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October 2022 Special Needs Living Akron/Canton
Nonprofit Spotlight: Stark DD
By Sarah Smith
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Sarah Smith
Supporting Choices and Creating Opportunities for People with Disabilities and Their Families Stark County Board of Developmental Disabilities
The Stark County Board of Developmental Disabilities was created by Ohio law in 1967. In 2009, state law changed the Stark County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (MRDD) to the Board of Developmental Disabilities. Ohio’s county boards of developmental disabilities are the government agencies that support people with developmental disabilities using local, state, and federal funding. Each has a governing board composed of residents of the county. Because they are countybased, boards are designed to meet the unique needs of each county.
“Stark DD helps more than 3,800 people with mild to profound developmental disabilities,” explained
William Green, Superintendent of Stark DD. “The programs and services provided may begin as early as birth and continue through the senior years. With educational programs, job training and placement, and coordination of residential services, we help children learn to reach their full potential, help parents become more confident and support their child’s development, and help adults to live comfortable, independent lives. Stark DD’s services not only provide the assistance needed to improve a life when needed, they help provide support to last a lifetime. Stark DD provides help for good.”
The organization has three mandated responsibilities: Fund, Plan and Monitor services. They FUND services and supports and the commitment extends for the life of a person with a disability. Stark DD PLANS and coordinates the supports for people with disabilities in accordance with what is important to and for them. They MONITOR the services and supports for people with disabilities to ensure that they are getting what they want and need. The number-one priority is that they are healthy and safe.
People with disabilities and their caregivers are helped most when they have funds that can be used where they need them most. Local tax dollars are reallocated to support more people with disabilities through the Medicaid Waiver program. By using the local revenue to match federal dollars, people with disabilities are accessing services provided by agencies and businesses in the community, not just those services provided by Stark DD. A waiver is support in the moment to last a lifetime.
A Home and Community Based Service (HCBS) Waiver is one way people with disabilities pay for the services they need. A waiver pays for services through Medicaid. Once a person receives a HCBS waiver, it stays with them for a lifetime as long as eligibility requirements are met. Family Support Services funds are designated for individuals (children and adults) living at home with their families who do not have a HCBS waiver. The use of FSS funds is to be directly related to improving the living environment and/or facilitating the care of the individual. Tax levies approved by the Stark County voters, along with state and federal dollars, support the services to people with disabilities, their families or caregivers.
“Our daughter is no longer able to walk, use the restroom independently, and feed herself,” said Henry and Elizabeth Miles, parents of Alyssa. “Stark County DD helped to modify the house to accommodate her new normal. A bedroom and bathroom had to be built on the first floor. The van was fitted with a seat that rotates out, lowers so she can be transferred easily and then returns to normal position. We are grateful for the Stark County Board of DD.”
Become involved by learning what Stark DD does and share the value they bring to families in the community. Readers can join the Help for Good movement by displaying a yard sign, buying a t-shirt, or inviting board members to talk to a group or organization. Consider joining Citizens Who Care for People with Developmental Disabilities help educate the community on Stark DD services so the community will support a levy renewal slated for May 2023. “Stark County DD has been an amazing resource for Hudson’s journey,” exclaimed Corey and Cassidy Jones. “Stark County Early Intervention provided semiweekly physical therapy sessions this past year. They loaned us equipment and helped us get a GO-TO Seat for Hudson that we take everywhere we go. Stark DD’s Eastgate Preschool has been a wonderful experience for both of our boys. Hudson loves riding the bus and screams, “BUS” the moment it rolls down our street. The teachers and staff are amazing, and we can’t thank them enough for what they do for Hudson.”
Stark DD is located at 2950 Whipple Ave., NW in Canton. More information can be found at www. starkdd.org or by calling 330-477-5200.
