Athens County Board of Developmental Disabilities

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Athens County Board of Developmental Disabilities

For Athens County individuals with developmental disabilities, we provide quality services by assessing their needs and creating individual plans.

Since its inception in 1957, the Athens County Board of Developmental Disabilities has been providing individuals opportunities to learn, grow, and enrich their lives. We offer education, employment, life skills training, recreation, transportation, residential support, services coordination, and more. We help to integrate individuals with developmental disabilities into their community as valued

citizens. If you would like more information on any of our programs, please click on the link or contact us by phone at (740) 594-3539. Our Mission

The Mission of the Athens County Board of Developmental Disabilities is to enhance the quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities through an array of individualized services and supports. Our Vision

To provide experienced leadership so all individuals with developmental disabilities may achieve their dreams. Our Core Values

We believe in the potential of all individuals served. We believe our organization must be responsible and flexible. We believe in being fiscally responsible. We believe in Person Centered Planning and Self-Determination. We believe in providing safe and secure environments for individuals to be served. We believe in valuing employees and partners. We believe in visionary leaders and innovation.

08/24/2026

The first day of the new school year at Beacon was a success!

We welcomed some new faces while also reconnected with plenty of familiar ones. Our staff was ready to teach, our students were ready to learn, and there was plenty of excitement throughout the building!

We’re off to a great start, and we’re looking forward to all the learning, growth, friendships, and memories this school year will bring.

Here’s to a fantastic year at Beacon School! Go Rays! 🌞💙

08/21/2026

Just before the school year gets underway, we’re proud to continue one of our favorite ACBDD traditions: the annual All Staff Potluck!

This event brings team members from across the agency together to reconnect, share a delicious meal, enjoy a few games, and simply spend some time together before another busy school year begins.

It’s also our way of saying “Welcome Back!” to our Beacon School staff as they prepare to welcome students and support them throughout another exciting year. We’re grateful for the dedication, energy, and teamwork our staff bring to ACBDD every day!

A huge thank-you to our Positive Culture Committee for putting together such a fun event – and congratulations to all of the winners from today, from the games, the food contest, and the drawings!

08/20/2026

Beacon School’s staff is back in the building this week for four days of in-service training as we prepare for the upcoming school year!

From attending presentations and completing annual trainings to preparing their classrooms, staff have been hard at work making sure they are ready and their rooms are ready for students.

We’re excited to welcome students and families back tonight for Open House and officially kick off the new school year next week!

While we have several changes this year – including a new Director of Education/Principal, two new teachers, and a new paraprofessional – we remain united by the same commitment: supporting students, helping them thrive, and supporting one another along the way.

Let’s make this our best school year yet! Go Rays! 🌞💙

08/19/2026

Attention friends of Teen Time! Join us for a fun evening of fishing and spending time together outdoors!

Our next Teen Time event will be Wednesday, August 26, from 5:30–6:30 p.m. at 156 Estates Drive in Athens. We’ll be fishing in the pond located in the center of the neighborhood.

Grab your fishing gear and join us for a relaxing evening of fun, friendship, and hopefully a few big catches! If you don’t have equipment, that’s OK! We have extra equipment. We will also provide the bait.

See the attached flyer for additional details. We hope to see you there!

If you have any questions, please reach out to Heather Clemons at (740) 592-3416 or [email protected].

Please RSVP by going here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScncV1lsQKcM2xEVo2_vel-07ohE6GOAkuS5GVio7Db0q4kNQ/viewform

08/17/2026

Maintenance Lead Rex is working hard to make sure the school’s new water heater is installed this week. This is one of the final summertime projects our Facilities team is tackling to ensure our buildings are ready to welcome students back for the new school year.

Thank you to our entire Facilities team for all their hard work behind the scenes to keep our schools safe, comfortable, and ready to go!

08/14/2026

Thank you to The Athens Messenger for helping share the success of the Second Annual Inclusive Livestock Show at the Athens County Fair!

This initiative is another great example of how we can continue creating opportunities for inclusion throughout Athens County.

We’re grateful to everyone who helped make this year’s event such a success!

Follow the link below for the full story:
https://www.athensmessenger.com/connect/inclusive-livestock-show-held-at-athens-county-fair/article_8b8fbc9c-a368-415a-9474-2c31205d072d.html

08/13/2026

We are excited to announce that we will be hosting a Future Planning Information Session on Thursday, September 10, from 4–6 p.m. in the cafeteria at Beacon School.

This session will provide valuable information about important topics related to future planning, including:

• Pooled Special Needs Trusts
• STABLE Accounts
• Guardianship & Supported Decision-Making

The session is open to individuals served by the ACBDD, their families, and providers. We encourage anyone interested in learning more about these important future-planning tools and resources to join us!

📅 Thursday, September 10
⏰ 4–6 p.m.
📍 Beacon School Cafeteria

We hope to see you there!

08/12/2026

This year’s Inclusive Livestock Show Meet & Greet at the Athens County Fair was a great success!

During the Meet & Greet, local 4-H and FFA exhibitors introduced participants to a variety of livestock and taught them the basics of caring for and showing each species. It was a wonderful opportunity for participants to learn new skills, build confidence, and connect with local youth exhibitors.

Now, participants are ready for the official Inclusive Livestock Show this Thursday at 9 a.m.! Each participant will be paired with a 4-H or FFA exhibitor and will have the opportunity to show an animal in the Swine Arena at the Athens County Fair.

We invite you to join us and cheer on these participants as they take part in this unique and exciting experience!

The Inclusive Livestock Show is made possible through a partnership with the ACBDD’s Integrate Athens, the Athens County Fair, local FFA chapters, and Athens County 4-H. The program provides youth with developmental disabilities, ages 8–18, an opportunity to learn about caring for and showing livestock at the fair.

Whether it’s a one-time experience or the beginning of a future involvement in 4-H or FFA, the Inclusive Livestock Show is a wonderful way for youth to build confidence, make new friends, develop new skills, and explore new interests.

We hope to see you Thursday at 9 a.m. in the Swine Arena as we celebrate these participants!

08/03/2026

Several members of our Service and Support Administration (SSA) team recently volunteered with Athens County Children Services' Peanut Butter & Jelly Project, helping assemble meal bags for local children and families.

This year, community partners like the 740 Rescue Kitchen also contributed fresh produce, making the meal bags even more nutritious. The Peanut Butter & Jelly Project is one of many collaborative efforts throughout Athens County that helps address food insecurity during the summer months when children are out of school.

We are grateful to our SSA team members for giving their time to support this important initiative!

07/31/2026

We are pleased to announce that, effective August 1, Jamie Bartee will serve as the ACBDD's Director of Education and Principal of Beacon School!

Over the past year, Jamie has served as Assistant Principal, working closely alongside Becky Martin to gain a deep understanding of Beacon School's operations, staff, students, and programs. Throughout this transition, she has demonstrated strong leadership, built meaningful relationships, and developed a clear vision for the future of Beacon School. We are excited to see that vision come to life in her new role.

This leadership transition has been part of a thoughtful succession plan as Becky Martin prepares for her retirement. Becky has served as ACBDD's Director of Education and Beacon School Principal since 2016, providing years of dedicated leadership and commitment to students, staff, and families.

Although Jamie will officially assume her new role on August 1, Becky will remain with the ACBDD until December 16, 2026, to provide support, as needed, and assist with special projects.

Please join us in congratulating Jamie on this well-deserved opportunity and wishing her continued success as she leads Beacon School into its next chapter!

Go Rays! 🌞💙

Address

801 W Union Street
Athens, OH
45701

Telephone

+17405943539

Website

http://athenscbdd.org/

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