Where do I start?
Your journey with Summit County Developmental Disabilities Board, or Summit DD, begins with our Intake and Eligibility department. Eligibility criteria is governed by Ohio Revised Code, but our knowledgeable staff are here to help. Whether you are looking for services for your child, a family member or supports for yourself, we are here to assist you through the eligibility determination process.
What is a referral?
To begin the process, our Intake Referral Specialist must receive a referral. We can accept referrals for individuals three and older looking to receive services. (For information about referring children under the age of three, please see the section titled “Ages 0 through 2” under How do you determine a person’s eligibility?)
Who can make a referral?
Referrals can be made by individuals, parents, physicians, teachers or anyone who believes that a person residing in Summit County may benefit from and qualify for services from Summit DD.
After a referral is made, our staff will work with you to obtain the consent required to access medical, educational and other information or evaluations needed to continue the eligibility process. Summit DD staff is available to facilitate the process for evaluations, where necessary, to determine eligibility for Summit DD services.
Is consent required to receive services?
Yes, consent from an individual or his or her guardian is required to access medical, educational and other information or evaluations needed to continue the eligibility process.
What is a COEDI?
The Children’s Ohio Eligibility Determination Instrument, or COEDI, is an assessment used to determine eligibility for services for children ages 6-15.
What is an OEDI?
The Ohio Eligibility Determination Instrument, or OEDI, is an assessment used to determine eligibility for services for individuals ages 16 and older.
Where does the information come from to determine eligibility?
Our staff will gather information and/or administer evaluations designed for each appropriate age group to help determine eligibility for services that will best meet your needs.
Ages 3-5: While each person’s situation is unique, generally for children ages three through five, an Educational Team Report (ETR) or an Individualized Education Program (IEP), administered by your school district, will be used to determine eligibility.
Ages 6-15: Children ages six through 15 receive an assessment from our Evaluation Specialists called the Children’s Ohio Eligibility Determination Instrument, or COEDI, to determine eligibility for services.
16 and Older: For those age 16 and older, the Ohio Eligibility Determination Instrument, or OEDI, is commonly used. Both the COEDI and the OEDI are designed to be user-friendly documents that anyone rating the scores (an individual, guardian, or advocate, for instance) can readily understand. Our Evaluation Specialists are available to assist you through this process and answer any questions that you may have.
Is income a factor for determining eligibility?
Income does not impact eligibility. There is no income restriction for Summit DD service coordination. For questions about funding for services, please see information on service funding.
Is there a cost to individuals for service coordination or HCBS services? How are services funded?
Based on an individual’s eligibility, services are funded through a mix of federal, state and local funds. Summit DD SSAs connect people to the services that meet their needs, meaning that there are no co-pays for service coordination by Summit DD.
How do you determine a person’s eligibility?
Ages 0 through 2: All referrals for children under the age of three are made through Ohio Early Intervention. Summit DD works in partnership with Help Me Grow to provide developmental evaluations for children who have a suspected delay or who have a medical condition which has a high probability of resulting in a developmental delay. At age three, children will have their eligibility re-determined to continue services through Summit DD.
Learn more about Early Intervention or contact Ohio Early Intervention for a referral.
Ages 3 through 5: Children, ages three to five, are eligible for support if they have at least two documented developmental delays reported in an Educational Team Report (ETR) or medical disorder that is known to cause delays. Children will have their eligibility re-determined at age six for continued services.
Find additional information about supports for children.
Ages 6 through 15: Children, ages six to 15, are eligible for Summit DD services if they have a documented history of life-long developmental disability and significant functional limitations in at least three areas of the Children’s Ohio Eligibility Determination Instrument (COEDI). Areas evaluated are mobility; self-care; self-direction; capacity for independent living; learning; and receptive & expressive language. Eligibility is re-determined at age 16 for continued services.
Access additional information about supports for school-age children.
Ages 16 and over: Individuals, age 16 and older, are eligible for Summit DD services if they have a documented history of life-long developmental disability and significant functional limitations in at least three of seven life areas on the Ohio Eligibility Determination Instrument (OEDI) or other approved evaluation assessment. Areas evaluated are mobility; self-care; self-direction; capacity for independent living; learning; economic self-sufficiency; and receptive & expressive language. An individual’s eligibility may be reviewed at any time if a significant change in diagnoses, impairment or skill has occurred.
Discover information about supports for transition-age teens and adults.
Which documents will I need for eligibility determination/re-determination?
- Current medical evaluation (within six months)
- Copy of your Social Security card
- Copy of your birth certificate
- Proof of Medicaid eligibility and your Medicaid insurance card
What is re-determination and why is it necessary?
Re-determination of eligibility for services is required at a number of stages throughout a person’s life. It defines which supports and funding an individual may be eligible to receive. Redetermination occurs at ages three, six, 16 or at any point a significant change in a person’s abilities (either an increase or decrease in a person’s abilities), related to their disability, occurs. Redetermination criteria is specific to each age group (see question “How do you determine a person’s eligibility?”), along with the evaluation tool used to assess an individual’s limitations. Therefore, re-determination is necessary throughout a person’s childhood and adolescence.
Summit DD reserves the right to reassess eligibility at any time. If Summit DD chooses to reassess your eligibility, your SSA will discuss the decision with you and your team, and assist you throughout the process.
What are my next steps if I am found eligible for services after the eligibility process or redetermination?
If you do meet eligibility requirements, you will be connected to an SSA who will begin working with you to develop your individualized service plan, which is based on your needs and goals.
What happens if I am found not eligible for services after the eligibility process or redetermination?
If you are not found eligible for services, our team will continue to work with you and help identify other community resources that may be available to you. Our Eligibility and Community Coordinator can help connect you to community resources that can assist you with things such as food, housing, and employment. You also have the right to due process to appeal the decision if services are reduced, denied or terminated.
Where can I go if I disagree with the decision?
Find the complete detailed description of the Administrative Resolution of Complaints process from the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) on our website. Visit SummitDD.org/Resources and click on Resolving Complaints under the Additional Resources heading.
What if I have questions?
Visit our page about determining eligibility or contact Summit DD to speak to our Eligibility department at 330-634-8000.
