Jeremy Shapira, Inclusion and Diversity Strategy Manager for Giant Eagle, and Kristen Ballinger, Deputy Director of OOD\u2019s Division of Employer and Innovation Services, discuss the partnership between OOD and Giant Eagle.\xa0
Since January 2019, OOD has collaborated with Giant Eagle to embed a vocational rehabilitation staff within the human resources office to increase access to quality jobs for Ohioans with disabilities. OOD partners with Giant Eagle to source candidates for available openings at their food, fuel, and convenience retail locations and distribution center in Northeast Ohio.\xa0
\u201cNot only does the company win from this, but the person who was just hired wins. Their family wins. The community wins. Everyone around this person wins,\u201d Shapira said.
The partnership also supports current team members to keep their jobs and provides disability training for managers.\xa0
Transcripts and MP3 files are available at https://ood.ohio.gov/Podcast.