State vocational rehabilitation services (VR)

The Department of Education Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services awarded Opportunities For Ohioans With Disabilities Agency $172.51 million in formula grant funding on October 1, 2025, under the Rehabilitation Services Vocational Rehabilitation Grants to States program (CFDA 84.126). The award funds comprehensive vocational rehabilitation services for individuals with disabilities in Ohio through September 30, 2026. OOD operates as the state's designated vocational rehabilitation agency and delivers assessment, planning, development, and vocational rehabilitation services to eligible individuals consistent with their strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, and abilities. Work is performed in Columbus, Ohio. The formula grant represents one component of OOD's federal portfolio; the agency administers multiple active awards from the Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, including State Supported Employment Services and Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who are Blind. OOD collaborates with sub-recipients including the Developmental Disabilities Council of Ohio and local workforce development boards to expand service delivery and provide vocational assessments, career counseling, job training, and community integration support. State VR agencies are required to maintain financial and programmatic records for three years following submission of the final financial report and must submit modifications to their Unified or Combined State Plan in spring 2026.