CLI'S CORE Values Are...

• Persons served by CLI have ultimate authority over all aspects in regard to those services;

• The best possible outcome of CLI services to each individual shall be full community participation and membership as desired by that individual;

• CLI is committed to full accessibility for those we serve-- accessibility to buildings, to community resources, activities, etc;

​

• The best possible outcomes are those that serve CLI clients with developmental disabilities, that further the mission of the agency as a whole, and that effect positive developments in the community at large;

• In order to further its mission, CLI must ensure that its staff are trained, paid and treated as professionals and as stakeholders;

• In order to further its mission, CLI must work toward increasing the social opportunities and improving spaces to benefit CLI clients and non-clients in our local communities.

​

• Continuous improvement is necessary.

​All actions taken by CLI staff at every level shall be consistent with CLI's Organizational Mission and Core VaLUES.

CLI's History

Ohio Senate Bill 169 passed in 1967.  This established County Boards of DD and allowed them to access tax money by placing local County levies on the ballot.  Prior to this bill, kids with developmental disabilities were often excluded from public education.  The new County Board of DD immediately built segregated schools, followed by custom built sheltered workshops for those same kids to matriculate into after the age of 22.

​CLI was first established in the 1970’s as “Christie Lane Industries”, which functioned as a department of the Huron County Board of Developmental Disabilities.  For our first 30 years we were best known as a sheltered workshop that contracted with local businesses to provide subcontract assembly & packaging.  While CLI also employed workers without disabilities, the reality was that the vast majority of CLI’s workforce was people with disabilities.

Changes  over  the  years

There have been a significant number of changes over the last 20 years

Ohio’s DD system has moved away from considering segregated services (and worksites) to be best practice.  These segregated sites are still permitted at this time.

​Ohio’s DD system and individuals with DD are less likely to be interested in pursuing vocational outcomes.  CLI continues to provide vocational services to our clients, including direct employment through Firelands Local LLC at hourly wages exceeding Ohio minimum wage.

Due to anticipated legal challenges, County Boards of DD privatized their provider services.  CLI spun off of HCBDD at the end of 2015.

​The COVID pandemic that started in 2020 effected a dramatic change in CLI’s business model as we pivoted toward individual and small group community-integrated services.

CLI's Future

Finding new opportunities to partner with other local businesses and agencies– it is not enough to simply place people with DD in the community.  We need to ensure that we’re making it possible for our clients and our community partners to experience meaningful opportunities and purpose.  We must play an active role with other progressive members of the community who are engaged in making our community better.

Vertical Divider

Finding new market opportunities.  CLI has big ambitions that will take real capital.  Sometimes we are fortunate enough to connect with donors for special projects.  However, CLI works very hard to ensure that our operations are self-sufficient.

CLI's FUNDING

PERCENT

70% of CLI’s budget comes from providing a array of vocational and habilitative services to individuals with DD.  These services are provided on a “fee-for-service” basis.  These services are reimbursed through a combination of federal Medicaid funds, as well as state and county tax dollars.

Vertical Divider

PERCENT

20% of CLI’s budget comes from the business-to-business services provided by CLI’s subsidiary, Firelands Local LLC.

Vertical Divider

PERCENT

5% of CLI’s budget comes from the operations of subsidiary, CLI Good Works LLC (dba “Kenilee Lanes”), which is an 8-lane bowling center in Norwalk, Ohio.

Vertical Divider

PERCENT

5% of CLI’s budget comes from miscellaneous business operations.  We’re always looking for opportunities.

Our Friends