Coshocton DD board member appointed to statewide leadership post
COLUMBUS – A member of the Coshocton County Board of Developmental Disabilities (Coshocton DD) has become the first person with a developmental disability to also serve as a trustee of the Ohio Association of County Boards (OACB), a statewide advocacy and trade group.
Coshocton resident Shikara Robbins receives support from Coshocton DD and has served on the county agency’s governing board since April 2016. Robbins’ application to become an OACB trustee was accepted in March. She will serve concurrently on both boards.
In her new role, Robbins will help guide OACB’s priorities for 2018. She will represent OACB’s East Central region, which includes 11 counties, at board meetings and statewide events. Robbins said being a person with a disability means she can provide real-world insight into how Ohio’s DD support system can be continuously improved for the people, families, and communities it serves.
“I can help others see how programs should operate to meet the needs of people like me,” Robbins said. “I look forward to participating in activities and meetings outside of Coshocton County as a way to learn about new opportunities and speak up about concerns that affect people with disabilities and their families.”
Ohio’s locally funded and operated county boards of DD offer a variety of services to Ohioans with developmental disabilities, including early intervention, school age services, case management, and employment services. Established 50 years ago by the Ohio General Assembly, Ohio’s 88 county boards of DD now serve more than 93,000 people with developmental disabilities.
Founded in 1984, OACB is a non-profit organization that acts as the statewide voice of Ohio’s 88 county boards of DD with local, state, and federal policymakers. It also provides professional development opportunities, communications support, and technical assistance to boards and DD support professionals. OACB’s governing board is composed of volunteer county board members and superintendents from across the state.
“Every level of our DD support system can benefit from the experiences and perspectives of people with developmental disabilities, and our association is no exception,” said OACB Executive Director Bridget Gargan. “Shikara is a true advocate, and we are excited to add her talents and vision to our leadership team.”
Category: People & Places
