York County Board of Disabilities and Special Needs

Our Mission is to maximize abilities for individuals with special needs in York County by Teaching, Empowering, Advocating and Mentoring. The York County Board of Disabilities and Special Needs was created June 24, 1980 by SC Act 1127 of 1974 and the York County Council Ordinance dated February 27, 1978. The goal was to provide services to people in York County with developmental disabilities. In 1993, after governmental restructuring, services expanded to include those with autism, head and spinal cord injury and related disabilities. The board is a private 501(c) 3 organization. The Board is composed of 11 volunteer members who were appointed by the Governor of South Carolina after being recommended by the York County Council. Each of the seven districts in the county is represented by a Board member and four members are appointed at-large. Board members serve a four-year term with no member serving more than two consecutive terms. The Board’s primary contractual partner is the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs. Funding for services is provided through the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs, Medicaid, York County, the United Way, York County Disabilities Foundation, Grants and other private donations and fundraising efforts.

The York County Board of Disabilities operates and supports both directly and indirectly. Direct Supports include residential programs, vocational programs, adult activity centers, early intervention, respite, companion and service coordination. Indirectly, the York County Board authorizes services such as personal care aides, durable medical supplies, LPN and RN nursing services, assistive technology, intensive behavioral support and environmental and vehicle modifications.