Janet Holman Gillin

Janet Holman Gillin has spent her career championing the needs of others. With decades of experience in child welfare, developmental disabilities, job coaching, and workforce development, she has dedicated her life to helping individuals find stability, independence, and purpose. Her work has touched lives across multiple states, leaving a lasting impact on communities and families.

Born and raised in Okay, Oklahoma, Janet developed an early passion for education and service. She pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Education at Wichita State University, where she cultivated the skills that would shape her career in human services. While education remained an important foundation, she was drawn to advocacy, support services, and program development—areas where she could make a direct difference in people’s lives.

Janet’s career began in child welfare in Kansas, where she worked as a Child Welfare Specialist. Her focus was on family reunification and stabilization, ensuring that children were safely reintegrated with their families after difficult circumstances. She worked closely with state agencies, legal teams, and social workers to create supportive, nurturing environments for children in need. This experience gave her deep insight into the challenges faced by vulnerable families and reinforced her commitment to creating solutions that offered lasting change.

Her work expanded into developmental disabilities services when she joined the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS) in 1991. As a Case Manager in the Developmental Disabilities Division, she became a key figure in the closure of Hissom Memorial Center, a state-run institution for individuals with disabilities. The transition from institutional care to community-based programs was a historic shift, requiring extensive coordination between state and federal agencies, legal teams, and advocacy groups. Janet played a critical role in ensuring that residents received personalized support, housing, and services to help them integrate into their new communities.

Her expertise in case management, compliance, and program development positioned her as a leader in the field. She worked closely with federal courts and DHS attorneys, ensuring that Oklahoma’s transition to community-based care met all legal requirements and best practices. Beyond the closure of Hissom, Janet remained a champion for individuals with disabilities, continuously advocating for improved services, housing, and job opportunities.

Janet’s career evolved as she took on roles in workforce development and training. In the 1990s, she worked with various nonprofit organizations as a Job Coach and Employment Trainer, helping adults with disabilities find and maintain meaningful employment. She recognized that independence wasn’t just about housing or care—it was about purpose. Through tailored job coaching and skill-building programs, she empowered individuals to develop confidence in the workplace.

Her experience in workforce development led her to a position with the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities in the late 1990s. As a Training Specialist, she played an instrumental role in modernizing training programs for state employees and service providers. One of her most notable accomplishments was developing one of the first online training platforms for Developmental Disabilities Services (DMRS). This innovation made it possible for professionals to access essential training remotely, improving service quality across the state.

Throughout her career, Janet has blended policy knowledge, hands-on support, and training expertise to ensure individuals receive the care and opportunities they deserve. She has worked across multiple levels of government, bridging gaps between local service providers, state agencies, and federal courts to improve human services programs.

Beyond her professional contributions, Janet has dedicated time to community service. She volunteered at a women’s shelter in Arkansas, supporting survivors of abuse by providing resources and assistance. She has always believed in giving back, whether through professional roles or grassroots community efforts.

Her greatest source of pride, however, is her family. Janet is a mother of five children and one stepchild, all of whom have built successful careers in higher education, medicine, the military, and manufacturing. Her unwavering support and dedication to service have left a profound impact, not only on her community but also on her children, who carry forward her values of hard work, advocacy, and compassion.