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Disabilities and Special Needs Board

Purpose(s)/Service(s): develops, provides, coordinates, improves, and operates community based programs serving person with mental retardation or other related disabilities with a view toward developing their respective mental, physical and social capabilities to their fullest potential.
Enabling Legislation: Greenville County Council Ordinances Nos. 784 and 2378.

The Disabilities and Special Needs Board (formerly known as the Greenville County Mental Retardation Board) consists of twelve (12) resident electors appointed to four years (staggered). The Governor appoints Board members upon recommendation of Greenville County Council. Persons with a demonstrated interest and background in mental retardation and/or human services shall be recommended for appointment. Vacancies on the Board are filled for any unexpired terms in the same manner as original appointment. Members may be removed by the appointing authority for neglect of duty, misconduct or malfeasance in office after being given a written statement of reasons and an opportunity to be heard, or for missing three (3) consecutive meetings.

The Board has the following duties:

  • Be the administrative, planning, coordinating, evaluating, and reviewing body for services to persons who are mentally retarded or have other related disabilities; the Board shall be funded in part or in whole by appropriations form the SC Department of Mental Retardation.
  • Submit an annual plan and projected budget to the SC Department of Mental Retardation for approval and consideration of funding.
  • Review and evaluate on at least an annual basis county mental retardation and related disability services provided recommendations to the SC Department of Mental Retardation and Greenville County Council.
  • Promote and accept local financial support for the Greenville County program from funding sources, such as businesses, individuals, industrial and private foundations, voluntary agencies, governmental and other lawful sources and promote public support from municipal and county sources.
  • Employ personnel and expend its budget for the direct delivery of services or contract with those service vendors necessary to carryout out county mental retardation or related disability service programs, which shall meet those specifications prescribed by the SC Department of Mental Retardation.
  • Plan, arrange, and implement working agreements and contracts with other human service agencies, both public and private, and with educational and judicial agencies.
  • Provide the SC Department of Mental Retardation and Greenville County Council such records, reports, and access to its sponsored services as these organizations may require and submit its sponsored services and facilities to licensing requirements of the SC Department of Mental Retardation or the licensing requirements of other state or local agencies having such legal authority.
  • Buy, sell, mortgage, pledge, encumber, lease, rent, and contract with respect to real and personal property, and borrow money, provided the obligation to repay same is payable out of any revenues of the Board, and shall not obligate the full faith, credit, and taxing power of Greenville County.
  • Provide a public forum to which individuals or groups may present any concerns or appeal a disputer or disagreement with a provided agency or service.

The Board is subject to the Freedom of Information Act and must open all meetings to the general public. The Board must meet not fewer that four (4) times per year and special meetings may be called, with reasonable notice given to members. The Board establishes its own bylaws and, on an annual basis, elects a chairperson, a vice-chairperson, a secretary, and a treasurer. The Board must maintain at all times, workers compensation insurance on its employees and a policy of liability insurance in the amount of $1,000,000 covering all employees and board members. The premium for coverage is the responsibility of the Board. Greenville County shall be listed as an insured under the policy of liability insurance. The Board must provide a copy of the current insurance policies to the Clerk to County Council and will keep current copies of the policies on file at all times.

The Board meets the fourth Thursday of the month at 6:00 p.m. in the Annex Building Large Conference Room.

Address:
P. O. Box 17467
1700 Ridge Road
Greenville, SC 29606
Telephone: (864) 288-1907