ABOUT
L&M
2023
The History of L&M
In January of 1973, a grassroots effort began here in Preble County with a group of parents with adult children with developmental disabilities. Initially, they began meeting in their homes to discuss how they could provide their children with an alternative to staying at home in front of the television.
In 1967, the State of Ohio passed legislation forming the County Boards of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities. These boards were primarily addressing the needs of the children. Here in Preble County, the local board saw the need to provide services to adults so the members began the lengthy process of investigating with the state and other counties on how to establish an adult program.
Late in 1972, a dozen or so adults finally began attending a program started at a car dealership building on S. Cherry St. A board of directors was developed and on January 17, 1973, the Preble County Adult Workshop Inc. was officially incorporated in Columbus and by the end of the year there were approximately 30 adults attending the program. The workshop continued to promote itself and developed partnerships with many local businesses like Dayton Flexible, Parker Hannifin, Henny Penny and Rohm and Haas (DOW).
Twenty years later, in 1981, the ground was broken for a new 14,000 sq. ft. workshop and in Nov 1982 the Preble County Adult Workshop moved into its new location at the corner of Lexington and Maple and changed their name to L&M Products, Inc.
In July of 2014, L&M Products Inc became a private entity and separated from the Preble County Board of DD through the privatization process becoming financially independent as a Medicaid Provider of Services for DD as well as receiving a CARF Accreditation (Commissions Accredited Rehabilitation Facilities) providing additional funding supports from Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities.
On July 5, 2016, L&M moved to their new location at 1407 N. Barron St. known as the Wagner Center. The Wagner Center was dedicated to Doris Wagner, a long time volunteer of L&M Products Inc. It was her daily commission to ensure her grandson was integrated with all of his friends throughout the building.
The Board of Directors consisting of up to 7 members including business leaders and parents of individuals served oversees the financial operations of the program and today we serve over 75 individuals in the day service program, 20+ in Community Employment and approximately 10 in Homemaker Personal Care services.
About Our Services
Direct Hire
L&M works with employers to determine the key attributes needed for available positions and refers qualified candidates. Once the client is hired, training supports will be provided by experienced L&M staff at no cost to employer. The level of support and length of time is customized to meet the needs of the new hire as well as the employer operations.
In-Facillity
L&M has been providing assembly and packaging services for community businesses since 1973. Local business in need of assembly or packaging can contract with L&M to perform work at the L&M facility. Although the ultimate goal of L&M is employment within the community, work provided in the workshop environment offers valuable training opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
The Future of L&M