Mahoning County Special Needs Registry

September 21, 2021

The Mahoning County Prosecutor’s Office, in joint collaboration with the Mahoning
County Sheriff’s Office and the Board of Mahoning County Commissioners, are pleased to
announce the creation of the Mahoning County Special Needs Registry. This registry is a free and
voluntary service open to all citizens with special needs who reside in Mahoning County. This
registry is designed to help police officers and other first responders better assist residents with
special needs in the event of an emergency by providing those responders with vital information
regarding a registrant’s special needs, emergency contact information, physical description and
current photograph.

Under this program, critical information is collected through an on-line application process.
Once this information is uploaded into the Dispatch System, if an emergency call comes in, 911
Dispatchers will receive an audible alert that the individual is on the special needs registry. This
alert will then enable the dispatcher to access and disseminate critical data regarding individual’s
special needs, including but not limited to information about their cognitive disorder or
development disability, triggers associated with the condition, emergency contact information and
a recent photograph.

According to Chief Assistant Prosecutor Gina DeGenova, who also serves as the Public
Information Officer for the Mahoning County Prosecutor’s Office, “we are very excited about the
implementation of the Mahoning County Special Needs Registry. Many people with
developmental disabilities, mental health disorders, and other impairments are non-verbal, making
it difficult for them to communicate with first responders. Time is of the essence when law
enforcement officers are dealing with issues involving a person with special needs. This registry
will provide citizens with special needs an opportunity to inform law enforcement about their
condition. We are confident this tool will assist us in our efforts to serve those in need.”

Individuals can participate through an on-line application process accessible through a
secure portal within the Mahoning County Prosecutor’s website at
prosecutor.mahoningcountyoh.gov. Written applications may also be requested from the
Prosecutor’s Office by emailing a request to prosecutor@mahoningcountyoh.gov or calling 330-
740-2330. Once the information is received, a member of the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office
will upload all data into the County-Wide Computer Aided Dispatch System for 911 to match
information with an individual through his/her name, address and personal identifier, such as a
social security number, Driver’s License or State Issued ID number.

A formal announcement regarding this program will be made at the Board of Mahoning
County Commissioners’ meeting this Thursday, September 23, 2021 at 10 am. The meeting will
be held in the Commissioners’ hearing room located in the basement of the Mahoning County
Courthouse. Questions should be directed to the Mahoning County Prosecutor’s Office, Attn.
Chief Assistant Prosecutor, Gina DeGenova.

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