News & Updates

Dear Friends of URS,

As my retirement approaches on June 30th, I find myself doing something I have always encouraged others to do: pause, look around, and count your blessings.

After 25 years as CEO of United Rehabilitation Services, I have more blessings to count than I could ever put into words. But I want to try, because you deserve to hear it.

Every morning I came to work, I did so knowing that what we do here matters. I have watched children take their first steps in our therapy gym. I have seen adults gain independence they were told they might never have. I have met families who arrived uncertain and exhausted, and left feeling hopeful and supported. That is the work. And it never got old. And the relationships developed over a quarter century are precious.

None of it happened without you. The donors, sponsors, community partners, and the extraordinary staff who give their hearts to this work every single day are the reason we were able to say yes when others said no. You are the reason families in Dayton have access to services that changed their lives. I am deeply, genuinely grateful for each and every one of you.

I am also leaving with great peace of mind, because URS is in extraordinary hands. My successor Rachel Zidaroff and I have worked together for over two decades. She is a remarkable leader, and the team she inherits is one of the finest I have ever had the privilege of working alongside. The mission is strong. The future is bright.

Thank you for trusting us with your generosity. Thank you for believing in the people we serve. And thank you for 25 years of memories I will carry with me always.

After nearly 25 years of leadership, Dennis Grant, Chief Executive Officer of United Rehabilitation Services of Greater Dayton, announced his retirement effective June 30, 2026. The URS Board of Directors selected Rachel Zidaroff, the organization's Chief Operating Officer and a 22-year member of the URS team, to succeed him as CEO effective July 1, 2026.

Grant assumed leadership of URS in 2001, when the organization, originally the Dayton Chapter of United Cerebral Palsy founded in 1956, was facing significant financial and operational challenges. Under his stewardship, URS grew into a thriving nonprofit serving more than 1,100 children and adults with disabilities and their families each year.

His vision led to the creation of new programs, including expanded daycare with an Infant Care Program for children as young as six weeks, on-site nursing and occupational, physical, and speech therapies, and a Parent Support Program. He also launched the Employment Services Program, helping adults and high school students with disabilities build vocational skills and secure competitive employment. Under his leadership, URS earned continuous CARF accreditation and in 2025 achieved the highest possible ranking, placing the agency in the top 3 percent internationally.

"It has been the privilege of my career to serve the children, adults, and families at URS," said Grant. "I am proud of what this team has built together, and I am confident that Rachel is the right leader to guide URS into its next chapter."

"Dennis took the helm during one of the most challenging periods in URS history and built it into the strong, stable organization it is today," said Kim Estess, URS Board Chair. "His unwavering dedication to the people we serve has touched thousands of lives across the Miami Valley."

Zidaroff has served in progressive leadership roles at URS, including Human Resource Manager, Director of Operations, and Chief Operating Officer. "I am honored by the Board's confidence in my leadership," said Zidaroff. "Dennis has built an incredible foundation, and I look forward to continuing our mission of providing high quality services to children and adults with disabilities in our community."

United Rehabilitation Services of Greater Dayton announced its 2026 Board of Directors, welcoming new member Justin Wallman and recognizing the executive committee that will lead the organization into its 70th anniversary year. Justin Wallman, Vice President of Advantage Auto Group, joins the board bringing business leadership and community engagement expertise to URS.

2026 Executive Committee: Kim Estess, Chair (O'Diam & Estess Law Group); Todd Rodden, Vice Chair (Aspire ActionCOACH); Max Kraus, Treasurer (Clark, Schaefer & Hackett); Beth Whelley, Secretary (Fahlgren Mortine); Edward Blake, Immediate Past Chair (Culmen Real Estate Services).

2026 Board Members: Gary Auman (Auman, Mahan & Furry); Jenny Michael (Ohlmann Group); David Peters (AES Corporation); Steve Skerl (CareSource); AJ Spencer (Montgomery County Stillwater Center); Pam Thomas (Pickrel, Schaeffer & Ebeling); Justin Wallman (Advantage Auto Group).

Ex-Officio Members: Dr. Ratna Palakodeti (Miami Valley Hospital Physician Network); Mary Rita Weissman (The Weissman Group).

Emeritus Members: Charles D. Berry (The Charles D. Berry Foundation); Charles Y. Kidwell (Dayton Children's Hospital); Ann Kremer (James Investment Research, Retired); Dr. James T. Lehner (Orthopedic Surgeon, Retired).

United Rehabilitation Services is proud to celebrate two members of its Board of Directors, Beth Whelley and Jenny Michael, who have been named to the Dayton Business Journal's 2026 Women Who Mean Business. The annual award recognizes influential women leaders making a lasting impact on business and community across the Dayton region.

Beth Whelley is Executive Vice President and Dayton Managing Director at Fahlgren Mortine, where she leads corporate communications and public relations work, and she serves as Secretary of the URS Board of Directors.

Jenny Michael is Owner and Co-CEO of the Ohlmann Group, a Dayton marketing and advertising agency, and a member of the URS Board of Directors.

Their recognition is especially meaningful in URS' 70th anniversary year. We are grateful for their leadership, their advocacy, and the time and talent they give to the children and adults we serve. Congratulations to Beth, Jenny, and the entire 2026 class of honorees.

