Making the Impossible, Possible (Weekly Focus, August 28)

An update and information report for doctors who provide consultative exams for OOD’s Division of Disability Determination
Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities

Kevin L. Miller, Executive Director

August 28, 2015

The mission of the Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities Agency is to ensure individuals with disabilities achieve quality employment, independence and disability determination outcomes.

What's Inside:

Making the Impossible, Possible

Four years ago OOD set a goal that seemed impossible to many: average thirty days from application to eligibility; thirty days from the time an individual applies for services until they are given a decision on their eligibility.

 

In 2001, the average was over four times that, at 129 days.  As an agency we knew that was unacceptable and had to change.  The national benchmark was sixty days, but OOD committed to exceeding that.  We challenged ourselves to new ways of doing business and to higher standards to provide the best possible services for the individuals we serve.  However, there was skepticism and even sheer disbelief that achieving this goal was possible.

 

OOD held our first ever LeanOhio Kaizen event.  We worked relentlessly to find efficiencies and improvements.  We continued to improve and went from over 120 days in 2011, to 90 in 2012, and under that national benchmark of 60 in 2014.

 

I am proud to say that as of today, August 28, our rolling average for application to eligibility is 30 days!

 

I want to extend my congratulations to everyone who made this seemingly impossible goal  a reality.  Thank you to LeanOhio, our local partners, and all of the people who have contributed along the way.  Most importantly, congratulations to OOD staff for the work and dedication that went into achieving this goal. 

 

It’s more than meeting and maintaining a goal, it is a cultural change and commitment that has driven more plans being written, more individuals being employed, more rehabilitations achieved and finally, more individuals finding employment and a sense of purpose.

 

Thanks to all!


BSVI Statewide Training

Carolyn Groves BSVI Meeting

Strengthening Employment Opportunities

This week counselors from the Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired (BSVI) and other BSVI professionals met for a statewide training day.  In addition to agency specific information and updates, attendees heard presentations on a variety of topics including how vision is affected by traumatic brain injury, updates on the latest assistive technology, and low-tech, low-budget labeling.

 

This included discussion about OOD’s updated medical and dental fee schedules.  On August 10, OOD revised these fee schedules to align with Medicaid rates for optometry, audiology, and dental services.

 

The training also included presentations focused on job opportunities for the individuals we serve.  Jon Hackathorn, Business Relations Manager, and Nate Fernandes, Public Information Officer, gave a presentation on OhioMeansJobs and the OMJ job board.  Carolyn Groves (above right), Human Capital Management manager at the Department of Administrative Services (DAS), also provided training and advice on how to help consumers apply for jobs with the State of Ohio.

 

Thank you to all the participants and presenters for empowering our counselors and partners to better serve individuals with disabilities in Ohio.


Job Status by County

Individuals in Job Ready Status* Statewide: 3,857

 

(For larger map and county details please visit out website)

 

Job Status by Cunty

*Job Ready Status: Have received Vocational Rehabilitation services and are ready and seeking employment.


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