Upcoming Board Meetings & Closures at DCBDD
BOARD MEETING
Thursday, January 8th at 6:30 p.m.
Byxbe Building, 1610 State Route 521
CLOSURES
Monday, January 19th
Monday, February 16th
General Updates
DODD Rules Update
The following rules are being amended:
- 5123-9-12 (Home and community-based services waivers – assistive technology under the individual options, level one, and self-empowered life funding waivers) with Appendix
- 5123-9-19 (Home and community-based services waivers – general requirements for adult day support, career planning, group employment support, individual employment support, non-medical transportation, and vocational habilitation) with Appendix A and Appendix B
The following new rules are being enacted to replace existing rules of the same number:
- 5123-9-35 (Home and community-based services waivers – remote support under the individual options, level one, and self-empowered life funding waivers) with Appendix
- 5123-9-47 (Home and community-based services waivers – support brokerage under the individual options, level one, and self-empowered life funding waiver) with Appendix
These rule actions are effective January 1, 2026.
An updated List of Administrative Rules is available.
Subscribe to DODD publications to stay up-to-date.
DODD Medicaid Waiver Amendments Approved by CMS
The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) has approved the amendments to the Individual Options (IO), Level 1, and the Self-Empowered Life Funding (SELF) waivers, effective January 1, 2026.
Governor Nominates New Director of DODD
Governor Mike DeWine announced that he is nominating Lyndsay Nash as director of the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities.
Nash has devoted her career to public service, most recently serving as interim director of the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD). During her time with DODD, she has served as in-house counsel, director of compliance, and assistant director. After graduating from law school, she began her career at the Attorney General’s office representing several state agencies, boards and commissions. From there she served as in-house counsel for the Ohio Dental Board before joining DODD in 2017. She brings extensive experience in human-services leadership, legal, and inter-agency collaboration.
The nomination requires confirmation by the Ohio Senate.
Health & Welfare Alerts
View DODD’s most recent Health & Welfare Alert, Winter Weather #52-12-25.
Incident Reporting Requirements
Immediate Reporting
- An Incident Reporting Form (IRF) must be completed for all Major Unusual Incidents (MUIs) and Unusual Incidents (UIs)
- All MUI incidents must be reported and IRFs submitted to MUI@dcbdd.org by 3:00 PM on the following business day
- Use the DCBDD Incident Reporting Form
Monthly Requirements
All providers must complete monthly UI Logs, which are reviewed by DODD and DCBDD during compliance reviews.
Important: Logs must show evidence of monthly review, even when no incidents have occurred. Document your review with a signature and date on the log.
Access the log template here: DODD UI Log
Annual Requirements
Due Date: February 28th (for the preceding calendar year)
By January 31st of each year, all agency providers must:
- Conduct an in-depth review and analysis of MUI trends and patterns from the previous calendar year
- Compile an annual report summarizing findings
Submit the report to MUI@dcbdd.org by February 28th for all programs operated in the county.
Note: This report is required even if you have no MUIs to report.
Access the report form here: Agency Provider Annual Report
Background Checks
Who Needs a Background Check?
If you are seeking certification from DODD as an independent provider or as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of an agency, you are required to have a criminal background check conducted by the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI).
What Type of Check Do You Need?
Ohio BCI Check (Required for Everyone)
- All applicants must complete an Ohio criminal background check
FBI Check (Required in these situations)
- You have lived in Ohio for fewer than five years, OR
- You were convicted of a crime in another state, OR
- You were convicted of a federal offense
How to Complete Your Background Check
Step 1: Find a WebCheck Location
- Visit the Ohio Attorney General’s website
- Search for “WebCheck” or visit the WebCheck Community Listing
- Enter your zip code to find nearby locations
- Important: Choose a location that offers both BCI and FBI services if you need both checks
Step 2: Visit the Location
- Bring a valid photo ID
- Pay the fee directly to the vendor at the location
- Submit your fingerprints electronically
Step 3: Provide the Correct Information
When completing your background check, you must provide the following:
For BCI (Ohio) Background Check
Reason Code: 5123.081: Employees of DODD, county boards, or contracting agencies (agency DSPs)
OR
Reason Code 5123.169: Applicants for supported living certificates (agency DOOs, independent providers).
For FBI Background Check (if required)
Reason Code 5126.28: Employment with DODD (for all FBI checks).
Mailing Address (REQUIRED)
Tell the WebCheck vendor to send results directly to:
Provider Certification
Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities
30 East Broad Street, 13th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
Training & Resources
Free Income Tax Preperation Services
Bridges Community Action Partnership offers free tax return preparation from January through April for individuals with income up to $64,000 (no self-employment income).
