By JULIE CARLE
BG Independent News
Wood County voters have only one countywide issue on the Nov. 7 general election ballot—a renewal levy for the Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities, commonly known as Wood Lane.
The 2.45-mill levy is a renewal, not a new tax, that supports services across the lifespan to more than 1,000 Wood County individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, said Brent Baer, superintendent of the county board.
The levy, which will collect $8.4 million annually, helps the county board leverage the federal, state and grant funding they receive. Because none of the external sources cover everything, all of the services provided in the county are dependent upon some level of local levy dollars, Baer said.
For example, the county participates in Medicaid-covered programs, which are federal programs that are operated through the state. “For every one of those programs, there is a local match,” he explained.
Altogether, the funds enable the population to benefit from a full spectrum of services from birth through “their experienced years of life for those who still want, need and deserve services,” he said.
Among the services the levy supports are early intervention, Wood Lane School, Special Olympics, recreation, health and wellness, support for families, transportation, and service and support administration to assist with referrals, linkages and community resources.
“We have to come up with everything that you need in your days of infancy as well as the days of your experienced years of life, where you’re looking to maximize your opportunities,” he said. As the young population is growing and people are living longer, happier lives, the growing numbers indicate the need for services will likely continue to increase.
The original levy was approved in 2013 for 2.95 mills. There were 899 individuals receiving services in Wood County. When the levy was up for renewal in 2018, the county board was able to reduce the millage to 2.45 even though the number of individuals served had increased to 1,021.
Today, as the levy is up for renewal a second time, services to date have risen to 1,302, with that number expected to increase by the end of the year. In 10 years the program has grown 44%.
The biggest growth area has been in the number of children served through the program. In 2013, the number of children (0-17 years) who received services totaled about 400; today that number is at 672. The early intervention program—for children from birth to three—accounts for the majority of that increase. Early intervention grew from 199 in 2013 to more than 319 so far in 2023.
Some of the growth is accounted for in the county’s growth in the past decade. In the 2020 Census, Wood County was one of the few counties in the state to increase in population.
“At the same time that the county’s growing, the subdivisions and school systems are all growing a little bit larger. It shows that Wood County is a good place to live. We are just part of the Wood County engine,” Baer said.
One of the newest but heavily utilized services is transportation. Since the program was started in 2021, it has expanded exponentially. The need for countrywide transportation was great, Baer said. Though Bowling Green and Perrysburg have transportation services available, individuals who live in towns outside of those two municipalities don’t have readily accessible transportation.
Strong and successful advocacy from individuals and family members contributed to the transportation services being implemented and funded locally. Thus far in 2023, more than 4,000 rides have been provided to date, covering more than 60,000 miles. The rides take individuals eligible for their services to see family or go to and from work, the grocery store, events and activities.
“By increasing this transportation service, we promote independence and decision-making,” he said.
The additional access to transportation has had a positive effect on participation in other county programs such as Special Olympics, recreation and advocacy clubs, because everybody is able to consistently get there and back home. “That’s been a real win for those we serve,” he said.
For Samantha Eaton, Special Olympics and daytime programming are what keep her happy and smiling, said her parents Jody and Rob Eaton. The 28-year-old has participated in Special Olympics swimming since she was seven and added basketball and track over the years.
“It’s so good for her social life and her physical development, her mother said. “She’s such a social butterfly. For her to be sitting at home would not be healthy for her. Whether it’s Special Olympics or the day programming, she gets to hang out with her ‘peeps,’ and she comes home smiling and laughing on most days.”
The Wood County Board has been a difference-maker for Sam and her family. “If we did not have these services, our lives would be vastly different,” her mother said. “They are giving her the services she needs that allow her to have an experienced life and be an integral part of the community. That’s what we want for her—to experience life at its fullest, no matter what she’s doing. Special Olympics helps her do that. Day hab helps her do that,” her mother said.
The Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities has been crucial in helping Kasey Dettinger navigate life as a single mother of a child who has a disability.
Her 20-year-old son, Jackson, has autism. “He is strong and active and has a lot of issues. I worry about what that’s going to look like and on some days, I still don’t know how I’m going to do this,” she said.
But the saving grace for her has been the service and support administrators from the program. “They have been super great and supportive. They all know him well there, and they step up to help when they know things are difficult,” Dettinger said.
Many parents don’t understand the scope of the services the county board can provide, she said, but she encouraged parents of children with developmental disabilities to learn more about them.
“It will be different for every individual, but they are here to help find the resources, so you don’t have to go it alone,” she said.
There are many families served by the program that would not be able to afford the services if they had to pay for them, said Jody Eaton.
Additionally, the program has grown and developed significantly compared to 20 years ago when her daughter was young.
“I would hate to see them go back to those days. I want them to move forward. I don’t want to see them go backward because they don’t have the funding. That would be a crime against our population, which is a lot bigger than people think,” Eaton said.
Anyone interested in more details about the levy can find the levy and budget information and directions to access the Wood County Auditor’s levy estimator on the county board’s website. With the levy estimator, property owners can find estimates for what impact the levy will have on their property taxes.
