Advocacy

OACB advocates with a unified voice on behalf of the board members and professional staff who serve Ohio's county boards of developmental disabilities (DD) with policymakers and elected officials at the state and federal levels.

State Executive Advocacy

OACB has developed strong working relationships with key decision-makers at the state agencies responsible for overseeing Ohio’s developmental disabilities system. Through these partnerships, OACB brings the experience and perspective of county boards into administrative rulemaking, policy development, and implementation discussions, with a focus on achieving the best possible outcomes for people with developmental disabilities and their families and supporting the professionals who serve them.

When questions or disagreements arise between county boards and state agencies, OACB works to facilitate constructive dialogue, identify practical solutions, and ensure that local perspectives and the real-world impact on people and communities are fully considered in state decision-making.

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Federal Advocacy As in Columbus, lawmakers and executive policymakers in Washington, D.C. benefit from the practical experience and expertise OACB brings to federal discussions affecting services and supports for people with developmental disabilities and their families. OACB’s engagement with members of Congress and the presidential administration helps federal policymakers understand how proposed laws, regulations, and funding decisions affect people at the local level, as well as the families, professionals, and community systems that support them. By bringing Ohio’s experience with a locally administered developmental disabilities system to the federal conversation, OACB works to advance policies that strengthen services, promote sustainable and effective systems of support, and improve outcomes for people with developmental disabilities nationwide.

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Advocacy Training

OACB provides support and training opportunities to board members, superintendents, and other county board leaders to allow them to become effective advocates with local, state, and federal officials through our advocacy chair program. OACB also facilitates county board trainings on advocacy topics on an individual basis.

Pictured above: Jake Dowling (middle-left, OACB) and advocates from Lima preparing to meet with state legislators.

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Local Influence

County boards operate within a network of decision-makers at the local and county level of government that can have a significant impact on the board’s day-to-day activities. From county commissioners and auditors to municipal officials and community leaders, OACB helps to facilitate productive relationships between boards and their local colleagues.

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Stakeholder Advocacy

In addition to government agencies that support people with developmental disabilities in Ohio, there are several non-governmental organizations with a statewide interest in Ohio's DD system. These range from self-advocacy organizations whose goal is to empower people with developmental disabilities at a personal level to statewide trade associations that represent the interests of people and entities with which county boards conduct business. OACB maintains positive working relationships with these groups to allow for statewide coordination on shared priorities.

Pictured above: Adam Herman (middle, OACB), advocates and trainers from Project STIR.

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For More Information

To learn more about OACB's current advocacy priorities, to speak with someone about DD policy issues at the state or federal level, or to discuss how you can get involved in OACB's advocacy efforts, please contact Jake Dowling, Legislative Affairs Manager, at jdowling@oacbdd.org, or Adam Herman, CEO, at aherman@oacbdd.org.