If you are looking for adult day services for a family member with an intellectual or developmental disability (IDD) in Medina County, Ohio, the application process can feel confusing at first. There are multiple agencies involved, eligibility requirements to understand, and funding pathways that work differently depending on each person’s situation.
This guide walks through the process step by step — who to contact first, how eligibility works, how services get funded, how to choose a provider, and what to expect at each stage. At OneBridge Center in Medina, we work with families through this process regularly, and the goal of this post is to make it as clear and straightforward as possible.
Step 1 — Understand What Adult Day Services Actually Are
Before starting the application process, it helps to be clear on what adult day services are and what they are designed to accomplish. Adult day services — sometimes called day habilitation — are structured daytime programs for adults with IDD that focus on building life skills, social skills, digital skills, and community participation. They are not custodial care or supervision alone — they are goal-oriented programs connected to each participant’s individualized plan.
At OneBridge Center, our Life N Tech adult day program combines computer and digital skills training through our DigiSkills curriculum, hands-on life skills activities, and weekly community day-out activities that take participants to real venues across Medina County. For a fuller picture of what day habilitation involves and who it is designed for, read our day habilitation programs guide for Medina County families.
For some participants, adult day services are a pathway toward employment — building the foundational skills that lead eventually to vocational rehabilitation training and competitive work. For others, they provide meaningful daily engagement, community connection, and independence-building that improves quality of life regardless of employment status. Understanding which of these goals is most relevant for your family member will help you have more productive conversations with service coordinators and providers.
Step 2 — Contact the Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities
For most families in Medina County, the first point of contact is the Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities (MCBDD). The MCBDD is the county agency responsible for coordinating services for individuals with developmental disabilities — including connecting eligible individuals with providers like OneBridge Center and helping fund those services through Medicaid waiver programs.
If your family member does not yet have a relationship with the MCBDD, the first step is to establish eligibility. Visit the MCBDD eligibility page to begin the process. Eligibility for county board services in Ohio requires a diagnosis of a developmental disability and Ohio residency — it is not based on income. There is no cost to apply.
Once eligibility is confirmed, the MCBDD assigns a Service and Support Administrator (SSA) to work with your family member and their household. The SSA becomes your primary point of contact for planning, funding, and connecting with providers. They are responsible for developing and maintaining the Individual Service Plan (ISP) — the document that outlines your family member’s goals, the services they will receive, and which providers will deliver those services.
If your family member is already connected with the MCBDD and has an active SSA, you can skip this step and move directly to Step 3.
Step 3 — Develop or Update the Individual Service Plan
The Individual Service Plan (ISP) is the central document that governs what services your family member receives and from whom. It is developed collaboratively — the SSA works with the individual, their family, and any other relevant parties to identify goals, preferred activities, needed supports, and the providers who will deliver services.
If adult day services are not currently part of your family member’s ISP, you can request that they be added at the next ISP meeting or by contacting your SSA directly. Come to that conversation prepared with:
- A clear picture of what your family member needs during the day — structure, skill-building, social interaction, community access, vocational preparation, or a combination
- Any specific goals you want the program to address — computer skills, life skills, employment readiness, community participation
- Your family member’s preferences — what kinds of activities they enjoy, what environments they do well in, what their daily routine currently looks like
- Questions about which providers are available in Medina County and how funding works for those services
The ISP meeting is also the right time to mention specific providers you are interested in. You have the right to choose your provider — the MCBDD does not assign you to a program without your input. If you are interested in OneBridge Center specifically, let your SSA know.
Step 4 — Understand How Adult Day Services Are Funded in Ohio
Adult day services in Ohio are primarily funded through two Medicaid waiver programs administered by the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD):
The Individual Options (IO) Waiver is the primary waiver for adults with developmental disabilities in Ohio. It funds a wide range of home and community-based services, including adult day habilitation. If your family member has an active IO waiver, adult day services at an approved provider like OneBridge Center are covered — families do not pay out of pocket for waiver-funded services.
The Level One Waiver covers a more targeted set of services for individuals with lower support needs. Adult day habilitation may be available under this waiver depending on the individual’s plan and assessed needs.
Waiver eligibility and enrollment are managed through the MCBDD and your SSA. If your family member is not yet on a waiver — or if they are on a waitlist — your SSA can explain what interim options may be available through non-waiver county funding while you wait for a waiver slot to open.
If your family member also qualifies for services through Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD), employment-focused services like vocational rehabilitation training and employment services can run alongside county board funded day habilitation — the two programs complement rather than replace each other. OneBridge Center is a certified OOD provider and can serve participants through both pathways simultaneously.
Step 5 — Choose a Provider and Schedule a Visit
Once services are authorized in your family member’s ISP and funding is confirmed, you can formally select a provider. In Medina County, your SSA can provide a list of approved adult day service providers. You have the right to choose the provider that is the best fit for your family member — and the most reliable way to make that judgment is to visit programs in person before deciding.
When evaluating providers, consider asking:
- How is programming individualized to each participant’s goals and abilities?
- What does a typical week look like — how much time is spent in the center versus in the community?
- How is progress tracked and how often do families receive updates?
- What is the staff-to-participant ratio?
- Is there a clear pathway toward employment for participants who want to work eventually?
- What community outings are offered and how frequently do they happen?
