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2025-2027
Strategic Plan

Five people in a roller skating rink, standing and sitting together, with colorful lights in the background. One person is in a wheelchair.

Our Mission

To help people with developmental disabilities (DD) live good lives in their communities.

Our Vision

A Hamilton County where everyone is welcome and belongs.

Two women in matching shirts stand at a booth labeled "Developmental Disability Services." They smile at the camera. A table with informational materials is in front of them.
Two people pose in front of a mobile restroom unit. One person is standing, the other is in a wheelchair. They both wear similar red and white patterned shirts.
A woman, Leia Snyder, in a yellow blazer smiles against a gray background.

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Our Process

This plan is all about our core values:

  • Innovation: Finding new and better ways to do things.
  • Stewardship: Taking good care of our resources.
  • Collaboration: Working together to achieve our goals.
  • Respect: Treating everyone with kindness and understanding.
  • Equity: Making sure everyone is treated fairly.

These values guide everything we do at Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services (HCDDS). They help us provide great services that people want and need.

We listened to many people to make this plan:

  • People with DD and their families
  • HCDDS staff and board members
  • People who provide services
  • Community leaders and partners

We used surveys, focus groups, meetings, and interviews to get their ideas. This helped us create a plan that addresses challenges and takes advantage of new opportunities.

We’re responding to challenges:

  • More people need our services, especially waiver services.
  • It can be hard to find enough Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) to support people.
  • It can be hard to find affordable and accessible places for people to live.
  • Transportation can be difficult for people with DD.

The good news is that more people in our community understand the importance of accessibility for everyone. And we’re working to making sure more people know how important accessibility is in our community!

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Our Focus Areas

A group of seven people posing together inside a roller skating rink, with colorful lighting and patterned carpet in the background.

Connecting and Thriving

A woman pushes a smiling boy in a wheelchair outside, surrounded by people.

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Connecting and Thriving

Empowering People with DD and Their Families

We want to help people with DD and their families make their own choices about their lives and services. We will:

Make sure everyone has a say in their plan

Give families and people with DD clear and easy-to-understand information about their options

Help people become strong advocates for themselves and others

Create chances for people with DD to make friends and be part of their community.

Help families connect with each other for support

Your Voice

As we created this Strategic Plan, we listened to people with surveys, interviews, focus groups, and more.

I need someone to guide me, to help me step-by-step. If they show me how to do it, then I can try it on my own.

All disabilities vary. One size does not fit every individual.

Communicate with families in their own language. Meet people where they are at, knowing that each person has different needs. Assist individuals in living the life that they want.

A group of people stand outside Evanston Academy holding "Voter Registration" signs, next to a table with registration materials and a sign that says "Register to Vote!.

Championing Community

Three women stand in front of a playground structure. They are smiling and casually dressed. Two are holding papers and wearing lanyards with ID badges.

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Championing Community

Building a community where everyone is welcomed and respected

We want to make Hamilton County a place where everyone feels welcome and included. We will:

Working to with other to make sure people have accessible housing and transportation

Make sure everyone has access to important things like medical care and childcare

Help people with DD find and keep good jobs

Improve support for young people with DD

Make sure people with DD have a voice in community decisions

Your Voice

As we created this Strategic Plan, we listened to people with surveys, interviews, focus groups, and more.

The waiver doesn't pay for everything that I need. We need better housing for people with disabilities.

I want to be able to go places, particularly restaurants and old buildings, that are accessible. There is a need for accessible changing tables, portable ramps, and accessible doors.

There is a need for more employment opportunities for people with severe physical disabilities. Also, more accessible housing that can accommodate wheelchairs and equipment in locations all around the county.

Five people stand together, two holding certificates, in front of a banner with "Development Disabilities Services." Blue and yellow balloons are on the left.

Advancing Health, Safety, and Quality

Two people stand outdoors holding boxes of PPE, surrounded by more boxes.

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Advancing Health, Safety, and Quality

Making sure HCDDS staff and providers can help people thrive

We want to give our staff and service providers the tools and support they need to do a great job. We will:

Provide training and help providers

Work closely with hospitals, police, and first responders

Use technology to improve safety and communication

Help people with DD get the medical care they need

Make sure everyone is safe and healthy and take action early if something isn’t right

Your Voice

As we created this Strategic Plan, we listened to people with surveys, interviews, focus groups, and more.

Medical professionals need to understand how to work with people with disabilities. They need to listen and respect their patients when they are people with disabilities.

Direct support professionals are critical for helping people with DD live fulfilling lives.

It's important that we equip the police with the knowledge and tools to de-escalate the situation when responding to children in crisis.

A group of people poses behind a table with a "Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services" banner outdoors. Pumpkin decorations are visible in the background.

Strengthening Our Foundation

Group of people wearing tie-dye shirts and rainbow accessories standing outdoors, smiling, in front of a building.

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Strengthening Our Foundation

Improving how we work to make our agency stronger

We want to make HCDDS a strong and healthy organization. We will:

Make sure our workspaces help us serve people and encourage teamwork

Listen to data and feedback to make good decisions

Use our funding and other resources wisely

Give our staff the tools and training they need to do their best

Support our staff's well-being and offer opportunities to grow

Your Voice

As we created this Strategic Plan, we listened to people with surveys, interviews, focus groups, and more.

Start in our own building! Facilitate connectivity initiatives within the agency. With the new building, make sure we’re connecting with other partners to educate them about how we refer and support.

It's essential to have well trained staff at HCDDS who know how to support individuals' needs.

We should create more ways of explaining eligibility across cultures, including brochures and different media formats.