Highland County Board of DD Superintendent announces retirement
Debra Buccilla. (Submitted photo)
After nearly 40 years working with individuals with developmental disabilities in both the public and private sector, Highland County Board of DD Superintendent Debra Buccilla has announced her retirement for the end of February 2024.
Buccilla has served as the superintendent for both Fayette and Highland counties since September 2014. During her time in Highland County, she had oversight of numerous changes and expansion in services. Significant strides were made in housing for adults, programming for youth transitioning into adulthood and early childhood services, including early intervention, Help Me Grow and preschool services.
Prior to 2014, Buccilla served as the Chief Operating Officer for Alvis Inc., overseeing all programmatic services provided to both individuals with developmental disabilities as well to all special populations being served by the agency. Before this, Buccilla worked for the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities as a developmental center superintendent and an assistant deputy director overseeing all developmental centers in Ohio.
As an advocate for individuals with disabilities, Buccilla has worked on a local, state and national level to promote policy change to benefit those with developmental disabilities.
Buccilla was past president of the Fairfield County Board of DD, the past president of the Ohio Community Corrections Association and a former board member for Advocacy & Protective Services, Inc. (APSI).
In recent years, Buccilla received the Self-Advocacy Hero Award from the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council and the Ron Kozlowski Advocacy Award from Advocacy and Protective Services for her work in supporting statewide advocacy efforts.
Highland County has benefited from her guidance and leadership over the past nine years. Buccilla’s passion for the field and ensuring individuals have the highest quality of care and supports shine through her work every day. The Highland County Board of DD thanks Buccilla for her dedication and impact on so many over the years.