Officials with the Ellisville State School hope the school’s 90th year will serve as a new beginning for the historic institution.

Renee Brett, director of the Ellisville State School (ESS), recently sat down with the Laurel Leader-Call Editorial Board to discuss her goals for the year amid tough budget cuts from the state.

“We want to get our story out there,” Brett said. “So many don’t even know that Ellisville State School exists. That’s really sad because we’ve been here since 1920.”

Brett noted that ESS recently introduced a new logo to help “erase the stigma” of the mental health facility.

The logo, which showcases a bridge, is symbolic of the school “bridging the gap between us and the community.”

“The design of the bridge also includes some historical elements that are also seen on the buildings at Ellisville State School,” she said. “Those buildings were built back in the ‘30s. We wanted something new to help establish our name and not have that stigma.”

Brett, who has served as director for about a year, said there have been many changes “for the good” at ESS during her nearly 32 years on staff.

“The biggest change is our move to community-based programs,” she said. “We serve about 500 on the main campus including 70 children. But, there are many more in community homes across the 31 county region we serve.”

According to information provided by ESS, more than 60 individuals are served in community-based programs including:

• Diagnostic Services

• Case Management

• In-Home Services

• Early Intervention

• Home & Community Waiver

• ICF/MR Group Homes

• Community Living Services

• Day Habilitation Services

• Community Vocational Services

• Columbus Community Programs

Brett said ESS serves those with mental retardation or IDD, intellectual and development disabilities. Many would have no other place to go if the facility did not exist.

“Because they could cause harm to themselves or others, they would be in jail,” she said. “That’s not where those people need to go. You need to look at what’s causing those behaviors and actions.”

Brett noted that ESS serves a majority adult population, but treats children beginning at birth.

“Our youngest right now is three years old, but we have some in their 90s,” she said. “We put them together with someone with a similar functioning level and in age... their peers.”

Brett said ESS is facing tough fiscal decisions this year as the state has cut more than $19 million to the Department of Mental Health since July 1.

“We are the largest state agency and dealing with human lives,” she said. “Where are these people going to go? This is their home.”

Brett said the facility is facing difficulties like it did during the 1980s, but said it’s “worse this time.”

“We’re having to look at consolidating positions or not fill them,” she said. “We’ve really had to tighten our belt. Next year may be worse than this year.

“We’ve met with (State Sen.) Chris McDaniel (R-Ellisville),” Brett added. “He said people don’t understand how long it will take the state to rebound. It may take several years. It’s not going to be a little bounce back.”

Brett noted that the Parents Association is able to help with some fundraising, including monthly awards for staff.

As it begins its next 90 years, Ellisville State School — which began as the School & Colony for the Feeble Minded — will continue its push towards community-based programs, Brett said.

“The most predominant difference will be the shifting numbers we serve on the main campus,” she said. “There’s a big institutional stigma due to the size of the facility. It’s intimidated some.

“These are the types of things that we want to get rid of or go away,” Brett added. “We want people to be able to come and see us.”

Brett noted that there are a lot of positives from the services ESS provides to the community.

Through the day services program, residents are able to worm on daily living skills such as learning how to brush their teeth, comb their hair and count money. Work programs include packaging golf tees and other items for sale as well as creating jewelry and pottery.

“We want to teach them to be as independent as possible,” she said. “Several have gone on to have very successful jobs and were able to buy their own house. It can be done and that’s what our programs do for them.

“The early we’re able to reach them the better,” Brett added. “As they get older, there are bigger problems and more expenses.”

Future events include a graduation in May and an awards banquet for direct care staff on April 16.

Brett said the latter event is “like the Academy Awards for them.”

“The direct care staff are the hardest working and lowest paid people,” she said. “They are at the ground level, making that difference every day.”

For more information on the Ellisville State School, visit www.ess.state.ms.us.