The Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities Services will make $8.9 million in cuts, including 62 full-time jobs, to balance its budget proposed for 2025, the agency has announced.
“We hate that this is happening,” said county Developmental Disabilities Superintendent Pamela Combs. “Our families can be assured that we are providing all mandated services and we will continue to provide all mandated services. We’re going to do all that we can to find other avenues for these services that are being cut and reduced.”
County boards of developmental disabilities are required by Ohio law to provide certain services. This includes matching Medicaid waivers, employment support services and more. The board is reducing and eliminating most non-mandated services. The cuts include:
- Eliminating 62 full-time staff positions
- Eliminating mileage reimbursement for all staff, including those who travel daily to provide casework and early intervention services, and overtime
- Reducing capacity in early intervention, a critical but non-mandated service
- Discontinuing its mental health supports and services program, which provided services tailored to more than 125 people dually diagnosed with developmental disabilities and mental illness, and transitioning it to private providers
- Discontinuing the recreation program, which provided year-round programming and respite to children and adults with developmental disabilities
- Discontinuing the family support services program, which provided basic home modifications and supports for families of people with developmental disabilities who choose to care for their loved one at home; equipment and training for people with developmental disabilities and their family members; and respite and camp services for children, youth and adults
- Discontinuing the high school transition supports and contracts, including the school-to-work employment program and funding for the school-to-adult life transition series
- Reducing supports to school-age children and individuals navigating community systems that typically assume independence
- Eliminating funds for training and membership in the developmental disabilities state association
- Eliminating a contract for outside security services
Additional cuts are not anticipated for 2025, Combs said.
https://www.daytondailynews.com/local/montgomery-county-board-of-developmental-disabilities-services-announces-massive-cuts-layoffs/IXTQV4YN3ZAQVNBTLRHY52ZOR4/