| |
|
Fairfield County Job and Family Services Welcomes Our New Deputy Director of Finance
Bart Hampson
was hired in October 2015 as the Deputy Director of Finance for Fairfield County Job and Family Services. Bart brings to the agency over 15 years of finance experience in the private sector. Bart has served as a Senior Financial Analyst for major companies such as Boeing, NetJets, and Thirty-One Gifts.
Bart is a United States Air Force veteran and served in Desert Shield / Desert Storm. After being honorably discharged from the United States Air Force, Bart spent 11 years with Boeing in many different capacities. He led his Finance organization in the implementation of the facility's material costing system. While at NetJets, Bart was the lead accountant responsible for the company's North American inventory. His responsibilities included all of the accounting and auditing functions associated with NetJets owned aircraft parts inventory. He also created and implemented the company's first ever parts usage database. Bart then went on to work for Thirty-One Gifts and held several positions including Senior Financial Analyst for the company's product margins and commissions.
Bart graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Science in Management from Mount Vernon Nazarene University. Other than his years in the military, Bart is a lifelong resident of Fairfield County and graduated from Fairfield Union. He resides in Lancaster with his wife, Michelle, and their 2 children, Grant and Grace.
He looks forward to serving the residents of Fairfield County.
|
|
Fairfield County Protective Services Holiday Donation Drive
For over twelve years, Fairfield County Protective Services, with the support of many community partners and private donors, have made the holidays special for children involved with our agency.
There are many different ways you can help Santa fill his bag. Please remember that no gift is too small. Every item will make a difference.
Following are some of the ways you could contribute:
*adopt (buy for) a single child or his/her entire family
*provide a toy or game
*provide food, diapers or formula
*provide a monetary donation or gift cards
*provide winter hats, gloves or stocking stuffers
*hold a toy, pajama or hat/glove drive
All donations are tax deductible and may be mailed to:
Fairfield County Job & Family Services
Attn: Protective Services
239 West Main Street
Lancaster, Ohio 43130
** Call 1-740-652-7689 for more information **
|
Summer Youth Program was a Success!
The 2015 TANF Summer Youth Employment Program concluded on October 31st after another successful year. Business System Solutions (Teenworks) and Fairfield County Community Action administered the summer employment program and provided work assignments to 72 young people between the ages of 16-24.
The program began in May with workshops focusing on the development of work readiness skills. All participants were then placed in various jobs including clerical positions, customer service, floor sales, landscaping, material handling, janitorial and food service. The program provided an opportunity for young people to gain valuable work experience and in some cases, permanent work. Many of the participants worked 25-35 hours per week.
During each participant's job assignment, pre and post-evaluations were completed by their work supervisors. Evaluations are based on work performance, attendance, teamwork and workplace safety. For many, the summer youth program has been the participant's first experience in the "work world." By building work experience, many young people learn the essential skills that will help them with future employment.
Thank you to the businesses, non-profit agencies, and faith based partners who served as employment sites and supported the program.
|
|
National Adoption Day Celebrated!
National Adoption Day was celebrated in Fairfield County on Saturday, November 21, 2015 with four children finding forever families. Judge Terre L. Vandervoort was excited to finalize adoptions on National Adoption Day for the second time since the 2013. JFS Director Aundrea Cordle and Protective Services adoption staff were present as dreams came true for children awaiting adoption. Later, a celebration was held at Liberty Center for these newly formed families and other children and youth in Fairfield County experiencing the joy of adoption.
National Adoption Day is a collective, national effort to raise awareness of more than 100,000 children in foster care waiting for permanent and loving families. Since its inception, this annual, one day event has made the dreams of nearly 54,500 children come true. In 2014, approximately 4,500 youth in foster care were adopted by their forever families over the 15
th
National Adoption Day celebration. National Adoption Day is supported by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.
Fairfield County Job and Family Services is thrilled to be in partnership with Judge Vandervoort to celebrate the adoptions of these very special children with their families.
(source:
www.nationaladoptionday.org/media-room)
|
|
Stuff-A-Bus 2015
JFS participated in the Stuff-A- Bus Campaign again this holiday season. The goal of Fairfield Community Action Pantry was to collect enough non- perishable food items to fill a shuttle bus with the help of Fairfield County.
