Pre-meeting

About 22 people were in attendance, with extra seats available. 

View the full agenda here.

1. Opening

The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Board President Stephen Scheidt.

Board roll call: Scheidt, Alaina McCruel, Cynthia Vrsansky Schulz, Sara Steimle and Derek Topola were present. Vice President Allison Frazier was absent (excused); Dennis Roberts was absent (not yet sworn in).

Amber Gibbs, Cuyahoga DD superintendent and CEO, and Terri Rice, Cuyahoga DD executive administrative supervisor, were also in attendance.

View full board and leadership here. 

2. Minutes

Approve minutes from previous meeting:

Rice proposed that the minutes of the Jan. 22 meeting be accepted without objection and approved as published.

Schulz asked that the minutes reflect why she voted “nay” on the 2026 Cuyahoga DD policy manual, specifically because of changes related to compensation. She said she believed it was the board’s duty to approve superintendent salary changes. “It’s a matter of checks and balances,” said Schulz. 

Gibbs clarified that the policy had been approved in January and recommended Schulz contact the board president offline.

The addition to the minutes was voted on and added.

[Editor’s note: One issue discussed at the last meeting dealt with compensation for the CEO and the board’s authority over it. Read more from Documenter Carly Elliot.]

3. Swear in newly appointed member

Gibbs introduced Topola, highlighting his roles as president of the Leadership Council at Cuyahoga DD, where he helped develop policies benefiting the organization, and, as a person with developmental disabilities, provided insight on programs, policies and communications. Topola is also an NCI surveyor with the Ohio State University Nisonger Center, a substitute teacher in the Brecksville-Broadview Heights and Independence school districts, and holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in educational science and social studies from Wright State University.

Scheidt swore Topola in.

4. Organization of the 2026 board

Rice presented the proposed 2026 slate of board member offices, including Steimle as the new secretary. Motion to approve and swear in officers was seconded. Schulz asked about nominations. Gibbs explained she had reached out to board members who had not yet held offices, and Steimle was interested.

5. Donations

The board approved Cuyahoga DD to accept a donation of $250 and 10 equipment donations of unspecified value to the occupational therapy and physical therapy lending library.

Gibbs recognized John and Susan McLaughlin for a monetary donation. John McLaughlin is the former director of human resources at Cuyahoga DD. The donation was in memory of Betty Barnett, a long-time Cuyahoga DD employee. Gibbs expressed gratitude for both the donation and the recognition of the staff member.

6. Financial Statements

Gibbs provided the following about current finances: Cuyahoga DD began the month of January with a cash balance of $107, 165,820. The revenues for the month were $602,630. The expenditures were $29,728,233, with a cash balance ending of $78,040,217.

Gibbs explained that there would be little revenue for the time being because it’s the beginning of the year and most payments hadn’t been received yet. The area with the most variance is the Medicaid intermediate care facility home, where the Cuyahoga DD was below budget by 35%. Gibbs clarified that this was a timing issue; billing was denied for an individual, so it had to be corrected and rebilled. The money was posted in February.

State revenue was generated in January by a house that was sold in 2025; the revenue was expected in 2025 but was received in 2026. In terms of revenue, rent is also below budget, also because of a timing issue. Payment had not been received from an adult activity center in January. Community partner reimbursements are over budget by $25,000. This is due to a payment that should have been made in December 2025 but came in January. Delayed payments from a Department of Children and Family Services partner are also expected soon. Other revenues and reimbursements are under budget by 68% due to another timing issue with reimbursements and some property damages. 

Overall, Cuyahoga DD is over budget in revenue by $205,000 for the month of January, $200,000 of which is from the aforementioned home that was supposed to close in December.

7. Announcements

Gibbs honored former board member Mozelle Jackson for her eight years of service on the board. She praised her for her commitment to her work as well as her dedication to parenting. A small gift will be sent to Jackson in appreciation.

Schulz raised questions about whether additional recognition should be given for Jackson. Though Gibbs said more festivities aren’t typically in order for members who have served under 12 years, Schulz was adamant about updating policy to do so. The board discussed reviewing the current recognition practice in the future.

Gibbs mentioned a 30-second commercial spot that was aired during the Olympics Men’s Gold Medal hockey game. She also reminded the audience of a series of budget presentations she delivered to staff and partners, and Gibbs said that skill-building groups held by the behavioral health department were successful and well-received.

Cuyahoga DD’s 2026 grant cycle has been closed. Over $193,000 will be provided to 24 diverse organizations. The list will be shared once finalized.

Employment collaborative hiring events will take place on March 6, March 12, and March 16.

There are few updates on the possible new levy for Cuyahoga DD; it will either be on the ballot in the fall of 2026 or sometime in 2027. Schulz requested a list of protocols for board members to follow with respect to the levy.

