2025 was an exciting year for the Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities. We started the year at the 2025 Groundhog Breakfast where we were honored to share the stories of three families we support. 

We wished Jason Umstot well as he transitioned from the Superintendent role to pursue  another opportunity in April. Morgan County DD Superintendent, Wendy Gorrell, served as our Interim Superintendent for six months, and we are grateful for the time she spent supporting our agency. 

Adapting to change can be challenging but our staff maintained stability and consistency for the people we serve. We worked to create more opportunities for families to connect with each other and learn, while also exploring new ways to increase accessibility around the county. One highlight was the opening of an accessible restroom — with a universal changing table — and a sensory room at the Hartford Fairgrounds, paid for by American Rescue Plan Act funds. It was a great example of the power of partnership and inclusion.

In October, Alex Corwin was selected by our Board of Directors as LCBDD's new Superintendent/CEO — making him the sixth leader in our agency's history.

As we reflect back on 2025, we are grateful for our staff and the dedication they show to the people we support. Even with leadership changes locally and a constantly evolving state system, they demonstrate a clear commitment to our mission — supporting people with disabilities to "to discover, pursue and achieve what is important to them."


What are Developmental Disabilities?

Developmental disabilities (DD) are a variety of conditions that affect the ways people learn and acquire new skills. These conditions are either present at birth or develop before a person is 22.

Common developmental disabilities include autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, epilepsy, intellectual disability and spina bifida.

The CDC estimates that about one in six U.S. children, age 3 to 17, have at least one developmental disability.

Message from our Superintendent

In 2025, our agency supported more than 2,700 Licking County residents with disabilities and their families.

Some were just starting their journey  — as infants and toddlers in our Early Intervention program, working toward developmental milestones. Others are in their school-age years, preparing for the future by exploring careers or studying for their driver’s license.  From that first job after graduation to planning for the challenges and opportunities of aging, services continue throughout adulthood.

Together with local providers, Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) and community partners, we are celebrating as people meet their outcomes and follow their passions and vision for a good life.

We are proud to come alongside the people we support, connecting them with the resources they need to live happy, fulfilling lives.

Through the support of our caring community we will continue to build bridges to brighter futures!

Because of you, we can. 

Who did we support in 2025?

A little boy flops down on couch cushions with a smile. He has dark blonde hair and is wearing a dinosaur sweatshirt and blue pants.

Early Intervention: Birth to age 2.

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A little boy flops down on couch cushions with a smile. He has dark blonde hair and is wearing a dinosaur sweatshirt and blue pants.

Early Childhood: Age 3 to 12

After a positive experience with Early Intervention, Charlie, of Newark, began receiving support from LCBDD's Early Childhood team when he turned 3. Now he loves going to preschool! Learn more about Charlie by clicking here:
A little girl with long hair stands in front of her fireplace at home. She has on a pink sweater and a pink hair bow. She is holding up her fingers in a peace sign.

Early Childhood: Age 3 to 12

Ellie Grieb, of Pataskala, is doing great in kindergarten at Kirkersville Elementary! Her family has worked with their Service Coordinator to find several options to pay for her private speech therapy! Learn more about Ellie by clicking here.
A young man in a green shirt wearing gloves uses a cloth to wipe down a hanger.

Transition Youth: Age 13 to 21

Aiden Elliott, of Granville, is learning the skills he needs to be successful in the working world, through the Project SEARCH program at Licking Memorial Health Systems. Learn more about Project Search by clicking here.
A photo of a young man with short dark hair standing in front of a green wall hanging.

Adults: Age 22 to 64

Justice Wollenburg, of Heath, has proved he can do anything he sets his mind to — from working at Bitty and Beau's, running a bread business, doing CrossFit and singing in a barbershop chorus! Learn more about Justice by clicking here.
A man with dark hair and glasses smiles at the camera. He is wearing a black jacket and a Licking County Sheriff's Office lanyard.

Adults: Age 22 to 64

Aaron Smith, of Newark, has achieved his dream of supporting local law enforcement. As a member of the Licking County Sheriff's Office's Citizen’s Academy Alumni Association he has found friendship and a way to give back! Learn more about Aaron by clicking here.
A woman with glasses and a gray shirt stands in front of a metal Ashcraft sign.

Adults: Age 65 and older

With support from an independent provider Stephanie Wells, of Newark, is enjoying her retirement years, exploring her interests and making new friends. Learn more about Stephanie by clicking here.

