BODD Announces Two New Members to Start in January, 2026
Board of Developmental Disabilities (BODD) Meeting - December 10, 2025
Meeting Details: The Board of Developmental Disabilities held a Regular Meeting at 6:00 pm on December 10, 2025 in the Administration Board Room at the Metzenbaum Center at 8200 Cedar Rd., Chesterland, OH 44026. Virtual access was available via Zoom, and the agenda was provided in advance. For virtual meeting information contact Kellie Tvergyak-Oznowich at ktvergyako@geaugadd.org. This Observer attended virtually.
Public Comment: The Board of Developmental Disabilities has a written public comment policy, first approved by BODD in 2001, and most recently reviewed by the Board in October 2023. See policy here.
Board Attendance:
Developmental Disabilities Staff:
-
Don Rice - Superintendent
-
Dave Carlson - Assistant Superintendent - Absent
-
Rean Davis - Business Operations Director
-
Tami Setlock - Support and Service Administration
-
Richelle Mills - Transportation and Business Coordinator (via video)
-
Megan Thirion - Employment First
-
Meredith Myers - Early Intervention (via video)
-
Janice Chesnes - Human Resources
-
Kellie Tvergyak-Oznowich - Administrative Assistant
Others Present:
The Board meeting was called to order at approximately 6:00 pm by Mr. Lair.
Minutes: Minutes for the November 19, 2025 Board Meeting were approved without edits.
The Board took the following actions:
Resolutions of Appreciation:
The following resolutions of appreciation were approved:
-
Hugh Cassidy - He served as a custodian at the Geauga County Board of Developmental Disabilities since November 2022.
-
Laura Janson - She served the Geauga County Board of Developmental Disabilities as a Board member since January 2014.
-
Stacy Wilder - She was noted to be a committed resident, parent, actively involved with her family and community; and served as a Board member.
-
Mr. and Mrs. Claus (Mr. and Mrs. Worthen) - They were thanked for bringing joy to families and for helping make this year’s celebration truly unforgettable for children in the Early Intervention Program.
-
Sara Mann - Ms. Mann of Mann Photography was thanked for generously volunteering her time, talent, and professional expertise to photograph the Cookies with Santa event.
Donations - None
Financials
APPROVED - The Board reviewed and approved the financial statement for the month of November.
APPROVED - Financial Transactions & Voucher Approvals - The Board reviewed and approved various financial transactions, expenditures, and vouchers for the month of November.
Ms. Davis said that expenditures were higher this month due to the waiver and payment to the Residential Services Fund.
New Business
Annual Plan - APPROVED. Director Rice noted that this was not a report, as the report is actually done in the summer. Observer Note: This Plan was discussed in detail at the November 19, 2025 meeting. See the LWV Geauga Observer Report for more details.
Lease Resolutions - APPROVED. The following lease agreements all for a yearly amount, all to commence January 1, 2026 - December 31, 2026, were approved:
-
ESC (Educational Service Center) of the Western Reserve for $52,905.97
-
Jewish Family Service Association of Cleveland (JFSA) for an amount of $78,421.75
-
NPower Services Co. for $239.19
-
The Metzenbaum Foundation for an amount of $7,612.97
Mr. Rice said that these leases are required by the Auditor as a way of documenting the use of the building. He said that these agencies are given grants, and then they pay back on these leases. The cost of the leases is determined by each Agency’s use of square footage. Mr. Lair asked the status of the property. Mr. Rice said that the County Commissioners own the property but they have leased it to BODD in a perpetual lease, which also requires that BODD perform repairs and maintenance. There was also a question from Mr. Lair about the requirement that lessees have insurance, and he was assured by Mr. Rice that they follow up on that requirement.
The Board received the following status and program reports:
Major Unusual Incidents (MUIs): Mr. Rice said there were six MUI’s in November, but three of these were in one waiver home and involved one staff member, who is no longer at the home. Mr. Rice said that there is an investigation but that all members of the house are fine.
Population & Residential Services:
-
Mr. Rice reported that population service numbers have increased due to the inclusion of Amish participants (29). It was also noted that they are going to keep an eye on these numbers as they suspect that the numbers, which are generated by the State of Ohio, might not be accurate.
-
The residential waiver waiting list is at 8. Mr. Rice said that the Annual Plan indicates that they plan to eliminate the waiver wait list. Observer Note: Waivers are “one way to pay for services that support someone with developmental disabilities living on their own, with family, with a roommate, or with a provider through Ohio Shared Living. The department (Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities) administers three different waivers: the Individual Options Waiver, the Level One Waiver, and Self-Empowered Life Funding Waiver. See more here.
Employment & HR Updates:
-
Employment numbers were 192 (those who are eligible for services and are employed).
-
Mr. Rice noted that the BODD staff remained at 60 but would be 59 after the retirement of a maintenance worker (Hugh Cassidy, recognized above) as he will not be replaced.
Program Reports:
Mr. Rice reviewed the following:
-
Early Intervention - Meredith Myers did not add to her report. The Board packet states that there were 11 referrals last month for Early Intervention with a total of 122 open cases, including 62 open cases for ages 3-14.
-
Transportation - Richelle Mills had nothing to add to her report. The Summary states:
-
We continue to search for new NMT (Non-Medical Transportation) providers.
-
Summary of Locally Funded Service Agreements for Non-Medical Transportation:
-
As of the current reporting period, a total of 52 locally funded service agreements are open.
General Announcements: Mr. Rice announced that Bill Mann was sworn in as a new Board member in Probate Court. Observer Note: Appointments to the Board of Developmental Disabilities include those from the Probate Judge of Geauga County and the Geauga County Commissioners.
Mr. Rice said it was done by another judge as Probate Judge Grendell is not on the bench. Mr. Rice said that the Board of County Commissioners approved the appointment of Rebecca Bennett and that she would be sworn in at their January meeting.
It was noted that the newsletter had a nice article about the Blue Envelope program. Observer Note: This was the End of Year newsletter which was included in the Board packet. It is also available on-line here. The newsletter stated: ”Throughout the State of Ohio, the Blue Envelope Program is a tool that has been launched to assist individuals with developmental disabilities during interactions with law enforcement and emergency personnel.“ Reviewer Note: Learn more about the Blue Envelope program sponsored by the National Public Safety Alliance for Individuals with Disabilities here.
Ms. Setlock (Support and Service Administration) said that there has been a lot of interest by all the police departments in the County about this program, and she will be going to do a presentation for the Chardon Police Department.
Mr. Rice wished everyone a happy holiday. He said he would be gone the first two weeks in January, but that Deputy Director Dave Carlson would be there.
Other Business/Comments - none
Executive Session - There was no Executive Session.
The regular meeting adjourned at 6:25pm.
The next BODD meeting is scheduled for January 21, 2025 at 6:00 pm.
Minutes when posted are available here: Board Minute Summaries|Geauga County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
Observer: Gail Roussey
Editor: Rooney Moy
Reviewer: Carol Benton
Submitted: December 11, 2025
The League of Women Voters of Geauga is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. They do not support or oppose individual candidates or parties. Learn more about the LWVG at www.lwvgeauga.org.