Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities continues to see increased need for its services

MEDINA TWP. — The number of people served by the Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities increased by 26 percent from 2020 to 2025 with 1,573 people being served last year. Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities Superintendent Stacey Maleckar gave an update on the organization to the Hinckley Township trustees during its meeting Tuesday. The board serves people throughout their lives, Maleckar said. Services include early intervention, therapy, employment and case management among others. "I always say, Medina is a great county," she said. "People want to live here, so we continue to see a need for services. We continue to see more and more people eligible for services." One of the biggest areas of growth is young people, Maleckar said. In 2025, 820 people who are 22 and younger were served by the organization compared to 799 people in 2024. "Our early intervention, (from ages) zero to 3, is a huge game changer in my book because we go out and work with families and their kids," she said. "It makes life a lot easier for the family and the child, working together, communicating, but it also gives that child the opportunity to build some skills, so that they hopefully will need less supports and services as they grow older." The board is also in its third year of sponsoring a mobile changing unit at events in Medina County, Maleckar said. It is a trailer, which features an adult-size universal changing table, a ramp and other features to assist those who have mobility issues. "1,406 people last year used or visited the mobile changing unit, and we are out between 30 to 35 events throughout the community," she said. "It's a game changer because now families can come and go to these events and not have that concern of the use of the restroom." The Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities is able to provide its services because the community has supported its levy, Maleckar said. "Our levy is a flat levy, so when the levy was voted in, that dollar amount that people are paying stays consistent," she said. "When property taxes rise, our levy dollars do not increase. I think that's important to know that we are not getting additional dollars based on the increased values of homes." Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.