Wauseon, Ohio — The Fulton County Board of Developmental Disabilities announced the launch of Always There — a yearlong campaign to recognize the 50th anniversary of Ohio’s County Boards of Developmental Disabilities, which will also serve as the theme for this year’s Developmental Disabilities (DD) Awareness Month in March.
The Always There campaign marks the founding of Ohio’s 88 county boards by the Ohio General Assembly in 1967. The theme reflects the continuity of support, promotion of opportunity, and history of partnership county boards have offered to people with developmental disabilities and their families throughout the past, in the present, and in the future.
“Reflecting upon our history and looking toward our future is a wonderful way to mark the 50th anniversary of Ohio’s county boards and DD Awareness Month, which is all about building awareness and understanding among the public about the lives of people with developmental disabilities,” said Beth Friess, Superintendent.
Through personal stories and historical items submitted by county boards and the people, families, and communities they serve, the Always There statewide campaign will tell the collective story of developmental disabilities in Ohio and how the role and services of the county boards have evolved throughout the years.
Submitted stories and items will be archived and shared as part of the Always There History Project, which will be launched on the campaign’s website – www.alwaysthereforohio.org –during the month of March. In addition to the website, the campaign will be supported through social media channels, posters, billboards, and local and statewide events.
The Fulton County Board of Developmental Disabilities serves over 300 of your neighbors. We are looking forwarding to sharing more of the history of Fulton County’s individuals with developmental disabilities over the coming months. We invite anyone in the community who has stories that they wish to share to get in touch with us to make sure that their stories are shared as a part of Fulton County’s history.
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