Seneca County proclamation marks Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month as Opportunity Center outlines privatization and rising costs

Seneca County commissioners on March 10 proclaimed Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and heard a presentation from the county Opportunity Center about recent program changes, growing demand and mounting cost pressures.

Lou Hurst of the Opportunity Center told commissioners the county completed privatization of its adult day program late last year, with private providers such as Preferred Pathways taking over most clients and leasing county-owned space. "The state drives the rate and sets the rate. We have to pay what that rate is," Hurst said, describing how statewide rate increases for direct support professionals and residential care have driven up local costs.

Hurst said early-intervention referrals (birth-to-three services) have risen, and the center is seeing different needs than in the past: more behavioral and developmental challenges rather than primarily physical disabilities. He reported 53 current school-age students at the Opportunity Center and said the program plans to add roughly 16 more student slots over the next year or two as classroom space becomes available.

The presenter said the county continues to pay for contracted services even though the workers are no longer county employees, and that multiple private providers now deliver day and residential services across Seneca County. Hurst warned that some Ohio counties are financially unable to meet rising costs — he said 11 counties have approached the state for emergency assistance — and described ongoing talks with state officials about possible support for counties in financial hardship.

On fiscal policy, Hurst reminded the board that the Opportunity Center returned a property-tax levy several years ago (reducing roughly $400,000 in annual revenue) after reviewing its projections; he said the center's last levy for new money was in 2005 and that officials aim to avoid new levy requests for as long as possible.

Self-advocates from the center — including David, Patrick and Sean Allison — described community projects and outreach. They highlighted local volunteer efforts, fundraising and events such as bingo nights and a dinner-and-dialogue scheduled at the Opportunity Center. Allison promoted an upcoming "bakery bingo" event and urged residents to attend.

The meeting closed the presentation with a formal proclamation signed by Commissioners Bill Frankert, Brett Buster and Anthony Paradiso designating March 2026 as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and encouraging inclusion and supports for people with developmental disabilities.

What happens next: Commissioners will continue to monitor the Opportunity Center's service transitions and fiscal outlook; the presentation flagged potential state-level policy discussions and the center's planning around classroom expansions and community placements.