Since 1967 the Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities (LCBDD) has served the Licking County community as the entity to plan for, provide and pay for services for people with developmental disabilities. In 2017, our agency celebrated its 50th anniversary and marked the occasion with a variety of special projects. Check out the links below to learn more:
In a 2017 interview, retired LCBDD Superintendent Nancy Neely reflected on our agency’s history and future. We believe her words are a fitting introduction to this timeline, which not only highlights the accomplishments of the past but shows how far LCBDD has come — and where we have to go.
“It’s different today than it was 50 years ago, but throughout that time, our community has listened to us…We have just recently begun to realize the huge responsibility we have to help teach the public about what people with developmental disabilities can do. In the next decade, we will very much be changing more of those earlier sets of expectations. The power of expectations is so important. We’ve had a tremendous amount of progress, as we’ve learned, we’ve helped the community to learn. That’s the responsibility we have had to bear as a Board…to bring people along. Thinking about 50 years ago, we know so much more about what works and what doesn’t work…and in 10 years, we’ll know even more.” — Nancy Neely, LCBDD superintendent from 2001-2015, in January, 2017.
Our Timeline
01/01/1951
A Parent’s Struggle
Children with developmental disabilities were unable to attend public schools. The only opportunities for local children were the state institutions in Columbus and Mount Vernon. Parents..Read More
06/01/1952
Parent’s Unite
Under the leadership of Licking County resident Katie Carter, parents came together to find a way for their children to receive an education in their own..Read More
08/01/1952
Starlight School
Starlight School opened, giving parents of children with developmental disabilities an educational choice. Mrs. Katie Carter suggested the school be named Starlight because it signified “the..Read More
01/01/1954
Country Day School opens for one year
The Starlight Country Day School opened in 1954 to provide educational opportunities for children not eligible for state funding. Eight young men attended the school, which..Read More
05/01/1957
Job Training
Community job training was met with great success. It was predicted that within five years, many children with developmental disabilities would “find sheltered (working) conditions to..Read More
11/01/1958
New parent group forms
A new parent group was formed. Parents and Friends of Retarded Children was “interested in promoting legislation favorable to all retarded children and in providing services to..Read More
05/30/1960
Starlight School’s first graduate
The first graduate of Starlight School was David Banks, class of 1960. Mrs. Eleanor S. Weiant, President of the Licking County Council for Retarded Children, presented..Read More
09/01/1960
Coucil for Retarded Children takes on advisory role
Because of new legislation prohibiting private corporations from receiving state funds, the Licking County Council for Retarded Children was dissolved in 1960. They retained their name..Read More
11/01/1960
Passage of Starlight’s first levy
In November 1960, the taxpayers of Licking County passed Starlight’s first operating levy of 0.3 mills.
01/01/1964
Early leaders
In 1964, Baird Krueger was selected as the first “administrator” of the Starlight School. Krueger served until 1968. Eulah Littrell served from 1968 to 1971. Robert..Read More
03/01/1964
First Home Training Consultant hired
The first home training consultant was hired in 1964. Mrs. Alma Schuh worked with students unable (for varying reasons) to attend the Eleanor S. Weiant Starlight..Read More
04/01/1965
Starlight’s sheltered workshop
The landmark Ohio House Bill 169 legislation was passed on October 25, 1967. This law created the County Boards of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities and..Read More
08/14/1966
Ground breaking for new E.S. Weiant Starlight School building
On Aug. 14, 1966, construction began on the new E.S. Weiant Starlight School at the end of N. 22nd Street. The school had 13 classrooms, a..Read More
10/25/1967
Ohio House Bill 169
The landmark Ohio House Bill 169 legislation was passed on October 25, 1967. This law created the County Boards of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities and..Read More
05/01/1973
First community residential facility
The first community residential facility was opened in 1973 by the Licking County Council for Retarded Citizens. Mrs. Jane Marsh was the program director for the..Read More
07/01/1973
LICCO Inc. established
In 1973 the non-profit corporation LICCO Incorporated was established to perform the employer functions for Board eligible adults. LICCO Inc., in partnership with the Board, provided..Read More
08/03/1976
Anderson chosen as superintendent
Larry W. Anderson was chosen as superintendent of the Starlight School and the Licking County Board of DD. One of his priorities was expanding the Board’s..Read More
01/01/1977
Early Intervention program begins
An infant development program was started in 1977. The program, serving children from birth to age 2, assisted those with developmental delays to learn the skills..Read More
05/09/1977
First group home for women
The first group home for women was opened in 1977 by the Licking County Council for Retarded Children. As with the men’s home, Jane Marsh was..Read More
03/01/1978
LICCO Inc. grows
Because of an increase in job opportunities and enrollment, LICCO Inc. moved from the school to its own home at 675 W. Church St., in 1978...Read More
01/01/1980
FSS funding available for families
In the early 1980s, the Board began offering families access to Family Support Service Funding. That program continues today, allowing families the opportunity to acquire goods,..Read More
09/01/1983
Community employment begins in Licking County
In September 1983, the Licking County Board received a grant from the Rehabilitation Services Commission to begin the Community Employment Program. This program provided assistance to..Read More
09/07/1984
Phipps chosen as superintendent
Cheryl Phipps, who was at the time serving as the assistant superintendent of the Franklin County Board of DD, was selected to replace Larry Anderson, who..Read More
03/01/1990
Families decide to educate children in their “home district”
By the early 1990s, the numbers of school age children being educated at the E.S. Weiant Starlight School were declining as families took advantage of special..Read More
11/08/1997
Wurthmann chosen as superintendent
When Cheryl Phipps announced her decision to retire and go to law school, Hal Wurthmann was chosen to be her successor. He was the former superintendent..Read More
01/03/2001
Neely chosen as superintendent
Nancy Neely, LCBDD’s director of adult services, was chosen to lead LCBDD.