URS is proud to congratulate David Peters, Vice President of Financial Planning & Analysis & Transactions at AES Corporation and a member of the URS Board of Directors, on being named to the Dayton Business Journal's 40 Under 40 Class of 2026. The annual program honors the region's accomplished young business leaders who are making an impact in their professions and giving back to the communities where they live and work.

David brings his leadership and business expertise to the URS Board of Directors, helping guide the organization in its 70th anniversary year. We are grateful for his service and delighted to see him recognized among Dayton's rising leaders. Congratulations, David.

Read his profile in the Dayton Business Journal →

Longtime URS volunteer David Lyons has been named a Dayton Daily News Community Gem, recognized for the warmth and dedication he brings to the adults URS serves. For five years, David has visited weekly to read stories to clients, beginning over Zoom during the pandemic and later in person. "It's one of the highlights of my week, honestly," he told the Dayton Daily News.

David, of Beavercreek, also lends his energy to special events like dances and holiday parties, and last Christmas, he and his wife Tammy brought the season to life as Santa and Mrs. Claus for the adults at URS. Tammy began volunteering at URS after her own retirement, and the two now read together to the individuals we serve. Volunteer Services Coordinator Sarah Gradel nominated David for the honor, praising his dedication and the genuine love and care he shows for every individual.

David and Tammy are part of the URS family, and this recognition could not be more deserved. Thank you both for everything you do.

Read the full story at the Dayton Daily News →

Jersey Mike's Subs opened its newest Greater Dayton area location on Friday, May 15, 2026, at 1402 West First Street in Springfield, with proceeds from a grand opening fundraiser benefiting United Rehabilitation Services. From opening day through Sunday, May 17, anyone with the special donation coupon who made a $3 donation to URS at the Springfield location received a coupon for a free regular sub.

URS CEO Dennis Grant joined the celebration alongside franchise owner Ted Tolliver, URS mascot Quackers, and URS clients to thank Jersey Mike's ownership and the Springfield community for their generosity.

"Ted, Michelle, and the entire Jersey Mike's team have become extraordinary partners to URS, and we cannot thank them enough for choosing us as the beneficiary of their Springfield grand opening," said Dennis Grant. "Every coupon redeemed directly supports the children and adults with disabilities we serve across the Miami Valley."

This is the latest chapter in a long-standing partnership. Each spring, Jersey Mike's Month of Giving and Day of Giving raise critical funds for URS, and grand openings at new locations, including Englewood in June 2024 and Huber Heights, have together generated more than $250,000 over 15 years. Additional Jersey Mike's locations are anticipated in Xenia and West Carrollton in the months ahead.

United Rehabilitation Services of Greater Dayton has been awarded a $20,000 grant from the AES Ohio Foundation to support the launch of its Adult Mental Health Pilot Program. The grant was announced at the AES Ohio Foundation Celebration on January 22, 2026, which honored nonprofit grant recipients from across AES Ohio's 24-county service area.

"We are grateful to the AES Ohio Foundation for their investment in this important initiative," said Dennis Grant, CEO of URS. "This funding will allow us to expand mental health supports for the adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities we serve and address a critical need in our community. More than one third of adults with IDD have a co-occurring mental health challenge."

The program will provide enhanced mental health services to adults with developmental and acquired disabilities served by URS, addressing the intersection of disability services and mental health care, an area of growing need in the region. Founded in 1985, the AES Ohio Foundation has awarded $48.2 million in grants supporting communities across West Central Ohio.

United Rehabilitation Services invited the community to experience Becoming: 70 Years of Growth, Expression, and Possibility, a public art exhibition showcasing original artwork by the children and adults URS serves. The exhibit was on display throughout March 2026 on the second floor of the Dayton Metro Library, Main Branch, with a grand opening reception on March 5.

The exhibition celebrated the many ways creativity serves as a form of communication, identity, and connection for individuals with developmental and acquired disabilities. Artists worked across a wide range of abilities, styles, and mediums, with some pieces created individually and others collaboratively. Presented during Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, the exhibit invited viewers to look beyond labels and assumptions and instead see creativity, agency, and possibility. The year 2026 also marks the 70th anniversary of URS serving children and adults with disabilities in the Miami Valley.

"This is not symbolic art created about people with disabilities, it is art created by the individuals we serve," said Dennis Grant, Chief Executive Officer at URS. "Each piece tells a story not of limitation, but of growth, imagination, and presence."

URS is undergoing a major renovation of its aquatic therapy pool, replacing a 400-square-foot above-ground pool with a 700-square-foot, fully accessible, in-ground pool. The renovation is underway now, and URS expects the new pool to open at the beginning of August.

Aquatic therapy uses the natural properties of water to support physical therapy goals, easing the effects of gravity so that clients can build strength, balance, and mobility in a safe and supportive environment. Once complete, the larger, fully accessible design will allow URS to serve more children and adults and to deliver therapy with greater comfort and independence for the people it serves.

URS has opened a new Therapeutic Intervention Preschool (TIP) classroom, created in partnership with Goodwill Easterseals. The classroom expands URS' specialized early-childhood programming, pairing developmentally appropriate preschool education with on-site therapeutic support so that young children with disabilities and their typically developing peers can learn and grow together.