 Happy Direct Support Professional Recognition Week, September 8-14, 2019! Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) help people with disabilities live, work, and enjoy life more independently in the community.
Many Direct Support Professionals provide assistance with daily activities, such as accompanying individuals to doctor appointments, cooking and serving meals, performing light housework, running errands, and providing companionship. They also play an important role in providing job coaching, job development, and training for individuals seeking employment or in the workplace.
Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) partners with more than 360 providers across the state to serve individuals with disabilities who are eligible for vocational rehabilitation services. Providers offer quality services that help job seekers build skills, discover their interests, and find jobs that are a good fit.
OOD Director Kevin Miller commented, “It's Direct Support Professional Week. These talented and dedicated professionals should be honored 52 weeks throughout the year. They do what they do because they care about people.”
In honor of the special week, continue reading to learn more about DSPs dedicated to employment support.
Meet Mary Kalizewski, a job developer with Ability Works, Inc. in Sandusky, Ohio. Her role is to create job opportunities for individuals by researching and identifying possible sources of employment personalized for individuals, based on their goals. She is responsible for developing partnerships with employers that will meet the needs of the job seeker and employer, ultimately helping individuals become long-term, valued employees.
Mary said, “There are many things that I love about my job. One of the best would be developing relationships with individuals, encouraging them to be positive-driven, and knowing they can accomplish their goals.”
What she wants us to know: “The DSP field can at times be frustrating, but it comes with a satisfaction that cannot be compared to other fields as the frustration is replaced with learning new things every day, getting to know individuals, and what makes them happy and successful. Ohioans need to know that community inclusion, positive-driven approaches, and dedication are just a few of the things that make it successful.”
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Meet Tracy Hamsher, a job developer and coach with CA Group, Inc. in Celina, Ohio. As a job developer, Tracy helps individuals prepare resumes, practice interviews, and assist in job applications. In her role as a job coach, she works with individuals and employers to facilitate communication and understanding, set up natural supports, and assist with learning the hard skills of a job.
Tracy said, “I love helping people find jobs and then grow and succeed in those jobs.”
What she wants us to know: “The DSP field is very rewarding. There is nothing more satisfying than to see one of the individuals that you worked with succeed!”
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Meet Amber Freeman, a career consultant with Capabilities in Circleville, Ohio. She helps individuals with career exploration, mentoring, job coaching, cash register training, and job development.
Amber said, “I like helping individuals realize they are capable despite the stigma they face - helping them achieve the goal of being a part of the community.” Her favorite quote is “Different but not less.”
What she wants us to know: “DSPs are more than someone who helps as a home health aide. A DSP wears many hats to help individuals achieve their goals to live a fulfilling life. The DSP will be the voice for the individuals who are not able to advocate for themselves. DSP workers are in the field for the people, not for the money.
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Meet Joshua Stevens, a habilitation specialist with ARC Industries in Franklin County. His role is to advocate and support individuals in their current employment and to help them be as independent as possible.
Joshua said, “The best part of my job is working with people and giving individuals a voice, especially those afraid to speak up for themselves. I like helping individuals obtain the best future possible.”
What he wants us to know: “Every voice counts, and you should not take for granted the things (even the little things) that others would love to be able to do and accomplish. Helping others is truly a remarkable profession and a very honorable one.”
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Meet Lisa Shafer, a vocational specialist with Marimor Industries, Inc. in Lima, Ohio. She is the lead skills trainer for Marimor’s Project SEARCH program. Lisa has been instrumental in the organization’s involvement with OOD’s Summer Youth Work Experience. She also assists getting students started with services. Lisa maintains a caseload and job coaches as needed.
Lisa said, “The best part of my job is when I can assist and coach students and adults in the community and see them succeed in an integrated workplace. Their success brings more joy into my career and personal life.”
What she wants us to know: “We (DSPs) love what we do because we love the people we work with and want them to have the most successful and happiest life possible, not for a paycheck.”
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Meet Victoria (Vickie) Ridgeway, a supported employment job coach with LADD, Inc. in Cincinnati. She wears multiple hats in supporting individuals in LADD’s Supported Employment Program. In addition to helping individuals through the hiring process, she coaches them in learning job skills, building natural supports, and maintaining employment. Vickie is a cheerleader, advocate, and mentor.
Vickie said, “My favorite part of the job is the people I work with day in and day out.” Her colleagues describe her as a “natural” in connecting with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They say she has a true gift for working in the field. Her favorite quote is “We got this!”
What she wants us to know: “DSPs play an incredibly important role in the lives of those supported. The impact of their work is felt on such a larger scale in the community through people living, working, and connecting. The work is not easy, but extraordinarily fulfilling.”
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Meet Annmarie Hennis, a career coordinator with Koinonia Enterprises in Cuyahoga and Summit Counties. Her role is to work directly with individuals to support and develop community employment opportunities for individuals served by Koinonia.
Annmarie said, “I like the rewards of directly supporting individuals to achieve healthy and rewarding employment opportunities.” She is described by colleagues as having an ability to develop strong connections to ensure comprehensive employment opportunities.
What she wants us to know: “The DSP field can be challenging and demanding, but the rewards outweigh these twofold.”
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Meet Chris Coon, a job placement specialist with OakLeaf Partners/UCP of Greater Cleveland. His role is to assist individuals in obtaining fully-integrated, competitive employment opportunities within the greater Cleveland area. In just over two years as a job placement specialist, Chris placed a total of 52 individuals into employment opportunities, with a 90-day retention rate of over 76%. Admired by his colleagues as “a team player in every aspect,” Chris helps identify job leads, develop resumes, assist with applications, build professional networks, and provide job coaching.
