Getting Our Services

If you wish to receive services, we will need to determine if you are eligible. In the State of Ohio, the guidelines for eligibility depend on the age of the individual.

Ages 0 to 3
Ages 3 to 5
Ages 6 to 15
Ages 16 and over

For any Butler County MRDD service, an individual must reside in Butler County.

Ages 0 to 3
Early Intervention Services are provided to families of children up to the age of three who exhibit delays in development or who may be at-risk for delays in development due to medical complications or environmental factors.

The Butler County MRDD Programs work collaboratively with Help Me Grow (Early Intervention Collaborative in Butler County). Referrals come in the central coordinating site at the Help Me Grow office. Help Me Grow staff assist families with eligibility determination and a variety of other supports which include initiation of referral and services to MRDD Early Intervention Programs (among other services depending on family and child needs). Once the referral is made, families are introduced to MRDD Early Intervention staff that will assess and then follow the developmental progress of the children up to the age of three.  For more information call Help Me Grow at (513) 867-5008. Click here for information on Early Childhood Services & Supports

Ages 3 to 5
Anyone can make a referral to the pre-school program if they are concerned about a child's overall development.

Each school district determines whether a student is eligible for admission into the district's pre-school program. The district decides whether a child between the ages of 3 and 5 years has a significant delay in development.

TO MAKE A REFERRAL on a child ages 3 to 5 years of age, please call the child's school district of residence. Click here to see a list of Butler County School Districts and links to their web sites.

Ages 6 to 15
A child who is between 6 and 15 years old is eligible for our services if he or she meets the following criteria:

• Has a diagnosis of a developmental disability. A qualified professional must make the diagnosis. A report(s) must be submitted verifying the diagnosis.
• Has a diagnosis that is expected to be a life long disability.
• Has a parent or legal guardian who must give permission for the eligibility determination instrument to be completed with the child.

The eligibility form, the Children's Ohio Eligibility Determination Instrument (COEDI) can be completed. The areas considered are:

• Self Care: skills in the areas of bathing, toileting, dressing, eating, etc. are considered.
• Communication: skills in the areas of receptive and expressive communication are reviewed.
• Mobility: the child's walking and moving about in the environment are reviewed.
• Learning: the child's skills in reading, time telling, money skills, etc. are explored.
• Self-Direction: the child's ability to make age appropriate decisions and understand cause and effect are considered.
• Capacity for Independent Living: the child's ability to do daily living tasks at an age appropriate level such as make a sandwich, operate a television set, take dirty dishes to sink, etc. is reviewed.

To be eligible for services, the child must show deficits in three of the six areas as scored on the COEDI. When the COEDI has been completed and approved, the child's parents or legal guardian will be notified.

If the child is eligible, MRDD staff will make referrals for requested services. If the child is NOT eligible, staff will assist the parent/legal guardian in identifying other services to assist them.

Referrals can be made directly to the Community Team serving the area where the individual resides:
(If you are uncertain which Community Team to contact, please call the Information and Referral line at 1-800-874-0268)

Click here for information on School-Age Services and Supports.

Ages 16 and over
To be determined eligible for services in this age group, the person must meet the following criteria:

• Have a diagnosis of a developmental disability. The diagnosis must be made by a qualified professional. A report(s) must be submitted verifying the diagnosis.
• Have a diagnosis that is expected to be a life long disability.
• The onset of the disability must have occurred prior to the age of 22.
• The individual or legal guardian (parent if under age 18) must give permission for the eligibility determination to be completed.

At this point, the eligibility instrument, the Ohio Eligibility Determination Instrument (OEDI) can be completed. The areas considered are:

• Self Care: skills in the areas of bathing, toileting, dressing, eating, etc. are considered.
• Communication: skills in the areas of receptive and expressive communication are reviewed.
• Mobility: the individual's walking and moving about in the environment are reviewed.
• Learning: the individual's skills in reading, time telling, money skills, etc. are explored.
• Self-Direction: the individual's ability to make age appropriate decisions and understand cause and effect are considered.
• Capacity for Independent Living: the individual's ability to do daily living tasks at an age appropriate level such as make a sandwich, operate a television set, take dirty dishes to sink, etc. is reviewed.
• Economic Self-Sufficiency: the individual's earning ability, benefit status, and vocational skills are considered.

To be eligible for services, the individual must show deficits in three of the seven areas as scored on the OEDI. When the OEDI has been completed and approved, the individual or legal guardian will be notified.

If the individual is eligible, referrals to requested services are made. If the individual is NOT eligible, staff will assist the individual or legal guardian in identifying other services to assist them.

Referrals can be made directly to the Community Team serving the area where the individual resides:
(If you are uncertain which Community Team to contact, please call:
Information and Referral line at 1-800-874-0268)

Click here for information on Adult Services & Supports .