 The Employment First Partnership between Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) and the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities has expanded community employment services for adults with developmental disabilities. Since implementation in federal fiscal year (FFY) 2014, the partnership has improved competitive integrated employment outcomes for adults with developmental disabilities who want to work in their community.
As a result of the success, resources dedicated to helping adults with developmental disabilities find jobs have doubled since 2013. OOD staff with dedicated caseloads grew from 15 to 30 to serve more people with developmental disabilities across the state.
In addition, the partnership has five certified work incentive consultants who are dedicated to provide work incentives planning and counseling services to people served through the Employment First Partnership receiving federal, state, and local benefits.
What Working Participants are Saying:
 -26-year-old from Franklin County
 -55-year-old from Van Wert County
FFY 2018 Employment First Partnership Performance At-A-Glance
In FFY 2018, through the Employment First partnership alone, 1,739 people applied for services; 1,337 plans for employment were created; and the average wage was $9.04. Participants worked 18 hours per week, on average.
What the County Boards are Saying about the Employment First Partnership:
 -Greene County Board of Developmental Disabilities
 - Clermont County Board of Developmental Disabilities
 - Summit County Board of Developmental Disabilities
Successful Placements Increased by 206%
Data shows OOD is helping more people with developmental disabilities apply for services and get jobs now than before the Employment First partnership began. Prior to Employment First, in FFY 2013, there were 2,364 applicants and 465 successful placements. In FFY 2018, there were 3,879 applicants and 1,425 successful placements for individuals with developmental disabilities. Comparing 2013 to 2018, successful placements increased by 206%.
More Information
For more information about the Employment First Partnership, visit https://ood.ohio.gov/Programs-Partners/Partners/Employment-First.
 Khaliff Williams at his job.
Twelve years ago, Khaliff Williams lost his eyesight to diabetes. While living in Columbus, Ohio in 2017, Williams worked with an OOD team who helped him with a community-based assessment, job development, and independent living skills training. Staff helped him obtain a long cane and learn to navigate using it. Although he was close to obtaining employment in Columbus, the opportunity fell through, and Williams decided to move to Lima, Ohio and met with his vocational rehabilitation counselor, Stefanie Motter.
Once Williams arrived in Lima, he needed help connecting with local resources. Williams received services from Staci Miles, Job Developer with Goodwill Easter Seals.
“Staci let me know that I could still work, that I’m still a person who can contribute, and that I shouldn’t give up because there is hope,” said Williams.
This past spring, Williams and Miles began looking into different employment opportunities for Williams and came across a job opening for a dishwasher at Applebee’s. When they arrived at the interview, there were several other candidates interested in the same position.
Maggie Alahmad, Applebee’s General Manager, was skeptical. Alahmad stated, “How is this person, who can’t see, going to do this job?” After getting to know Williams and sensing his determination, Alahmad offered Williams the job.
In order to learn the job and the work environment, Williams was provided orientation and mobility training and job coaching to help him succeed.
“By the time I began working with Khaliff in 2018, he appeared to have become discouraged,” said Motter. “Unexpected events caused him to move to a smaller community where he did not know the available resources or potential employers. Khaliff was excited to find work, and working has given him a sense of purpose,” Motter explained.
“Khaliff gets our dishes cleaner than any other dishwasher we have ever had,” said Alahmad. “He has a great spirit, personality, and is always so positive. He brings that positivity to work and helps everyone from management to employees. We are fortunate to have Khaliff on our team!”
“Khaliff really enjoys his job,” said Miles. “He has many natural supports at work and is considered a ‘bright spot’ by his coworkers,” Miles added.
“Everyone with a disability needs to keep their head up and know there is hope,” said Williams. “There are people like Staci Miles at Goodwill Easter Seals that can help get you back where you need to be.”
 Individuals currently receiving services from OOD meet with employers at a hiring event in Lima.
The Lima Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation office held a hiring event on August 8 for job seekers with disabilities. Eight employers participated, including Crown Equipment, Vancrest Health Care, Graphic Packaging, Management & Training Corporation (North Central Correctional Complex), Manpower (P&G), Speedway, Sodexo (Bluffton University), and the Union Bank Company.
John Ward from Lima attended the hiring event and felt prepared to interact with employers. “OOD helped me with interviewing, selecting clothing for my interview, and setting up transportation,” said Ward. “I came because I’d like to be working to help others as well as myself. And the extra income would be beneficial,” he added.
 Fayna Askins, employment specialist, and John Ward, a job-seeker, at the hiring event.
Fayna Askins, Employment Specialist for Goodwill Industries, worked with Ward and was excited for him. “John has been a pleasure to work with. He would be a great asset to any company looking for help with customer service. John is respectful, responsible, and polite.”
Also taking part in the hiring event was Elsa Ordonez-Moctezuma. She spoke with representatives about jobs in customer service. Ordonez-Moctezuma has been working with OOD on her resume and interviewing skills. Kelly Christopher from Capabilities,Inc. is her career consultant. She said, “Elsa is positive, upbeat, and compassionate! It is these qualities that will benefit any employer and make her an asset. She also speaks fluent Spanish and can be valuable in a situation where translation is needed. Elsa really wants to work.”
 Elsa Ordonez-Moctezuma, a job-seeker, at the hiring event.
One representative on hand said, “We recognize that individuals with disabilities want to work and have opportunities that need to be filled. All the candidates we met with were well-prepared.”
Good luck to all!
 OOD uses a “Quick Stat Scorecard” to present key performance information for OOD’s Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and Division of Disability Determination (DDD). Data is presented on a federal fiscal year basis for the prior four years, as well as year-to-date for the current federal fiscal year.
During a recent meeting, stakeholders with the provider community suggested having the scorecards posted to the OOD website. These are now available at https://ood.ohio.gov/Information/Statistics. New scorecards will be added monthly.
 OOD offers individualized employment services to those with disabilities. Services include helping with disability management, training, job search, and follow-up. Once an individual has been stable in the job for at least 90 days and is satisfied with their employment, OOD services come to a close. Last month, a total of 584 individuals had OOD services come to a close. We celebrate the success of each individual pursuing a successful career, living more independently, and participating in their communities!
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