08/10/2026

Executive Development Program Visits Ohio Statehouse for Public Policy Immersion

BY OACB STAFF | August 4, 2026

Participants in OACB's Executive Development Program (EDP) spent the second day of the August session at the Ohio Statehouse for an immersive look at the public policy and state government processes that shape Ohio's developmental disabilities system.

The day began in the House Finance Committee hearing room, where State Representatives Mike Odioso (Hamilton County) and Crystal Lett (Franklin County), co-chairs of the Ohio House Developmental Disabilities Caucus, discussed the important roles legislators, local leaders, self-advocates, and families play in advancing public policy. Participants gained insight into the legislative process and the value of building relationships with elected officials to advocate for Ohio's county boards of developmental disabilities and the people they support.

Later that morning, Ray DiRossi, Majority Caucus Finance Director for the Ohio Senate, provided an overview of Ohio's two-year state budget, explaining how the budget is developed and highlighting the roles local leaders and local tax levies play in funding services and supports.

The afternoon continued at the Rhodes State Office Tower, where participants met with leadership from the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD). Division leaders shared an overview of their responsibilities, explained how their teams support county boards, and discussed how the department's various divisions work together to strengthen Ohio's developmental disabilities system.

The Statehouse visit gave participants a firsthand look at how public policy, budgeting, and state agency leadership intersect to support services for Ohioans with developmental disabilities.