About Us
WHO WE ARE
Here to serve you
As a member of our community, you’re important to us. Live your best life! We’re here to advise and guide you along the journey.
Our Mission
The mission of our agency is to empower people with developmental disabilities to explore possibilities for their lives by maximizing independence, community participation, employment, and economic self-sufficiency in their daily life experiences.
OUR HISTORY
Darke DD has been serving our community for more than 50 years. We were founded in 1967, when Ohio Senate Bill 169 established county boards to serve people with a developmental disability.
For years, Anthony Wayne School served children with a disability. In the 1980s, Wayne Industries provided employment and day services for adults. In 1992, Federal law revolutionized DD services by mandating that students be transitioned into classrooms with their peers.
Since then, independence and community involvement have been the cornerstones of our approach. Our mission is focused on empowerment and involvement. We work with individuals and families to bring those with developmental disabilities fully into our community.
READ OUR ANNUAL REPORT
Invested into our community
Our work focuses on serving residents with developmental disabilities—but it doesn’t stop there. We partner with local employers, schools, and businesses to involve and enrich all of Darke County. In return, our neighbors generously support our services to help offset shortfalls in state funding.
Read our annual report to learn more. Thank you for your continued investment in our mission. Together, we’re making a difference in our community work with individuals and families to bring those with developmental disabilities fully into our community.
DARKE DD PLANNING
Planning for the future
At Darke DD, we’re proud of what we do. But every year, we look at how we can do better. We create a list of priorities and a specific plan of action to achieve them. We closely monitor progress and generate reports to measure outcomes. Review our past reports to see our success in action.
BOARD MEETINGS
Board meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month.
Board Meeting Dates for 2024
January 18, 2024
(Organizational Meeting)
February 15, 2024
March 21, 2024
April 18, 2024
May 23, 2024
(changed from May 16th)
June 20, 2024
July 18, 2024
August 15, 2024
(If needed)
September 19, 2024
October 17, 2024
November 21, 2024
December 19, 2024
(if needed)
OUR BOARD
A seven-member board of engaged community volunteers oversees Darke DD’s overall operations.
Board meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month.
Carol Bruss
PresidentGwen Tinkle
VICE PRESIDENTPamela Neff
SecretaryJoseph Lofino
BOARD MEMBERVacant Position
SECRETARYMike Boyer
Board MemberBrad Hoffman
BOARD MEMBEROUR LEADERSHIP
Tonya Clark
SUPERINTENDENTJoseph Badell
COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTORChristy Bugher
Business Services DirectorOUR STAFF
Mary Baker
Early InterventionDevelopmental Specialist
Caitlin Brown
Service & Support AdministratorJonathan Connor
Service & Support AdministratorKristi Edger
Early InterventionDevelopmental Specialist
Dawn Hatfield
Service & Support AdministratorSue Huston
Community Connections &Advocacy Coordinator
Elizabeth Jennings
Service & Support AdministratorZach Kendall
Service & Support AdministratorEric Lee
Information Technology &Public Relations Specialist
Louie Masso-Rivetti
Medicaid Services ManagerJulie Matamoros
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTAmy Mauricio
Service & Support AdministratorJodi Mikesell
Early InterventionSpecialist Assistant
Nicole Moneysmith
Service & Support AdministratorAngela Perkins
Service & Support Administration ManagerCheryl Pressly
Employment & Community Resource CoordinatorJack Rivetti
Service & Support AdministratorJessica Shaffer
Service & Support AdministratorMike Swiger
Facilities MaintenanceCoordinator
Ryan Thatcher
Service & Support AdministratorHeather Wood
Service & Support AdministratorLeslie Zimmers
Early InterventionDevelopmental Specialist