino's website, requests can be submitted to community@encinoenergy.com. To receive funding, community projects must be located within one of the company's asset counties, partially funded by others and aligned with Encino's guiding values, as provided on the website.
Henry noted that the health department's next sensory inclusion activity will be purchasing a handicap accessible ramp for its WOW mobile clinic, to allow all individuals use the sensory room, regardless of mobility issues. He added that the purchase may be pursued through help from Encino, a move that Stewart encouraged.