Welcome to Blue River Services, Inc.

Blue River Services, Inc. (BRS) is a private, non-profit organization founded in 1959 by six families that believed that all people are capable of learning when given the opportunity and appropriate support services. With this guiding philosophy for more than 58 years, BRS has consistently expanded its services to meet the needs of community members and help people with disabilities and the general public overcome barriers to independence.

BRS strives to reach its motto of “People Serving People” by providing exceptional services for all ages, from infants to seniors, in all areas of life and levels of ability. The agency offers services through 13 departments, and in fiscal year 2017, served 17,000 individuals in 33 Indiana counties.

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News

SGL Team Helps Raise Funds for Neighboring Non-Profit

Blue River Services, Inc. adapted its motto of “People Serving People” to “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” for a day in support of Rauch, Inc.’s inaugural Rauch & Roll event July 8 to help raise funds for services that support people with disabilities and the WHAS Crusade for Children.

The Blue River Services team, led by Nona Besendorf, BSW, social service liaison in the Residential Supervised Group Living Department, raised $350 for the cause and walked a mile around the Industrial Park in New Albany where Rauch is located.

“The residents all enjoyed the walk,” said Besendorf, who was recently recognized for her 30 years of service at Blue River. “We enjoyed music, food and everyone was given a t-shirt for participating. It was a great day.”

Rauch & Roll is a non-competitive walk/roll (by wheelchair, stroller, etc.) around the one-mile course at Rauch, Inc., followed by music and a cookout.

BRS group home residents Tom Davito, Stephen Ledford (white sunglasses), Randy Beckett, left, and Donald Fancher participate in Rauch and Roll.

From left, Pat Borho, Stephen Ledford, and Nona Besendorf, BSW, share a laugh during lunch following their 1K walk.

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Eastern High School Launches D.E.L.T.A. Program in Partnership with BRS

Eastern High School and Blue River Services, Inc. have joined forces to create an academic and career focused afterschool program known as D.E.L.T.A. (Determination, Excellence, Leadership, Talent, and Achievement).

D.E.L.T.A. kicked off this summer with a “Healthcare Careers” mini-camp at Eastern High School. During the camp, healthcare professionals from St. Vincent Hospital in Salem came to EHS to give presentations and provide valuable information on many different healthcare career paths. The camp culminated with a trip to St. Vincent Hospital where hospital staff provided a complete tour of the facility and students were able to shadow healthcare professionals on the job. The camp helped students increase knowledge about their current career interests. The D.E.L.T.A. program, designed to provide enriching academic activities and introduce high school students to a variety of career options, will be provided throughout the school year.
"We are excited to provide this opportunity to our students at Eastern High School,” said Principal Darrin Farris. “Our partnership with local businesses is a key component to the success of our program."

While the Healthcare Camp was provided over the summer, the first year of programming will be laid out as follows:

First 9 weeks – Starting Over, Starting Off Right – No matter what a student has done in the past, now’s is their chance to start over and this time do it right!
Second 9 Weeks – Honeymoon is Over – Time to get the work done! Earn the credits, take the online classes, etc.
Third 9 Weeks – Hobbies – Students choose what they want to learn – Building drones, for example, or taking CNA classes.
Fourth 9 weeks – Crossing the finish line

The D.E.L.T.A. program is made possible through a 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) grant received by East Washington from the Indiana Department of Education. Eastern High School will receive $292,767 during the 2017-18 school year to fund this exciting new program.

Blue River Services, Inc. and East Washington partnered to write and submit the 21st CCLC grant application. Blue River Services, Inc. has been involved in the education of children throughout the community, including after-school programs, for many years. The agency is the afterschool provider at both East Washington Elementary and Middle School. Blue River Services, Inc. will provide program staffing, be responsible for coordinating all activities, and work with the school to recruit students and add additional partners.

“This will be our first experience with high school programming,” said Julia Baylor, Director of Children’s Services at Blue River Services, Inc. “I am thrilled to be able to work with East Washington on this project. For students to truly be prepared to be successful after high school, they need the skills necessary to balance work, life, and school, as well as the connections required to gain access to interviews, classes and careers. Our program will not only prepare students for immediate employment if desired, but will also give them the training and certifications needed to work their way through further post-secondary education and training.”

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