Emergency 24-Hour Line: 740-260-3206
Eligibility Information: 740-439-4451 ext. 6835
Independent Living
Meet Michele. Michele lives on her own in a home purchased with DODD Community Capital Assistance Program funds. These funds allow the County Boards to buy, build, and renovate homes to create independent living options for people with developmental disabilities.
Rent for these homes is set at a fixed rate and maintenance is provided by the County Board.
Michele enjoys the independence of living on her own and making her own decisions. She loves to decorate her home, especially for the holidays and seasons.
When not at home Michele can be found at one of her two jobs. She works at Nothing But Chocolate where she helps pack, label and seal chocolates, folds boxes, and handles janitorial duties. Michele also works at the Deep Cut, doing prep work, including weighing fried food, filling ranch cups, and setting up the cleaning station.
Employment Success
Leo is an 8 year old boy with Autism, who loves to explore. But sometimes his explorations can be unsafe. If he becomes very interested in something he may elope and leave his family's home.
With the help of the GCBDD, his family has installed remote supports throughout the home to help Leo stay safe, and still have independence. The remote supports include door open/close sensors, biometric locks, video doorbells, indoor and outdoor cameras with two way audio, wi/fi hub, and Amazon Echo. A fence has also been installed in the backyard, so that Leo has access to a safe outdoor space.
Every time a door opens, it dings and the Echo announces which door has been opened or closed. There are also cameras at every exit, so that his parents are always aware of what direction Leo may be headed.
“The technology gives Leo the flexibility to go about the house. He can be a kid and go to his room to play if he wants, or to the backyard,” said his father, Justin. “He has the ability to roam freely and it empowers him to make decisions. He gets to be his own person.”
“It gives us peace of mind,” said Justin. “He is sometimes a wanderer in the middle of the night, and we worried about him escaping. It gives us a safety net. And, as he is getting older and understanding his environment more, he is doing so well with the tools that we, and the Board, have put in place for him.”
Beginning in late October, the GCBDD will have a Tech Kit to help individuals and families explore how technology can help with independence. Contact your SSA to learn more.
Home Visiting
In 2023, the GCBDD began offering Home Visiting as part of our Early Intervention services. Home Visiting is a free home-based program that offers information and support for families during pregnancy and the first years of a child’s development.
The Home Visitor staff will schedule visits at your home, based on your schedules and needs. They provide support and information on topics that matter most to your family. For example you can discuss nutrition during pregnancy, how to manage sleep, or child development. Your Home Visitor can help answer questions and connect you with community resources.
Ali and her family began participating in Home Visiting shortly after the birth of their youngest child. Their Home Visitor, Summer, schedules sessions weekly with the family.
During their sessions, Summer has worked with the family to prepare big sister, Daisy, for preschool. “Summer has helped Daisy learn to listen to someone other than Mom and Dad,” said mom, Ali. “We’ve also worked a lot on sharing.”
The family goal for the youngest child, Hazel, is learning to walk. “She’s definitely making progress,” said mom.
"I love growing with my families and watching the kiddos learn new skills and meeting their milestones," said Home Visiot Summer Lynch.
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Lowery becomes first person with a developmental disability to serve on GCBDD
The Guernsey County Board of Developmental Disabilities has a new board member and the appointment is a first. Anna Lowery is the first person eligible for board services to serve on the decision making board.
Anna’s term began in January 2025, after she was recommended for the position by the nominating committee of the Board of DD (Board Members, Steve Marvin and Mike Campbell) and then officially appointed by the Guernsey County Commissioners in October 2024.
“Anna will bring her lived experience to the board,’ said Superintendent Kellie Brown. “Her perspective as a person who receives County Board services will be valuable as she helps to make decisions that impact people in our community with disabilities and their families.”
Anna is an active member of the community. She is employed at the Cambridge YMCA. She is a member of Guernsey People First, an organization for people with disabilities who seek to advocate for themselves and others, and educate the community about people with disabilities. Anna has also attended DD Awareness and Advocacy Day at the Ohio Statehouse where she has shared with state leaders her concerns about legislation affecting people with disabilities.
Anna is excited to be serving on the board and is prepared to research upcoming topics. “I get the opportunity to learn about what goes on behind the scenes and to give back,” said Lowery. “It’s important to make sure that we have a budget so that people with disabilities are supported.”
“I would also like to thank the people who supported me in becoming a board member,” said Anna. She credits her mother and county board staff Jamie Secrest and Jennifer Oakley with helping her in the decision making and application processes.
Beginning in July of 2025, all County Boards of Developmental Disabilities are required to have at least one individual with a developmental disability serving on their board.
The Guernsey County Board of Developmental Disabilities has a seven person decision making board, with five members appointed by the commissioners and two appointed by the Probate Court Judge. At least three of the members must be immediate family members of the Board and at least one of those three needs to be an individual supported by the Board.
“We appreciate the foresight of the Commissioners in appointing Anna to the Board ahead of the required deadline,”said Brown. “We have had family members of individuals who receive services as Board members, and they bring a crucial viewpoint from their lived experiences. Having a person who receives services on the Board is an important and exciting step forward for people with disabilities in Guernsey County.”
Photo (l to r): Commissioner Bill Cowgill, GCBDD Board Member Ann Lowery, and Commissioner Dave Wilson.
