A look back at local support in Jackson County
On Nov. 2, 1976, Jackson County voters approved Proposition One, helping lay the foundation for today’s eitas. As the 50th anniversary approaches, an original campaign brochure offers a glimpse into the needs of families and the beginnings of local services for people with developmental disabilities.
The brochure described a need for employment training, residential support and assistance for families planning for a loved one’s future. The first Board of Directors was appointed in 1977.
Much has changed since then. Services have expanded, with greater emphasis on individual goals, personal choice and participation in community life. Support may help someone get to work, build relationships, explore interests or navigate available resources.
Today, eitas provides Support Coordination, Transportation, Community Outreach and training, along with funding for community services. Across that work, the focus remains on understanding what matters to each person and helping connect them with support.
This anniversary is an opportunity to recognize the people with disabilities, families, advocates, staff and community partners who have shaped local services over the years. Their experiences continue to inform the work of eitas and the ways it responds to community needs.
Explore the original brochure below
This historical document contains language about disability that reflects its time and is not language eitas uses today.