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 Friday. Business 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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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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