BUCYRUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—In recognition of Direct Support Professional (DSP) Appreciation Month and National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the Crawford County Board of Developmental Disabilities (CBDD) is spotlighting local success stories that demonstrate the value of inclusive hiring in the workforce.
Among those highlighted is Connor, a Bucyrus-area resident who has worked for 11 years at Champion Food Service. Over his decade-plus tenure, Connor has advanced from meal packaging to operating heavy machinery and training new hires on production lines.
“Connor is a very good member of our team,” said Chip, a supervisor at Champion Food Service. “He is always there, always got a smile on his face, happy to be there, and keeps the lines running. He has even been credited with helping teach others how to do the jobs.”
Connor’s career milestone has been supported through a partnership between Crawford CBDD, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD), and RNI, Inc. Job coaches like Troy from RNI provide hands-on assistance, helping individuals build independence both on and off the clock. With guidance from his team, Connor has learned to advocate for his career goals and recently achieved a personal milestone by earning his driver’s license to commute independently.
Clarissa, a Service and Support Administrator (SSA) with Crawford CBDD, emphasized that local businesses benefit immensely when opening doors to individuals with developmental disabilities.
“They don’t like to miss work. They are proud of what they do and are some of the most loyal workers,” Clarissa said, noting that accommodations can be customized whether an employee seeks part-time or full-time work.
Crawford CBDD encourages local employers looking to tap into new workforce potential to contact the board or visit crawfordcbdd.org.