 OOD Talent Sourcing Coordinator Lucy Muchmore on the OSU main campus.
Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) and The
Ohio State University (OSU) have partnered to place an OOD career specialist
exclusively at OSU. This is the first time OOD has embedded an employee within
a single organization. The focus is to enhance the recruitment and retention of
individuals with disabilities and best practices for creating an inclusive
workplace environment.
Lucy Muchmore, an OSU alumna,
serves in the joint position and will work closely with university leaders and
human resource professionals. They will identify opportunities to enhance the
hiring and retention rates of individuals with disabilities. “I’ve received
positive feedback and a lot of enthusiasm from all sides on this project,” said
Lucy. “It’s really encouraging regarding the future of OOD placements at the
university.”
This joint, full-time position is supported by a three-year
grant from the Poses Family Foundation (PFF). It formalizes a strong
partnership between OSU and OOD, and establishes a dedicated resource for
Ohioans with disabilities who seek an OSU career. Representatives from OSU and
OOD collaboratively developed this innovative model as part of the PFF grant
proposal.
OOD Director Kevin Miller says this unique partnership is
breaking new ground. “This is an example of how OSU, PFF and OOD are leading
the way in providing opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
Incorporating one of our vocational rehabilitation (VR) staff into the
university will benefit everyone involved by providing new and exciting
employment opportunities.”
OOD has entered into a
new three-year partnership with the Poses Family Foundation’s Workplace
Initiative with a goal of increasing the number of OOD job seekers connecting
to meaningful employment. The Workplace Initiative is a national effort to
help companies recruit, hire and retain the largest untapped talent pool in the
country for individuals with disabilities. The Workplace Initiative of Ohio (WIO)
will allow OOD to double the number of talent sourcing coordinators serving OOD
job seekers and employer partners, thereby expanding this innovative service delivery
model to all of Ohio’s 88 counties.
Margaret
Vogel worked night shifts as a nurse while raising four children. In the
mid-1990s she had corneal transplant surgery. After her recovery, she submitted
an oil painting to the Ohio State Fair and won best in the state for folk art.
After her second corneal transplant surgery, complications developed leaving
Margaret legally blind. Her artwork faded and ordinary household tasks like
cooking and washing became a challenge.
Fortunately,
her professional medical eye team at Arena Eye Surgeons recommended the OOD Bureau
of Services for the Visually Impaired’s (BSVI) Independent Living Older Blind (ILOB)
program. Margaret received services in creative lighting, and color and tactile
labeling on appliances. “OOD helped me take the fear out of vision loss,” said
Margaret.
Margaret
continues with her artwork, which she submits each year for exhibits in
Bellville’s public library. An adjustable lamp allows her to create with
confidence. “I am lucky that I still have some vision. I no longer need to be
afraid.”
We depend
on our vision in more ways than we imagine. Age related eye diseases can
increase the chances of experiencing an immobilizing fall. According to the
Ohio Department of Health, Ohioans age 65 and older who had age related eye disease,
are 50 percent more likely to fall. Of those who fall, 20 to 30 percent suffer
moderate to severe injuries that make it hard to get around or live
independently.
Helpful tips to avoid falls related to vision impairments include:
- Single focus lenses to use when moving around
- Investing in good lighting
- Using the highest wattage bulbs recommended for
light fixtures
- Adding contrast to household items
- Wearing sun glasses or a hat with a brim to
reduce sun glare
OOD’s Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired (BSVI) offers
services through its Independent Living Older Blind (ILOB) program to promote
the independence and self-sufficiency for qualifying Ohio citizens. This
program assists individuals by providing adaptive equipment and training in the
use of specific adaptive technology. ILOB also provides orientation and
mobility services to ensure safety and fall prevention.
For
more information on preventing falls, visit the Ohio Department of Aging's Steady U program.
OOD’s Division of Disability
Determination (DDD) continues to roll out the Social Security Administration’s (SSA)
new case processing software. Ohio was the first state to process a case
in the new system, and leads the nation with 186 of the 503 determinations
completed nationally. The latest version went into production on April 1st
in Ohio, Delaware and Maine. Since that time, Rhode Island, Virginia and Iowa
also have gone live with the system. DDD served as mentors to Iowa and has
begun working with Washington State to assist with their rollout.
Currently, the focus is on Quick
Disability Determinations and Compassionate Allowances that are processed in
DDD’s Fast Track unit. Development of the consultative exam ordering function
and processing claims resulting in denials is under way and will be in the July
2017 release. Fiscal reporting and business intelligence components will
allow for improved data analytics and efficiency. DDD is a national leader in
this important project and contributes significant user input to ensure its
success.
Since October
2016, the oodworks.com portal has been available for
individuals with disabilities to learn about vocational rehabilitation (VR)
services and complete an online application to assist them in finding or keeping
a job. From October 2016 through April 2017, more than 580 individuals have
applied for services by way of the portal. Of those, more than 165 individuals
have been determined eligible and are receiving VR services.
While on the oodworks.com website, individuals can watch a
video about services, take a brief self-assessment and apply for services. Here's a video message from OOD Director Kevin Miller about oodworks.com.
OOD’S new fee schedule (Ohio
Administrative Code 3304.2.52) proposal was approved on April 17th
by the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review (JCARR). The proposed rule will
align the fees for services with the rates allowed for Medicaid, and implement
cost informed rates for vocational rehabilitation (VR) services. The new payment model included in the
proposal is designed to improve outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
OOD has been working with
VR providers, gathering feedback and recommendations to best meet the needs of
individuals served by OOD. “The successful development of this fee schedule is
representative of a great partnership between a state agency and providers. We
came together to show our commitment to serving individuals with disabilities
in Ohio,” said Director Kevin Miller.
Currently, OOD is
developing trainings and informational sessions for agency staff and providers
that will take place over the summer. An implementation date for the fee
schedule is planned for October 1, 2017.
 LeanOhio Deputy Director Tim Krall (l) presents a Green Belt to OOD’s Steve Tribbie.
OOD's Division of Employer and Innovation Services Manager Steve Tribbie
delivered his report-out presentation to LeanOhio and earned a Green Belt on a project
focused on the Business Enterprise Program’s (BEP) inventory process. Through
the efforts of the project team, a new inventory process was developed that
takes advantage of bar code scanning technology to help BEP staff move away
from a manual, paper-based procedure and integrate with OOD’s overall inventory
process. BEP staff are implementing these changes and re-tagging equipment at
sites across the state, while IT staff develop software to facilitate data
transfer and storage among systems.
“I’m
proud of the work we accomplished, and although I’ve been recognized individually,
this really was a team effort,” said Steve. “The team’s engagement and
enthusiasm in tackling the challenges involved in the project were impressive
and demonstrates the professionalism of staff here at OOD.”
Connect to OOD on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube to see items like this post about Director Miller
congratulating Robert on his employment at Sawmill Creek Resort. #ConnectToOOD #OODWorks
Researchers
are tracking eye movements to see how children pick up language. OSU’s Wexner Medical Center has launched a study seeking to understand how deaf infants with
cochlear implants absorb information and learn novel words during interactions
with their parents, in an effort to help improve parental guidance with
language development.
Public
Service Recognition Week – May 7-13: Honors the men and women who serve
our nation as federal, state, county and local government employees.
Mental Health Month – May: The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) provides care to
approximately 500,000 people each year.
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publication and encourage others to subscribe to the OOD Focus
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