Photo Provided Following a comprehensive review conducted in October, the Belmont County Board of Developmental Disabilities received a three-year accreditation, the highest award given by the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities. Accepting the news are board members, seated from left, John Rataiczak, vice president; Bob Quirk, president; and Shawn McKeen, secretary. Standing: Superintendent Gloria Llewellyn and board members Barbara Pomaranski, Annette Wiater and Joel Braido.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — A three-year accreditation, the highest possible award, has been given to the Belmont County Board of Developmental Disabilities.

A nine-member team from the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities completed a comprehensive on-site review in October that yielded the result. The areas reviewed were service and support, health and safety, incident reporting and the board’s effectiveness.

The accreditation review included interviews with people with developmental disabilities and their families.

Belmont DD Superintendent Gloria Llewellyn credited the award to the team’s emphasis on providing a positive customer experience.

“Over the past few years, we’ve made changes in how we connect with people,” Llewellyn said. “We want people to live their best lives and it’s extremely important that we have relationships with each one in order for that to happen.”

The reviewers noted the board’s commitment to doing what is right for people.

The review report states that the Belmont County Board of Developmental Disabilities is resourceful and accesses grants and other sources to help people served, according to a news release.

“You are doing great things with your resources and do creative things to support people with disabilities,” said Katie Willi, lead reviewer for the state Department of Developmental Disabilities.

The board’s support of providers and other community partners was also recognized.

“You set the tone for services delivered in the county and it’s clearly positive,” Willi added.

The Belmont County Board of Developmental Disabilities serves over 700 eligible people, coordinating and funding supports like early intervention (birth to 3), school-age assistance, transition from school to work (ages 14-22), job-related skill development, employment, residential, respite and transportation.

Its seven-member board of directors is led by Robert Quirk, president; John Rataiczak, vice president; and Shawn McKeen, secretary. Others serving on the board are Joel Braido, Barbara Pomaranski, Barbara Schramm and Annette Wiater. To learn more, log onto bcbdd.org.