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Bethesda begins services for people with developmental disabilities in Rhinelander

061004/01

On October 1, Bethesda Lutheran Homes and Services, Inc., a not-for-profit developmental disability service provider headquartered in Watertown, Wis., will begin providing services for people with developmental disabilities in the Rhinelander area by officially gaining ownership of the Peterson Health Care of Wisconsin facilities.

As a result, Bethesda will offer services in 12 different support settings in the Rhinelander area, serving 54 individuals with developmental disabilities and employing 120 staff members.

Bethesda began a relationship with Peterson Health Care of Wisconsin when they were asked to assist in the closing of Peterson Health Care’s Intermediate Care Facility for People with Mental Retardation (ICF-MR) in Rhinelander. The two organizations developed a relationship from there which resulted in Bethesda taking ownership of the facilities on Oct. 1.

“Right from the beginning, the owners of Peterson Health Care of Wisconsin realized that Bethesda shared its values in not only the physical services offered for people with developmental disabilities, but the spiritual supports offered to them as well,” said Dr. David Geske, president and CEO of Bethesda. “It was important to them that whatever organization took over services would continue the same high-quality level of services and supports that Peterson Health Care has provided to people with development disabilities in the Rhinelander area for many years.”

Debborah Zubke, Bethesda’s North Central Regional Administrator, said that it was clear that the two organizations shared similar philosophies concerning services and supports for people with developmental disabilities.

“Bethesda’s mission is to teach and share Christ's love while providing supports and services for people with developmental disabilities, and we will continue to offer those services to the 54 individuals we will serve in the Rhinelander area,” said Zubke. “We look forward to developing relationships with the friends and family members of the people we serve, as well as staff members and the community who has supported these individuals for many years.”

For more information on Bethesda's services and support programs or for career opportunities with Bethesda in the Rhinelander area, call Bethesda at 715.365.6818.

Now in its second century of service, Bethesda Lutheran Homes and Services, Inc. provides services and supports to individuals with developmental disabilities throughout the country and throughout the world. It is Bethesda’s mission to support the needs of the individual—both physical and spiritual—and as a result, Bethesda offers many different types of services for the individual and their family, including a variety of residential facilities, supported-living programs, outreach services and secular training workshops. For more information on Bethesda’s services and support programs, call the public relations office at 800.369.4636, ext. 3817, or email: pr@blhs.org.