Who we are

• DODD Encourages COVID-19 Testing 7/27/20
• Team Process Guidance for Mask Use 7/24/20
• Governor’s Statewide Mask Order 7/24/20
• Updated Guidance: Transportation 7/14/20
• Updated Guidance: Adult Day Services 7/14/20
• ODH K-12 Health and Prevention Guidance 7/2/20
• Reset and Restart Education Guide 7/2/20
• County-based alert level system created to assess local virus transmission risk 7/2/20
• Updated Guidance: LTSS Pre-Surge Planning Toolkit 7/1/20
• Updated Guidance: COVID-19 Standards of Care for Vulnerable Populations 7/1/20
• DODD, Department of Education release guidance on EI-to-preschool transition during COVID-19 6/17/20
• Guidance: Reimbursement for Center-Based Services 6/10/20
• ODH & CDC Transportation Guidance 6/5/20
• Guidance: Medication Administration 6/5/20
• Rescinded Guidance: Non-Medical Transportation 6/5/20
• Guidance: Day Camps & Residential Camps 6/5/20
• Guidance: ICF Visitation 6/5/20
• Guidance: Waiver Visitation 6/5/20
• Ohio Department of Health Issues Visitation Guidance for ICFs 6/3/20
• COVID-19 Update: Testing, Assisted Living Visitation, Premium Deferrals, Fairs 5/28/20
• COVID-19 Update: Congregate Care Unified Response Teams 5/26/20
• Updated Guidance: Adult Day Services Order 5/26/20
• Guidance: Reimbursement to Adult Day Support and Vocational Habilitation Service Providers 5/26/20
• OACB: Internet Safety Primer for SSAs 5/19/20
• COVID-19 Update: Ohioans Protecting Ohioans Urgent Health Advisory 5/19/20
• Guidance: Economic Impact Payments in Residential Facilities 5/18/20
• Guidance: Intermediate Care Facilities Update 5/18/20
• Webinar: Employment Service and COVID-19 5/18/20
• Regulatory Work Suspended 5/18/20
• STEP FAQ Document 5/15/20
• Update: Monthly Rate Calculator 5/11/20
• Updated Guidance: First Aid and CPR Certification 5/11/20
• Updated Guidance: Non-Medical Transportation Providers 5/8/20
• Guidance: Budget Reductions 5/8/20
• DODD Adult Day Support Process Flowchart 5/8/20
• Guidance: Adult Day Support and Vocational Habilitation Service Modification 5/8/20
• Guidance: Update to Day & Transportation Services Related to ODH Order 5/8/20
• Director Davis Talks about Adult Day Services under ODH Order 5/6/20
• Guidance: COVID-19 Standards of Care for Vulnerable Populations 5/6/20
• State of Ohio issues guidance for hospitals, clinicians caring for COVID-19 patients with DD 5/6/20
• HUD Guidance: Treatment of ABLE Accounts in HUD-Assisted Properties 5/4/20
• Updated: Health Passport Form 5/4/20
• Health & Welfare Alert: Coping with COVID-19 5/1/20
• Video: Director Davis Discusses Reopening Adult Day Services in Ohio 5/1/20
• COVID-19 Financial Assistance Programs 4/30/20
• Guidance: Supportive Technology Options 4/29/20
• Memo Monday 4/27/20
• STABLE Account Guidance: STABLE and Federal Stimulus Payments Memo Monday 4/27/20
• Guidance: Emergency Telehealth Rule Changes 4/24/20
• What Long-Term Services & Supports Pre-Surge Planning Toolkit Means for Families 4/24/20
• What Long-Term Services & Supports Pre-Surge Planning Toolkit Means for DSPs 4/24/20
• Early Intervention Program Updates 4/24/20
• Technical Assistance Collaborative Guidance: Housing Vouchers for People with Disabilities during COVID-19 4/23/20
• Guidance: Adult Day Services Order Reminder 4/23/20
• COVID-19 Mental Health Resources 4/22/20
• Toll Free ‘COVID Careline’ to Provide Emotional Support 4/22/20
• Family ECHO Resources 4/20/20
• Guidance: Temporary Change to Permit Parents to Provide Waiver Services to their Minor Children 4/17/20
• Guidance: Economic Impact Payment to Ohioans with Disabilities 4/17/20
• Guidance: Licensure Development 4/17/20
• Guidance: Licensed Facilities Local Triage Zone Questions 4/17/20
• Guidance: License Expiration Dates for Licensed Facilities 4/17/20
• Guidance: LTSS Pre-Surge Planning Toolkit 4/16/20
• ODH Order Requires Facilities to Notify Residents, Guardians of COVID-19 Cases 4/16/20
• DODD Statewide Support Teams 4/14/20
• IRS Releases Portal to Help SSI Recipients Receive Stimulus Checks 4/14/20
