01/28/2026

Defiance DD board elects president, handles matters for new year

Wendy Bryant Scheurich

The Defiance County Board of Developmental Disabilities elected a new board president at its meeting Tuesday.

Beth Headly was elected board president at the board’s organizational meeting, held prior to the regular session. Also re-elected were Kim Hurtig, vice president; and recording secretary, Roberta Phlipot.

During the regular meeting, the board also approved a resolution pertaining to the required medical match payment of $1,278,420 for this year.

This amount covers individuals in Defiance County supported using a Medicaid waiver, people “with unmet needs that the county cannot support through alternate means,” said DD Superintendent Heidi Hull. “We pay the match, which is 40% earmarked for the calendar year, with the state paying the remainder.”

That 40%, she said, is funded by local dollars generated through property tax levies.

She said Medicaid waivers offer a variety of services, including assistance with transportation, residential support, employment.

“It’s person-centered, no two are the same,” she added. “It funds day programs like Quadco, We are Limitless and others.”

The board also approved a resolution declaring the month of March “Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.”

“We are excited about the upcoming Tug-of-War for Inclusion,” said Hull.

The event is set for March 14 from 1-4 p.m. at Defiance High School. Registration for teams is open and anyone interested in more information can call Toby Bostater at 419-782-6621.

In other business, the board:

• formed a committee to discuss how to use funds received from the “Defiance Has Talent & Heart” benefit to renovate the apartment style classroom to make it more compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

• was informed that 43 individuals are enrolled in the Early Intervention program, with 11 pending enrollments, three December referrals and five exits.

• approved the mileage reimbursement rate of 72.5 cents per mile, effective Jan. 1, reflecting the IRS rate.

• was informed that service support administration caseloads totaled 251 in December with 256 in November.

• approved other administrative and personnel matters.

The next board meeting is scheduled for 5:15 p.m. on Feb. 24.