Local MRDD chief applauds law that changes name

By William K. Alcorn

The name change is not without its challenges and costs

AUSTINTOWN — The superintendent of the Mahoning County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities applauds the law that removes the words mental retardation from the titles of all MRDD agencies in the state.

It reflects a desire, particularly among younger families, for a more socially appropriate name for the agency that doesn’t carry the stigma of mental retardation, said Larry Duck.

However, the superintendent said, the change is not without its challenges and costs.

On Tuesday, Gov. Ted Strickland signed into law a bill that requires the name change.

The bill becomes law 90 days after the signing, according to Linda Oda, director of communication for the Ohio Association of County Boards/MRDD.

Over the past 20 years, nine of Ohio’s 88 counties made the change to doing business as county boards of developmental disabilities.

State law, however, required that they officially remained county boards of MRDD, so that is the name voters would recognize on the ballot, Oda said.

“I assume the board will adopt the new name, Mahoning County Board of Developmental Disabilities, at its Aug. 10 meeting,” Duck said.

In anticipation of the new name, Duck appointed a staff committee to identify things the board will have to do because of the name change.

Of primary concern to Duck, with a levy renewal coming up in 2010, is to make sure that residents, when voting, realize that it is the same agency without the familiar MRDD language on the ballot.

“We will have to mount a public relations campaign to ensure that people understand it is the same agency that they have supported in the past, not some new agency asking for an additional tax,” he said.

In addition, Duck said, some 30 or 40 of the agency’s vehicles will have to be partially or wholly repainted to change the name, as well as signs on many of the buildings, all of which he estimated could cost $10,000 to $20,000, plus staff time.

He said it appears the agencies will be permitted to use up stationery with the old MRDD letterhead.

Duck also has some concern that people may think, with mental retardation gone from the name, that requirements for treatment are less restrictive.

This will be the same agency doing the same things and performing the eligibility functional assessments, he said.

alcorn@vindy.com