The agency collected around 500 non-perishables which were donated to Lancaster Fairfield Community Action food pantry.
|
Fairfield County JFS Foster and Adoptive Family Receives Honor
Bill and Penny Guelsdorf, Foster and Adoptive Parents for Fairfi
eld County Protective Services, were recently honored with one of four PCSAO Families of the Year Awards at the PCSAO Annual Conference on October 23, 2015. The theme of this year's conference was "The Journey Home: Partnering for Permanency."
Fostering is a family affair at the Guelsdorf home, where 11 people currently live and love and support one another. Bill and Penny became foster parents 15 years ago. Since then they have fostered 17 children and adopted two sibling groups - for a total of five adopted children who now range in age from 10 to 19. Currently, they are fostering a sibling group of three ranging in age from 3 to 7 years old.
 
Last year, the Guelsdorfs volunteered for an agency pilot program aimed at increasing support for children who have experienced trauma. This has been no small task. They have opened their home to a therapist on a weekly basis, increased contact with their foster children's biological family, and committed to mentoring and providing respite for the birth mother upon reunification. Already adoptive parents five times over, the Guelsdorfs are intensively focused on reunification for foster children. They invite the children's mother to attend their church, provide transportation to and from visits, involve her in doctor appointments and school functions, and regularly provide parenting tips when she struggles. They readily accept feedback from the professionals in their home and are being trained as trauma-informed parents. Their adult children and new son-in-law are also part of the Guelsdorf team that helps keep everything running smoothly in a busy household.
Bill and Penny recognize that young adults with a history of trauma need greater support as they enter adulthood, so they have been in no hurry to empty their nest. For their older adopted children, they continue to offer a nurturing environment and unconditional love. They exemplify commitment to children who have not always been able to trust adults. For Bill and Penny, they know their role is for a lifetime.
Thank you for all that you two do!
|
|
| |
|
|
Want to Learn More About Foster Care or Adoption?
Click on the link above.
|
|
Job and Family Services Serious About Fraud
Individuals who mislead caseworkers or lie on an application to receive public assistance benefits could be charged with a felony and required to pay back to the state the amount of assistance they received.
"We receive approximately 50 fraud referrals each month which I investigate to determine if the individual intentionally provided false information or documents to receive public assistance benefits such as Food Assistance, Medicaid, Cash Assistance, or Child Care benefits", explains MaryJo Fox, Fraud Investigator.
The majority of fraud cases are due to individuals not reporting income or household members timely or accurately. Individuals found to be committing fraud are disqualified from the program, must repay improperly obtained benefits, and may face criminal charges and jail time.
Residents of Fairfield County may report suspected public assistance fraud by calling Fairfield County Job and Family Services Fraud Hotline at 740-652-7616 or via the agency website at
www.fcjfs.org.
|
|
Public Children Services Association of Ohio- Outstanding Child Protective Supervisor of the Year Award
Each year,
PCSAO
recognizes youth, families, agency staff and others for their outstanding contributions to child protection and family stability. Out of all 88 counties, our own Stacey Bergstrom was
Chosen as the Outstanding Child Protective Supervisor of the Year.
When it comes to child protection, casework supervisors are the linchpin for keeping an agency on track, maintaining caseworker productivity, and ensuring that children and families are receiving case management services that lead to the best possible outcomes. Ms. Bergstrom exemplifies all of those qualities. Ms. Bergstrom is professional, accessible, solution focused and she has a direct communication style that stresses transparency. A natural mentor and coach, she sits with staff as they complete documentation for the first time, shadows them in the field, and sets clear expectations. Her strong bond with her workers is matched only by her compassionate
approach to families.
Before becoming a supervisor, she served as an ongoing caseworker. She was keenly aware of the frustrations families often have with protective services agencies, not to mention the barriers they face because of the lack of community resources.
Ms. Bergstrom embraces excellence in customer services and set expectations for her staff to partner more closely with families to develop positive solutions. Fairfield County Job and Family Services, Protective Services is proud Ms. Bergstrom is a member of our team. Way to go Stacey!!!
|
|
Profiles in Service
Heather Stoneburner
Ongoing Caseworker
Protective Services
Years with Fairfield County:
11 years in March 2016
The hardest thing I've ever done:
Leaving my children in the care of others
Three people (living or dead) I'd invite to dinner:
My grandpa (died in 2000), Snoop Dogg and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.
My favorite meal is:
Mexican!
My motto is:
Dance like no one is watching... then apologize to those who were.
I'm most proud of:
My two boys
|
|
