What began nearly 70 years ago with a handful of determined parents has grown into a network of services that touches hundreds of lives across Logan County every day.

Now, following the failure of a levy request this spring, the Logan County Board of Developmental Disabilities is asking voters to consider a new, smaller 2-mill levy in November, one leaders say is critical to preserving services for some of the county's most vulnerable residents.

The proposed levy would cost the owner of a $100,000 home approximately $70 per year.

While the financial conversation often centers on dollars and tax rates, Board President Bridgett Hawkins hopes residents will also understand what those dollars support.

"This levy impacts everyone," Hawkins said. "Until I became a board member, I didn't realize just how much the Logan County Board of Developmental Disabilities actually does. It truly touches everyone in our community."

The board has already begun making reductions following the failed levy. Staff positions have been eliminated through layoffs, while additional savings are coming through attrition by leaving some positions vacant when employees retire or resign.

Buildings have been consolidated, and even desk phones have been eliminated in an effort to reduce expenses.

"We've already consolidated buildings, cut staff through layoffs and attrition, and even gotten rid of desk phones," Hawkins said. "There is nowhere else to trim."

Those reductions have already resulted in difficult program changes. The Discovery Center Preschool has been reduced to five classrooms. Tiny Toons, a music program for young children, has been discontinued, along with Discovery Days, an open gym program for children ages birth through five.

If the November levy does not pass, officials say additional reductions could include Early Intervention services, recreation programs, Special Olympics and other supports that many local families depend upon.

More than 100 Logan County athletes currently participate in Special Olympics through LCBDD recreation programming.

One of the greatest concerns is the impact on children.

The Discovery Center partners with local school districts to provide specialized educational services for students with developmental disabilities. Without those services, school districts would become responsible for providing them, a cost board officials estimate could approach $1 million annually.

The Logan County Board of Developmental Disabilities has not requested new operating funding since 2005.

During that time, the needs of those served have continued to grow while local funding has remained essentially frozen. Property tax abatements and the structure of existing levies have also limited revenue growth, meaning the Board is providing more services to more individuals with higher levels of need using funding based largely on 2005 tax rates.

Yet the story of the Logan County Board of Developmental Disabilities has never really been about funding.

It has always been about families.

In 1956, a small group of Logan County parents believed their children with developmental disabilities deserved the same opportunity for education and meaningful lives as every other child. Their determination led to the opening of High Point Day School in 1960.

What exists today traces its roots directly back to those families.

Former employee Susan Jones believes remembering that history is essential.

"Where we came from is essential to advocating for the future," Jones said.

The values of those families started a legacy that continues today through the Logan County Board of Developmental Disabilities and the Discovery Center. They wanted quality lives for their loved ones and strong services that offered great opportunity.

Today, that vision reaches far beyond a classroom.

The Logan County Board of Developmental Disabilities supports individuals throughout every stage of life. Service and Support Administrators help individuals and families navigate services while focusing on dignity, independence, community inclusion and lifelong support.

For school-age children, programs include parent support groups, teen summer programming, the RISE (Recreation, Independence, Skills and Exploration) program, transition planning into adulthood and assistance with employment, volunteer opportunities and life-skills education.

For the county's youngest residents, Early Intervention provides coordinated services for children under age three experiencing developmental delays or disabilities. Rather than taking children out of their natural environments, specialists work alongside families in their homes and everyday settings, helping parents build skills that encourage healthy growth and development.

The result is a system designed not simply to provide services, but to help individuals become contributing, valued members of the community.

According to the Board's mission, LCBDD exists "to support services that inspire and assist people with developmental disabilities to become contributing and valued members of their community."

Its vision is equally simple: that every citizen has equal access to opportunities and supports that lead to a purposeful and fulfilling life.

Executive Director Krista Oldiges said preserving that vision depends on the community's support this fall.

"It is imperative that this levy passes in November so that these crucial services remain available for the most vulnerable members of our community," Oldiges said.

For Hawkins, the issue comes back to the legacy started by those parents nearly seven decades ago.

"They simply wanted more for their children," she said. "That vision has grown into opportunities that allow hundreds of people in Logan County to learn, work, volunteer and be active members of our community. That's what we're trying to preserve."