Who We Are
The Preble County Board of Developmental Disabilities (Preble DD) serves more than 400 people of all ages in Preble County, Ohio. Preble DD’s mission is to support individuals with developmental disabilities to live, learn, work and socialize as they choose.
Our vision is to provide the best possible opportunity for individuals with developmental disabilities to have the kind and quality of life he or she chooses. Preble DD coordinates and provides funding for services people need to live full lives. These services include in-home care, adult day services, job training and transportation. These services are funded in part through local tax levy dollars and are delivered through a network of local provider agencies and independent caregivers.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Preble County Board of DD is to support individuals with developmental disabilities to live, learn, work and socialize as they choose.
Vision Statement
The vision of the Preble County Board of DD is to provide the best possible opportunity for individuals with developmental disabilities to have the kind and quality of life he or she chooses.
Strategic Plan
Our Strategic Plan will guide us through the year 2025. The goal of this Strategic Plan is to develop a focused and succinct plan to guide us in achieving our mission to support individuals with developmental disabilities to live, learn, work and socialize as they choose. We invite you to read our plan and provide us with any feedback you may wish to share.
Our Team
Brian Green
Kathy Greenawalt-Cherry
Steve McEldowney
Avery Huff
Stacy Pettit
Brooke Warren
Danae Bratton
Tara Carroll
Danielle Denlinger
Lauren Fox
Bailie Frazier
Ashley Fuller
Isabel Napier
Karen McCain
Ashley Moore
Danielle Pieratt
Amy Salyers
Savannah Thompson
Tara Williams
Our History
Preble DD traces its beginnings to a grassroots effort by parents who wanted an education for their sons and daughters with developmental disabilities. For about a century, through 1950, parents of children with developmental disabilities in Ohio had two choices:
- They could send their child to a large state institution to receive services, giving up daily contact, or;
- They could raise their child at home doing whatever they thought was right.
Parents in Ohio continued to seek help for their children – for their education and for a better life. In 1952, the Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC) was founded. The Association’s first duties were as advocates, developers, organizers and providers of transportation to children with disabilities.
The ARC continues today in many counties throughout Ohio.
In July 1967, as a result of Senate Bill 169, Ohio established County Boards of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities known as “169 Boards.” These are the forerunner of today’s Boards of Developmental Disabilities (the term “mental retardation” was removed from state language in 2009).
Locally, the Preble County Developmental Training Center (DTC) was established in 1971 by parents of multi-handicapped children. In 1975 Congress passed Public Law 94-142 (now known as IDEA) in order for school districts to receive federal funds and state funds requiring them to implement policies and procedures that assured a free and appropriate education to all children with disabilities.
The DTC was created to address an unmet need for families – prior to the changes in federal law. By establishing a training facility within the county, children had the opportunity to benefit from modern training and facilities without being removed from their beneficial influences of their home and community environments. The Developmental Training Center provided individualized training programs for Preble County children, birth through age 21.
The Preble County 169 Board held its first meeting in January 1973. In June 1978, a levy was passed to support the operations and that would become the first local tax dollars used to support local residents with developmental disabilities. By 1979, the number of individuals receiving services had grown to 41.
In August 2008, Preble County residents showed their support again for the Preble DD by supporting a 1-mill levy. This passage allowed services to continue for the entire program.
Preble DD has an Early Intervention childhood program that provides services to children (birth through age 2) and their families in a family-focused home setting, emphasizing parent participation. Children in the program range in age from birth to two. Children are provided opportunities to develop to their fullest potential.
Recently, the PLAY Project began in Eaton, National Trail and Preble Shawnee preschool and kindergarten classrooms. PLAY (Play and Language for Autistic Youngsters) is a program designed for children with autism and provides training to parents and educators. It is an evidence-based autism, early intervention program.
The Service and Supports Administration Department (SSA) provides opportunities to assist people with disabilities to define and pursue a quality of life he or she chooses. SSA team members work with eligible individuals age three and older to provide information to help people make choices throughout their journey in life. SSAs serve as the primary point of coordination for individuals and assist with the development of their person centered plan, free choice of provider, monitoring of health and welfare and crisis intervention services (24/7). SSAs promote and support individuals' choices in how they want to live, work, learn and socialize in their communities.
Preble DD’s Timeline
1973 Preble County Adult Workshop incorporated by the State of Ohio, enrolling 14 people
1978 Educational program charters for school-age and preschool programs given to county boards.
1984-85 Ohio Association of County Boards of MRDD established.
1986 Case management (now known as Service, Support Administration) becomes mandated county board service with state funding.
1990 President George Bush signs the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
1991 Supporting full inclusion, school children were transitioned from the PCBMRDD school program to their local school districts where they lived.
2001 PCBMRDD (Preble County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities) serving over 275 individuals.
2002PCBMRDD forms Community & Support Services Department. This action combines case management and community residential services, adding quality assurance and more.
2005 PCBMRDD serving over 287 individuals.
2005 People First self-advocacy group forms.
2007 Special Olympics returns to Preble County for the first time in 14 years.
2008 PCBMRDD celebrates 35 years of service.
2008 Kylie Person Memorial Garden and Susan Melzer Memorial Walking Path dedicated at 201 E. Lexington Rd., Eaton. This beautiful area was created with no taxpayer dollars.
2009 Passage of SB 79 paves way for county boards to drop the term “mental retardation” from their names across Ohio. The new name is Preble County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
2013 Preble DD celebrates 40 years of service to the Preble County community.
2014 The Brooke-Gould A.S.K. Accessible Playground is dedicated at 201 E. Lexington Rd., Eaton. The playground is totally accessible and was built using no taxpayer dollars. Many generous donations from the community and grants made the playground possible.
2014 After more than 40 years of Preble DD being a service provider, L&M Products, Inc. becomes an independent provider. This came about as a result of new guidelines established at the federal government level from the Center for Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding conflict-free case management. Under these rules, county boards are no longer allowed to provide direct services through workshops or industry programs while providing SSA case management services at the same time. Thus, L&M became a private provider.
2015 PLAY Project begins in Eaton, National Trail and Preble Shawnee schools. PLAY (Play and Language for Autistic Youngsters) is a program designed for children with autism and provides training to parents and educators. It is an evidence-based autism early intervention program.
2016 Preble DD serving more than 375 individuals.
2023 Ranging in age from birth through the end of life, Preble DD provides support for more than 600 individuals.
Preble DD has a proud history of providing quality services to individuals with developmental disabilities. Preble DD supports all eligible individuals by increasing community relationships through collaboration, information, education and participation. As things constantly evolve and grow, one thing is for certain – Preble DD continues to proudly support individuals who are making a positive difference in their lives and in the community