Ohio Association of County Boards of DD

10/03/2025

The Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities is helping people they support not only live, learn, work, and play in the community, but also serve it. During their annual Week of Service, people with developmental disabilities volunteered side by side with staff to clean up Edgewater Beach and partner with local nonprofits. These efforts build awareness, break down barriers, and show the powerful contributions people of all abilities bring to their communities!

Watch the news story here:

The beach cleanup at Edgewater showcased people of all abilities working side by side to help their community.

10/02/2025

OACB is excited to be at the Synergy Conference this week! 🎉 If you’re attending, stop by our booth to say hello to Jake, Lisa, and Alex. Learn more about the Advocacy Scholars program and check out some of the fun activities. They're in the Nile room. We’d love to see you there!

Pictured below from left to right is Jake Dowling, Legislative Affairs Manager; Lisa Comes, SSA Advisor; and Alex Lomicka, Advocacy Coordinator

09/30/2025

Congratulations to the Pioneer Center / Ross County Board of Developmental Disabilities! Ross DD has been awarded a three-year accreditation from the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities—the highest honor a county board can receive. This recognition reflects the team’s dedication to quality services, innovation, and helping people with developmental disabilities in Ross County thrive.

From expanding employment opportunities to installing universal changing stations to make the county more accessible, Ross DD continues to raise the bar for inclusion and excellence. 🌟

Pictured below from left to right: Jared Halm, Finance and Operations Director; Lacey Derexson, Instructor, The Pioneer School; Greg Williamson, Director of Residential Services; Amy Beeler, Superintendent; Brady Ratzlaff, Human Resources Director; Tina Browder, M. Ed, MA, CCC-SLP, Director of Educational Services; Courtney Davis, Special Olympics & Special Projects Director.

09/29/2025

The Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities celebrated the newest graduates of its 2025 Leadership Academy! Over the course of six months, participants developed leadership skills, completed civic projects, and connected with community leaders. This year’s class — Shannon Harris, Alida Leidy, Nick Ryder, and Kevin Wi******er — is ready to put their passion and training into action to make a difference in their communities.

Pictured from left are Molly Usner, Medina DD community resource and advocacy coordinator; graduates Kevin Wi******er, Nick Ryder, Shannon Harris, and Alida Leidy; and Nicole Richter, Medina DD training and compliance specialist.

Read more here: https://www.yourohionews.com/medina/mcbdd-celebrates-graduates-of-2025-leadership-academy/972418

09/26/2025

Last week, OACB joined the Ohio Statewide Independent Living Council, Disability Rights Ohio, the UCEDDs, and the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council in Washington D.C. This coalition came together to advocate for continued funding for developmental disability services in Ohio on Capitol Hill.

More than 60 advocates met with all but one of Ohio’s congressional delegation to encourage the lawmakers to support the funding of Ohio’s DD Act partners, as well as share the role each of the partners plays in the lives of people with developmental disabilities.

Thank you to Jeremy Morris of the Ohio SILC for putting on this event. Our members were grateful to participate and OACB looks forward to continuing to collaborate to champion Ohio’s DD system.

09/22/2025

The Jefferson County Board of DD is partnering with Sycamore Youth Center to launch S.C.O.R.E. — a mentorship program for youth ages 14–18 focused on building social, relationship, and employment skills. Together, they’re creating new opportunities for young people with diverse abilities to connect, grow, and thrive in their community!

Pictured below, L-R: Randy Cottis, Business Manager (Jefferson DD); Bobbyjon Bauman, Executive Director (Sycamore Youth Center), and Michael Zinno, Superintendent (Jefferson DD)

Read more here: https://www.weirtondailytimes.com/news/community/2025/09/teaming-up-to-bring-s-c-o-r-e-initiative-to-youth/

09/17/2025

Success stories from Ohio’s county boards of developmental disabilities!

Thanks to Mahoning County Board of Developmental Disabilities - MCBDD, Trumbull County Board of Developmental Disabilities, and Columbiana DD, people like Joel Ellks, Taylor Wilkinson, and Duayne Lomax are thriving in community employment. From Joel’s utility work at Afterburner FX to Taylor’s web and social media role, and Duayne’s job at Dunkin’, these stories show how county boards support people with developmental disabilities in finding meaningful work and contributing to their communities.

These opportunities benefit not just the employees but also the employers, proving that inclusive hiring is a win-win.

Read more below:

Hiring people with disabilities opens doors for those employees and helps local companies fill worker shortages.

09/12/2025

As DSP Appreciation Week comes to a close, we’re celebrating the incredible Direct Support Professionals across Ohio. Every day, DSPs empower people with developmental disabilities to live, learn, work, and thrive in their communities. Thank you for your compassion, commitment, and impact—you are truly the heart of our system!

09/10/2025

Property tax reform is an important conversation in Ohio—but it’s vital to remember the services at stake. As Amber Gibbs, Superintendent and CEO of Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities, shares in a recent article, property tax dollars fund life-changing supports for people with developmental disabilities, including the work of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs).

As we celebrate DSP Appreciation Week (Sept. 7–13), we’re reminded that DSPs are at the heart of Ohio’s DD system. From helping with daily living to supporting employment and independence, their work is made possible in large part by local property tax funding.

Read more to learn why protecting these funds matters for people with DD, their families, and the professionals who support them every day.

Property taxes in Ohio have become unmanageable, and we do need thoughtful, practical property tax reform. But we cannot talk about reform without also talking about alternative funding sources for critical community services, like Developmental Disability services, police and fire, services for the...

09/09/2025

Congratulations to Trumbull DD for kicking off celebrations for Direct Support Professional (DSP) Recognition Week (Sept. 7–13)!

With more than 50,000 DSPs across Ohio, these dedicated professionals make independence and inclusion possible every day. OACB is proud to join you in recognizing their incredible work and impact!

09/05/2025

Next week is Direct Support Professional (DSP) Recognition Week (Sept. 7–13)! We’re celebrating the incredible work of DSPs who make community life possible for people with developmental disabilities.

Ashtabula County Board of Developmental Disabilities kicked things off early with a banquet honoring 10 outstanding DSPs, including award winners for innovation, advocacy, and lifetime commitment. Congratulations!

Read more here: https://www.starbeacon.com/news/board-of-dd-honors-dsps/article_71b2efb5-0395-496c-a68f-c721a1f5cc6e.html

09/04/2025

Thanks to your advocacy during July’s Week of Action, the Senate protected vital programs for people with developmental disabilities in its budget!

But the fight isn’t over. The U.S. House is still considering severe cuts that could jeopardize services for more than 40,000 Ohioans. Take action today—tell your representatives to protect these essential programs and keep services strong in our communities.

CONTACT YOUR U.S. REPRESENTATIVE HERE: https://secure.everyaction.com/3m4Mh5xAbkWFUlgvKoQK_A2

Need help knowing what to say? A coalition of Ohio DD advocacy organizations (including OACB) has created info sheets you can download below.

And remember—personal stories are the most powerful tool. If you or someone you know has benefited from the The Ohio State University Nisonger Center, UC UCEDD, or Disability Rights Ohio, share your experience with your member of Congress!

Download the advocacy toolkit here:https://www.oacbdd.org/clientuploads/emails/2025/Federal_DD_Partners_Toolkit.pdf