Macon County Commission for Developmentally Disabled Citizens

02/15/2026

Happy Birthday, Joy! 🎉
Your kindness, positivity, and light make such a difference to everyone around you. Celebrate big today! 🥳

02/12/2026

🚨Attention🚨

There are multiple bills in the Missouri Legislature that would affect Property Taxes in Missouri. For county SB40 developmental disability boards, some of these changes could have a devastating effect.

What is an SB40 board?
In 89 Missouri counties plus the city of St. Louis, local citizens have passed a property tax levy to support individuals with developmental disabilities in their counties. This levy is administered by a local board of directors appointed by the county commission or local authority and is responsive to local needs and accountable to the taxpayers. These funds are used to support sheltered employment, residential programs and other related services.

What is the issue with property taxes?
In some locations in the state, property values have grown very quickly and resulted in increased tax levies to citizens. However, there have been legislators working hard to assess the issues and develop solutions to improve processes. And the existing Hancock amendment already limits growth to no more than 5%.

What is the concern with this legislation?
If property taxes are reduced or eliminated, this would result in less or no funding for the county SB40 DD boards, which could mean a reduction or elimination of services provided by these agencies. If just personal property tax is eliminated, this would be a reduction of 20% on average across the state, which would reduce services significantly. Additionally, other services that rely on property taxes would also suffer, such as emergency services, libraries, and more.

The ask:
Please contact your local legislators and ask them to ensure the sustainability of county SB40 DD boards by keeping their revenue from property taxes intact. We encourage them to work with stakeholders to find solutions to the process challenges that are occurring.

https://www.votervoice.net/mobile/MACDDS/Campaigns/130293/Respond?unregistered=59004D004D00510070006E0044006C0076004B006D00330065003400450066004600540050006B0063006700

02/10/2026

‼️Tech Tuesday‼️

This week’s Tech Tuesday highlights the PureWick external catheter system by BD.

We recently helped obtain this system for someone who had ongoing sores related to incontinence. The PureWick system has allowed his skin to heal.

This is a great example of how the right assistive technology can do more than improve convenience. It can directly improve comfort, dignity, and health outcomes.

Sometimes small tech makes a big difference. 💙

02/06/2026

🌟 Feature Friday 🌟

Lacy Seward continues to shine and we are so proud to have her as part of our orgaization. Thanks for being you and always being so dedicated to everyone around you.

02/05/2026

Bittersweet doesn’t even cover it 🌴💛

After five amazing years, we’re saying see you later to Randi as she takes a well-deserved break to soak up some sunshine and fun in Florida for a couple of months. While we’re sad to have her away (the office won’t be the same), we’re excited for her to enjoy this adventure and all the sunshine she can handle.

Randi, thank you for your dedication, your hard work, and the laughs you brought with you every day. You’ll be missed more than you know.

Wishing you blue skies, sandy toes, and all the happiness in the Sunshine State ☀️🌊

02/03/2026

🌟Triumph Tuesday🌟

Owen has had an incredible year, and we want to shine a spotlight on his achievements as he prepares to graduate from Hannibal High School this May! Through the BEST (Basic Employment Skills Training) Program, he has gained valuable life and employment skills while working full time at the Douglass Community Food Pantry—helping with food distribution, stocking and organizing items, supporting daily operations, and interacting positively with community members. Owen has shown responsibility, consistency, and strong teamwork skills every step of the way.

The BEST Program gives students with disabilities real-world work experience during the school day, focusing on essential skills like communication, time management, following directions, and professional behavior. Students are treated like employees at community job sites, helping them build confidence and independence.

With the skills Owen has developed through BEST, it is the hope that he will be competitively employed someday.

We are incredibly proud of Owen’s growth and accomplishments this year! 👏🎓 A heartfelt thank you to Hannibal Public School District #60 for their dedication to transition planning, the Macon County SB40 (MCCDDC) Board for providing funding for one-on-one job coaching, Learning Opportunities/Quality Works, Inc. for their exceptional support, and Douglass Community Services for partnering to give students these meaningful opportunities. Thanks to this incredible collaboration, Owen has had the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive—an achievement made possible by these amazing partners.

01/31/2026

🌟 Feature Friday Spotlight! 🌟

We couldn’t let this week end without celebrating one of our friends who has been absolutely crushing it! 👏🎉

Please help us congratulate Kahlynn on earning Senior Student of the Month! 🏆📚

This recognition is such a big deal and truly reflects her hard work and determination. We are so proud to be part of her journey and can’t wait to see what she accomplishes next!

Way to go, Kahlynn—you earned every bit of this! ⭐️

01/30/2026

We couldn’t let the day go by without wishing Alex the happiest of birthdays! 🎉🎂

We are so glad she’s back with us at County Connections—she brings so much heart, positivity, and dedication to our team. 💙

Help us wish Alex an amazing day! 🎈🎁🥳

01/28/2026

📘 County Connections Annual Report

We’re excited to share our County Connections Annual Report, highlighting the work, impact, and progress made over the past year. This report reflects the dedication of our staff, the strength of our partnerships, and—most importantly—the individuals and families we are honored to support.

Thank you to our community, board members, and partners for your continued support and trust. We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished together and look forward to the year ahead.

👉 Take a moment to read the report and see how County Connections continues to support, advocate, and connect.

01/27/2026

📢 We’re Hiring! Service Coordinator – Hannibal Office 📢

Do you have a passion for helping others, strong organization skills, and a heart for advocacy? We’re looking for a Service Coordinator to join our team in our Hannibal office!

✨ What you’ll do:
• Support individuals and families in navigating services
• Coordinate resources and advocate for meaningful outcomes
• Build strong relationships within the community

✨ What we’re looking for:
• Compassionate, dependable, and organized individuals
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills
• Experience in human services preferred (but not required)

If you’re looking for a rewarding career where your work truly makes a difference, we’d love to hear from you!

📍 Location: Hannibal
📩 Apply here:

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01/23/2026

We are conducting this survey to better understand how our community experiences the world around them. Our goal is to learn more about the everyday factors—from the spaces we inhabit to the ways we communicate—that impact your comfort and participation. By sharing your perspective on your physical environment, financial accessibility, and community culture, you are helping us build a clearer picture of what true inclusion looks like. Please take just a few minutes to answer these survey questions. Thank you for your participation.

Architectural

01/15/2026

🎉 Happy 3-Year Work Anniversary, Kara! 🎉

Today we’re celebrating 3 years of Kara being part of the County Connections team! Thank you for your dedication, compassion, and the positive impact you make every day for the people we support and for your coworkers. We’re so grateful for all you do and are lucky to have you as part of our team. Here’s to many more years ahead!