Ashtabula County Board of Developmental Disabilities
The Ashtabula County Board of Developmental Disabilities provides services to people from birth throughout their life.
Our mission is enriching, empowering, and connecting people with their community.
04/06/2026
The Bookmobile is Rolling In!
Each month, on the first Tuesday, from 10:00–11:30 AM, the Ashtabula County District Library's Bookmobile visits the County Board office! This is a great opportunity for community members to stop by, step inside, and explore the books and resources available.
Jerry had a great time during his visit and found a book he was excited to read!
Thank you to Andrew, Pamela, and the Bookmobile team for helping make reading and resources more accessible in our community.
We hope to see you at our next visit on Tuesday, April 7th!
04/04/2026
We are excited to welcome The Improvaneer Method back to Ashtabula County! Liz and Nick led our first of four sessions, focusing on communication and public speaking with Speak Up! This engaging program helps people build confidence, strengthen communication skills, and find their voice.
We look forward to continuing the journey with Improv to Advocacy at our next session!
04/03/2026
The ACBDD Offices are closed today, Friday, April 3rd.
If you are someone we support and need immediate assistance, please call 440-812-0553 to reach the SSA on call. We will reopen at 8:00 AM on Monday, April 6th.
04/02/2026
We’re excited to introduce our 2nd Chance winner in Brewing Up Awareness! Congratulations to Barb!
Barb picked up her coffee (and her entry photo!) at Scribblers Coffee Co., helping spread awareness while enjoying a warm drink. It’s been so meaningful to see our community come together throughout Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.
A special thank you to the incredible coffee shop partners for making this possible:
☕ All Things Coffee House and Roasting Company
☕ Harbor Perk Coffeehouse & Roasting Company
☕ Scribblers Coffee Co.
☕ Wall Street Coffee Company
Your support helped create connection, spark conversation, and celebrate inclusion across our community. We are truly grateful!
04/02/2026
This month, we celebrate the work anniversaries of three of our dedicated team members! We appreciate your service and commitment to Ashtabula County.
04/01/2026
A strong community starts with listening.
When we take the time to truly hear one another, we create space for growth, confidence, and connection. Listening helps people feel supported and encourages them to keep sharing their thoughts and ideas.
Each voice matters and every time we listen, we help build a more inclusive and meaningful community
04/01/2026
As Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month comes to a close, we’re reflecting on a March filled with connection, creativity, and meaningful moments across our community.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this month so impactful. From the art exhibition and reception, to lighting the Ashtabula Harbor Lift Bridge, to our Community Bowling Bash, Spirit Week, school visits, “Brewing Up Awareness” with local coffee shops, and community partners helping to color our county orange. Our community came together in incredible ways to support inclusion.
A special thank you to the Ashtabula County Commissioners for presenting a proclamation recognizing March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.
In schools, students explored inclusion through stories and activities, while advocates took part in Supported Decision-Making trainings, building confidence and strengthening their ability to make informed choices about their own lives.
We’re grateful for everyone who played a part in making this month so meaningful. Let’s continue to build a community where everyone is valued, included, and heard every day. 🧡
03/31/2026
Each month, the Ashtabula County Board of Developmental Disabilities selects up to three exceptional Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) who go above and beyond to serve people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities in our community.
At New Avenues to Independence, Inc., everyone knows that when Lashonda Holmes is in the kitchen, she’s cooking up something good! But as Miriah Kister, her nominator, tells us, Lashonda’s yummy food is only the beginning.
Lashonda’s true secret ingredient is the way she treats everyone like family. She has a knack for motivating others, whether getting them to try a new dish or find their own voice to advocate for their needs. She brings a level of passion that has been simmering since she started in this field at age 18. She recently received a well-deserved promotion to House Manager, and she’s already excelling at it.
We’re so glad Lashonda is part of our community. As a DSP, she’s definitely got the recipe for success!
In March, we had the honor of participating and/or partnering with 3 additoinal amazing businesses, and nonprofits to bring community awareness, outreach, and activities to life.
Special thanks to The Ashtabula Arts Center, Bakery On The Square and the Ashtabula County Auditor's Office- Scott Yamamoto Auditor providing material for events or volunteering with people we serve and people in the community. Thank you for your collaboration and support in ensuring everyone has access to their community!
03/30/2026
A big congratulations to our winners, Alyssa Jeanne Klinge and Ed Molnar (All Things Coffee House and Roasting Company) and Amanda Barnum (Wall Street Coffee Company) for scanning winning sleeves!
Our orange DD Awareness Month sleeves are still available through the end of the day on Tuesday, March 31st at:
☕ All Things Coffee House and Roasting Company
☕ Harbor Perk Coffeehouse & Roasting Company
☕ Scribblers Coffee Co.
☕ Wall Street Coffee Company
There’s still ONE more winning sleeve out there so grab a coffee, scan the code, and you could be our next winner!
Didn’t get a winning sleeve? You still have a chance to join the fun! Tuesday, March 31st is the final day to grab a sleeve and tag the Ashtabula County Board of Developmental Disabilities for a second chance to win & help us spread spread awareness for DD Awareness Month.
03/30/2026
Your voice. Your choice. Your vote! The deadline to register to vote for the May 5, 2026 Primary Election is on April 6th, just one week away!
IMPORTANT DATES:
* Voter Registration Deadline: Monday, April 6 at 9:00 p.m.
* Absentee Ballot Request Deadline: Tuesday, April 28 (end of day)
* Election Day: Tuesday, May 5 | Polls open 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
QUESTIONS?
Contact the Ashtabula County Board of Elections at 440-998-3110 or visit them at 25 West Jefferson Street, Jefferson, OH 44047.
Spread the word! Make sure everyone knows their voting options as your vote matters!
03/29/2026
Spring is in the air and we have lots of activities to offer for April! Explore all of the amazing activities we have planned for the month. From engaging events to fun-filled experiences, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Visit our website for more details and find out how you can register today!
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Contact The Practice
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The mission of the Ashtabula County Board of Developmental Disabilities is to ensure the availability of services and supports that will assist eligible individuals with developmental disabilities to imagine the life they want to live, believe they can create it and achieve their dreams as participating members in their community.
Providing Quality Outcome – Driven Programs & Services to enhance the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities for over 60 Years.
History
The story of Happy Hearts School and Ash/Craft Industries is written into the history of Ashtabula County. The story began at a time when few believed individuals with disabilities deserved the right to public education and a brighter future. The story of Happy Hearts School and Ash/Craft Industries is an example to all the love, commitment, and determination of parents who persisted and prevailed in accomplishing their goal that opened the door.
In March of 1954, a small group of parents of children with disabilities met and formed the Ashtabula Council for Re****ed Children (ARC). One year later, March 1955, because of the efforts of this group Happy Hearts School opened its doors to the first school for children with disabilities in the basement of the Methodist Church on Elm Street and was attended by five students.
From 1956 through 1968, Happy Hearts School was hosted in various locations throughout Ashtabula County. Senate Bill 169 was passed which established the creation of the Board of Mental Retardation in 1967 and levies were approved by Ashtabula County voters. In 1968, Happy Hearts School’s current building was built. By 1970, the program had grown to provide services to 233 children and adults. In 1977, the construction of Ash/Craft Industries began and today the Ashtabula County Board of Developmental Disabilities provides services to over 500 children and adults with developmental disabilities thanks to the ongoing support of citizens of Ashtabula County.