Total:  2,733 people served in 2025

Community Impact in 2025

A little boy flops down on couch cushions with a smile. He has dark blonde hair and is wearing a dinosaur sweatshirt and blue pants.
Provided in Licking County by LCBDD, Early Intervention providers coach parents and caregivers to support their children in familiar environments. REST OF TEXT GOES HERE
A little boy with brown hair sits in a blue wheelchair in his living room. There are toys behind him and sunlight is coming in the window. He is smiling at the camera.
FSS is a locally funded LCBDD program that helps eligible families acquire goods, services and supports that address the special needs of their family member with a disability. Jaxon Ahmad's family was able to use FSS to purchase a GoBro wheelchair! Now he has the independence to chase after his sister and pick out which toys he wants to play with. Learn more about Jaxon by clicking here.
A photo of a young boy sitting on a porch swing, next to a 19-year old man wearing an OSU shirt. They are smiling and looking at the camera.
LCBDD's Multi-system Youth (MSY) respite program gives young people the chance to gain independence while giving their primary caregivers a break. Carter Morrison, of Utica, has developed a friendship with his respite provider John Stamper that has lead to adventure and new experiences.Learn more about their story by clicking here.
A boy sits in a chair and gets a hug from his mother and little sister.
LCBDD is has a variety of partnerships in place to provide families with additional supports early, before challenging situations occur. Ryker Nicholas and his family were connected to wrap-around services that have helped him have a great school year! His support team — including LCBDD, OhioRISE and I am Boundless — meets monthly. Learn more about Ryker by clicking here.
A close up image of a woman wearing a black coat stands in front of her car holding a blue envelope.
LCBDD works with local partners to connect teens and adults with options to learn to drive. Passing her driving test four years ago has given Nicole Waters the independence she needs to work, visit family and go to concerts. She uses a Blue Envelope to make sure law enforcement officers know the best ways to support here. Learn more about Nicole and the Blue Envelopes by clicking here.
Four Hey Babes employees stand beside Alexis Ackerley at her artshow opening. They are holding glasses to toast her. They are all smiling.
Getting a job at Hey Babes led Alexis Ackerley to a supportive team of coworkers — and an opportunity to have her first art show at The Works! Learn more about Alexis — and her art — by clicking here.

Financials

2025 Expenses

Operating:

Personnel: $7,807,469
Local Funded: $2,832,592
Waiver: $1,131,958
Other: $7,179,665

Residential:

Residential Supports:$1,211,238
Total: $21,290,557

2025 Expenses

  • Personnel37%
  • Local Funded19%
  • Waiver5%
  • Other34%
  • Residential Supports6%

2025 Revenue

Operating:

Local property tax levy: $14,597,069
Federal funds: $2,832,592
State funds: $653,796
Other local revenue:$136,016
Residential: $1,706,462
Capital repair: $2,800
Waiver reserve: $599,941
Total:$20,528,676

2025 Revenue

  • Local property tax levy71%
  • Federal funds14%
  • State funds3%
  • Federal funds1%
  • Residential8%
  • Capital0%
  • Waiver reserve14%

Our Partners

Our Board provides funding, training and support to a number of local agencies, organizations and independent providers to deliver high quality services to Licking County citizens with developmental disabilities.

Providers: Alchera Incorporated, All R Friends, Ball Health Services, Blessed Homecare, Center for Disability Services, Clossman Catering, Community Living Experiences (CLE), Consumer Support Services (CSS), DOY Services, Empathy Care Services, Gathering Place of Licking County, Greenleaf Job Training Services, I am Boundless, Independent Beginnings, Intra-National Home Care, Fairfield Community Supports, Guardiantrac, LICCO (a division of the Fuse Network), Licking County Aging Partners, Licking County Transit, Licking/Knox Goodwill Industries, Life Bridge, Love for Mankind, Mom’s Meals, Newark Resident Homes, Agency, PALS Chrysalis Health, Recreation Unlimited Farm and Fun, SPARKS, Station MD Professional Corporation, The ARC of Ohio, THS Remote Support Services, Treasure Reliable Care, TruCare Provider Services, Valued Relationships, ViaQuest Day and Employment Services, ViaQuest Residential, Welcome Residential and Wynn-Reeth.

*The listed providers support five or more Licking County residents.

Community Partners:  Access 2 Interpreters, Always Interpreting, American Red Cross of East Central Ohio, Bridgeway Academy, Better Together Playnasium, Buckeye Valley Family YMCA, Catholic Social Services, Cornerstone, COTC/OSU-N, C-TEC, DBS Consulting, Deaf Services Center, Dr. Randy Shively, Dynamic Pathways, Hartford Independent Fair, House of New Hope, Lee Balser, Licking County and Pataskala chambers of commerce, Licking County Children and Families First Council, Licking County Coalition for Housing, Licking County Foundation, Licking County Health Department, Licking County Job and Family Services, Licking Memorial Health Systems, Licking County Library, Licking County Records and Archives, Licking County Recycling, the Licking Regional ESC, Licking County’s school districts, Licking Valley Driving School, Lighthouse Cove, Maxim Health Care, Mental Health America of Licking County, Momentum Refresh, Newark Area Special Olympics, the Newark, Granville and Heath Moundbuilders Kiwanis clubs, Ohio Health Consortium, OhioMeansJobs Licking County, Ohio Network of Innovation, Ohio State Nisonger Center, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, Summit Housing, Silfies Media, Pathways of Central Ohio, Pataskala Public Library, Red Heart Homes LLC, Tri-Village Christian Church, Together We Grow Gardens, Us Together Interpreting, West Licking Warriors Special Olympics and We Thrive Together.

We are also thrilled to have 160 active independent providers of residential and transportation services supporting local residents.