Who We Are

Since 1967, the Butler County Board of DD has been the agency that people turn to for information, support, and service when seeking help for a family member with mental retardation or a developmental disability.

The Butler County Board of DD assists the community in meeting the individual preferences and needs of nearly 2,000 people. Supports and services are available life long through contracts with partner agencies or directly provided by the DD agency. Much of what the Butler County Board of DD does goes beyond the walls of its facilities and takes place in the community, where we support individuals to successfully live, work, and learn in their community.

Mission Statement

To support individuals to successfully live, work and learn in the community.

Philosophy

The Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities is founded on the belief that all people, regardless of circumstances, have inherent worth and the right to be treated with dignity.

Furthermore, the Board believes that people with developmental disabilities should be encouraged to exercise and enjoy the rights guaranteed to them as citizens of the United States of America and the State of Ohio to the fullest extent of the law.

This underlying philosophy is made clearer by the following ideals:

That all people have gifts and contributions to make to the community.

That all people have opportunities to participate in community life with fellow citizens and develop a sense of belonging to the community.

That all people have a right to earn income and participate as full citizens of the community.

That all people have a right to equal access to appropriate public education and other learning opportunities to develop and expand their skills and interests.

That all people have the right to have friends and relationships of their choice.

That all persons with developmental disabilities be supported in speaking up for themselves and in making responsible and reasonable choices when making decisions about their lives.

That all persons with developmental disabilities receive equal protection as citizens of Butler County, especially when facing legal action or contesting infringements on their safety or rights.

That all persons with developmental disabilities have equal access to the services they are interested in and need, including those provided by the Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities and other human service agencies.

That parents are the most knowledgeable persons about their children and have the most continuing interest in, and influence on, their lives and should be supported in developing their children's abilities, advocating for their needs and planning for their future.

That this agency shares responsibility for planning services and obtaining resources with the individual and their family.

That this agency provides services and supports for individuals and their families that are responsive to their needs and are flexible, whenever feasible, to their preferences.

That the agency intervenes early with its services and supports to reduce this impact of lifelong disabilities and to address emerging issues in people's lives.

That this agency assists persons with developmental disabilities to remain living with their families or in homes of their choice in the community.

That this agency develops partnerships with other service providers and be a facilitator and leader of change to improve the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities.

That this agency works to prevent conditions that may lead to the abuse or neglect of persons with developmental disabilities and promptly intervene when such situations are suspected.

That this agency provides services in ways that are fiscally responsible and that recognize inherent limits in public funds.

That this agency provides services and supports in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations and laws and consistent with this philosophy and the rights of persons with mental retardation and developmental disabilities delineated in 5123.62 of the Ohio Revised Code.

Bill of Rights

Bill of Rights for individuals with mental retardation and/or developmental disabilities
Rights of Person with Mental Retardation
and Developmental Disabilities
(Ohio Revised Code, Section 5123.62)

The right to be treated at all times with courtesy and respect and with full recognition of their dignity and individuality;
The right to an appropriate, safe and sanitary living environment that complies with local, state and federal standards and recognizes the persons' need for privacy and independence;
The right to food adequate to meet accepted standards of nutrition;
The right to practice the religion of their choice or to abstain from the practice of religion;
The right of timely access to appropriate medical or dental treatment;
The right of access to necessary ancillary services including, but not limited to, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy and behavior modification and other psychological services;
The right to receive appropriate care and treatment in the least intrusive manner;
The right to privacy, including both periods of privacy and place of privacy;
The right to communicate freely with persons of their choice in any reasonable manner they choose;
The right to ownership and use of personal possessions so as to maintain individuality and personal dignity;
The right to social interaction with members of either sex;
The right of access to opportunities that enable individuals to develop their full human potential;
The right to pursue vocational opportunities that will promote and enhance economic independence;
The right to be treated equally as citizens under the law;
The right to be free from emotional, psychological and physical abuse;
The right to participate in appropriate programs of education, training, social development, and habilitation and in programs of reasonable recreation;
The right to participate in decisions that affect their lives;
The right to select a parent or advocate to act on their behalf;
The right to manage their personal financial affairs, based on individual ability to do so;
The right to confidential treatment of all information in their personal and medical records;
The right to voice grievances and recommend changes in policies and service without restraint, interference, coercion, discrimination, or reprisals;
The right to be free from unnecessary chemical or physical restraints;
The right to participate in the political process;
The right to refuse to participate in medical, psychological, or other research experiments.