Direct Support Professional (DSP) Recognition Week is September 12-19. These professionals are the heart and soul of supports for people with disabilities. We thank and celebrate them for their dedication.
Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) partners with more than 311 providers across the state to help individuals with disabilities obtain and maintain employment and gain independence. These providers offer vocational rehabilitation services such as training, job development, and job coaching for individuals with disabilities.
“These talented and dedicated professionals care about people. They are innovative and work tirelessly on behalf of people with disabilities,” said OOD Director Kevin Miller.
Continue reading to learn more about DSPs and the individuals they have supported.
Ed Miller and Marcia Miller with Above & Beyond Career Development, LLC
Ed and Marcia Miller own and operate Above & Beyond Career Development, LLC. They like to see people become more independent, have a sense of pride in becoming more self-sufficient, and earn a paycheck.
They want us to know that DSPs are partners to help individuals display their value to employers.
Marcia helped Brenda Williams find a job with Holland Building Services.
|
 |
|
“Marcia was very supportive,” said Brenda.
|
Chris D. Steed with Butler Behavioral Health/Workplace Associates
Chris D. Steed is the Director of Vocational Services with Butler Behavioral Health/Workplace Associates. He feels privileged to help others and said, “I want people we serve to remember the basic skills for many, many decades.”
Chris assisted Ashanti with applying for a part-time position at Bargain Hunt, where she participated in a Summer Youth Work Experience.
|
 |
|
“Chris helped me by giving me time to do things,” said Ashanti. “Chris made sure everything was handled properly and that I was comfortable with what I was doing. This job experience has helped a lot, and I am very grateful to have gotten to do it.”
|
Gene Wilker with Capabilities
Gene Wilker is a Job Developer with Capabilities. He assists individuals with interviewing skills, completing applications, and following up with employers.
Gene said, “I like working directly with individuals who have intellectual or developmental disabilities. Helping individuals become integrated and engaged in their community is rewarding on a personal basis.”
He likes to see the people he serves realize their full potential. Gene helped Tracy Grube find a job as a staff accountant with Esarey and Associates.
|
 |
|
“Gene was a pleasure to work with. He was consistent and timely with our interactions. Gene was excellent in determining what needs I had and how best to meet those needs,” said Tracy.
|
Bill Dellinger with Capabilities – St. Mary’s Office
Bill Dellinger is a Career Consultant with Capabilities, St. Mary’s Office. He enjoys advocating for people, helping with meaningful job searches, and seeing people enjoy long-lasting positions. He explained that DSPs are vital to helping people with disabilities in Ohio live good, healthy lives.
Bill helped Quinten Vandermark find a job at S.1. Distributing in Spencerville, Ohio.
|
 |
|
“I appreciated Bill’s hard work. He never gave up working for me even when we ran into roadblocks,” said Quinten.
|
Mark Bergert with Creative Rehab
Mark Bergert is President/Owner of Creative Rehab. He oversees all operations and services for the company.
Mark said, “The best parts of my job are the first and last days of each summer youth program, working with participants, school personnel, business managers/owners, OOD staff, and employees.”
He wants us to know that DSP is a field that benefits everyone and provides a win-win situation. Jobs help participants fulfill their desire to work, and businesses fill vacancies and add to the economy.
Mark provided on-the-job training, encouragement, guidance, and support to Gwendolyn Brown. She was hired as a Job Coach at Creative Rehab.
|
 |
|
“Creative Rehab has helped me to restore belief in myself and in my ability to become a viable employee again,” said Gwendolyn. “Creative Rehab successfully guided me toward my goal. It has been more than three years transitioning from a participant to an employee at Creative Rehab, and it’s the best job I have ever had.”
|
TJ Bigham with Goodwill Industries, Inc. - Lancaster Training Center
TJ Bigham is Manager of Workforce Development and Training with Goodwill Industries, Inc. - Lancaster Training Center. He assists participants and staff to be successful within their job or service by maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of all they do as a team.
TJ expressed that the work is rewarding due to helping others become successful long-term. He said, “Individuals with disabilities look at myself and others as advocates, friends, and inspirations.”