04/01/2005
LCBDD offers PLAY Project
Under the leadership of Early Childhood Director Molly Kurtz, LCBDD staff members began training to provide PLAY Project as an option for local families. PLAY is..Read More
04/01/2005
LCBDD offers PLAY Project
Under the leadership of Early Childhood Director Molly Kurtz, LCBDD staff members began training to provide PLAY Project as an option for local families. PLAY is..Read More
06/01/2009
Preschool merges with public schools
The Board’s preschool program merged with similar programs operated by the public school systems. Newark City Schools expanded their own preschool program to accommodate children living in..Read More
07/29/2009
LCBDD administration moves
LCBDD’s administrative office moved from 65 W. Church to the E.S. Weiant Center, site of the Starlight School, located at 116 N. 22nd St.
07/29/2009
LCBDD administration moves
LCBDD’s administrative office moved from 65 W. Church to the E.S. Weiant Center, site of the Starlight School, located at 116 N. 22nd St.
08/24/2009
Agency changes name
On August 24, 2009, the agency’s name changed to The Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities, or LCBDD. In retelling our history, we have included the..Read More
08/01/2010
Transportation changes
The Board began contracting transportation through the Licking County Transit Board.
09/01/2010
Licking County Chapter of People First begins
As self advocacy became more prominent, the creation of the first People First group ultimately led to the creation of self advocacy advisory councils. Now local..Read More
09/02/2010
Licking County Chapter of People First begins
As self advocacy became more prominent, the creation of the first People First group ultimately led to the creation of self advocacy advisory councils. Now local..Read More
09/03/2010
LCBDD announces Endowment Fund
Thanks to a generous bequest from Martha Welsh — the grandmother of two women receiving services from LCBDD— the agency established the LCBDD Endowment Fund through..Read More
03/13/2013
Transition toward more choices
Superintendent Nancy Neely sent a letter to families of people attending LICCO, informing them that their loved ones would have more choices for direct service providers...Read More
03/13/2013
Focus on Ages and Stages and Person Centered Planning
Superintendent Nancy Neely reached out to families, caregivers and providers in a letter, informing them of the board’s future plans. Some of those inititatives included a..Read More
04/01/2013
ADEP becomes an option for families
LCBDD staff completed ADEP (Autism Diagnosis Education Project) training. ADEP offers parents access to a local evaluation process for children under the age of three suspected..Read More
08/01/2013
Transition Services department created
With renewed focus on employment, particulary for students graduating from high school, the Board began focusing efforts on working with students, at age 14, to help..Read More
11/01/2013
Employment First policy approved
The Licking County Board of DD approved its Employment First policy. Employment First is a statewide initiative, dedicated to shifting expectations and making sure working-age adults..Read More
04/01/2014
Early Childhood Services expand
In April of 2014, LCBDD began expanding its Early Childhood services, which initially were only offered from birth to 3, to include preschool-aged children. Roll out..Read More
06/02/2014
Partnership announced between LICCO and Hopewell Industries
In a letter to LICCO employees and families, Superintendent Nancy Neely announced a formal partnership between LICCO and Hopewell Industries in Coshocton County. Hopewell’s CEO Mary..Read More
11/01/2014
LICCO Inc. transitions
LICCO Inc. officially transitions into a certified, stand-alone provider agency.
02/01/2015
Employment Supports department created
LCBDD’s Community Employment Services departments and Transition Services departments merged into Employment Supports, which focuses on connecting people with the resources they need to meet their..Read More
01/01/2016
Umstot takes over as LCBDD superintendent
After more than 30 years at the Licking County Board of DD, Nancy Neely announced her retirement. Jason L. Umstot was chosen as the Board’s superintendent...Read More
04/01/2016
Provider Relations department created
LCBDD’s Provider Relations Department was created to support agency and independent providers, provide training opportunities and technical assistance and collaborate on The Excellence Network (TEN), which..Read More
01/01/2017
LCBDD celebrates 50th anniversary
LCBDD spent 2017 celebrating its 50th anniversary, which coincided with the 50th anniversary of the creation of County Boards of DD in the state of Ohio...Read More
02/01/2018
LCBDD launches DSP Employment Connections
In an effort to redefine its role and work to eleviate the statewide shortage of direct support professionals, LCBDD began DSP Employment Connections, the first program..Read More
07/01/2018
Renovation of E.S. Weiant Center began
Construction officially began on the E. S. Weiant Center. The project was completed in 2019, and the renovated building now houses the entire agency.
06/20/2019
E.S. Weiant Center ribbon cutting
LCBDD celebrates the ribbon cutting of the renovated E.S. Weiant Center.
