Welcome to the Carroll County Board of DD

April 2026 Success Story

DD Awareness Month

Where It All Began

When Carolyn Eick asked why she couldn’t go to school like her nephews, her mother, Helen Eick, became determined to create an opportunity for her daughter. Helen, along with other dedicated parents, recognized the need for formal education for children with developmental disabilities. They volunteered their time, resources, and talents to raise funds and increase public awareness.

In its early years, the program relied on fundraisers, donations, and limited public support. As awareness grew throughout the 1960s, additional state funding became available. This momentum culminated in the passage of Senate Bill 169 in 1967, which formally established the Carroll County Board of Mental Retardation. The organization’s name evolved over time to reflect changing language and values becoming the Carroll County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities in 1980, and later, through statute in 2009, the Carroll County Board of Developmental Disabilities.

Today, the progress and services available stand as a testament to the determination of early advocates like Helen Eick, whose vision helped shape a system that continues to empower, engage, and support individuals with developmental disabilities.

March is Developmental Disabilities (DD) Awareness Month, a nationwide campaign in the U.S. designed to raise awareness, fight stigma, and promote inclusion for people with developmental disabilities. We celebrated the accomplishments and achievements of individuals at our annual banquet on March 25, 2026, with the theme Empower. Include. Support.