Schulenburg Enrichment Center Update

Kenmar Residential Services said it is not interested in taking over the Schulenburg Enrichment Center, a day habilitation program for special needs adults. Bluebonnet Trails Community Services announced last week it’s plan to close the center on Oct. 31. Fayette County Commission for Intellectual Disabilities (FCCID) owns the building and property and leases it to Bluebonnet Trails. FCCID also owns two group homes that houses up to 12 special needs adults in Schulenburg. It leases the group homes to Kenmar. At a meeting last Wednesday, Aug. 24, the FCCID board asked Kenmar if they were interested in taking over the Schulenburg Enrichment Center from Bluebonnet Trails. “Given the logistics and finances of the endeavor, it will probably not be self-sustaining,” said Kenmar CEO Ken Gray. “Even if the building were free, the staff alone wouldn’t be sustainable.” Gray said the state reimburses his organization $8.11 per hour for care workers, but he said he has to offer $10 to $15 an hour to get workers to apply. Gray said his company currently has many open positions they’ve struggled to fill. The Schulenburg Enrichment Center currently services nine individuals who live in the community with their families. Gray said Kenmar would accept the nine Schulenburg clients into their day habilitation program in La Grange, which currently serves 75 individuals. Gray said Kenmar is working to open a second facility in La Grange that will include a pottery and ceramics production shop. Andrea Richardson, executive director of BluebonnetTrails, said her organization will provide transportation for any of the Schulenburg clients who chose to enter the Kenmar program in La Grange.