NEWS RELEASE: Ohio College2Careers Expands to Support More College Students with Disabilities.

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities sent this bulletin at 09/28/2021 02:04 PM EDT

Logos for Ohio College2Careers, Wilberforce University, Central State University, and Gov's Office of Workforce Transformation

Ohio College2Careers Expands to Support More College Students with Disabilities

For Immediate Release: September 28, 2021

(Wilberforce, Ohio) – Today, Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD), Wilberforce University, and Central State University announced the expansion of Ohio College2Careers to ensure students with disabilities have the support they need to complete their degree and/or credential, earn higher wages, and meet the demands of tomorrow’s labor market. As part of Governor Mike DeWine’s Executive Budget for fiscal years 2022-2023, Ohio College2Careers immerses a full-time, dedicated vocational rehabilitation counselor in the disability services offices at Wilberforce and Central State Universities.

“The Ohio College2Careers program provides students with disabilities that extra support to help them prepare for in-demand careers,” said Lt. Governor Husted. “Whether it’s providing them with assistive technology, working on their interview skills and resume or connecting them with internships and jobs, the program helps set them up for a better quality of life and future success.”

“This initiative not only allows us to offer additional supports to students with disabilities but also connects student participants to our expansive network of employer partners," said Kevin Miller, Director of OOD.

Dr. Elfred Anthony Pinkard, President of Wilberforce University, said, “We are excited about this opportunity to partner with our sister institution, Central State University and Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, to develop comprehensive academic and vocational programming for students who are differently-abled, thus giving them the skills, confidence, and ability to craft productive futures for themselves.”

“With today's signing of the partnership with Wilberforce University and Opportunities for Ohioans for Disabilities, Central State University expands its resources to serve students with disabilities to help them gain the confidence and skills needed in their academic and professional careers," said Central State University President, Dr. Jack Thomas. “We are excited to usher in this next-level era of access, independence, and pathways to success.”

With the addition of these two schools, Ohio College2Careers is now available at 17 colleges and universities. Dedicated vocational rehabilitation counselors assist students with disabilities with career exploration and counseling, assistive technology, resume and interview preparation, and job placement. Staff with OOD’s business relations team connect college students with disabilities to internship and permanent employment opportunities. Approximately 1,500 students will be served annually.

OOD liaison counselors also work with students with disabilities at any college and university in Ohio. To get started, students can visit OODWorks.com to explore vocational rehabilitation, take a self-assessment, and apply for services.

For more information about Ohio College2Careers, visit the webpage, or contact Kristin Garrett at (614) 438-1895 or Kristin.Garrett@OOD.Ohio.Gov.

OOD is the state agency responsible for empowering Ohioans with disabilities through employment, disability determinations, and independence. OOD.Ohio.Gov

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Programs provided by Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) are funded, in whole or in part, with federal grants awarded by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). For purposes of the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Program, including Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS), OOD received 78.7% of its funding through the DOE VR grant. In Federal fiscal year (FFY) 2021, OOD received $105,851,903 in federal funds. Funds appropriated by the State covered 21.3 % of the total costs, or $28,648,609. Of these federal funds, $15,877,785 is set aside for Pre-ETS.

For purposes of the Supported Employment (SE) Program, the DOE SE grant funded 90% of the costs for the Supported Employment for Youth with a Disability Program up to the grant amount and 100% of the costs of regular Supported Employment program costs up to the grant amount. In FFY 2021, OOD received $299,041 for SE Youth with a Disability, and State appropriated funds paid the remaining 10%, or $32,933 of the total costs. In FFY 2021, OOD received $335,518 in regular SE grant funds.

For purposes of the Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who are Blind (OIB) Program, the federal grant received from DOE in FFY 2021 paid 90% of the total costs incurred under the program. In FFY 2021, OOD received $1,139,118 in federal grant funds. Funds appropriated by the State paid over the 10% required match, or $126,568 of the total costs incurred under the OIB program. For purposes of the Independent Living (IL) Program, the federal grant received from HHS paid 90% of the total costs incurred in FFY 2021. In FFY 2021, OOD received $638,013 in federal grant funds. Funds appropriated by the State paid over the 10% of the match required or $70,268 of the total costs incurred under the IL Program.