Key Details:
- Free service with direct deposit or mailed refunds
- Can also process the prior 3 years of returns
- By appointment only: call 937-617-4217 or visit https://www.bridgescap.org/taxprep
- Arrive 15 minutes early to complete the intake form
- One tax return per appointment
Learn more: https://www.bridgescap.org/taxprep
Supervisor Six Pack Series
The Delaware Area Chamber of Commerce is offering a six-week leadership training program for supervisors transitioning from technical roles to management positions.
Program Details:
- Six Monday mornings, January 12 – February 16, 2026
- 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
- Delaware Area Chamber of Commerce, 2 Troy Road, Delaware, OH
Topics: Seven Roles of a Supervisor, Establishing Leadership, Communication, Conflict Management, Planning Work Activities
Cost:
- $250 per participant (Chamber members) | $325 (non-members)
- $200 per person for groups of 4+ (call 740-369-6221 to register)
Participants must complete all six sessions to receive a certificate. Facilitated by Brad Schneider, The Growth Coach of Central Ohio.
Charting the LifeCourse Side-by-Side Guided Implementation Series
Charting the LifeCourse Side-By-Side Guided Implementation Series for Adult Day Services (ADS) staff and self-advocates is a series of four sessions on Mondays from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM:
- January 12
- January 26
- February 9
- February 23
Please use this form to submit a registration request for each small group of staff and self-advocates from your agency that would like to participate (you may submit additional forms for multiple groups as needed).
DSP and Provider Toolkit Information Session
Join DODD’s DSP & Provider Support Team for the inaugural DSP Information Session of 2026, scheduled for Monday, January 26, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. This session will provide valuable insights into locating resources on the DODD website and effectively utilizing the DSP & Provider Toolkit. Additionally, we will discuss available Annual Training options for 2026.
Register for the DSP and Provider Toolkit Information Session
Frontline Supervisor Experience (FLS‑X) Virtual Sessions
Didn’t have the opportunity to attend an in-person Frontline Supervisor Experience (FLSX) meeting? Join one of the upcoming virtual FLSX sessions in January and make your voice heard.
Frontline supervisors are invited to join the FLS‑X virtual sessions to share insights on recruitment, retention, job satisfaction, and career growth. Sessions are two hours long and take place on January 14, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. and January 27, 2026, at 1:00 p.m.
Register and learn more here: FLS‑X Registration
OPRA 2026 Great Provider Summit - Call for Speaker Proposals
Theme: Get Ready for Greatness – Building the Hall of Fame Providers of Tomorrow
When: May 7-8, 2026 | Cleveland, OH
Proposal Deadline: Monday, February 16, 2026
OPRA is seeking practical, forward-thinking session proposals for their 2026 Great Provider Summit. Sessions should align with one of five tracks:
- Come Together: Executive Leadership – Leadership development and partnerships
- One Way or Another: Program Design & Innovation – Creative service models and outcomes
- Taking Care of Business: Business, Finance & Operations – Operational excellence
- We Are the Champions: Supervision & Workforce – Workforce strategies
- I Won’t Back Down: Advocacy & Innovation – Driving meaningful change
Selected speakers will be notified by February 27, 2026.
Submit your proposal: Visit www.opra.org or contact Sonya Summers at ssummers@opra.org | 614-224-6772
Note: Sessions promoting products/services require sponsorship. Contact mfannon@opra.org for details.
Health Linkage Program
Adults with disabilities sometimes have worse mental health, physical health, and chronic condition outcomes compared to adults without disabilities.
The Health Linkage Program connects adults with disabilities in Central Ohio to better healthcare and support. Our certified community health worker will meet with you to talk about your health, set goals that matter to you, and help you connect to resources in your community.
The Health Linkage Program can help with:
- Healthcare providers who do not understand disabilities
- Being denied appointments
- Physical inaccessibility of buildings and places
- Inaccessibility of equipment like exam tables
- Inadequate insurance coverage
- Lack of transportation
Who can participate? Adults 18+ with disabilities (including learning disabilities, ADHD, autism, and others) living in Franklin, Delaware, Fairfield, Pickaway, Madison, Licking, or Union counties.
To connect with the program: Call 614-685-9323 or email linkages@osumc.edu
Provider Resources from DCBDD: Available 24/7
Interested in becoming a provider?
Want to know about provider responsibilities?
View trainings and other resources
Need service delivery documentation or financial ledgers?
Need help setting up Electronic Visit Verification (EVV)?
Just hired a person and need to know what support you are authorized to provide?
View payment authorization for waiver services
Have a billing question?
Need help with something else?
Community Events
Dublin City Schools Summer Program Fair
Saturday, January 17th, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
5175 Emerald Pkwy Dublin, OH
The Dublin City Schools Summer Program Fair 2026 offers families a chance to explore summer activities and programs for neurodivergent youth ages 3–22. Attendees can connect with local program providers, learn about the Parent Mentor Project, sign up for the SEAC Newsletter, speak with County Board of DD representatives, and visit a sensory-friendly space provided by Autism Society Central Ohio. All Central Ohio families are welcome, and no RSVP is required.
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