Blue River Services, Inc. (BRS) is a non-profit organization founded in 1959 by six families who believed that all people are capable of learning when given the opportunity and appropriate support services. With this guiding philosophy for more than 60 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.  In fiscal year 2019, the agency served 20,710 individuals through more than 20 programs in 30 Indiana counties.

Support our mission.

 

We want to help your child develop great social skills! Learning to play with others is a big part of pre-K, and your 4-year-old could be eligible for a free program at our location through On My Way Pre-K. To apply, visit OnMyWayPreK.org and fill out the application today!

For additional information, please contact Julia Baylor or Larissa Mortensen at 812-364-1142, or Stephanie Martin at 812-738-1979.

On Friday, June 19, the Blue River Golf Scramble returned after a four-year hiatus – and a six-week coronavirus delay. Twelve teams gathered at Chariot Run Golf Club for a delicious lunch then played a fun scramble on the beautiful and challenging course. Each golfer had the option of using their own cart and social distancing was encouraged so that all could safely enjoy the game.

The team from Engaged Pro shot a 56 to claim first place. Team Rauch came in second with a 58, and Salem Crossing finished in third with a score of 59. In the other contests, Drex Gillaspie had the longest putt, Shawn Arthur hit closest to the gopher, and Haynes Perry won the drawing for the 50/50 raffle. Congratulations to all!

Thank you to our corporate and hole sponsors, players, volunteers and the staff at Chariot Run for making this such a fun and successful event. With their help, more than $4,500 was raised to support the mission of Blue River Services – helping people reach their maximum potential and achieve self-sufficiency, no matter the challenges they may face.

We hope to see everyone again next year!

Blue River Services, Inc. has been awarded $3,000 through the Community Foundation of Crawford County’s COVID-19 Emergency Relief Grant. The funds will help provide safer services to vulnerable populations in Crawford County by increasing personal protective equipment for staff and cleaning supplies to maintain stringent sanitizing procedures.

“This funding ensures Blue River can continue essential services to vulnerable community members in the safest way possible,” said Daniel J. Lowe, CEO of Blue River Services, Inc. “We are grateful to have the support of the Community Foundation of Crawford County.”

The Foundation received $17,000 in donations to address immediate needs in the Crawford community as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Blue River Services, Inc. will be developing Apple Orchard Apartments, a multi-family affordable housing apartment complex, in two phases in New Salisbury, IN. The First phase will be consists of 14 two and three bedroom units. Some features of the units include cover porches, outside storage, and energy star appliances. The apartments will serve households that make below the Area Median Income for Harrison County.

Blue River Services, Inc. was granted $195,000 for construction costs from the Harrison County Community Foundation. With the Foundation’s support, Blue River Services, Inc. was able to secure funding from other public and private grants. The project is scheduled to start this summer.

In a recent round of Innovation Grant opportunities made available by the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) Blue River Services, Inc. (BRS) applied for and was awarded 2 separate grants totaling $300,000.  In the first grant, BRS was awarded $100,000 and selected to serve as a statewide 21^st CCLC Peer Support Partner.  As a State Peer Partner, BRS will provide on-site peer coaching, support and train other grantees on using the Cayen data management system, assist IDOE 21^st CCLC staff with statewide strategic and collaborative efforts, and manage 21^st CCLC meeting logistics including space reservations, set up and anything else that might be needed to successfully host trainings.  “As the statewide Peer Support Partner, BRS will work collaboratively with the State 21^st CCLC staff to develop and implement new and improved strategies and expectations, and/or expand upon the current ones,” states Julia Baylor, BRS Director of Children’s Services.  “We will be able to bring to the table years of experience, a working knowledge of what it takes to run successful programs, ideas and information regarding various types of professional development that would be beneficial to providers around the state, and a willingness to share our established policies, procedures, forms and other documentation.”