At OneBridge Center, we welcome visits from families who are in the process of choosing a provider. Schedule a tour of our Medina facility to see our Life N Tech program and DigiSkills computer lab in action. Seeing the environment, meeting the staff, and watching a session in progress tells you far more than any description can.
Step 6 — Complete the Enrollment Process with OneBridge Center
Once your family member’s ISP has been updated to include adult day services at OneBridge Center and funding is authorized, the enrollment process with us is straightforward. Our team works directly with your SSA to confirm service authorizations and complete the necessary paperwork. We will schedule an intake meeting to review your family member’s goals, current abilities, and any specific support needs — and use that information to build their individualized program plan within our Life N Tech and DigiSkills curriculum.
Most participants start with a transition period — shorter sessions initially, building up to a full program schedule as they become comfortable with the environment, staff, and peers. We communicate regularly with families and SSAs about progress and any adjustments to the plan.
What to Expect in the First Few Weeks
The first few weeks of any new program involve adjustment — for the participant, for the family, and for the program staff. A few things families can expect:
An initial skills assessment. We assess each participant’s current computer skills, life skills knowledge, and learning preferences to build the right starting point in the DigiSkills curriculum. This is not a pass/fail evaluation — it is information gathering that helps us build the most useful plan.
A gradual community integration. Participants join our weekly community day-out activities as part of the regular program — outings to venues across Medina County and the surrounding region that build real-world skills alongside the in-center curriculum. Recent outings have included the Fannie May Chocolate Tour, Scene 75 in Brunswick, and Szalay’s Farm and the Nature Realm.
Regular communication. We keep families and SSAs informed of progress throughout — not just at formal ISP meetings. If questions or concerns arise, our team is available and responsive.
For a real picture of what participation in OneBridge’s programs looks like over time, read how Julie went from a quiet observer to a confident peer teacher and how Joe built career-ready skills through DigiSkills.
What If Your Family Member Is Not Yet Ready for Adult Day Services?
For students who are still in high school and approaching graduation, the time to start planning is before the transition happens — not after. OneBridge Center offers pre-employment transition services for students with disabilities that can begin while they are still in school. These services build the foundational computer and workplace readiness skills that make the transition to adult day services or employment much smoother.
If your family member is not yet connected with the MCBDD at all, starting that process early is the most important thing you can do. Medicaid waiver waitlists in Ohio can be long — beginning the eligibility and enrollment process as early as possible means your family member is positioned to access funded services as soon as they are available.
For broader context on the range of activities and community resources available for adults with disabilities in Medina County while you navigate the application process, read our post on activities for adults with disabilities in Medina County.
Contact OneBridge Center to Get Started
OneBridge Center is located at 387 Medina Road, Suite 600, Medina, Ohio 44256. We serve adults with IDD from Medina County, Summit County, and Wayne County through our Life N Tech adult day program, DigiSkills vocational computer training, community day-out activities, job development, and employment services through OOD.
If you have questions about the application process, eligibility, or what our programs involve, we are happy to talk through your situation directly. Contact us at (330) 267-7556 or info@onebridgecenter.com, visit our FAQ page for common questions, or schedule a tour to see our programs in person. You can also learn more about our team and our approach on our our story page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Applying for Adult Day Services in Medina County
How do I apply for adult day services in Medina County, Ohio?
Contact the Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities (MCBDD) to begin the eligibility process. Once eligible, a Service and Support Administrator will be assigned to help develop your family member’s Individual Service Plan and connect you with approved providers. Adult day services are included in the ISP and funded through Medicaid waiver programs — families do not pay out of pocket for waiver-funded services.
Who qualifies for adult day services in Ohio?
Adults with a diagnosed developmental disability who are Ohio residents and eligible for county board services may qualify for adult day services. Eligibility is not based on income. Funding is primarily through the Individual Options (IO) Medicaid Waiver or the Level One Waiver, both administered through the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities and managed at the county level through the MCBDD.
How long does the application process take?
The timeline varies depending on whether your family member already has a relationship with the MCBDD, whether they have an active Medicaid waiver, and whether adult day services are already part of their ISP. For families starting from scratch, establishing eligibility and waiver funding can take several months. Beginning the process as early as possible is strongly recommended, particularly for students approaching the end of high school.
Can I choose which adult day program my family member attends?
Yes. Families have the right to choose their provider from the list of MCBDD-approved adult day service providers in Medina County. The MCBDD does not assign you to a specific program — you select the provider that is the best fit for your family member’s needs, goals, and preferences. Visiting programs in person before deciding is strongly recommended.
Does OneBridge Center accept Medicaid waiver funding for adult day services?
Yes. OneBridge Center is an approved provider for Medicaid waiver-funded adult day services in Medina County. We work directly with the MCBDD and SSAs to confirm service authorizations and complete enrollment paperwork. We are also a certified OOD provider for employment-focused services. Contact us at (330) 267-7556 to discuss your family member’s specific situation.
What is the difference between adult day services and vocational rehabilitation?
Adult day services focus on life skills, social development, and community participation. Vocational rehabilitation focuses specifically on employment — building the skills needed to find and keep a job. At OneBridge Center, both are offered and designed as a continuum — many participants begin in our Life N Tech adult day program and transition toward vocational training and competitive employment over time. Read more in our post on what is vocational rehabilitation.