DD Board Works to Empower People and Explore Possibilities

Back row, left to right: John Miller, President; Joseph Latas; Brad Bixler; Front row, left to right: Madonna Winner; Carol Bruss, Vice President; Pam Pohlman, Secretary; (Kristi Spille – not pictured)

The Darke County Board of Developmental Disabilities (Darke DD) recently welcomed a new board member, Joseph Latas of Greenville, to fill the vacancy for an unexpired term ending December 31, 2016. Mr. Latas is an attorney for the law firm Marchal and Marchal located in Greenville.

The board is made up of seven volunteer members: five are appointed by the Darke County Commissioners and two are appointed by the Darke County Probate Court Judge. Board officers are John Miller, President; Carol Bruss, Vice President; and Pam Pohlman, Secretary. Board members are Brad Bixler, Joseph Latas, Kristi Spille, and Madonna Winner. Each member must be a county resident.

Of the five appointed by the County Commissioners, at least two shall be individuals who are immediate family members of individuals eligible for services provided by the county board and, whenever possible, one of those two members shall be an immediate family member of an individual eligible for adult services and the other shall be an immediate family member of an individual eligible for early intervention services or services for preschool or school-age children. Of the two members appointed by the probate judge, at least one shall be an immediate family member of an individual eligible for residential services or supported living.

In addition, the County Commissioners and the Probate Court Judge shall appoint, to the maximum extent possible, individuals who have professional training and experience in business management, finance, law, health care practice, personnel administration, or government service, and provide for the Board’s membership to reflect, as nearly as possible, the composition of the county that the county board serves.

All Board members are appointed for a four-year term. Board members may serve up to three consecutive terms. Board members serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the conduct of the Board’s business.

The Darke County Board of Developmental Disabilities maintains that all people are valuable and have potential. The mission of our agency is to empower people with developmental disabilities to explore possibilities for their lives by maximizing independence, community participation, employment, and economic self-sufficiency in their daily life experiences.

For Darke DD meeting dates and agendas, visit our website www.darkedd.org . For updates regarding services visit our Facebook page.