Weekly Focus - July 29, 2016

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

July 29, 2016

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:

OOD Hiring Ability Hotline - Now Available

The OOD Hiring Ability Hotline went live this week. The hotline’s primary goal is to provide employers a direct connection to our Business Engagement Unit. The hotline's telephone number is 866-895-0058 and is staffed from 8 AM to 5 PM Monday through FridayBusiness Engagement staff can provide employers with basic information on how to refer someone who may benefit from vocational rehabilitation services to stay on the job. Other resources and information that can be shared include how an employer may publicize job openings with qualified OOD consumers and how to access helpful hiring resources, such as information on tax credits like the Work Opportunity Tax Credit

 

Most importantly, employers calling the hotline will be referred directly to the Business Sourcing Analyst (BSA) in their geographic area.  BSAs work throughout the state to raise awareness of OOD and our mission with employer partners and to make the business case of hiring individuals with disabilities. The BSA will offer follow-up with the employer and provide additional information and services. The BSAs will be distributing the flyer Your Employees Are Our Priority as they conduct their employer outreach so that employers can utilize the hotline and understand its purpose.


Northwest Region Meets

On Monday, the Executive Team and I traveled to Fremont to meet with staff as part of their regional meeting. This was an excellent opportunity to have a direct interactive dialog about the VR Portal, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, and upcoming Business Engagement activities. It was great to receive input from staff on how to move forward in our efforts to assist individuals with disabilities to find employment and issues that may interfere with that mission.


Service Dog Awareness Week

Service Dog Awareness in Ohio

 

The last week of July marked the first annual Service Dog Awareness Week in Ohio, recognizing the important role service dogs play in helping their human partners with disability-related limitations.

 

On Tuesday, I was honored to join Representative Margaret Ruhl and Pilot Dogs, Inc. of Columbus, who hosted an awareness event as part of Service Dog Awareness Week. While blindfolded, we had an opportunity to experience what it is like to be assisted by a service dog.

 

House Bill 121, sponsored by Representatives Ruhl and Stinziano was signed into law on February 14, 2016 by Governor John Kasich. Service Dog Awareness Week is a wonderful occasion to recognize the limitless benefits service dogs provide to individuals with disabilities. These dogs loyally serve their owners and allow more individuals with disabilities the chance to seek and maintain quality employment. 


Ohio State Fair

Director Miller & Director Blair OH State Fair 2016

 

On Wednesday, I joined Governor John Kasich and other cabinet directors at the opening ceremony of the Ohio State Fair. Department of Administrative Services Director Robert Blair and I climbed to the top of a 60-foot-tall fire tower. The fire tower was built in 1934 in Pike, Ohio by the Civilian Conservation Corps as part of an early warning system in spotting signs of forest fires.  

 

From great entertainment and daily attractions to delicious food, the Ohio State Fair offers something for everyone. The Ohio State Fair runs July 27th through August 7, 2016.  For more information visit ohiostatefair. I hope you and your family have an opportunity to visit the Fair this year.


Did you know? OOD's Division of Disability Determination accomplished a net accuracy of 100%!

OOD’s Division of Disability Determination completed a very successful federal fiscal year, exceeding its goals in every category with a net accuracy of 100 percent. The Social Security Administration reports no other time has the division sustained overall net accuracy levels this high.  Congratulations to the Division of Disability Determination team!

 


OOD by the Numbers

Vocational Rehabilitation

                                                               Current                     FFY2016

 

Individuals in Job Ready Status:            3,168                        5,318

(For county level information

& map visit our website)

 

Individuals Employed:                              1,935                        5,362

(Employed, not yet

successfully closed)

 

Successful Closures:                                                                5,462

(Employed for over 90 days,

case closed successfully)

 

Disability Determination

(FFY2016 as of 07/22/2016 – Week 43)

 

Applications Received:                                                           163,104

 

Determinations:                                                                       163,471

 

Productivity Per Work Year (PPWY)                                       370

(Total number of cases processed divided

by the number of work years funded)


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