Step 1 – Call

Call (419) 782-6621 and ask for the Eligibility Department. If the person is younger than 3, contact Northwest Ohio Early Intervention at (419) 782-6934.

Early Intervention

Referrals into the Defiance County Board of DD’s Early Intervention program are coordinated by the Help Me Grow Office. Once a referral is made to the Help Me Grow Office, screenings and a developmental assessment are done to determine if the infant or toddler has a delay. The written evaluation will discuss the child’s strengths and needs. A family assessment is also done to help determine what the family’s strengths and needs are in relationship to the infant or toddler.

To contact the Help Me Grow Office for further information or to inquire about services, please call 419-782-6934.

Preschool & School Age Programs

Referrals for entrance into Good Samaritan’s preschool and school age programs must come from the school districts. Eligibility criteria is based upon the special education rules of the Ohio Department of Education.

For ages 3-5 years old
Documentation of at least two developmental delays or established risk. This can usually be documented through the child’s individualized Education Plan (IEP), Evaluation Team Report, or medical records.

For ages 6 and over
The eligibility process in Ohio is a two-step process:

1. Diagnosis verification

• An item list will be sent indicating the required paperwork needed to begin the process.
• A qualifying diagnosis of a developmental disability must meet the following criteria:
  1. Onset of disability must be documented prior to age 22.
  2. Diagnosis must be made by a licensed, qualified professional and be supported by the appropriate diagnostic assessments.
  3. The disability must be likely to continue indefinitely.
• The diagnosis must be a physical or mental impairment other than mental illness.
• Examples of acceptable diagnoses and documentation:

1. 1. Intellectual Disability: Psychological evaluation by Ph.D. which includes both IQ scores and adaptive functioning scores.
   2. Down Syndrome: Medical documentation signed by MD.
   3. Autism Spectrum Disorder: Comprehensive evaluation incorporating clinically appropriate assessment tools used to diagnose ASD signed by MD or Ph.D.
   4. Seizure Disorder: Current medical documentation signed by MD.
   5. Cerebral Palsy: Medical documentation signed by MD.

• Examples of educational terms/informal labels that are not acceptable as qualifying diagnoses for ages 6 and over include: global developmental delay, Borderline Intellectual Functioning, Cognitive delay/disability, non-specific learning disabilities, and any diagnosis using the terms ‘featuring of’ or ‘history of’ a certain disorder.

Administration of the COEDI or OEDI
Once the diagnosis is verified, either the COEDI (Children’s Ohio Eligibility Determination Instrument) or OEDI (Ohio Eligibility Determination Instrument) is completed by a trained Assessor. The COEDI and OEDI are screening instruments developed by the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities and are used to determine if an individual has substantial functional limitations in major life areas. If the person has a qualifying diagnosis and at least three (3) areas of substantial functional limitations according to the COEDI or OEDI, then the person is eligible for services through the Defiance County Board of Developmental Disabilities. The limitations are listed below:

• COEDI – Ages 6-15
  Mobility / Self Care / Self Direction / Capacity for Independent Living / Learning / Receptive and Expressive Language
• OEDI – Ages 16 and over
  Mobility / Self Care / Self Direction / Capacity for Independent Living / Learning / Receptive and Expressive Language / Economic Self Sufficiency (16 and over)

Eligibility is redetermined at ages 3, 6 and 16. This means you or your family member might not always be eligible for services. You have the right to appeal if you do not agree with the results of the eligibility review.

Our goal is to complete the process in 45 days, but this depends on how quickly the family or support person provides records confirming a developmental disability. You will receive a letter in the mail stating if you are eligible to receive services or not.

If eligible, services can begin. If not, staff will help you find other options.