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](https://darkedd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/carol-bruss.jpg)
Carol Bruss
President![Gwen Tinkle](https://darkedd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/gwen-tinkle.jpg)
Gwen Tinkle
VICE PRESIDENT![Pamela Neff](https://darkedd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/pamela-neff.jpg)
Pamela Neff
Secretary![Joseph Lofino](https://darkedd.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Joe-Lofino_2023_WEB.jpg)
Joseph Lofino
BOARD MEMBER![Vacant Position](https://darkedd.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Jimmy-Meade-262x216-1.jpg)
Jimmy Meade
Board Member![Mike Boyer](https://darkedd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Mike-Boyer.jpg)
Mike Boyer
Board Member![Image](https://darkedd.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Brad-Hoffman_2023_web_a.jpg)
Brad Hoffman
BOARD MEMBEROUR LEADERSHIP
![Image](https://darkedd.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Tonya-Clark_2023_WEB.jpg)
Tonya Clark
SUPERINTENDENT![Image](https://darkedd.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Joseph-Badell_2023_WEB.jpg)
Joseph Badell
COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR![Image](https://darkedd.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Christy-Bugher_WEB.jpg)
Christy Bugher
Business Services DirectorOUR STAFF
![Image](https://darkedd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Mary-Baker.jpg)
Mary Baker
Early InterventionDevelopmental Specialist
![Image](https://darkedd.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Caitlin-Brown_2024_WEB-scaled.jpg)
Caitlin Brown
Service & Support Administrator![Image](https://darkedd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Jonathan-Connor.jpg)
Jonathan Connor
Service & Support Administrator![Image](https://darkedd.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Kristi-Edger_2023_1x1.jpg)
Kristi Edger
Early InterventionDevelopmental Specialist
![Image](https://darkedd.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Dawn-Hatfield_2023_262x216.jpg)
Dawn Hatfield
Service & Support Administrator![Image](https://darkedd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Sue-Huston.jpg)
Sue Huston
Community Connections &Advocacy Coordinator
![Image](https://darkedd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Elizabeth-Jennings.jpg)
Elizabeth Jennings
Service & Support Administrator![Image](https://darkedd.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Zach-Kendall-262x216-1.jpg)
Zach Kendall
Service & Support Administrator![Image](https://darkedd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Eric-Lee.jpg)
Eric Lee
Information Technology &Public Relations Specialist
![Image](https://darkedd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Louie-Masso-Rivetti.jpg)
Louie Masso-Rivetti
Medicaid Services Manager![Image](https://darkedd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Silhouette-Profile-Photo.jpg)
Vacant Position
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT![Image](https://darkedd.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Amy-Mauricio_2023_1x1.jpg)
Amy Mauricio
Service & Support Administrator![Image](https://darkedd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Jodi-Mikesell.jpg)
Jodi Mikesell
Early InterventionSpecialist Assistant
![Image](https://darkedd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Nichole-Moneysmith.jpg)
Nicole Moneysmith
Service & Support Administrator![Image](https://darkedd.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Angela-Perkins_2023_1x1.jpg)
Angela Perkins
Service & Support Administration Manager![Image](https://darkedd.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Cheryl-Pressly_2023_1x1.jpg)
Cheryl Pressly
Employment & Community Resource Coordinator![Image](https://darkedd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Jack-Rivetti.jpg)
Jack Rivetti
Service & Support Administrator![Image](https://darkedd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Jessica-Shaffer.jpg)
Jessica Shaffer
Service & Support Administrator![Image](https://darkedd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Mike-Swiger_website-scaled.jpg)
Mike Swiger
Facilities MaintenanceCoordinator
![Image](https://darkedd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Ryan-Thatcher.jpg)
Ryan Thatcher
Service & Support Administrator![Image](https://darkedd.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Heather-Wood_2023_WEB.jpg)
Heather Wood
Service & Support Administrator![Image](https://darkedd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Leslie-Zimmers.jpg)
Leslie Zimmers
Early InterventionDevelopmental Specialist