"Everyone Belongs" is the theme adopted by the adult services program at the Seneca County Opportunity Center for its part of the Art Miles Mural Project.

The creative staff of Beth Smith, Cookie Kastner, Jeanne Hall-Fowler and Mindy Ewald spearheaded the project, working with at least 100 clients from 21-86 years of age. Even those in wheelchairs participated by using long-handled rollers to paint the background of the mural.

A roll of film was unfurled across the center of the brightly colored, 12-foot mural. Within each cell of the film, a character with a disability was depicted. Around the border, all involved in the three-week project placed a handprint.

Adult Services Director Mark Leahy, along with Smith and her daughter, Michelle, presented the finished mural to Seneca County Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities board members Tuesday evening.

It is to be displayed at the School of Opportunity for a time and eventually join other murals at the pyramids of Egypt in 2010 in an attempt to enter the Guinness Book of World Records.

After attending the delegate assembly of the Ohio Association of County Boards of MRDD, Superintendent Lewis Hurst said a new dues structure is to be set up and he said he believes it could be fairly distributed further.

Other topics of importance were tabled until a later meeting.

Business Manager Dick Williams said health insurance costs have increased, and payments for workers' compensation have exceeded budget figures.

Janet Vay, human services director, announced a committee is being formed to study insurance options. She also said the Opportunity Center's Relay for Life team raised $4,239.

The system's review by the state of the Early Intervention, Help Me Grow program is under way, according to Rachel Herron, children's service director. Parent interviews were conducted May 24, and an on-site review of 10 individual education plans, the direct service providers and an administrative review is set for July 21. The staff is looking at the process as a learning experience and said it plans to make any needed changes.

Seneca remains one of the four "best" counties in identifying youth through the early intervention program in need of services.