[Editor’s note: CEO of Cuyahoga County developmental disabilities agency raises property tax concerns] 

8. Discussion topic

A. Housing options

A presentation on housing options was delivered by Cuyahoga DD employees Lina Workman, Mary Scanlon and Melanie Rak.

Workman said there are currently 67 intermediate care facility (ICF) homes in Cuyahoga County, 27 licensed homes, over 350 unlicensed homes, 175 shared living homes, and 10,000 individuals who live independently or with a family member/supportive figure. Intentional communities were discussed, where Workman said the pros include having one’s own place to live, an intentional community, and a sense of safety, while cons include multi-million-dollar project costs, lack of affordability, and HCBS setting requirements.

Scanlon then presented updates about TryTech in Lakewood. The apartment building gives people with developmental disabilities the chance to try independent living, as well as supportive technology. The facility has on-site peer support. Of 58 participants from June 2022 through 2025, 14 are living independently after their stay, 20 are planning to move out of their family home, 23 returned home with more independence, and one purchased a home.

There are also currently eight 811 properties, 55 units total, 51 one-bedroom units and four efficiencies with subsidized rent. These properties are HUD/OHFA-approved and serve adults with disabilities aged 18-61.

Workman spoke about Cuyahoga DD’s tiny home initiative. The goal is to create affordable independent housing options, though securing property has been a challenge due to zoning barriers. It was noted that tiny homes could also benefit other demographics, such as the elderly.

Workman discussed the 2026 Annual Plan desired outcomes, which involve gathering input from the disabled demographic about needs and connecting with two new community agencies (including Habitat for Humanity) to raise awareness of these housing needs. Schulz mentioned that she wanted to connect the group with a development professional.

Rak reported that Cuyahoga DD has conducted housing research. The agency purchased and revised a successful bootcamp curriculum to help people prepare for independent living. She also stated a goal of identifying national and local partners.

Steimle suggested exploring personal-care stations similar to those at Wright State. However, current waiver rules prevent people from sharing services with a neighbor, but the Cuyahoga DD is making efforts to change them, Gibbs said.

Elizabeth Day, Cuyahoga DD’s communications director, addressed the board and highlighted partnerships, such as those with the Cleveland Monsters and plans to light up Terminal Tower on March 30 as part of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. DD Advocacy Day will take place at the Ohio Statehouse on March 4 (Topola and Steimle are planning to attend), and the Cuyahoga DD legislative breakfast will be held on March 8.

Day acknowledged staff member Lynn Johnson for her proactive media pitching. Coverage is expected soon in Today’s Family Magazine, WKYC’s Heartstrings, Northeast Ohio Parent, Spectrum News 1, the Fox 8 website and New Day Cleveland, and an iHeartMedia radio interview, with additional placements still being finalized. Additionally, Cuyahoga DD will be sponsoring WKYC’s Paralympics coverage. 

Day said advertising across billboards, transit, radio and TV will generate an estimated 9.2 million impressions from a $60,000 Cuyahoga DD investment, costing approximately $0.65 per impression during DD Awareness Month.

Schulz raised questions about actions for Rare Disease Day; Day said Cuyahoga DD sponsored the Rare Disease Day conference at Case Western Reserve University on Feb. 25.

B. Board committees 

Scheidt reviewed previous suggestions of introducing a finance and budget committee to the board. Schulz was a strong advocate for this committee. She said that the Cuyahoga DD Board has a casual approach and should be taking more action to promote policy. She said committees help the board fulfill its governance responsibilities and ensure policy is well designed. She added that “[committees are] a way to help us get through some of the problems we’ve had in the past.”

Steimle said that adding a committee for a board of seven people would be problematic in terms of efficiency and making sure all voices are heard. McCruel raised questions about potential disagreements between the board and a committee. Topolo believed that time and resources may be a limiting factor.

Gibbs disagreed with Schulz’s assertion that there had been difficulty passing past budgets, but she acknowledged contentious meetings. 

Gibbs suggested the implementation of a nominating committee for board offices in November; this will be pursued later in the year.

9. Status reports

The family support program is growing; aside from that, there are no new reports because it is the beginning of the year, Gibbs said.

10. New business

A. Declaration of surplus property

The Cuyahoga DD Board approved and authorized the declaration of surplus property, as described on the agenda.

11. Comments from the floor

There were no public comments.

12. Adjournment

Meeting was adjourned at 7:18 p.m.

Next meeting – March 26 at 5:30 p.m., Donzella Administration Building, 1275 Lakeside Ave E., and broadcast via Zoom. Zoom link will be shared on the Cuyahoga DD website before the meeting. 

These notes are by Documenter Maya Trempe. Documenter Julia Brookover also recorded audio of the meeting. 

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If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@signalcleveland.org  with “Correction Request” in the subject line.