Auglaize DD welcomes new board member

NEW BREMEN - In a historic move, the Auglaize County Board of Developmental Disabilities (DD) this month swore in its first ever board member with disabilities.

By July 1, 2025, all county boards in Ohio will be required to have at least one person with a disability on their governing boards.

Jay Smith, St. Marys, was sworn in as a member of the county board of disabilities on Jan. 13 by outgoing president Kristi Klopfenstein.

Smith has cerebral palsy and has been served by Auglaize DD for 12 years. He works at Buckeye Coating Technologies in Waynesfield and is an active advocate for people with developmental disabilities.

"We've been bugging Jay for a while I think (to become a board member)," Auglaize DD Superintendent Renee Kohler said. "Probably four or five years ago he thought about it, came to a couple of meetings, (and it) didn't really feel like it was for him at that time."

However, when Smith attended a DD board meeting in October for a National Disability Awareness Month campaign, the group reached out again and asked him if he'd consider interviewing for the position, Kohler said.

"So Jay wrote a letter of interest to the commissioners, emailed that to the commissioners, and they called him in for an interview," Kohler continued.

Smith was then appointed to the board by the county commissioners and will serve a four-year term.

In addition to serving on the county board of developmental disabilities, Smith also serves on Auglaize DD's SPEAK Committee, which stands for Supporting, Promoting and Achievement through Kindness.

He hopes to use his spot on the board to give a voice to his peers.

"I would like to maybe get a group of clients in a room (and) maybe ask them that, 'Hey, what do you need that you might not be getting now? And how can we help make that happen?'"

Smith's appointment is a significant milestone in Auglaize DD's evolution towards community inclusion, Kohler said.

"Jay brings personal experience and knowledge of the services we provide, offering a firsthand perspective for the board. This will strengthen our board's ability to make well-informed and meaningful decisions that positively impact the entire community."

When asked what he wants people to understand about those with disabilities, Smith said, "We are just (the) same. We just need extra help."

The Auglaize County Board of DD is governed by a seven-member board of directors. The board consists of volunteer community members, one who is eligible for DD services and two who are family members of someone eligible for DD services. Five members are appointed by the county commissioners and two are appointed by the county probate judge. Board members are limited to serving three four-year terms.

Auglaize DD serves around 400 eligible children and adults in Auglaize County through a range of programming, supports and services. More information can be found at www.facebook.com/auglaizedd.