• Updated Guidance: Independent Providers of Waiver-Funded Services 4/13/20
• Updated Guidance: Providers of Waiver-Funded Services 4/13/20
• Updated List of State Contracts, Possible Suppliers 4/13/20
• Guidance: Supportive Technology Options 4/13/20
• Guidance: Temporary Changes to Adult Day Services 4/10/20
• Guidance: Regional Residential Crisis Support Plan 4/10/20
• Early Intervention: Update 2009 4/10/20
• Guidance: Waiver Disenrollment 4/8/20
• CDC Fact Sheet for DSPs 4/8/20
• Tips for Working with Support Staff during COVID-19 4/7/20
• Guidance: Providers of Waiver-Funded Services 4/7/20
• Guidance: Independent Provider of Waiver-Funded Services 4/7/20
• OACB Confidentiality FAQ Sheet 4/7/20
• Webinar: Adult Day Services Order 4/6/20
• DDP, IAF Assessments Suspended for ICFs 4/6/20
• Guidance to Referral Agents during COVID-19 Public Health Situation 4/6/20
• Hospital Transfer Form/Health Passport Form 4/5/20
• Guidance: Single Maximum Spending Amount for Level One Waiver 4/3/20
• Guidance: Environmental Accessibility Adaptations (Home Mod) 4/2/20
• Guidance: Best Practice for Family Visitation to Residential Settings 4/2/20
• Guidance: Initial Medication Administration Remote Training 4/1/20
• ODE’s Updated School Guidance 3/30/20
• Updated Guidance: Intermediate Care Facilities 3/28/20
• Updated Guidance: Service Authorization and Claims Submission Information 3/27/20
• Guidance: COVID-19 and HIPAA Disclosures to First Responders, Public Health Authorities 3/27/20
• Early Intervention Update 3/27/20
• Guidance: Non-Medical Transportation Providers 3/26/20
• Guidance: Expediting Background Checks for New DSPs 3/26/20
• Guidance: Emergency Telehealth Rule Changes 3/26/20
• Guidance: Behavior Supports, Including Rights Restrictions 3/26/20
• Service Authorization Requirements Frozen 3/26/20
• Directors Order – Stay at Home 3/24/20
• Guidance on Certification Span Extensions 3/24/20/
• Special Olympics Suspension of Events Notice 3/23/20
• Guidance on Day Service Group Size Reduction and Alternative Location Planning 3/21/20
• COVID-19 Explained for people and by people with DD 3/17/20
• Rule Relief for Renewals of Medication Administration Certification 3/24/20
• Letter from Superintendent 3/15/20
• COVID-19 Operations Plan 3/15/20

In 1952, a group of Hancock County parents gathered to talk about a dilemma they were facing. They all had children with developmental disabilities who had been denied enrollment in public schools.  The parents knew their children deserved better and could achieve much more in life with an education.  But they had to be given the chance.  That chance occurred when the parent group forged together and created a school on Oct. 28, 1952. Classes began at Howard Methodist Church on Cherry Street in November of that year with eight children and one teacher.  The cost of running the school was covered by the parents and several donors in the community. The group also petitioned the Hancock County Child Welfare Board to receive funds from the state to support classes.  Realizing the school would grow quickly with so many other children in need, the parents continued their plans for further funding and growth. It was about this time that the group received a wonderful gift.  Tell and Opal Thompson had a developmentally disabled son attending the school. Seeing what a positive impact the school had on their family, the Thompsons donated three acres of land so a building could be constructed for the school. Opal later set aside a portion of her estate to be given to the school.

By 1962, the group began construction on an Adult Activity Center; in 1964, pre-school classes were being offered.  It was time to work toward that new building.  Hancock County voters, on board with all the efforts, overwhelmingly passed two levies – one to construct the building that is the current home to the Hancock County Board of Developmental Disabilities, and another to cover operation expenses. The school opened in 1966. Two additional classrooms were added in 1971.