Learning From ODJFS's Brad Barger & Julie Wirt

OCDA Government Education and Engagement Day 2024

Back in November 2024, OCDA'S Government Relations Committee (GRC) hosted a Government Education and Engagement Day at the Ohio Statehouse. This exciting event included a guided tour of the Statehouse, engaging in advocacy activities, and having time to connect with and learn from Ohio Department of Jobs & Family Services (ODJFS) employees, Brad Barger (Assistant Director for Employment Services) and Julie Wirt (Assistant Deputy Director, Office of Workforce Development).

Brad Barger kindly shared an overview of the ODJFS highlighting the beneficial services for Ohioans including job training/employment services, child support, cash/food assistance, adult protective services, and unemployment insurance. Within the scope of the ODJFS are the Office of Workforce Development and OhioMeansJobs. Brad Barger and Julie Wirt highlighted several FREE OhioMeansJobs Center services that could be beneficial for those OCDA members serve. These services include career planning, job training, access to free phones/computers to complete training as well as search/apply for jobs. For those who cannot make it in-person to an OhioMeansJob Center, many of the services are offered online at OhioMeansJobs.com. The website also always has a posted list of job openings, more than half of which pay over $50,000/year.

Did You Know? Every county in Ohio has an OhioMeansJobs Center!

Outside of programs offered year-round, Brad and Julie shared some of the recent celebrations of special populations/opportunities in the career space. These were November being "Hire-a-Veteran" Month and National Apprenticeship Week. In supporting Ohio veterans, the OhioMeansJobs website has a "Military Friendly Employer Registry" and the state of Ohio offers employment services to both veterans and their spouses. Brad shared that apprenticeships have significantly expanded and can be an opportunity to earn wages while learning the skills for a specific career field/job. More information about the ApprenticeOhio program and about specific Apprenticeship opportunities can be found by visiting Apprentice.Ohio.gov. Apprenticeships, in addition to federal grants overseen by ODJFS, are helping prepare the Ohio workforce for new industries such as Broadband and Electric Cars.

Did You Know? Ohio has the sixth-largest veteran population in the United States and ranks third in the nation as well as first in the Midwest in number of apprentices.

Finally, OCDA attendees learned about several other other programs/services directed towards prioritizing the needs of specific groups. The Helping Ohioans Pursue Employment (HOPE) Initiative pairs unemployed Ohioans with an employment professional to help them quickly get set up with a new job. The Comprehensive Case Management and Employment Program (CCMEP) that assists low income adults break the cycle of poverty through building a path towards a career. Services for the program include, but are not limited to, career coaching, work experiences, counseling, mentoring, leadership development, financial literacy training, and supportive services such as housing, transportation, and childcare. Other services also focus on the labor force participation rate in Ohio by assisting those who took time off from working to not get overlooked when returning to the workforce and helping those in recovery from substance use disorders. Recently, an announcement was made regarding the opportunity for employers to apply to be a designated Ohio Recovery Friendly Workplace wherein which they promote wellness programs, provide support to employees struggling with substance misuse, provide employment opportunities to individuals in recovery, and reduce the stigma associated with addiction.

OCDA is fortunate to be able to connect with individuals making a significant difference in the career space and to be able to learn about the opportunities that could benefit each of our constituency groups as well as the individuals that they serve! We hope that all of our members will consider joining us for the Third Annual Government Education and Engagement Day taking place in late 2025.

Seen Above: Government Education and Engagement Day attendees and guest speakers in the State Room at the Ohio Statehouse.

Pictured left to right in back row: Michelle Norris, Jill Cates, Kaleigh Mahon, and Newton Kimberly. Pictured left to right in front row: Alicia Camak, Rachel Richardson, Julie Wirt, and Brad Barger.

Not pictured: Sarah JanTausch due to taking photo