Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities

02/27/2026

MCBDDS Employment Navigator Sarah Patrick recently reached out with exciting news about one of the people she works with: Carsyn Prinz. Carsyn recently competed in swimming events at Special Olympics Ohio's State Games and earned second place in the 50-meter swim and fourth place in the 25-meter event. When Carsyn's co-workers in the Brookville Local Schools culinary department found out about her accomplishments, they decided to surprise her with a celebratory poster filled with messages from her biggest fans! Carsyn has been swimming since she was 8, and is part of the Special Olympics team based at the Kleptz YMCA in Englewood, Montgomery County. The MCBDDS team loves the support that Carsyn got from her work colleagues and wants to add its congratulations as well! [Image description: Carsyn stands with her Brookville Schools co-workers, holding a poster that reads, "Way to go, Carsyn! We are PROUD of you!" that is covered in messages and signatures of her work friends.]

There is nothing quite like the support of the Blue Devil family! We are incredibly proud to celebrate Carsyn Prinz for her outstanding performance at the Special Olympics Ohio! Carsyn showed true determination and heart, bringing home 2nd place in the 50-meter and 4th place in the 25-meter swimming events.

When our amazing cafeteria staff heard the news, they sprang into action to make sure Carsyn knew just how much her Brookville family was rooting for her. They surprised her with a poster filled with signatures and messages from her biggest fans! It's another great day to be a Blue Devil!

02/17/2026

Exciting news! GoBus, a service that offers affordable, accessible, and safe transportation between Ohio's cities and small towns, is expanding its service to include the Dayton area effective March 2. The GoBus service operates seven days a week, 365 days a year, and now connects cities including Cincinnati, Oxford, Middletown, Dayton, Yellow Springs, Springfield, and Urbana, with Columbus, Toledo, Cleveland, Ashtabula, Akron, Wooster, Athens, Zanesville and points between. Its 56-seat motor coaches are all wheelchair accessible. They feature Wi-Fi, a restroom, and electric outlets at every seat. Tickets can cost $5 to $30 before tax. People requiring disability accommodations are asked to contact GoBus as far in advance as possible at 888-95-GOBUS to inform them of their needs. When booking a trip online, it's important to self-select "require ADA assistance." Tickets for expansion routes, including Cincinnati-Dayton-Toledo, are available now. Use coupon code GOBUS15 for 15 percent off all ticket orders between now and March 31.

02/15/2026

MCBDDS staff will observe the Presidents' Day holiday Monday, February 16. We will reopen at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, February 17, and our Northview location will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you are a person served and have an emergency, please call 937-457-2765. To report a MUI (Major Unusual Incident), call the MCBDDS 24-hour MUI Reporting Line at 937-296-1235.
[Photo shows close-up of George Washington's face carved into Mount Rushmore at the Mount Rushmore National Memorial.]

02/05/2026

Do you want to help community leaders understand what they can do to make sure the needs of people with developmental disabilities are taken into account during emergencies? The Access Center for Independent Living is looking for people to join its Access and Functional Needs Committee. Learn how you can get involved here:
https://acils.com/press-release-call-for-new-members-to-join-the-access-functional-needs-committee/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExR1hlc0pPU0VISE9SbGlqRXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6VLDPSuObkFtAZtEinrFYxSa1E-oRlxSHxYuBr2dJk1VeZ396J4dl0JGeYAg_aem_NKSW19Oq1s5feFkRF7QxjA
[Image of Access Center for Independent Living logo]

Miami Valley Region—[2/3/2026] — The Access & Functional Needs Committee is seeking new members to help enhance emergency preparedness and response for individuals with access and functional needs. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to your community by sharing valuable insights and e...

01/29/2026

Due to the frigid temperatures, our Northview Center building will not be open Thursday, January 29 or Friday, January 30, but staff will continue to work remotely. If you have a previously-scheduled in person meeting with a member of our staff on these days, they may reach out to you to discuss in-person and virtual scheduling options.
Should you have an emergency or need to reach our team, please call 937-457-2765. To report a MUI (Major Unusual Incident), call the MCBDDS 24-hour MUI Reporting Line at 937-296-1235. [Image of Northview Center in the snow.]

