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.

DOWNLOAD REPORT

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.

DARKE DD STRATEGIC PLANSTRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE

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 16, 2024

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
Carol Bruss
President
Gwen Tinkle
Gwen Tinkle
VICE PRESIDENT
Lori Gessaman
Lori Geesaman
SECRETARY
Joseph Lofino
Joseph Lofino
BOARD MEMBER
Mike Boyer
Mike Boyer
Board Member
Pamela Neff
Pamela Neff
Board Member
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Brad Hoffman
BOARD MEMBER

OUR LEADERSHIP

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Tonya Clark
SUPERINTENDENT
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Joseph Badell
COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
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Christy Bugher
Business Services Director

OUR STAFF

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Mary Baker
Early Intervention
Developmental Specialist
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Caitlin Brown
Service & Support Administrator
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Jonathan Connor
Service & Support Administrator
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Kristi Edger
Early Intervention
Developmental Specialist
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Dawn Hatfield
Service & Support Administrator
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Sue Huston
Community Connections &
Advocacy Coordinator
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Elizabeth Jennings
Service & Support Administrator
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Zach Kendall
Service & Support Administrator
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Eric Lee
Information Technology &
Public Relations Specialist
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Louie Masso-Rivetti
Medicaid Services Manager
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Julie Matamoros
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
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Amy Mauricio
Service & Support Administrator
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Jodi Mikesell
Early Intervention
Specialist Assistant
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Nicole Moneysmith
Service & Support Administrator
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Angela Perkins
Service & Support Administration Manager
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Cheryl Pressly
Employment & Community Resource Coordinator
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Jack Rivetti
Service & Support Administrator
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Jessica Shaffer
Service & Support Administrator
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Mike Swiger
Facilities Maintenance
Coordinator
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Ryan Thatcher
Service & Support Administrator
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Heather Wood
Service & Support Administrator
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Leslie Zimmers
Early Intervention
Developmental Specialist