Director leaving county facility

Jay County Country Living’s director is resigning.

Melissa Blankley recently submitted her letter of resignation, effective June 24. Jay County Commissioner Brian McGalliard read Blankley’s letter during a meeting Monday.

She will be taking a nursing position as a certified health coach.

Blankley has been serving as director of the facility formerly known as Jay County Retirement Center for more than a year, having been hired as a part-time interim director in February 2022 and brought on in a full-time capacity in April 2022. (Her employment came as the result of the January 2022 resignation of former director Hope Confer.) A registered nurse, Blankley noted in past meetings a desire to help through the transitional period, and she pointed out she would like to return in some extent to healthcare in the future.

In her letter, she explained she didn’t believe she could serve in both the certified health coach position and as director at the same time.

“There are so many possibilities for this facility and ways to grow and even prosper in the future it needs to be a full-time position,” said Blankley in the letter. “I have learned so much and have a new family of special people in my life. I cannot thank you enough for trusting and supporting me in this position of responsibility. I look forward to sharing what we’ve done and what needs to be continued with any new staff entrusted with this facility.

“I will always be only a phone call away and will continue to support those who work and live here in any way I can.”

County officials have been discussing the future of Jay County Country Living for years, most recently at a public meeting in February 2022. At that time, the county gave the facility six months to turn its finances around. The facility’s financial outlook has since improved, according to officials.

In 2021, the facility’s budget came to $499,000, with its generated revenue coming out to about $290,000. According to Jay County Council president Jeanne Houchins at the February 2022 meeting, the county had spent roughly $2.2 million in unreimbursed funds for the facility in the last decade. Several previous or current residents at that time had not paid rent or were not signed up for government programs — specifically the Residential Assistance Care Program offered through the Indiana Family Social Services Administration — to cover their room and board.

Jay County Council discussed the facility’s finances in December, with Houchins explaining revenue at that time was up $15,000 and expenses had decreased $14,000 compared to figures from 2021. All residents as of December were paying or signed up for programs covering their rent. At that time, McGalliard said, the facility should be on track to break even in 2023.

Council member Harold Towell noted in December the financial losses over the 10 years, such as commissioners writing off more than $48,000 in old debt from the facility earlier that month. Other county officials in December spoke in support of the facility and its direction, praising Blankley for her efforts.

McGalliard confirmed Monday the county has options moving forward for how to address the open role, which will be discussed with Jay County Council. He noted Blankley plans to help fill in as needed through the transition.

Blankley explained during a phone call Monday she’s done what she could to bring more people to the facility, which currently has 23 residents. She explained it would benefit the facility to have a person in charge with more experience running a business or a nonprofit organization.

It was a very hard decision to make, and I won’t be leaving for good,” she said. “I’ll help out in way with anybody new.”