Jeff’s Career Leads to Fulfillment

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Jeff’s Career Leads to Fulfillment

Photo of man smiling wearing a plaid shirt with text Achieving this longtime goal has given me a new feeling of energy and motivation

In 2017, Jeff Anderson was halfway through his college experience at the University of Toledo, studying accounting, when a car accident changed the course of his life. He ended up moving to Columbus to seek ongoing medical treatment. At the time, Jeff was concerned about whether he should invest the money to finish his degree because he had doubts about getting hired with his onset disability.

A healthcare case manager suggested Jeff connect with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD). Working with Mary Trinity, OOD Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, Jeff began to learn about the support and services available to help him finish his degree and transition into a career.

Jeff decided to complete his degree at Franklin University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting. OOD assisted Jeff with polishing his resume, looking at positions that fit his skillset, and discovering accommodations that could enable him to work.

Anxious about diving into full-time work, Jeff expressed interest in a position that would help ease him into a career. Mary suggested the Ohio Vocational Apprentice Program. OOD partners with State of Ohio agencies to identify their workforce needs and develops apprenticeship opportunities that align with the job and educational goals of OOD-eligible participants. OOD assists participants to apply and interview for the apprenticeship and complete the onboarding process. OOD will also provide any needed on-the-job supports and can be a resource for worksite accessibility consultations and reasonable accommodations.

Jeff started as an apprentice at the Ohio Office of Budget and Management as a Fiscal Apprentice preparing vouchers, invoices, checks, and account statements. Jeff also reviewed agency paperwork for accuracy. After a year, he was hired full-time as a Financial Associate. Later, he transferred to the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) after accepting a promotion.

Mary said, “Jeff embraced the rehabilitation technology and other resources OOD offered him to complete his college degree, and then utilized the apprenticeship opportunity to successfully launch his career.”

When asked how life is different for him now that he is established in his career, Jeff said, “Achieving this longtime goal has given me a new feeling of energy and motivation to pursue other personal goals and that fulfilling life we all desire to have.”

Recently the Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS), OOD, and OFCC (including Jeff) held a panel discussion about the state’s efforts to foster diverse and inclusive work environments. Watch the panel discussion.

Photo of five people on a panel sitting and smiling

Kristen Ballinger, OOD Deputy Director of the Division of Employer and Innovation Services; Kevin L. Miller, OOD Director; Kathleen C. Madden, DAS Director; Cheryl J. Lyman, OFCC Executive Director; and Jeff Anderson, OFCC Capital Finance Analyst.

If you or somebody you know has a disability and would like to work, visit OODWorks.com or call 800-282-4536.

National Apprenticeship Week

Four Circles with Ohio Vocational Apprentice Program 44 apprentices 13 hired and 20.48 per hour

November 14-20, 2022 is National Apprenticeship Week.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s Executive Budget supports the Ohio Vocational Apprentice Program, in line with his Executive Order 2019-03D, which established Ohio as a Disability Inclusion State and a Model Employer of Individuals with Disabilities. In this program, OOD participants secure paid apprenticeships with state agencies with the goal of permanent employment. Apprentices gain exposure in their chosen field, benefit from hands-on experience, and prepare for permanent positions in state government upon completing the apprenticeship.

OOD funds all wages for the apprenticeship, up to $15 per hour, 25 hours per week for a maximum of 1,000 hours.

For more information, contact OOD Business Relations Manager Jon Hackathorn at jon.hackathorn@ood.ohio.gov or 614-306-1744.

OOD Assists Job Seekers

Photo of man in a wheelchair at a lap top with text OOD has helped 384 people reach their employment goal

If you or somebody you know has a disability and would like 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.

NDEAM Hiring Events Got Results

Director Miller smiling standing in an office

OOD hiring events during National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) made a difference! We had six hiring events across the state, including:

177 interviews
32 employers
22 same-day job offers!

Watch a video to learn more.

Congratulations to our job seekers, staff, and providers! Employer Partners, we appreciate you!

Honoring Veterans Day

Eric Petersen.

Happy Veterans Day! We honor the men and women who have fought for the freedoms that we enjoy.

Last year, OOD served 739 individuals who self-identified as veterans. We assist military service members who experience injuries or illnesses, even if the condition is not connected to their service. Whether post-traumatic stress disorder, loss of a limb, depression, or another challenge, OOD services are available for those who have a condition that impacts their work.

One veteran served was Eric Petersen of Mentor, Ohio, a former Marine. He was deployed to Iraq in 2005 and served in Afghanistan in 2008. Eric came back home and was a reservist and trained as an EMT, paramedic, and firefighter. While working as a firefighter in Akron, Eric experienced a life-changing event during his off-hours: he had a near-fatal motorcycle accident that resulted in a traumatic brain injury.

Through years of physical, occupational, and speech-language therapies, Eric learned how to walk again and so much more. “Both the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and OOD worked with Eric for years to help him reenter the workforce. He came such a long way,” explained Sunny Gilmore, OOD Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor.

Eric shares more of his story in OOD Works Podcast episode 40. Find wherever you listen to podcasts by searching "OOD Works." Transcripts and MP3 files are available at ood.ohio.gov/podcast.

All About Accessibility: Holiday Gift Ideas

Photo of a present wrapped in blue wrapping paper and ribbon with siver bells on top

The season for gift giving is quickly approaching. USA Today recently published a story titled, “Holiday Gift Ideas for Kids and Adults Who Have a Disability,” providing suggestions for gift and stocking stuffers for a variety of ages and disabilities. Click here to read the article.

In the News

Project SEARCH of Southeast Ohio Celebrates Five Years of Operation

The Athens News, 11-9-22

Program Aims to Improve Access to Medical Education for Students with Disabilities

Spectrum News, 11-8-22

Opinion: Why Ameera is a Muppet with the Wrong Wheelchair

CNN, 11-8-22

A Concert Showcasing Musicians with Disabilities

WKYC, 11-7-22

A Woman Who Won a Landmark Civil Rights Case for People with Disabilities has Died

National Public Radio, 11-7-22

70^th Birthday Party Signifies Advanced Medical Care for Those with Disabilities

WDTN, 11-6-22

Miss Wheelchair Ohio Visits Nordonia School to Help Make Building More Inclusive

WOIO, 11-4-22

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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) 2022, OOD received $103,630,848 in federal funds. Funds appropriated by the State covered 21.3 % of the total costs, or $28,047,485. Of these federal funds, $15,544,627 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 2022, OOD received $603,568 for SE Youth with a Disability, and State appropriated funds paid the remaining 10%, or $60,357 of the total costs. In FFY 2022, OOD received $603,568 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 2022 paid 90% of the total costs incurred under the program. In FFY 2022, OOD received $1,139,118 in federal grant funds. Funds appropriated by the State paid over the 10% required match, or $126,569 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 2022. In FFY 2022, OOD received $632,008 in federal grant funds. Funds appropriated by the State paid over the 10% of the match required or $70,223 of the total costs incurred under the IL Program.