Message From The Superintendent - August 2025

Greetings! 

We hope everyone is doing well!

We just wrapped up our Portage DD Trailblazer camp.  We want to express our appreciation to the Akron Rotary staff and the Portage DD staff for making this another successful camp experience for the children and their families. Thank you!

We have seen a massive increase in our waiver costs.  Waiver services include HPC (Homemaker/Personal Care), HPC Mileage, NMT (Non-Medical Transportation), ADS (Adult Day Services), Voc Hab (Vocational Habilitation), Shared Living Services, Specialized Medical Equipment and Supplies, Environmental Accessibility Adaptations, Assistive Technology, etc.  Waiver costs have increased due to provider rate increases, an increase in the number of people utilizing waivers, and the addition of new waiver services.  We have seen a rise in the number of people eligible for services by approximately 100 people per year and 300 people over the last three years. This means we will have to make some budget changes. This may result in a reduction of some of the services we have established over the years.  Waiver costs are part of the responsibilities of all County Boards of Developmental Disabilities.  We apologize in advance as we explore the best way to limit the impact on people with developmental disabilities and their families. The $4 million increase in waiver costs over the next two years has forced us to make some adjustments. Once we decide on the changes, we will communicate them to everyone.

On Thursday, August 14, we will host our Direct Support Professionals (DSP) Appreciation Event.  We are fortunate to have so many great DSPs and this is the one time a year that we honor them, but we are appreciative of them all year long!

Believe in People! 

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU.

Sincerely,

John Vennetti