A Lifetime of Supports

•  The DCBDD provides a lifetime of supports to individuals with developmental disabilities, from Early Intervention through retirement and beyond. The focus is to meet each developmental challenge with state of the art support and innovation.
• The DCBDD believes in helping find the least restrictive, most meaningful outcomes for individuals as they move through the transitional stages of life.
• The DCBDD believes in investing in the early years, through Early Intervention, preschool and school age programs, to help shape children to be empowered and strong adults.
• The DCBDD believes in safe places for children and adults to learn, to work, and to grow, cultivating self-worth, acceptance, and self-determination.
• The DCBDD believes in fostering strong connections with families, friends, and natural and paid supports, so that resources can be shared to benefit all.
• The DCBDD believes in being an active and important partner in the community by participating in its workforce, its growth, and its equality of all citizens.
• The DCBDD believes that all individuals have the ability to be self-determined when given proper supports and guidance, through planning that is individualized and person-centered.
• The DCBDD believes it should be a good steward of tax dollars by meeting the needs of the community in the most economical manner possible, without jeopardizing services to any individual.
• The DCBDD believes in speaking with one voice on behalf of all individuals with disabilities, with advocacy, passion, and respect.

History

Good Samaritan School was dedicated in May of 1965. The county commissioners authorized the construction of the proposed Good Samaritan Day Care Center in 1964 at a cost of $68,177 on the property of the Defiance County Children’s Home on East Second Street. Prior to that, classes were held in the basement of the county jail in 1960 for the developmentally disabled and later at First United Presbyterian Church and the Children’s Home. Supervising the school was Mary Alice Woods, with one teacher and one assistant serving as instructors for 23 students ages 6-21. Mary Reeves initially served as a teacher and later went on to become the school superintendent in 1977. The school was founded by Mary Speiser and Elizabeth Cameron. Additional instructional space and a gym were later added to the current facility. Over the last 55 years, enrollment has varied, with the school serving those in the community with developmental disabilities.