Tony Hidy

Supporting people with disabilities and their families
to achieve what is important to them.
Why Do I Need the Warren County
Board of Developmental Disabilities?
 Tony Hidy, Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities Service & Support
Administration Director, will provide information regarding programming and service delivery
opportunities that may be of interest to students and families that are preparing for the
school to adult life transition.
 Topics to be discussed will be: Eligibility for Services; Family Supports; Service Coordination;
Overview of Waiver Services; Transition Services; Community Employment; Recreation
Opportunities; and Self-Advocacy.
 Three Learning Objectives of Session:
1. To learn about various services and supports provided by the Warren County Board
of Developmental Disabilities
2. To have a better understanding of how various services may benefit my loved one
3. Point of Contact: Attendees will be provided contact information for various
services offered
Intake and Eligibility for DD Services
Guidelines for eligibility for Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities services include:
• Children under 3 with one developmental delay or risk of the
same may be eligible
• Children 3-6 with two developmental delays or an established risk are eligible
• Children 6-15 with three or more substantial functional limitations are eligible
• Those 16 and older with three or more substantial functional limitations are eligible
To determine eligibility:
For children under three, contact the “Help Me Grow” Intake Specialist 513-695-4769
For children three and older, contact;
Brenda Alexander [email protected] or by phone 513-518-5323
or Amy Spencer at [email protected] or by phone 513-806-3780.
Family Supports
Individuals birth - throughout entire lifespan
Financial assistance and resources to meet the needs of the enrolled individual
and supports the family with whom the individual resides. Examples of Family
Supports include, but are not limited to: medical supplies, adaptive equipment,
home modifications, feeding equipment and supplies for individuals with special
diets, respite care, and parent training. To receive Family Supports, an individual
must be a permanent resident in the family home. The Ohio Department of
Developmental Disabilities determines income eligibility guidelines and provides a
sliding fee scale for each applicant.
Katrina Steele
Family Supports Coordinator
[email protected]
513-228-6400
Service Coordination
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Individual Needs
Assessment
Individual Service Plans
Medicaid Waiver
Administration
Provider Searches
Service Coordination
Service Coordinators assure various services and supports are available and
are responsive to the preferences and needs of persons served. They also
promote independence, choice, and community integration. The Service
Coordinator serves as a resource and partner for the person served, the
family of the person served, and others who are significant in the person's
life. The Service Coordinator assures that all service providers work together
to implement the service plan. He/She also monitors services and ensures
that the health and safety needs of the individual served are met.
A Service Coordinator is assigned to be on-call 24 hours a day,
365 days a year, to respond to emergency situations and can
be reached by calling 1-800-800-6847
Tony Hidy
Service and Support Administration Director
[email protected]
(513) 228-6433
Overview of Home & Community
Based Waiver Services
 In Ohio, there are four Medicaid Home and Community-Based
(HCBS) waivers that are locally administered by County Boards
of Developmental Disabilities:
 Individual Options (IO)
 Level One
 SELF (Self Empowerment Life Funding)
 Transition Developmental Disability (TDD).
All of these waivers are administered at the state level by the Ohio
Department of Developmental Disabilities, although the Ohio
Department of Job and Family Services maintains overall authority
for all Ohio Medicaid programs and services.
Overview of Home & Community
Based Waiver Services
 There are county specific waiting lists for the IO, Level One, and SELF
waivers and enrollment on either waiver is based upon state defined
priorities
 WCBDD’s waiting lists for IO, Level One and SELF waiver enrollment is
maintained by the Community Resources Services Division
 Contact your Service Coordinator for assistance in completing the
paperwork required to be placed on the waiver waiting list
 County Boards may request a specific number of IO, Level One, and SELF
waivers each quarter to the Ohio Department of Developmental
Disabilities, which will approve these requests if there is available capacity.
Enrollment on a waiver is coordinated by a Service Coordinator with the
assistance of families and must be completed within a specific time frame.
Overview of Home & Community
Based Waiver Services
 If you would like to know more about waivers, contact your Service
Coordinator or see any of the following handbooks at the Ohio Department
of Developmental Disabilities website:
https://doddportal.dodd.ohio.gov/INF/WaiverSer/Pages/default.aspx
 Individual Options Waiver Handbook
 Level One Waiver Handbook
 SELF Waiver Handbook
Transition Services
 Transition Services are provided to assist students with a
smooth transition from school to adult life. Transition
Services involve a team process with input from
individuals being served, parents, staff, school districts
and other agencies as needed. Transition school to work
services are designed to meet individual’s needs and
desires for eligible students ages 14-22. Participation in
Transition School to Work Activities is decided by the
student’s IEP Team and eligibility determination through
the COEDI/OEDI.
Angela Dean
Employment and Transition Services Manager
[email protected]
513-228-6481
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Adult Services
WCBDD Adult
Services
Private Providers
Adult Services
The goal of Adult Day Services is to provide programming based on the individual's needs,
preferences and desires.
Habilitation Programming – focuses on reinforcing social skills, building on educational skills, and
encourages increased participation in activities of daily living (personal hygiene, mealtime,
communication, etc.) Alternate activities such as academics, sensory stimulation, self-awareness and
independence, and community exploration are also an integral part of habilitation programming.
These programs support and build upon current skills while addressing medical needs, behavioral
supports, use of/training on adaptive equipment. Habilitation Programs also coordinate with team
members to incorporate therapy (PT, OT, Speech) needs into daily goals and programming activities.
 Vocational Habilitation – focuses on vocational training. Vocational programs provide instruction and
training for a variety of vocational activities. These programs reinforce current skills and build upon
them to acquire new/additional vocational skills with an ultimate goal of increased employability.
 Supported Employment – community-based, ongoing training that allows the individuals to be
independent with their job skills but offers staffing for necessary support.
 Community Employment – assists individuals to be competitively placed in companies as an employee
of the organization. Job Coaching assists with one-on-one training and helps build natural supports
within the company. Follow-along services may be provided as well.
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Self-Advocacy
Voices Speaking Out
Motto:
Advocating for Independence
What is Self-Advocacy?
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Speaking up for yourself.
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Asking for what you need.
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Negotiating for yourself.
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Knowing your rights and responsibilities.
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Using the resources you need.
Self-Advocacy
Programs/ Conferences
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Project STIR
PAR/Synergy
DD Awareness Day at the Statehouse
Individual Accomplishments
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Special Olympics
Community Employment
Reaching Individual Goals
In the process of becoming their own Guardian
Plans for the future
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Continue Project STIR
Focus on Service Projects
Contact Information:
Keith Gabbard [email protected] or by phone (513) 228-6454
Angie Smith [email protected] or by phone (513) 228-6518
Recreation
Rec Night/Transition Age Events
 2 Team Scavenger Hunts
 Movie Night
 Cornhole Tournaments
 Ice Cream Socials
Job Club
 Individual involved with Community
Employment
 Lazer Kraze
Special Olympics
 Swimming
 Bowling
Contact Information:
Rhonda Schutte [email protected] or by phone(513) 228-6458
Closing Remarks & Questions?
Additional Contact Information
Megan K. Manuel, Superintendent
[email protected]
Bill Caplinger, Assistant Superintendent
[email protected]
Carol Heil, Community Resources Director
[email protected]
Heather Moore, Adult Service Director
[email protected]
Michele Swearingen, Business Services Director
[email protected]
Pete Mason, Operations Director
[email protected]
Chris Smith, Support Services Director
[email protected]
Angie Tapogna, Public Relations Manager
[email protected]
Emergency/Crisis Line
1-800-800-6847
www.warrencountydd.com