People First comes to Muskingum County

The Muskingum County Board of Developmental Disabilities now has the 75th chapter of People First across the state.

People First is a group of people who aim to improve their abilities to become self-advocates. The chapter here in Muskingum County will help self-advocates represent themselves.

“When we come in to start a chapter they learn about their bill of rights and their responsibilities,” the executive director of People First of Ohio, Sadie Hunter, said. “They learn about community inclusion, having a community job instead of going to a workshop. They understand what’s new coming down the road. There’s so many things that are happening in the state that they need to understand the things that are going to affect their lives and be able to speak out and have their voices heard.”

Hunter said that because people first receives federal money the organization can open chapters across the state at no cost to the local chapters.

“We’re funded by the developmental disabilities council and that is federal money and that gives a grant for us to be able to come free to counties and start their people’s first chapters,” Hunter said.

Now, the six officers will help to lead the newest chapter of People First.