TJ helped Coleton Housley get a job at Meijer in Lancaster, Ohio.
|
 |
|
“I was grateful for the help Lancaster Goodwill Training Center gave me throughout the years.” said Coleton. “I enjoyed how everyone was friendly and how I was involved in all decisions involving my case.”
|
Community Employment Team with Independence of Portage County, Inc.
Mike Henry, Director of Vocational Services, Rachel Yost, Job Developer, and Joy Montz, Senior Job Developer, make up the Community Employment Team at Independence of Portage County, Inc. They provide job development, supported employment, job coaching, community-based assessments, career exploration, and summer youth work experiences for individuals with disabilities.
They enjoy fostering individual growth, self-sufficiency, and inclusion in the community by helping people with disabilities enhance job seeking and workplace skills.
Joy assisted Samantha Skala find a job at University Hospital Portage Medical Center.
|
 |
|
“Because of my success at University Hospital, I was able to purchase my first home,” said Samantha.
|
Lesa Felger with LA Felger Community & Career Services, LLC
Lesa Felger, President of LA Felger Community & Career Services, LLC, fills a variety of roles to support people with disabilities. “What I like best about my job is helping others to see their strengths, helping them to believe in themselves, and succeeding,” Lesa said.
Lesa helped Taylor Hetrick secure a job as a substance use disorder counselor.
|
“Due to my visual impairment, online applications were not always compatible with my computer software which made it difficult to complete them,” said Taylor. “Having Lesa assist made my job search so much easier. I have been working as a substance use disorder counselor for two years and really enjoy my job and making a difference in my community.”
|
Tracey L. Bernhard with LifeCONNECT Services, LLC
Tracey L. Bernhard is the Owner and Director of LifeCONNECT Services, LLC. She said, “DSPs are committed to providing dignity, meaningful experiences, and support in numerous areas in many people’s lives. The normalcy we provide is what every person deserves.”
Tracey helped Abraham Petkus find a job at a pizza shop.
|
 |
|
“I was not afraid of interviews because LifeCONNECT helped me understand the important information to express during the interview. I love my job at the pizza shop,” said Abraham.
|
Laura Henninger with Capabilities
Laura Henninger is a Career Consultant with Capabilities. She facilitates skills training to increase job seekers' work readiness. She also assists with finding what jobs are available in the area, building relationships with employers, advocating for the job seeker, and attending interviews to provide extra support.
Laura said, “I’m grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the people we serve. I love being a part of each individual’s journey and helping them achieve their goals.”
|
Larry Jacobs-Young with Capabilities
Larry Jacobs-Young is a Job Coach with the Project SEARCH program affiliated with Dayton Public Schools. He is responsible for providing job coaching services for interns at Grandview Hospital and maintaining a positive relationship with business partners and educators.
Larry said, “The best high is when individuals have been told they would not be able to work or handle being independent, and now they are independent and contributing to the community. I love what I do and feel like I am truly helping others be successful.”
|
Jinnifer Wilson with Capabilities
Jinnifer Wilson is a Job Coach with Capabilities. She works closely with individuals and employers to ensure independence and success at work.
Jinnifer said, “I love making a difference in people’s lives. Seeing individuals with disabilities gain self-confidence and work independence is the greatest feeling in the world. Their success is everything.”
|
Tony Jacobs with Functional Training Services
Tony Jacobs is a Senior Vocational Support Specialist with Functional Training Services. For the past few years, Tony has been the lead Job Coach to help participants build skills to meet the demands of a healthcare work environment.
Tony said, “The fact that I can have a lifelong positive impact on my participants is what I like best about my job. I want participants to remember that I genuinely care and want them to be successful.”
|
Joshua Muller with Harbor
Joshua Muller is a Job Developer with Harbor. His goal is to educate every individual on how to dress for the job, successfully interview, and advocate for their needs to maintain employment on their own. He also educates employers on reasonable accommodations and advocates for job seekers.
