Belmont Disabilities Board Receives Highest Award
Seated are board members John Rataiczak, vice-president; Bob Quirk, president; and Shawn McKeen, secretary. Standing: Superintendent Gloria Llewellyn and board members Barbara Pomaranski, Annette Wiater, and Joel Braido. Not pictured is Barbara Schramm.
(ST. CLAIRSVILLE) – A three-year accreditation, the highest possible award, has been given to the Belmont County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
A nine-member team from the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities completed a comprehensive on-site review in October that yielded the result. The areas reviewed were service and support, health and safety, incident reporting, and the Board’s effectiveness.
The accreditation review included interviews with people with developmental disabilities and their families.
Belmont DD Superintendent Gloria Llewellyn credited the award to the team’s emphasis on providing a positive customer experience.
“Over the past few years, we’ve made changes in how we connect with people,” Llewellyn said. “We want people to live their best lives and it’s extremely important that we have relationships with each one in order for that to happen.”
The reviewers noted the Board’s commitment to doing what is right for people.
The review report stated that the Belmont County Board of Developmental Disabilities is resourceful and accesses grants and other sources to help people served.
“You are doing great things with your resources and do creative things to support people with disabilities,” said Katie Willi, lead reviewer for the Ohio Department of DD.
The Board’s support of providers and other community partners was also recognized.
“You set the tone for services delivered in the county and it’s clearly positive,” Willi added.
The Belmont County Board of Developmental Disabilities serves over 700 eligible people, coordinating and funding areas including early intervention (birth to three), school-age assistance, transition from school to work (ages 14 to 22), job-related skill development, employment, residential, respite and transportation.
