SENSOR FRIENDLY – Health Commissioner Andrew Henry of the Jefferson County General Health District introduced the health department’s new portable sensor tower, purchased through the nonprofit KultureCity with the help of a grant from Encino Energy’s Community Partnership Program. – Christopher Dacanay

STEUBENVILLE – Through a grant partnership with Encino Energy, the Jefferson County General Health District has invested in improvements that make it a pioneer in sensory inclusivity.

Thanks to a $3,790 donation from Encino’s Community Partnership Program, all health department employees were certified in the Sensory Inclusive program through KultureCity, a nonprofit organization that provides employee training for sensory-inclusive accommodations. The department also received portable tools to meet the sensory needs of clients inside and outside of the office.

The department is now the only KultureCity-certified organization in Jefferson County and the first certified government agency in Ohio, according to a department press release. Health Commissioner Andrew Henry said the department can now better assist youth and adult clients with sensory sensitivities to use public spaces that would normally be inaccessible due to overwhelming stimuli.

“Through training and sensory-inclusive materials from KultureCity, the JCGHD is now able to make ‘Sneezing Possible’ for members of our community who otherwise often miss out on special events or experiences,” Henry explained this in a press release from Encino, referring to the motto of KultureCity. “We are grateful for Encino’s generous donation and are excited to provide people with sensory issues with a way to better withstand certain environments.”

Sensory Inclusive is typically used by private facilities such as zoos and stadiums to develop their own sensory rooms for clients to help prevent overstimulation, Henry said. Health department staff have been trained by medical and neurodiverse professionals on how to identify clients with sensory needs and how to handle cases of sensory overload.

AWARD – Jackie Stewart, center, vice president of external affairs for Encino Energy, presented the Jefferson County Health Department with a ceremonial check for $3,790 from Encino’s Community Partnership Program on Tuesday. From left: Board members Suzanne Brown, Mary Mihalyo and Dr. Mark Kissinger; Stewart; Board member Terry Bell; Health Commissioner Andrew Henry and Board member Anthony Mougianis. – Christopher Dacanay

The department also purchased sensory-inclusive materials from KultureCity, including three sensory bags with fidgets, noise-cancelling headphones from Puro Sound Labs, verbal cue cards, and weighted lap pads. The department also purchased a portable sensory tower, complete with colorful lights and fiber optic cables.

Materials are available to all health department clients who visit the Steubenville office, which is now equipped with a dedicated sensory room, but all materials can be transported to live events or entertainment venues by the department’s “Wellness on Wheels” mobile clinic, making events accessible to those who would otherwise be unable to attend due to a lack of sensory facilities.

Individuals or families can download the free KultureCity app, where they can see what sensory features are available and where to access them. The app’s social story provides a preview of what to expect at a health department event before attending.

Sensory sensitivities are not limited to a specific age group, the Department of Health’s press release said. People with autism, dementia, PTSD or other conditions may have problems with sensory regulation – including being overwhelmed by crowds, lights, noises, smells or other external stimuli.

Enter KultureCity, which has been advocating for accessibility and inclusion for people with sensory needs since its founding in 2014, according to a press release from the Department of Health. The nonprofit has certified more than 1,800 venues for sensory inclusion and distributed nearly 1 million sensory bags. Additionally, KultureCity has reportedly saved 48 lives as part of its first responder training and has partnered with a variety of personalities, businesses and communities to expand its sensory education reach to executives in the NFL, NBA, MLB and FIFA.

SUPPLIES — Materials included in the Jefferson County General Health District’s sensory bags include fidgets, noise-canceling headphones and verbal cue cards. The materials were purchased by the nonprofit KultureCity through grants from Encino Energy’s Community Partnership Program. – Christopher Dacanay

KultureCity’s Executive Director Uma Srivastava said: “The JCGHD strengthens communities through inclusion and innovation, shares the same visionary spirit as KultureCity and advocates for a world where every individual, regardless of ability, is not only accepted but celebrated for their unique contribution to human history.”

Bringing KultureCity’s initiatives to the health department and Jefferson County was made possible through the grant partnership with Encino, Henry said, expressing gratitude for the relationship.

Henry noted that in 2021, Encino’s Community Partnership Program helped the department acquire medical supplies for its mobile WOW clinic. The program then funded the purchase of mannequins so the department could offer CPR classes. Now, at the special request of Director of Nursing Kylie Smogonovich, Encino’s program has helped with sensory inclusion in the department.

“Public and private partnerships are a top priority for Encino,” said Jackie Stewart, Encino’s Vice President for External Relations, “and our relationship with the (JCGHD) demonstrates our commitment to the health and safety of Jefferson County. We look forward to seeing what impact this will have on Jefferson County.”

Encino is one of the largest private oil and natural gas producers in the United States and is among the top 25 natural gas producers in North America, according to a press release from the Houston-based company.

Founded in 2011, the company has been active in the Utica Shale in eastern Ohio since 2019 after acquiring Chesapeake Energy’s regional assets for $2 billion in 2018. Encino has four active rigs in the counties in which it operates: Carroll, Columbiana, Guernsey, Harrison, Jefferson, Noble and Tuscarawas.

Stewart was on hand to present a ceremonial check to the Jefferson County Health Department during its regular August meeting on Tuesday. She said the Community Partnership Program closed out 2023 by hitting the $2 million mark for distribution. The 2024 community report will be released in January, she added, but donations are expected to “exceed all previous donations in the company’s history.”

Encino’s promotional activities were “heavily weighted” to support first responders and 4-H activities, Stewart said, noting that Encino participated in six county fairs and live auctions this year, including the Jefferson County Fair, which concluded Sunday.

Stewart said the application period for the grant program will open again in January. According to Encino’s website, applications can be submitted to [email protected]. To receive a grant, community projects must be located in one of the company’s asset districts, be partially funded by others and be consistent with Encino’s guiding values, as stated on the website.

Henry noted that the health department’s next sensory inclusion effort will be to purchase a handicap-accessible ramp for the WOW mobile clinic so that all individuals, regardless of mobility, can use the sensory room. He added that the purchase may be made with help from Encino, a move Stewart supports.

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