For professionals working in child welfare, disability services, or workforce development, the name Janet Holman Gillin carries weight. With over three decades of experience, Gillin has helped redefine what it means to support vulnerable individuals through vocational rehabilitation—guiding people not just toward jobs, but toward purpose, confidence, and long-term independence.
“Vocational rehabilitation is about more than employment,” says Gillin. “It’s about restoring a person’s sense of worth and possibility.”
A Foundation Built on Service
Born and raised in Okay, Oklahoma, Janet’s passion for helping others started early. After earning her Bachelor of Arts in Education from Wichita State University, she began her professional journey in child welfare in Kansas. As a Child Welfare Specialist, her work focused on family reunification and stabilization—a role that demanded emotional intelligence, legal knowledge, and an unshakeable sense of purpose.
It was during this time that Gillin began to understand how interconnected the challenges of housing, employment, and health truly are. “You can’t just fix one part of someone’s life and expect them to thrive,” she says. “Support has to be comprehensive.”
Leading Transformational Change
In 1991, Gillin joined the Oklahoma Department of Human Services as a Case Manager in the Developmental Disabilities Division. She played a pivotal role during the closure of the Hissom Memorial Center—a major institution housing individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The shift toward community-based care was a complex process that required coordination between state agencies, federal courts, and advocacy organizations. “We had to make sure every individual had not just a place to live, but the resources and support to succeed in their community,” Gillin recalls.
Her efforts helped move hundreds of individuals out of institutional settings into homes and programs that allowed for greater independence and dignity. “That work showed me the power of systems when they’re built to uplift instead of control.”
The Economic Value of Rehabilitation
The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) reports that for every $1 invested in vocational rehabilitation, nearly $11 are returned to the economy through increased earnings and reduced government assistance. It’s a stat Gillin often shares—and has lived out through her work.
She transitioned into workforce development in the 1990s, partnering with nonprofit organizations as a Job Coach and Employment Trainer. Her focus shifted to helping adults with disabilities secure and maintain employment. These roles weren’t just about placement—they were about long-term career development.
“I’ve seen firsthand how employment changes lives,” she says. “It’s not just the paycheck. It’s the confidence, the stability, and the social connection that come with having a job.”
Building the Future of Workforce Training
In the late ’90s, Gillin joined the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities. As a Training Specialist, she helped create one of the department’s first online learning platforms. Her forward-thinking approach helped expand access to training for providers in rural and underserved areas.
“This was before online learning was common,” Gillin says. “We had to build systems from the ground up. But the result was that more people got trained, and services improved across the board.”
Today, many of those training modules are still in use—testament to her thoughtful design and lasting impact.
Bridging the Gap Between Policy and People
What sets Gillin apart is her ability to work at every level of the system. She has managed direct service cases, developed policy, overseen compliance, and coordinated with federal courts. This breadth of experience gives her a unique ability to connect the dots.
“Whether you’re working in a courtroom or someone’s living room, the goal is the same—help them move forward,” she says.
Her approach blends empathy with structure. She believes success in vocational rehabilitation means knowing how to navigate systems but also listening to the individual.
“You can’t impose a path on someone. You have to help them find their own.”
A Legacy of Service and Leadership
Gillin’s work has touched thousands of lives across Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, and Tennessee. She has served as a mentor to new professionals, developed training for caseworkers, and advocated for improved service delivery in both public and private sectors.
Yet she remains grounded in the belief that success is built one person at a time. “When someone I worked with tells me they’re still working, still independent—that’s what I’m most proud of.”
She’s also led by example in her personal life. As a mother of five and a stepmother to one, she’s raised a family that reflects her values of hard work and compassion. Her children now serve in the military, higher education, healthcare, and manufacturing.
“My children saw me work late, fight for people, and keep going even when things got tough,” Gillin says. “I think that taught them resilience.”
Advice for the Next Generation
For those looking to follow in her footsteps, Gillin offers straightforward advice: “Start with listening. Let people tell you what they need. Then figure out how to help without taking over.”
She also emphasizes the importance of staying adaptable. “The field is always changing—laws shift, systems evolve. You have to keep learning.”
And above all, she encourages professionals not to lose sight of the big picture. “This work is hard, but it matters. You’re helping people reclaim their lives. There’s no greater reward than that.”
A Career That Models Success
Janet Holman Gillin’s career is a powerful case study in how dedication, innovation, and heart can create lasting impact. From closing institutions to launching training platforms, from coaching job seekers to coordinating with courts, her work reflects the full spectrum of vocational rehabilitation.
At a time when workforce development is more important than ever, her story reminds us that the path to economic and personal independence is built through strategic support and genuine care.
“If we invest in people,” Gillin says, “they’ll surprise us every time.”