Joshua stresses that having a disability does not prevent a person from working or define an individual. He said, “People with disabilities are people first, and every person has skills they are good at as well as skills that can always be developed when given the opportunity.”
|
Brittany Newton with Harbor
Brittany Newton is a Summer Youth & Job Coach Coordinator with Harbor. Due to the pandemic, the Summer Youth Program was converted to a virtual platform in a short period of time. She kept in constant communication with students, their families, and counselors and addressed a number of challenges prior to the start of the program.
Brittany said, “I love witnessing the growth of the youth.” She believes DSPs help individuals learn their own strengths and gain tools to advocate for themselves, ultimately improving their quality of life.
|
Joey Oakwood with IKRON Corporation
Joey Oakwood is a Support Services Coordinator with IKRON Corporation. He assists individuals in adjusting to new work positions, learning job tasks, and resolving any concerns that may arise.
Joey said, “I like getting to see these wonderful people live up to their potential and helping employers learn how individuals with disabilities can add value to their business.”
|
Scott B. Jones with Matrix Vocational Solutions
Scott B. Jones is a Vocational Specialist with Matrix Vocational Solutions. He assists individuals with disabilities and other barriers to aid in obtaining and maintaining employment.
Scott said, “Every person is unique. Everyone has a personal journey. It is key to value and understand a person’s uniqueness.”
|
Julie Cadwallader with Shawnee Family Health Center, Inc.
Julie Cadwallader is a Team Leader/Certified Work Incentives Practitioner with Shawnee Family Health Center, Inc. She supervises a team of five Vocational Specialists in three counties who provide vocational services.
Julie said, “The DSP field is a very rewarding career, and giving individuals hope brings out the best in the individuals that are served."
Thank you to all the Direct Support Professionals for their dedication to help people with disabilities realize their full potential.
|
If you have a disability and want to work, reach out to OOD today. Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors can help you explore your options. Visit OODWorks.com or call 800-282-4536 to get started.
OOD is pleased to offer a free training for employers on navigating the reasonable accommodation process in the workplace. The training will include a discussion on the steps involved, how to manage the process, and why training is important. Questions and answers are facilitated throughout the presentation.
- Learn how to obtain the information needed to explore options and choose an effective reasonable accommodation.
- Learn ways to implement and monitor selected reasonable accommodations.
- Learn ways to manage the reasonable accommodation process and provide training to employees.
The training will be hosted by OOD’s Worksite Accessibility Specialist, Julie Wood, OTR/L, and Business Relations Specialist, Dennis DeYoung.
To accompany this training, you can also download a resource titled, “Reasonable Accommodation Process Fact Sheet and Flow Chart” from OOD’s website.
You will not need to pre-register for this training, but please respond to this survey to let us know you'll be joining us. This will assist us in making sure we are sharing any updates, attachments and resources before and after the event.
The training will take place as a Microsoft Teams Live Event. You can view the training through your web browser, and you do not need to have Microsoft Teams to participate. Here is the link to join the training.
OOD is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities and programs in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other applicable laws. To request an accommodation based on a disability, please contact Chris Glover at Chris.Glover@ood.ohio.gov by September 15, 2020.
This Program has been approved for 1.00 HR (General) recertification credit hours toward aPHR™, aPHRi™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™recertification through HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®).
The deadline to respond to the 2020 Census is quickly approaching! You can still respond online, over the phone, by mail, or wait for a visit to your home by U.S. Census Bureau Field Operations. To respond now, visit http://2020Census.Gov. Be counted, Ohio!
For trusted information on coronavirus (COVID-19) in Ohio, visit coronavirus.ohio.gov or call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634).
Caption: Hands signing the word Ohio.
September is International Deaf Awareness Month, the perfect time to learn American Sign Language (ASL). Read an article from Mashable about free online lessons, video tutorials, and apps available for learning ASL.
Pandemic Making for a Different Senior Year than GHS Student Expected
Newark Advocate, 9-9-20
School to Work Program Focuses on Ohioans with Disabilities
LimaOhio.com, 9-4-20
Teacher at Ohio School for the Deaf named 2021 Ohio Teacher of the Year
WLWT, 9-3-20
|
