Ohio Association of County Boards of DD

10/30/2025

State Representative Riordan McClain recently visited the Crawford County Board of Developmental Disabilities, where he met with local and state DD leaders, including OACB’s Adam Herman and Jake Dowling, to learn more about the vital services supporting people and families in Crawford County.

During the visit, Rep. McClain toured Richland Newhope Industries, Fairway Preschool, and met with local providers and advocates to see firsthand how collaboration and community support empower people with developmental disabilities to thrive.

A key topic of discussion was the importance of local property tax levies, which fund nearly 78% of Crawford DD’s services and ensure continued opportunities for inclusion, independence, and lifelong learning.

Thank you, Rep. McClain, for taking the time to connect and learn more about the essential work happening at the county level — and to all who helped share the impact of Ohio’s DD system!

Read more here: https://www.galioninquirer.com/2025/10/29/rep-mcclain-visits-crawford-dd/

Pictured below, top row (L-R): Jake Dowling, Traci Pigg, Rep. Riordan McClain, Adam Herman, Court Sturtz
Front row (L-R): Chris Ritchie, Kim Kent, Gabby Kozinski, Britni Smals

10/29/2025

Do you employ people with disabilities? Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities is hosting a webinar on November 20 to help businesses strengthen their disability inclusion efforts from the inside out. “Disability-Inclusive Workplaces: Retaining Diverse Talent” will focus on what happens after hiring — ensuring employees with disabilities have the support, opportunities, and workplace culture they need to grow and stay.

By investing in strong retention strategies, businesses not only build more inclusive environments, they also become better at attracting new, diverse talent!

Learn more here: 2F84058b7e-ee95-404a-8401-8ebd4aad3448@50f8fcc4-94d8-4f07-84eb-36ed57c7c8a2/2/0101019a2c43cffd-53c600d8-47db-4893-a849-cd6a22f7a76f-000000/gXTc0JIflxyH05uSQ3onUNFvH8rV2_0k2HQh4eXs43Y=428" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fevents.gcc.teams.microsoft.com%2Fevent%2F84058b7e-ee95-404a-8401-8ebd4aad3448@50f8fcc4-94d8-4f07-84eb-36ed57c7c8a2/2/0101019a2c43cffd-53c600d8-47db-4893-a849-cd6a22f7a76f-000000/gXTc0JIflxyH05uSQ3onUNFvH8rV2_0k2HQh4eXs43Y=428

10/23/2025

Make Halloween fun for everyone! Communication boards help people share their needs, choices, and ideas using pictures or symbols. DODD has created a Halloween-themed communication board so everyone can join in the spooky fun and feel included in community activities.

Find the communication boards here: https://dodd.ohio.gov/about-us/communication/communication-boards/communication-boards

10/22/2025

Congratulations to OACB CEO Adam Herman and his buddy Seamus (pictured below, far right)! We’re proud to celebrate Adam and Seamus for being named Best Buddies Ohio’s 2025 Top Champion of the Year Team! Their commitment to inclusion, friendship, and advocacy embodies the values that make Ohio’s developmental disabilities community so strong.

Together with all the incredible Champion teams, Adam and Seamus helped raise more than $97,000 to support Best Buddies’ mission of creating opportunities for friendship, employment, and leadership for people with developmental disabilities.

Way to go, Adam and Seamus!

Columbus, it was a night to remember!

Our Champion of the Year Gala: Columbus was an unforgettable celebration of our mission, and we couldn’t have done it without you! Thanks to your support, we raised vital funds that will directly impact individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Central Ohio!

We’re thrilled to announce our 2025 Top Champion of the Year Team:
Adam & Seamus!

Together, all our Champions raised over $97,000 during this campaign. Their dedication and passion truly represent the spirit of Best Buddies. Thank you to ALL our Champions and Mission Partners: Taylor Clinger & Evan Koloski, Noah Di**le & Benny West, Jackie Fellows & Rory Fellows, Ethan Harrison & Aidan Horan, Adam Herman & Seamus, Kate Matesich & Joey Tullis, Rachel Rendle & Bella Boland, and Trisha Zimpfer & Erin Zimpfer!

More photos are coming soon!

10/17/2025

Seventy-four counties across Ohio are now participating in the Blue Envelope Program — an initiative designed to make traffic stops and other encounters between law enforcement and drivers with disabilities safer and less stressful.

The program helps people with conditions that may affect communication or the ability to follow verbal instructions during a traffic stop. Inside the blue envelope, drivers can include key information such as medical details or requests for accommodations, like needing extra time to respond to questions.

For new driver Aidan White of Hilliard, who has autism and a service dog named Crispi, the program provides freedom and peace of mind. “It feels pretty easy that I can just hand this to the officer,” Aidan said. “You don’t have to talk too much. Just hand it to him. He can go over it, and it’ll take less time out of his day and mine.”

Thanks to support from the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council, the Southern Ohio Council of Governments, and the Southern Ohio Advocacy Group, blue envelopes are now available at many County Board of Developmental Disabilities offices and law enforcement agencies across the state!

Together, Ohio’s DD system and law enforcement are helping build trust, understanding, and independence — one driver at a time.

Watch the news story here:

Ohio's Blue Envelope Program focuses on making traffic stops and other encounters between law enforcement and drivers with disabilities safer and less stressful.

10/13/2025

🎃 Big news from the Circleville Pumpkin Show! Thanks to Pickaway County Developmental Disabilities, a Momentum Refresh trailer will be on-site this week—featuring an accessible restroom with a universal changing station and a separate lactation/calming room. This added accessibility means more people can enjoy the Pumpkin Show comfortably and stay longer!

🎉 Momentum Refresh is back at the 2025 Circleville Pumpkin Show!

Thanks to the Pickaway County Board of Developmental Disabilities, guests will once again have access to free, inclusive spaces:
🚻 Accessible restroom with adult-size changing table
🤱 Private lactation room
🧠 Calming/sensory room

📍 Located at Community United Methodist Church parking lot (across from CVS)
📅 October 14–18, open during show hours

We’re grateful for this partnership that ensures everyone can enjoy the Pumpkin Show in comfort. 💙🎃

10/09/2025

Congratulations to Erin Simmons, Steve Oster, and Carrie Beier!
Governor DeWine recently appointed members to the new Department of Children and Youth’s Advisory Council — and among them are OACB Trustee and Seneca DD Board Member Erin Simmons, along with Superintendents Steve Oster (Coshocton County Board of Developmental Disabilities and Knox County Board of Developmental Disabilities) and Carrie Beier (Erie County Board of Developmental Disabilities).

The council will guide collaboration across state agencies and focus on key areas such as early education, children’s services, maternal and infant health, mental health, and Early Intervention.

OACB congratulates Erin, Steve, and Carrie on their appointments! Their leadership ensures county boards have a strong voice in shaping Ohio’s early childhood and developmental services for children and families.

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.