2025 Year in Review

At this time last year, I wrote about 2024 being transformative. If I had to pick a word for 2025, it would be transitional, and while transitional sounds very boring, I assure you, the past year was anything but boring for the Allen County Board of Developmental Disabilities!

Like many of you, we experienced opportunities to learn, opportunities to educate, many firsts, many challenges, painful losses, and joyful beginnings. It was a wonderful and busy year as we built upon the important work of impacting community access in 2024 while looking ahead to new challenges. Challenges such as embracing new technology, planning for a multitude of anticipated retirements and personnel changes, and having meaningful conversations, locally and throughout the state, regarding the financial future of Ohio’s County Board of Developmental Disabilities.

Let’s start with technology. After all, who doesn’t love to find out they are transitioning to a new system of record or an updated version of a program or product you’re already comfortable with?! I won’t bore you with the details because: 1) I’m trying to prove transition doesn’t have to mean boring, and 2) the changes and upgrades staff endured are primarily behind the scenes steps intended to create organizational efficiencies, increase staff mobility, and modernize operations.

I was warned technology changes at the Board have not always gone well and whether you call it a curse, a jinx, bad luck, an unfortunate snafu, or a perilous pitfall; let’s just say not a single technology-based transition went smoothly. We did prevail, however, thanks to the patience and perseverance of all staff! I’m sure many of them are hoping for a boring 2026 in this department!

Personnel planning was also big in 2025. In addition to welcoming new staff throughout the year, the Board announced long-time employee, Melissa Ricker, formerly the Director of Community Support Services, as the Assistant Superintendent. Many of you know, the Allen and Auglaize County Boards of Developmental Disabilities extended their agreement for shared superintendent services through 2025 and into 2026. The announcement of Melissa’s hiring as the Assistant Superintendent in July 2025, led to a whirlwind of exciting personnel changes as the Board worked to fill not only the Director position, but three subsequent positions! All of this while Melissa completed her master’s degree, obtained her superintendent certification and took maternity leave in the fall as she and her family welcomed a beautiful baby boy into the world! 😊 

Additionally, the Board leadership team spent many hours working with staff in anticipation of at least eight staff retirements, over 10% of our workforce, in 2026! Talk about a transition! We are grateful to all staff who participated in time studies, learned new tasks, and provided thoughtful input as we strategized on how to best meet the needs of the agency, those we serve, and the community while also considering fiscal responsibility and sustainability.

This, of course, leads into a topic we don’t always like to talk about in social services: finances. It is important, however, when you consider the Board provides a lifetime of services. From Early Intervention for infants diagnosed with disabilities or demonstrating developmental delays to supports and services provided and coordinated across the life span, our mission is to support people through strong partnerships and high-quality services.

Ohio is unique in its reliance on localized support for health and human services programs. This practice, rooted in the state’s culture of home rule, aligns highly with our program’s emergence as a grassroots effort by parents for opportunity and inclusion. With this history of local activism and a desire to ensure community partners have as much local authority as possible, it is not surprising that the Allen County community has been steadfast in ensuring a human services safety net for people with developmental disabilities. As concerns about property tax continue to grow, we have joined families in advocating for meaningful reform while also providing education on the impact of the revenue generated from this county’s developmental disabilities continuing operating levy.

As I wrap up this year in review, I’d like to revisit my earlier reference about building upon our community access efforts. In 2024, our agency, through federal grant funds made available by the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities, was able to contribute greatly to community partners seeking to increase community access. One of the most exciting transitional developments we have witnessed recently, however, is the shift from our Board initiating conversations about inclusion to businesses and organizations implementing their own ideas and projects to increase accessibility.

A few highlights from 2025 include the fundraising efforts of the Marimor Legacy Foundation to build an accessible restroom at the All Abilities Playground, the introduction of Sensory Day at the Allen County Fair, the City of Lima’s installation of accessible pedestrian signals and tactile crosswalk features at key intersections, all abilities kayaking led by the Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District, and inclusive events and activities hosted by Artspace/Lima, Vibe Coffeehouse & Café, and many others!

Transition signifies movement and connection. It is not passive. Therefore, we are excited not to see what the new year brings, but rather what we bring to the new year. In that spirit, we wish you all a happy, healthy, and intentionally transitional 2026!