Judi Martin of Capabilities in St. Marys was recognized for her work with local people with disabilities from the Ohio Provider Resource Association. Martin got the first-ever "Gary LeVox Job Coach Award", named after the singer for Rascal Flatts, who has worked with disabled people before his rise to fame as a country music star. Martin was recognized for her work in helping her clients become independent.
Press Release from Capabilities: On October 25th, 2019, The Ohio Provider Resource Association (OPRA), a statewide trade association representing over 170 disability service providers across the state, awarded the first-ever “Gary LeVox Job Coach Award”. The accolade presented as part of OPRA’s fall conference at the Nationwide Conference Center in Lewis Center is named in honor of the Rascal Flatts lead vocalist who began his career as a support professional for people with disabilities.
Before making it big in Nashville, Rascal Flatts’ Gary LeVox was a job coach for workers with disabilities. LeVox hails from Columbus and before his career as lead singer for the superstar vocal group worked for the Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities, supporting workers with disabilities to integrate into the workforce through competitive, community employment.
“I was coaching and working with 7 to 8 people with disabilities every day, teaching them different jobs and life skills. I forged lifelong friendships and spent so much time teaching them how to fulfill their dreams, I hadn’t realized all that they were teaching me.”, says LeVox.
The award winner, Judi Martin of Capabilities Inc.
The first annual ‘Gary LeVox Job Coach Award’ was awarded to a professional who has shown exceptional skills in supporting workers with disabilities in their jobs in the community. The award winner, Judi Martin of Capabilities Inc., continues LeVox’s legacy of inspiration and support to workers with disabilities.
Capabilities Inc. is a disability service agency providing employment and adult day services to over 2,900 people in 71 Ohio counties. “Judi has been a terrific support in helping people become more independent and self-sufficient,” says Karen Blumhorst, CEO of Capabilities Inc., “She has helped so many people become income generators and valued employees. She is the true definition of a job coach, and so deserving of this award.”
But the award is not the first time LeVox and OPRA have collaborated. In the Spring of 2019, LeVox headlined a public service announcement bringing attention to the integral role Direct Service Providers (DSP’s) play in the lives of people with developmental disabilities. The PSA, sponsored by the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) in partnership with the OPRA, highlighted LeVox’s work as a job coach, hoping to attract professionals to the career of supporting and caring for Ohioans with disabilities. In July of 2019, the Ohio legislature allocated funding intended to increase wages for DSP’s to fight the growing workforce crisis that is leaving citizens with developmental disabilities in desperate need of care, friendship, and coaching.
“We cannot thank Gary LeVox enough for his genuine heartfelt love for people with disabilities. Job Coaches play such a vital role in our system and we are honored to name the Job Coach of The Year Award After Gary.” – Pete Moore OPRA President
