Funding

The Ashland County Board of Developmental Disabilities (DD) operates on an annual budget of approximately six million dollars. This amount provides lifetime service for the nearly 300 individuals with disabilities in Ashland County. The comprehensive offerings include early intervention, pre-school, school age, adult day services and transportation services. Along with the DD Board there are two non-profit boards. The  Ashland County Residential Services Inc. Board oversees the housing opportunities and the D-R Services Inc. Board directs the employment programs at D-R Services and within the county. These life-long offerings are perhaps the biggest single difference between DD and regular public education funding.

The contributions of federal Medicaid dollars are also unique to county DD programs. Public education does receive federal dollars through what is known at Title assistance. However, Medicaid funds for county programs are primarily used to fund Home Community Based Services. This offering is also known as the Waiver program in which the government provides approximately 60% of the costs needed to support adult clients living in community residences. This is the result of the movement to get adult individuals out of state institutions, and nursing homes and living within their communities. With medical advancements, adults with disabilities are now living longer. Waivers are also an option for those individuals being cared for by their aging parents. This is a major concern in all counties as primary care givers pass away.

Most citizens do not realize that a county is responsible to the health and safety of individuals who qualify for services, and the Waiver program is a means for county tax payers to be reimbursed for 60% of the total costs, approximately $340,000 for the Ashland County Board of DD in 2008. A critical component of the Ohio Revised Code guarantees seamless protection of these individuals by requiring that once an individual receives a Waiver, that individual retains the Waiver regardless of where he/she resides and the originating county pays the 40% portion of this cost. The actual dollar amount of this cost is dependent upon the level of care needed by the individual.

A simple example of what this means is that an Ashland County Resident who qualifies and receives a Waiver, and then chooses to move to another county, the 40% portion of the cost will be paid by Ashland County. This may seem illogical and unfair but it provides individuals with disabilities the freedom to live wherever they may choose, the same freedom a typically developed person enjoys. This government assistance does not come without challenges as the Medicaid programs are very confusing, bureaucratic and often require the employment of trained specialists or use of consultants.

Dale Roy School receives funding in a manner very similar to that of public regular education schools. Basic foundation aid for each student follows the student if he/she attends Dale Roy, and other state assistance is similar with regard to transportation and food service. The Residential Services Board has its own separate budget and revenue sources to fund the operation and maintenance of ten homes in Ashland County.