About Us

Since 1967, The Portage County Board of Developmental Disabilities has been providing services and supports to individuals with developmental disabilities in Portage County. 

Portage DD operates on the foundational belief that greatness lies in every person we connect to – the individuals we serve, our staff, providers, stakeholders, administrators, and community members – and that the key to unlocking it is making sure we interact in a way that emphasizes that we are here to support and provide value to the community. 

We believe that all people are capable and deserving of happy lives; that employees and providers want to give their best for the people they serve; that the community values the work we do; and that Portage DD is comprised of caring and intelligent individuals who are well-equipped to guide us in the right direction. 

Portage DD's services and supports are provided across the lifespan and are possible through the generous and long-standing support of the Board's levies by the citizens of Portage County.

THE Portage DD Board

The Portage County Board of Developmental Disabilities is governed by a seven (7) member-appointed Board. Board members serve a four-year (4) term and are eligible to serve three (3) consecutive terms. Five (5) of the Board members are appointed by the Portage County Commissioners and two (2) by the Portage County Probate Judge. Members serve without compensation.

If the appointing authority is a board of county commissioners, appoint at least two individuals who are eligible for services provided by the county board or are immediate family members of such individuals. The board of county commissioners shall, whenever possible, ensure that one of those two members is an individual eligible for adult services or an immediate family member of an individual eligible for adult services and the other is an immediate family member of an individual eligible for early intervention services or services for preschool or school-age children; If the appointing authority is a senior probate judge, appoint at least one individual who is an immediate family member of an individual eligible for residential services or supported living; Appoint, to the maximum extent possible, individuals who have professional training and experience in business management, finance, law, health care practice, personnel administration, or government service; Provide for the county board's membership to reflect, as nearly as possible, the composition of the county that the county board serves.

Board Minutes

Board minutes for 2024 are available for download below.
For 2021 Board minutes, please contact Portage DD.

Organizational Meeting
January
FEBRUARY

Notices

Ohio’s Open Meetings Act requires that all meetings of a public entity be open to the public. More information about Ohio’s Open Meetings Act is available here: http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/121.22

The January meeting is the Board’s annual organizational meeting as required by Ohio Revised Code section 5126.029. At the annual organizational meeting, the Board elects its officers, establishes committee assignments, and its monthly meeting schedule.

All records kept by the Board are public unless they are exempt from disclosure under Ohio law. All public records must be organized and maintained in such a way that they can be made available for inspection and copying. Board Policy 6.25 Public Records details how public records may be viewed or requested to be copied.

Board Finances

February 2024 Revenues / Expenditures

For more information about Board Finances, please contact Business Management at 330-297-6604.

Board Policies

4.49 - Administrative Resolution of Complaints
6.25 - Public Records
8.xx - Confidentiality/Computer Security

Strategic Plan

Throughout 2022, Portage DD talked with and listened to those we serve: families, providers, schools, and community members. Through their invaluable feedback, we crafted our comprehensive three-year strategic plan that outlines five key goal areas. We are committed to sharing our progress in meeting each of these goals.  

The 2023-2035 Strategic Plan will guide us as we pursue our mission to assist and support individuals in developing their abilities through advocacy, inclusion, and empowerment. We believe that greatness lies in every person we are connected to and are thankful for your partnership in unlocking that greatness. 

We sincerely appreciate all involved in crafting this unique plan—the people we support, family members, staff personnel, local providers, and community representatives! 

2023 - 2025 Strategic Plan

Maureen Haska, President
County Commissioners Appointment
First Term through December 2024
maureenh@portagedd.org

Kelly Butler, Vice President
Probate Judge Appointment
Third Term through December 2026
kellyb@portagedd.org

William Tarver, Recording Secretary
County Commissioners Appointment
Second Term through December 2025
williamt@portagedd.org

Tom Grist
County Commissioners Appointment
First Term through December 2024
tomg@portagedd.org

Cheri Michael
County Commissioners Appointment
Third Term through December 2025
cherim@portagedd.org

Tim Moran
Probate Judge Appointment
Third Term through December 2024
timothym@portagedd.org

Michelle Sahr
County Commissioners Appointment
Second Term through December 2024
michelles@portagedd.org

Board Meetings

Regular monthly meetings on the third (3rd) Wednesday of each month starting at 5:00 p.m. at the Happy Day Services Building, 2500 Brady Lake Road, Ravenna, OH 44266. All meetings are both in-person and via Zoom until further notice. The Board provides the public the opportunity to provide comment at the beginning of each regular meeting subject to the conditions specified in Policy 1.12.

2024 Meeting Dates

Questions?

Questions can be directed to Tim Torch, Communications and HR Manager, at 330-297-2083 or timt@portagedd.org.

Special Meetings and Emergency Meetings

Occasionally there may be need for the Board to hold a special meeting. A “special meeting” is any meeting other than a regular meeting. When a special meeting is required, at least twenty-four hours advance notice of the date, time, location, and purpose of the special meeting will be submitted to the Record-Courier newspaper for publication as well as notices posted on the Portage County Board of Developmental Disabilities’ website homepage (www.portagedd.org). Any individual or entity wanting to receive notification of a special meeting may do so by sending an email requesting notification to: specialmeeting@portagedd.org.

Emergency meetings of the Board may be held when immediate official action is required by exigent circumstances and the twenty-four notification requirement cannot be met. An emergency meeting is a special meeting so, any individual or entity who has requested notification of special meeting will receive notification immediately of the time, place, and purpose of any emergency meeting.

When a special or emergency meeting is held to discuss particular issues, the statement of the meeting’s purpose must specifically indicate those issues, and only those issues may be discussed at that meeting. The Board may adjourn into executive session during a special or emergency meeting but it may only discuss matters in executive session relative to the stated purpose of the special meeting that meet the criteria for discussion in executive session as contained in Ohio Revised Code §121.22(G).