01/26/2026

Keith's Law gives first responders like firefighters, emergency medical personnel and law enforcement information that people with disabilities voluntarily share when responding to countywide 9-1-1 calls. Any person with a diagnosed disability can enroll in a database that connects to the Law Enforcement Agencies Data System (LEADS)--they just need to have their healthcare provider fill out a Disability Verification Form. Once the form is complete, just follow the instructions on the form to return it via email, U.S. Mail or in person:https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/ood.ohio.gov/Policies/HB_144_Accessible_Fillable_PDF-OOD-FINAL.pdf [Image of fire truck and ambulance traveling on road]

01/25/2026

Due to the winter storm, our Northview Center building will not be open Monday, January 26 or Tuesday, January 27, but staff will continue to work remotely. Should you have an emergency or need to reach our team, please call 937-457-2765. To report a MUI (Major Unusual Incident), call the MCBDDS 24-hour MUI Reporting Line at 937-296-1235. Many thanks to all the hardworking snow removal crews and essential workers. Stay safe, everyone! [Image of snow on ground, sparkling in sunshine.]

01/19/2026

The Dayton area has a new resource to help people connect with free or low-cost support, mental health care and resources: the Hope Booth. This telephone-like booth is located at the Main branch of the Dayton Metro Library downtown, and is designed to deliver hope and connection. Christina Grant and her husband, University of Dayton Men's Basketball Coach Anthony Grant, donated the booth. Check out the Dayton.com story, below, for further details.
[Image accompanying shared Dayton.com post shows Montgomery County Commissioner Carolyn Rice, Dayton Mayor Shenise Turner-Sloss, Anthony Grant, Christina Grant, Dayton Metro Library External Relations and Development Director Debi Chess, and Hope Booth Founder/CEO Gloria Umanah, Courtesy of Dayton Daily News.]

The Hope Booth is a reimagined telephone booth at Dayton Metro Library designed to deliver hope and connect individuals to free or low-cost support, mental health care and resources. The booth is a gift from Christina Grant and her husband, Anthony Grant, University of Dayton men’s basketball coac...

01/19/2026

For those who know teenagers with disabilities, the School to Adult Life Transition Series (SALT) has some some great online programs coming up this week and next:

"Transition and Technology"
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Time: 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Special Guest Speaker: Sarra Burnham, Community Life Engagement Project Manager Division of Policy and Strategic Direction Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD)

"Preparing & Planning for Independent Living"
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Time: 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Guest Speakers: Janet Maine & Alycia Champion, Team Leaders, Maine Champion Coaching
Pre-Register: https://bit.ly/SALT2025-2026

[Image shows close-up of hands holding a smartphone.]

01/19/2026

MCBDDS staff will observe the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday Monday, January 19 . We will reopen at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, January 20, and our Northview location will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you are a person served and have an emergency, please call 937-457-2765. To report a MUI (Major Unusual Incident), call the MCBDDS 24-hour MUI Reporting Line at 937-296-1235.
To learn more about Dr. King's leadership in the struggle for equality and civil rights, we encourage you to visit the National Park Service webpage dedicated to the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park. [Image shows monument of Dr. King, sculpted in white granite, looking forward, with arms folded across his chest .]

01/07/2026

Today, MCBDDS staff helped We Care Arts assemble 500 Transition to Work kits for special education students in Montgomery, Greene, Butler, Clark, Darke, Miami, Preble and Warren counties. These kits are designed to inspire creativity and skill building, and align with the Ohio Department of Education's Fine Arts teaching standards. Special thanks to Julie, Celia, Kathy, Detra, Rachel, Traci, Donna and Lauren for volunteering their time. [Images show MCBDDS team members, singly and in groups, stuffing brown paper gift bags with art supplies.] Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities Ohio Association of County Boards of DD

12/22/2025

Learning to take advantage of teachable moments plays a big part in preparing children for success. When you talk about emotions with your little one, it helps them build the communication skills they’ll rely on for years to come. These small, everyday conversations play a huge role in social readiness! Learn more at https://bereadyby5.org/
[Image shows photo of little girl talking, accompanied by headline that reads "Big feelings start between ages 1 & 2. Talking about emotions with your child can help them learn to talk about how they're feeling as they grow."]