Defiance County Board of Developmental Disabilities/Good Samaritan School

09/02/2026

Today, DCBDD staff are attending the 2026 Kids Summit in Columbus, hosted by the Ohio Department of Children and Youth. The summit brings together state leaders and cross-agency teams from across Ohio to “Do What’s Right for Kids.”

Staff were honored to hear from Governor Mike DeWine and his wife, Fran DeWine, who were guest speakers and shared their perspectives on supporting Ohio’s children and families.

This year’s focus is on Driving Solutions through Collaboration, Efficiency and Action working together to improve outcomes for children and families across Ohio.

We’re proud to be part of these important conversations and to bring new ideas and partnerships back to Defiance County!

09/01/2026

The September Edition of The Dispatch Is Here! Stay connected with the Defiance County Board of Developmental Disabilities and catch up on what’s happening throughout our organization, Good Samaritan School, and our community!

From upcoming events and important updates to celebrating the people who make DCBDD special, there’s lots to discover in this month’s edition of The Dispatch.

Read the September newsletter here: https://conta.cc/4h4etbW

Be sure to give it a read, share it with friends and family, and stay !

Email from Defiance County Board of Developmental Disabilities September 2026 The Dispatch Unite. Inspire. Become. September 2026   Happenings Updates Reminders Early Intervention Good Samaritan Scho

08/31/2026

08/29/2026

Today, we celebrate Pat our Director of Community Services as she retires after an incredible 10 years with the Defiance County Board of Developmental Disabilities!

While her time at DCBDD has meant so much to our agency and community, her dedication to individuals with disabilities spans her entire career. She has devoted her professional life to advocating for individuals with developmental disabilities, creating opportunities, strengthening communities, and working to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities across Ohio.

For the past ten years, we have been fortunate to experience her leadership, compassion, knowledge, and unwavering commitment firsthand. Her impact can be seen in the programs she helped shape, the lives she touched, and the countless individuals and families she supported along the way.

As she begins this exciting new chapter, we want to say THANK YOU for your service to DCBDD and for a lifetime of making Ohio a better place for individuals with disabilities.

We wish you a very happy retirement!

08/28/2026

Our Good Samaritan School Primary 2 class got creative in the kitchen today! They made some super cute back-to-school snacks to kick off the new school year.

A little learning, a little fun, and a whole lot of smiles!

08/27/2026

Our Early Intervention Team had a fantastic time at Kids Day at the Defiance County Fair! They enjoyed connecting with families, sharing smiles, and making memories while celebrating all the fun the fair has to offer.

We love being out in our community and helping families learn more about the supports and services available through Early Intervention!

08/27/2026

Our Intermediate 2 students checked out the newly renovated apartment today! They explored the space and got a first look at all the opportunities it will provide for hands-on learning and practicing everyday life skills.

They also got creative and made pencil snack bags because learning is always better with a little snack!

We can’t wait to see all the fun, learning, and independence that will happen in this space throughout the school year!

08/26/2026

What an incredible day at the Defiance County Fair! The Defiance County Board of Developmental Disabilities and Ohio State - OSU Extension Defiance County were proud to host the 4th Annual Blue Ribbon Classic Animal & Me Livestock Show, celebrating inclusion, friendship, agriculture, and the joy of showing animals.

A HUGE thank you to all of our amazing sponsors who helped make this event possible:

Defiance Cattlemen’s Association
Defiance County Board of DD
Defiance County Junior Fair Board
Defiance County Senior Fair Board
4-H & FFA Mentors
Fairview Young Farmers
Farmer Fire Department
Gary Burggrave & Tiffany Kime
Jeff & Paula Sprow
Jewell Grain Company
Junior Fair Board Shake Shack
Kaitlyn's Cottage
Nicki Frederick – .E. Rudy Trucking
Ohio AgrAbility Program – OSU Extension
Ohio Farm Bureau
OSU Extension–Defiance County
The Pie Pan
Rusty Red Tractor Photography
Tribune Printing

And to the many volunteers who gave their time, energy, and hearts to make the Blue Ribbon Classic such a success, THANK YOU! Your support makes this event so special year after year.

A special thank you to Defiance Community Television and Hicksville Community Television for recording the event and helping us share these wonderful moments with our community!

This is what inclusion looks like everyone gets a chance to shine!

08/26/2026

Our Good Samaritan School students from Intermediate 1 & 2, Vocational, and Transition classes had a fantastic time today visiting the Defiance County Fair!

From checking out the animals to enjoying the sights, sounds, and excitement of the fair, it was a great opportunity to get out into the community, learn, explore, and make memories together!

08/25/2026

The Transition Class at Good Samaritan School is back in the kitchen! Today was their first cooking adventure of the school year in our newly renovated apartment, and they kicked things off with a classic favorite hamburgers and fries!

From preparing the food to practicing kitchen skills, teamwork, and independence, these students are learning valuable skills they can use every day. We’re excited to see all the learning and delicious meals this year will bring!