Montgomery Co. Board of Developmental Disabilities discusses virtual learning

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Ohio (WKEF/WRGT) -- Parents with children living with special needs say they are worried about the future as some schools decide to go completely virtual.

So Dayton 24/7 Now's Chelsea Sick asked who is responsible for helping these students?

"There’s so many kids that rely on the services the school provides," mom, Brittany Reynolds said.

As a mom with a 6-year-old son living with autism, she says the last six months have been the hardest since he was diagnosed at two-years-old.

"Everyone is going through it, the regression, the behavior issues things like that, so it’s been very difficult," Reynolds said.

Now, as she awaits the Kettering School District’s updated plan for back-to-school, Reynolds worries about what this may mean for her son. He can't go to daycare and Reynolds says the Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities Services has not been able to help her with in-home care.

"The county can provide extra services and things like that but they can’t find any providers right now," Reynolds said.

Dayton 24/7 Now's Chelsea Sick talked to Kaye McCarthy Eligibility Service and Support Administrator Supervisor with Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities Services about what it is doing now to help parents during this time.

"It has been hard for providers with the limitations going on right now with COVID-19," McCarthy said.

She could not comment on the specific case with Reynolds but McCarthy says state guidelines are limiting the resources they can offer.

"Most children with developmental disabilities that are between the age of 3 and high school graduation would receive those services through their school district," McCarthy said

We called several districts in our area opting for 100% virtual learning, like Trotwood-Madison.

Superintendent Dr. Reva Cosby says exact plans for these students are still in the works but she says her district is committed to follow the law for IEP's

Chelsea Sick asked: "What would be your message to those families right now who are really struggling and worried about what’s to come?"

"I would suggest they make contact with the school districts because we are looking forward and trying to find help for parents who find themselves in this type of situation," Dr. Cosby said.

In certain cases, some families may qualify for financial support.

Chelsea Sick asked: "What is just your overall message to parents who have to work and also can’t afford to pay out of pocket for extra services for their school-aged child right now?"

"We understand all of the changes going on so our basic message is just reach out and try to find people who can help with those resources, reach out to your local county board," McCarthy said.

Since the pandemic began the Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities says it has provided meals, medical and cleaning supplies, and a variety of other resources to families with eligible children. The board says service coordinators have also been working with families to connect them with community resources to help their child.

The Kettering School District is hosting a public forum on Thursday evening to discuss plans for the school year. as of now the district is under a hybrid model. We did reach out to see if anyone was available to talk, and they said they wanted to wait until the meetings are over.

To learn more information about the eligibility requirements for services through the Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities, call 937-457-2888 for further information or contact a case manager if already connected to the Montgomery County Board of DD.

Montgomery County Board of DDS is also sharing this resource 'What to Consider for Children with Special Education and/or

Healthcare Needs' from UC with parents, click here.