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County Boards of DODD (CBDODD) were established in 1967 in Ohio to help address the needs of Ohioans with developmental disabilities. As a result, a variety of new services for children, youth and adults with developmental disabilities became available throughout Ohio.
County Boards of DODD (sometimes called County Boards of Developmental Disabilities) are the largest provider of specialized services in Ohio for infants and toddlers with delays and developmental disabilities, and are part of the Ohio infant and toddler early intervention program called Help Me Grow,
which is governed by Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Specific questions about early intervention services provided by individual county boards can be answered by contacting the local county board of DODD. An official referral through the county Help Me Grow central coordinating site is needed to determine eligibility
for Help Me Grow and early intervention services through the County Board of DODD or other provider.
For more information about the Help Me Grow referral & eligibility process, contact your local CBDODD or County Help Me Grow Intake & Referral system
Preschool Special Education for children ages three through five years and Special
Education Services for Children and Youth Ages Six
through Twenty-One are provided through local school districts, as directed by the Ohio Department of Education. In some counties, preschool or school age special education may be available at a County Board of DODD-operated location.
County Boards of DODD may play a supportive role to school districts and families to help facilitate a child’s educational services such as assisting with Transitions between important stages, providing Case
Management (also known as services and support administration or ‘SSA’) services, assisting families in accessing Medicaid Waivers and Family Supports Services, and assisting families with identifying and benefiting
from appropriate community employment supports. Many CBDODD programs offer parent support and education opportunities. Services may continue throughout adulthood, depending on the needs of the
individual and their family.
To be eligible for CBDODD services other than special education, county boards use either the Children’s Ohio Eligibility Determination Instrument (COEDI), for children ages 6 though 15, or the Ohio Eligibility Determination Instrument (OEDI) for children and adults over the age of 15. An
individual is eligible if they have a severe, chronic disability that manifests before the age of twenty-two, and meet other criteria, as outlined in the County Board of DODD administration rule.
Questions or comments about content on this webpage?
Contact: Sam Sprinkle /sam.sprinkle@dmr.state.oh.us / (937) 233-8108