After nine years at the Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities (LCBDD), Superintendent/CEO Jason Umstot has accepted a leadership position for an organization dedicated to advocating for Ohio’s health care providers.

“After much reflection, I have decided to accept an opportunity with the Ohio Health Care Association (OHCA), an organization that aligns with my lifelong commitment to advocating for people with developmental disabilities and others who receive support from other service systems,” Umstot said.

Supporting more than 1,200 assisted living communities, home care and hospice service providers, service providers for people with developmental disabilities and skilled nursing care facilities around Ohio, OHCA not only provides resources to professionals in the field but also works to educate state and federal leaders on system priorities.

“As we navigate a critical period where advocacy is essential to maintaining and strengthening Medicaid-funded services, this is the right time for me to step into a role where I can contribute at a broader level to ensure the longevity and quality of these vital services,” Umstot said.

Umstot’s last day with the organization will be April 4. The Ohio Association of County Boards of Developmental Disabilities will be assisting LCBDD’s Board of Directors with the Superintendent search process, said David Doney, LCBDD’s board president.

“Thanks to Jason’s leadership, this will be a position that people will be seeking. We know this is a county people want to come to, thanks to the work of Jason and the LCBDD team,” he said. “The Board will do its due diligence to find the right person to support the people and families that we support in Licking County.”

Umstot stepped into the role of LCBDD’s Superintendent after the retirement of the agency’s longtime leader Nancy Neely. Board member David Wigginton had an active role in the hiring process. Umstot was a candidate who stood out, because of his passion and commitment to the DD field, he said.

“What was consistent throughout was that he wanted the best for the community we serve and did everything he could to make sure that happened,” Wigginton said.

Throughout his time at the Board, Umstot led the organization through consistent growth. LCBDD has seen an almost 40 percent increase in the number of people supported by the Board, since he started in 2016.

Other agency milestones during Umstot’s leadership include:

• The passage of a levy in 2016 and the fulfillment of a promise to the community to sustain that funding for at least 8 to 10 years.
• The celebration of LCBDD’s 50^th anniversary.
• The renovation of the E.S. Weiant Center, which not only preserved a historic school building but brought the staff of the entire agency together under one roof.
• The creation of innovative programs at LCBDD including the DSP Employment Connections program and several other grant-funded pilot programs.
• Support to local providers and the DD community during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The construction of a home in western Licking County to support youth with complex needs, funded by The Good Family Trust.

Umstot has always embraced opportunities to advocate for Licking County and Ohio’s DD system by educating legislators and engaging with local government leaders, Doney said. Transitioning to OHCA will allow him to continue that important work.

“As sad as we are to see Jason leave, we know where his heart is — to help as many people as possible — and this position will give him the opportunity to do that,” he said.

LCBDD’s Board and Leadership Team will be instrumental in creating a seamless transition to a new leader, Umstot said.

“I am committed to ensuring a smooth transition and look forward to seeing the Board continue to grow and succeed in the years ahead,” he said. “Serving in this role for the past nine years has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have worked alongside such a dedicated team.”

If you have any questions, contact Superintendent/CEO Jason Umstot at Jason.Umstot@lcountydd.org or Public Information Officer Anna Jeffries at anna.jeffries@lcountydd.org.