Early Childhood Services for Children, ages 3 –5:
In the State of Ohio, Pre-School or Early Childhood services are not mandated to be provided for children with mental retardation or other developmental disabilities through the MRDD system. However, many local County Boards of MRDD do provide these services, and/or have contract arrangements with schools and agencies to provide this opportunity for children in this age group. For more information on these services, contact your local County Board of MRDD.
Education and Transition Services for School Age children, ages 6 – 22:
It is Federally mandated that school-age children with mental retardation or other developmental disabilities are served through the local public school system, allowing them to have the same opportunity for education as children without MRDD. The public school system is generally supported by groups of services provided in cooperation with the local County Board of MRDD, as well as other related agencies, to provide the most effective learning situation possible for each child. The availability of these opportunities is dependent upon the funding available in each community, through support of local levies and other funding.
Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) program
In addition, many local County Boards of MRDD also provide opportunities for youth ages 16 – 22, to learn transition skills for school-to-work opportunities, focusing on each child’s abilities and interests, and on local employment opportunities in each community.
For more information on these programs, contact your local County Board of MRDD.