Introducing New Provider Statements for Provider Search
Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities sent this bulletin at 10/26/2021 02:14 PM EDT
Hello Vocational Rehabilitation Providers:
Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) is pleased to offer a new feature allowing providers to create short statements for inclusion in the Provider Search. This new “Who We Are” feature will display the statement in a pop-up window for individuals with disabilities, families, and counselors as part of the informed choice provider selection process. Please find a screenshot previewing this new feature below!
The “Who We Are” feature allows providers to speak directly to potential referrals and provide additional information about a provider in addition to the address, contact information, services offered, and Provider Scorecards currently included in the Provider Search.
As you create your provider statement to tell participants who you are as a provider, please keep in mind the following:
Provider statements may provide a factual background, history, specialization with any disability populations, or experience of the organization;
Provider statements may be up to 800 characters long;
Provider statements may not include attachments, emojis, graphics, or hyperlinks;
Provider statements should be free of opinion and hyperbole; and
Provider statements may not include performance metrics, as these are found in the Provider Scorecards.
To utilize the “Who We Are” feature, providers may log into the Provider Management Program (PMP) and complete a “Who We Are” request in the same manner providers would submit a change request for services, counties, or provider contact information. As with any PMP change request, we have committed to 30 days to process any changes but strive to complete any requests as soon as possible. Once your provider statement has been reviewed and approved, you will receive a confirmation email, and the statement will be posted to the Provider Search within the next 1-2 business days.
Below are some examples to illustrate how provider statements can be submitted in an approvable and publishable format.
EXAMPLE A
Provider A was founded in 1980 by Emily Smith, the mother of a child on the autism spectrum. Emily’s goal was to create an organization that had specific knowledge and experience in working with individuals on the spectrum. Provider A has built relationships with local businesses to support individuals on the spectrum who would like to work in the community. Provider A works with businesses to create inclusive workplaces by educating businesses on the strengths of people on the spectrum. Provider A also offers support to individuals by reinforcing social skills, appropriate work etiquette, and how to build natural supports within the workplace. Our goal is to provide individuals with the support they need to be successful on the job.
OOD would approve this example.
EXAMPLE B
Provider B is the best provider in Franklin County. Provider B can get you a full-time job within a month, with benefits, making $20 an hour. We have a 75% placement success rating. We also offer free cookies and iPads to everyone that works with us. Mason says, “You are the best people to work with.” Go to our website, www.providerc.com.
OOD could not approve or publish this example because:
It is not based on objective criteria (we are the “best” is an opinion);
The statement makes promises that the provider cannot guarantee (finding a job within a specific timeframe);
It duplicates Provider Scorecard data (75% placement success rate);
Providers may not offer “free” incentives;
This feature is not intended to provide “testimonials” as they are not objective; and
Provider statements cannot include a hyperlink.
EXAMPLE C
We at Provider C meet individuals where they are at. Staff have been trained to listen to participants, understand their strengths and challenges, and work together to help them get and keep a job. We look forward to working with you.
OOD would approve this example.
This new Provider Search feature makes the informed choice provider selection more detailed and robust with additional information directly from the provider. Let Ohioans with disabilities know who you are and submit your provider statement today!
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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. |