James W. Steele

President and Chief Executive Officer

Email: jamie.steele@ovrs.org

Phone: (513) 281-6800 Ext. 102

Mobile Phone: 513-200-3695

Welcome to our website.

OVRS has a long and valued history in Hamilton County for providing high quality services, well-trained and seasoned staff and a value-based mission. We aim to provide the highest quality person-centered services to people with disabilities as possible. This is the sole reason why we exist.

For the person looking for residential services for the first time, it should be understood that OVRS or any agency would never substitute a person’s family. We value family and would never assume we could duplicate that experience. However, we believe we can come close. Our apartments and group homes are well maintained and located in varied and diverse communities and our staff is hired based on their ability to empathize and provide compassionate care to others. We believe in highly skilled and compassionate friendship. That is what we can offer.

Our goal everyday is to help a person achieve in life their personal aspirations.  The individual and his/her team will develop every plan or goal. It’s our job to respect that and assist the individual to reach those goals. This is about you, not us.

OVRS also provides Shared Living services formally known as Foster Care. We have over 30 wonderful providers who open their home to people who desire smaller living situations and/or short-term respite. This is a very successful program and is certainly an alternative to apartment or group home living.

We really encourage anyone looking for residential services to check out this website.  The site is very comprehensive with a list of services provided, photos and descriptions of apartments/homes we own and operate, as well as practical information about the agency. This site was developed with the individual, family or advocate looking for services in mind.

If you are looking for residential services, please consider talking with us. Even if we are not chosen as the provider, we are certainly willing to help anyone navigate the service system. We understand how overwhelming this entire process can be and are here to help you. Again, this is about you, not us.

Compassion, Community and Trust is our guiding principles every single minute of everyday.

Thank you

Jamie Steele

 

James W. Steele, MSW who became Executive Director of OVRS in January 2013, has devoted all of his professional life and much of his personal life to helping people with developmental disabilities. All of his jobs have involved serving people with developmental disabilities, including many years as a DSP.  Steele, who also is known as “Jamie,” previously worked as Executive Director of Halom House Inc. for 20 years, which is similar to OVRS because it too provides residential services to people with developmental disabilities in Hamilton County.

Steele received his undergraduate degree from the College of Mount St. Joseph in 1998 and his masters from the University of Cincinnati in 1992.  He has completed a two year post-graduate certification in Family Systems Therapy and has provided counseling to countless families over the years.  As a brother and uncle of persons with disabilities, he has a unique understanding of the challenges, expectations and frustrations that families have when seeking and receiving services in our developmental disability system.  

Jamie is currently the Vice-Chair of OPRA, an Ohio trade association for IDD providers and one of the founders and coordinators of the new Gold Standard Provider Group of Hamilton County.