In order to receive services from the Adams County Board of Developmental Disabilities or its contract agencies, an individual must be a resident of Adams County and have a qualifying developmental disability. Developmental Disability is defined as a severe, chronic condition that is characterized by all of the following:

  1. It is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or a combination of mental and physical impairments, other than a mental impairment solely caused by mental illness as defined in Division (A) of Section 5122.01 of the Ohio Revised Code;
  2. It is manifested before age twenty-two;
  3. It is likely to continue indefinitely;
  4. It results in one of the following:
    1. In the case of a child under three, at least one developmental delay;
    2. In the case of a child at least age three, but fewer than six, at least two developmental delays;
    3. In the case of a child age six or older, a substantial functional limitation in at least three of the following areas of major life activity, as appropriate for his/her age: self-care, receptive and expressive language, learning, mobility, self-direction, capacity for independent living, and, if the person is at least sixteen years of age, capacity for economic self-sufficiency.
  5. It causes the person to need a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary or other type of care, treatment, or provision of services for an extended period of time that is individually planned and coordinated for the person.

Eligibility will be determined according to rules established by the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities.  The Board shall refer persons not eligible for programs and services to other community agencies and organizations as appropriate.  All individuals shall have the right to the Board’s Administrative Resolution of Complaints/Due Process Policy and Procedure.

The instruments approved by DODD to determine eligibility are the Ohio Eligibility Determination Instrument (OEDI) and the Children’s Ohio Eligibility Instrument (COEDI).    The COEDI is used for children age 6-15 and the OEDI is for adults age 16 and up.