Chris said, “What I like most about this job is the opportunity to make an impact on others’ lives. Nothing is more satisfying then when you can see that a difference has been made and that a consumer is truly thankful for your help. It makes me remember the reason why I do what I do.”
What he wants us to know: “The DSP field is beneficial for all because lives are positively impacted. Everyone should have the right to achieve goals and work regardless of having a disability or not.”
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Meet Ginger Yanchar, a clinical supervisor for supported employment services at Community Counseling Center of Ashtabula County. Her role is to manage a team of six employment specialists who assist in optimal job outcomes for individuals with mental health disabilities.
Ginger said, “I most enjoy observing a program participant after beginning employment. What a quick and positive change work makes in the lives of persons in mental health recovery.”
What she wants us to know: “Sometimes, our work can be as simple, and as powerful, as being the one person in an individual’s life that believes in them and is there to support them and give them hope. This simple act of kindness, more often than not, is the difference between the person experiencing success and never taking the first step toward achieving their goals.”
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What happens when a focused job seeker is backed with incredible support?
In episode 3 of OOD Works, the Podcast, Paul Bogdan, a 22-year-old with a passion for photography, talks about his unique journey. He’s joined by Kathy Crudele, his aunt, and Justin Deuel, Employment Supervisor with Positive Community Connections.
Find the episode now wherever you listen to podcasts by searching "OOD Works." Transcripts and MP3 files are available at https://ood.ohio.gov/Podcast.
September is National Recovery Month, as recognized by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. It is a time to increase awareness and understanding of mental and substance use disorders and celebrate the people who recover.
Work is critical to an individual’s recovery, and Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s budget allows OOD to assist more individuals with mental health and substance use disorders. This includes funding to replicate a successful model OOD established with the Butler County Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Services Board and the Butler County Court of Common Pleas. In this model, OOD embeds a vocational rehabilitation counselor, a job developer, and a caseload assistant as active members of the drug court team to help individuals with employment. At the close of the last federal fiscal year (September 30, 2018), 83 participants had obtained employment and had their cases successfully closed.
OOD Jobs for Recovery is an innovative strategy to provide employment support for individuals served through certified specialized dockets. OOD will partner with six additional counties with specialty courts this fiscal year. The goal is for OOD Jobs for Recovery to serve 14 counties specialty courts by the end of state fiscal year 2021.
Team members from OOD, RecoveryOhio, the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, and the Ohio Supreme Court have collaborated to target counties for the expansion. Each participating county will receive (at no cost to them) a full-time dedicated team of three OOD staff who will be located with the court’s treatment provider for the specialized docket. These staff will attend court proceedings and ensure rapid engagement of each participant in career counseling, job placement, and retention services. They will also help address employment barriers, such as transportation and work clothes. Approximately 100 individuals will be served annually in each county.
In addition, OOD’s Division of Employer and Innovation Services has an established Business Relations Team to meet the needs of employers who are committed to building and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce that includes individuals with disabilities. OOD works with more than 500 employer partners across the state to source OOD job ready candidates in available jobs. Individuals participating in the OOD Jobs Recovery Program will have access to this network of inclusive employers.
“We are excited about the opportunity to partner with these various specialty dockets such as veterans’ treatment courts, drug courts, family courts, and human trafficking courts,” said Mader. “We hope to be up and running by November 2019, supporting recovery and helping participants find a brighter future through employment and financial independence,” Mader added.
For more information, visit https://ood.ohio.gov/JobsforRecovery.
 Back row, left to right: Joseph Kolacsky, Kara Whitford, Valerie Arnold, Yessenica Morales, Ryan Semenga, Samantha Ortize, Steven Kriausky, and Kevin Minor. Front row, left to right: Olyvia Jackson, Eugenia Mallory, Sabrina Day, and Anthony McClarin.
The Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center recently collaborated with OOD to support people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Six OOD participants took part in a six-day Job Seeking Skills Training Boot Camp in August to prepare for a hiring event. During the boot camp, participants received training on getting a job, including resume writing and mock interviews. They also focused on skills needed in the workplace: teamwork, communication, work ethic, and adaptability.
Four employers were on hand at a hiring event on August 28: Just Like Home LLC, Jewish Family Services Association Cleveland, Janitorial Services Inc., and Giant Eagle. An employer education session was provided by Cathy Vickery, OOD rehabilitation counselor for the deaf, and Casey Ring, community employment specialist with Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center. They gave pointers for effectively communicating with someone who is deaf, discussed various communication styles, and highlighted communication tools, including the use of assistive technology in the workplace. One employer shared that the training material was highly valuable and will be incorporated internally.
Following the training, employers interviewed participants for open positions with their companies. Plans are underway to bring this training and hiring event to other parts of the state. For more information or to schedule a training, please contact Katie Scheetz, Rehabilitation Program Specialist, Personal Care Assistance and Community Centers for the Deaf, at (513) 768-6711 or email katie.scheetz@ood.ohio.gov.
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In late August, Google announced that it was making it easier for individuals who are blind or have low vision to use Live Edits, real-time changes made by collaborators in a Google Doc. Live updates on a sidebar of the document now work with assistive technologies, such as screen readers and Braille devices. For more information, read about “Accessibility for Docs editors” at Google Support.
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