Gavin Builds a Bright Future

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Gavin Builds a Bright Future

Man leaning around a sign smiling and making a peace gesture with his hand.

Meet Gavin Gorski!

Following his high school years, which included significant health challenges, Gavin, who has autism, found his path to success through Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) and partners. The Stark County Board of Developmental Disabilities connected him with OOD, and he began working with Erika Salewsky, Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor. Gavin chose Goodwill as his trusted provider to guide him along his career path.

Rob, Gavin’s father, is the host of The Autism Dad Podcast. In season seven: episode 12, “Bridging Autism and Employment,” Rob interviewed OOD Director Kevin L. Miller about the services OOD offers to help individuals with disabilities get and keep a job. The two exchanged stories about their experiences as “autism dads,” with Rob expressing how proud he is of Gavin’s accomplishments.

Two men, one on the left looking at the camera and the one on the right smiling at the camera.

Today, Gavin is thriving at his job in a local grocery store, where he works four days a week with passion and dedication. His positive attitude and commitment have made him a valued member of the team.

Looking ahead, Gavin has exciting plans to move to a group home, where he can enjoy the company of friends, indulge in his favorite games, and occasionally order their favorite meals via DoorDash.

Join us in celebrating Gavin's achievements and the bright future he is building for himself!

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

Governor DeWine, Lt. Governor Husted Announce In-Demand Jobs Week 2024

Man smiling at the camera with arms crossed, wearing work site personal protective equipment.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted, Director of the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation, recently announced that the seventh annual In-Demand Jobs Week will take place May 6-10 In-Demand Jobs Week celebrates the many top jobs, industries, and skills across Ohio.

“Whether you are completing a certification, learning a new skill, or moving up in your career, Ohio’s broad range of in-demand jobs means Ohio is truly the heart of opportunity,” said Governor DeWine. “I encourage students and all Ohioans to attend an In-Demand Jobs Week event and explore all the options in your community.”

In-Demand Jobs Week is designed to promote Ohio’s most in-demand and fastest-growing industries through statewide hiring, education, and training events. This year’s theme is “Ohio, the Heart of Opportunity,” highlighting the various opportunities available now and in the future, right here in the Buckeye state. From internships to apprenticeships, and from manufacturing to healthcare jobs, there is opportunity for you in Ohio.

During the week, business, community, and education leaders are encouraged to host events to demonstrate the opportunities that are available in their community and industry. Last year, local events included job fairs, business tours, career signing days, resume workshops, and more. To register your event as an official In-Demand Jobs Week event, email In-DemandJobs@jfs.ohio.gov with the event name, date/time, and a short description.

For more information on job opportunities in Ohio and career services, visit Ohio’s Top Jobs website, or read the full announcement.

Celebrating Jewish American Heritage

Woman, two boys, and one girl hugging and embracing each other.

Since 2006, May has been Jewish American Heritage Month—a time to celebrate the role American Jews have played in our history, culture, government, science, industry, society, and more.

This month honors the many contributions that generations of Jewish Americans have made and continue to make to the United States.

For more information, visit JewishHeritageMonth.gov.

Honoring Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage

In 1992, the U.S. Congress designated May as a time to honor the heritage of Asian and Pacific Americans. In recent years, Native Hawai’ians have been added to this annual observance commemorating their important role in our nation’s history, prosperity, and advancements.

May is a great opportunity to celebrate the generations of Asian Americans, Native Hawai’ians, and Pacific Islanders who have helped to shape and enrich the United States of America.

Find more information at AsianPacificHeritage.gov.

All About Accessibility: New STABLE Account Enrollment Incentive

Blue, white, and green graphic with Ohio state silhouette.

April is ABLE to Save Month, a wonderful opportunity to highlight the ways ABLE programs across the country are enhancing financial independence for people living with disabilities. Ohio’s iteration of an ABLE program—STABLE Account—remains as committed as ever to empowering individuals and helping them to live more independently.

To build on that mission, Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague recently announced the new STABLE Account Enrollment Incentive. As of April 1, STABLE Account will match the first $25 that an eligible Ohioan contributes when opening a new account. By extending this added benefit to new accountholders, the Treasurer’s office hopes to help them jump start their savings and investment journey.

Through STABLE Account, Ohioans living with disabilities can save and invest their money with greater ease to build a stronger financial future. Signing up for a STABLE account takes about 20 minutes and can be done online from home. For more information about STABLE accounts, the new enrollment incentive, and to sign up, visit STABLE Account.

In the News

Comedy Show in Columbiana to Benefit People with Disabilities

WKBN, 4-25-24

Area Organizations Assist Special Olympics in Their Quest to Get New Basketball Uniforms

Salem News, 4-25-24

Chrysalis Advantage Point Fosters Possibilities for People with Developmental Disabilities

Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum, 4-24-24

Cavaliers Wheelchair Basketball Team Challenges Westlake Middle Schoolers to a Game

Cleveland.com, 4-22-24

Artists with Disabilities Featured in Historic Exhibition

PBS, 4-22-24

PBS Kids Enhances Programming with ASL Interpreters for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Viewers

Assistive Technology Blog, 4-20-24

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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) 2023, OOD received $105,851,906 in federal funds. Funds appropriated by the State covered 21.3 % of the total costs, or $28,648,610. Of these federal funds, $15,877,786 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 2023, OOD received $301,051 for SE Youth with a Disability, and State appropriated funds paid the remaining 10%, or $33,450 of the total costs. In FFY 2023, OOD received $301,051 in regular SE grant funds.

For the purposes of the Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who are Blind (OIB) Program, the federal grant received from DOE in FFY 2023 paid 90% of the total costs incurred under the program. In FFY 2023, OOD received $1,159,083 in federal grant funds. Funds appropriated by the State paid the 10% required match, or $128,787 of the total costs incurred under the OIB program. For the Independent Living (IL) Program, the federal grant from HHS paid 90% of the total costs incurred in FFY 2023. In FFY 2023, OOD received $645,712 in federal grant funds. Funds appropriated by the State paid the 10% required match, or $71,746 of the total costs incurred under the IL Program.