About Allen County Board of Developmental Disabilities

The Allen County Board of Developmental Disabilities offers a full range of services beginning with in-home early intervention programs for very young children and their families to service coordination for individuals who are elderly. Our service and support administration staff links individuals and their families to needed services including but not limited to: preschool and school services, individual support services which can include respite care, supported residential services, vocational training, community employment, and crisis intervention.

The Ohio General Assembly established boards of mental retardation (as they were then known) in all of Ohio’s counties in 1967 as a result of the strong lobbying efforts of parents whose local school districts refused to enroll their children. It was not until 1975 that federal law mandated that children with disabilities receive a free and appropriate public education. (The legislature added ‘developmental disabilities’ to the name and responsibilities in the early 1980s, and in 2009 it removed the term ‘mental retardation’ from our name.)

Early on, services centered on school-age programs, but since then, services have expanded far beyond that. Today, enrollment among very young children and adults far surpasses the school enrollment, and our involvement with school-age children primarily focuses on serving children in their local schools, not in schools that we operate.

A seven-member unpaid board oversees our overall operations. The Allen County Commissioners appoint five members; the presiding judge of Probate Court appoints two. At least three of the board members must be the parents or immediate family members of individuals we serve.

Funding for our operations comes from three sources, a countywide property tax and state and federal funds. The local tax, which accounts for 42 percent of our primary support, comes from a 3.45 mill operating levy and a 0.3 mill capital levy which were last voted on in 2002 and 2003 respectively.

This is the official website and social media for all past, present and future individuals served, parents, guardians, providers, friends, business partners and community members, to share news and information about what is happening at Allen County Board of Developmental Disabilities (ACBDD). We welcome all questions and commentary, including critique. By using or accessing ACBDD’s website and social media pages, you agree to comply with Policy 3.38, as established by the Board of DD. We will delete any content that is a violation of this policy or is contrary to our agency’s values. Personal attacks, vulgarity or racism will not be tolerated and will be deleted immediately. If the behavior continues, we reserve the right to block you from posting on our pages. By accessing, affiliating with or commenting on any posts, your identity may be visible to third parties not affiliated with ACBDD. ACBDD is not responsible for access to your identity, profile or personal information by third parties. It is the express responsibility of the user, or his/her parent or guardian, to protect the user’s identity, profile and personal information.

If you would like a full copy of Policy 3.38, please contact our Public Information Officer at 419-221-1385, ext. 2608.
Adopted: August 27, 2019