Tri County Agency: Striving Through Adversity to Reach Success
Brenda Doss saw a problem in Walker County. Children and adults with intellectual disabilities were being taken from their family homes, and put into institutions. This would be unnecessary if their families had the right equipment and assistance to care for their disabled child. In 1994, she helped develop a solution to the problem, making Walker County a better place for these families to live.Doss developed TriCounty Agency for Intellectual Disabilities, which is still strong today. The organization coordinates services and provides personal care and companionship to intellectually disabled individuals. After the services are coordinated, TriCounty continues to monitor each case. The goal is for individuals to be able to stay home with their families, while living as independently as possible. This goal is accomplished by a team of agencies that include TriCounty AID, Northwest Alabama Mental Health Center, Community Options, and the Arcs of Walker, Fayette, and Lamar counties.Program Director Jennifer Terry says, “The most rewarding part of working at the TriCounty AID is getting our clients into the community, and then watching them realize their dreams.”Although TriCounty is a quasi-governmental agency, and Medicaid pays for the services, they offer many programs that are entirely community funded. These programs include the Summer STARS Program, the Family Connections Fund, and the TriCounty annual Christmas party.The Summer STARS (striving through adversity to reach success) program is held annually at Glory Fellowship Baptist Church. With support from the Walker Area Community Foundation, private donations, and fund raisers, this program provides routine and activity for school aged children with disabilities during the summer months.The Family Connections Fund is a program in which TriCounty uses donations from the community to provide for extra needs of their clients. This might include purchasing a wheel chair, stroller, car seat, or medical supplies.The community-funded TriCounty Christmas party is the most anticipated event of the year for everyone involved. What started as a 10 guest function in 2001, has rapidly grown into over 240 guests, 125 support staff, and countless sponsors and volunteers representing five counties.The extravaganza takes place at the Jasper Civic Center and is hosted by the TriCounty AID, along with Urgent Care Northwest. Guests enjoy a meal together, and then dance to a live band and karaoke. Before the night is over, Santa, Mrs. Claus, and Rudolph make an appearance and hand out gifts to the guests.TriCounty Agency Director Sonja Banks says, “The gifts are a huge deal to not only the guests, but the sponsors and volunteers. We hand-pick the gifts for each person, so they get something they really want. Then, the sponsors buy them three gifts each! They have pure joy on their faces, as do we. For most of them, this is their primary Christmas.”Banks showed a special appreciation to the sponsors. Alabama Power not only donates food and presents for the guests, but last year gave the support staff each a Walmart gift card. Central State Manufacturing employees volunteer at the party, bringing gifts with them. Brookwood Baptist Medical Center (formally Walker Baptist) is one of the main gift providers. Almost all of the local restaurants in Walker County donate food. Countless individuals give, as well.Banks says, “This event is huge for everyone. None of it would be possible without our TriCounty employees, though. The party is just as important to them as it is for the guests. They really are passionate about it.”TriCounty AID has truly reformed the intellectual disability community of Walker and the surrounding counties.
TriCounty Agency for Intellectual Disabilities is currently located at 85 N Walston Bridge Road in Jasper, AL, but they are currently in search of a larger building. For more information on TriCounty Agency, building offers, or to make a community program donation, please call Sonja Banks at 205-384-4953.
