News Release
Contact: Billie Jo David, Director of Communications
Summit Developmental Disabilities Board
330.634.8073 or bdavid@summitdd.org
(Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio) – Summit County Developmental Disabilities Board (Summit DD) announced today that it approved a resolution to eliminate 29 positions effective March 1, 2026. This action is part of Summit DD’s broader effort to address rising costs and ensure the agency can continue to deliver essential services to people with developmental disabilities in Summit County.
“Rising service costs, particularly for Medicaid-funded programs, have put many County Boards of Developmental Disabilities under pressure, Summit DD is no exception,” said Superintendent Lisa Kamlowsky. “The Board’s action reflects a difficult but necessary step to protect what matters most: the essential services that support people to live, work, and thrive in their communities.”
Following the Board’s approval, Summit DD is taking several steps to strengthen its financial position, including:
- Prioritizing funding for the local Medicaid match, the foundation of the agency’s budget, to sustain residential, transportation, and day program services for more than 2,400 people whose services are funded by a Waiver.
- Scaling back or phasing out some non-mandated, locally funded supports to align spending with projected revenue.
- Maintaining targeted investments in priority areas such as early intervention services, respite supports, wraparound services for people with complex needs, and quality improvement.
Together, these actions are projected to generate approximately $3 million in annual savings through the remainder of the current levy cycle.
While these steps strengthen Summit DD’s financial position, they are not intended as a complete solution to long-term funding challenges. Instead, they stabilize the agency’s budget, extend its ability to maintain services, and position the organization strategically toward its next levy in 2029.
“Summit DD has taken every step it can to reduce costs responsibly while protecting critical services,” Kamlowsky added. “These decisions put us in the best possible position to manage fiscal pressures and continue meeting our responsibilities to the people we serve.”
Summit DD remains committed to transparent communication as it implements these changes. Additional updates and resources will be shared with staff, families, providers, and the broader community in the months ahead. Questions or suggestions can be directed to sustainability@summitdd.org.
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