Hello Friends!

Summer is wrapping up and another school year has just started.  As we transition into Autumn, I just wanted to take a moment to share our mission statement with you:

"Through a spirit of community cooperation, the mission of Fairfield County Job & Family Services is to provide services that encourage productivity, develop competencies, ensure accountability, and promote self-reliance, family stability, and child safety."

Even though the seasons change, Fairfield County Job & Family Services continues to be committed to that mission.  It is a joy to give you an update on all the great work our agency continues to do.  Please take a moment to check out what we've been working on and how you can get involved.


Sincerely,
Aundrea Cordle
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Beginning August 1, 2016, Ohio Medicaid will no longer perform a separate disability determination as part of the eligibility process.  This means Ohioans who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will be automatically enrolled in Medicaid coverage.  Other changes include:
  • The income limit for individuals who are aged, blind, or disabled will be raised to the Federal Benefit Rate (FBR).  This is approximately $733 gross income per month.
  • The resource limit will be raised from $1,500 to $2,000 for an individual and increased to $3,000 for a couple.
  • Individuals will no longer have the option to spend down each month for Medicaid coverage.  

Individuals who previously were on spend down Medicaid will see the following types of changes:


 

August is Child Support Awareness Month in Ohio. The child support program impacts more children than any other public program in Ohio, except public education.  One in three children is impacted by this program.

During the month of August, we take the time to recognize the staff of the CSEA and the work that they do on behalf of the families of Fairfield County. We also thank the many partners that contribute to the success of the program including local employers, courts, law enforcement and many more.

More than 648 children were issued a $200.00 voucher to be used to purchase school clothing and school supplies.  Families who were in receipt of Ohio Works First, also known as cash assistance and kinship caregivers such as grandparents, aunts and uncles who are raising children because the parents are not able to were eligible for the vouchers.

"Please thank everyone that is involved with providing the school clothes vouchers.  I didn't know how I would be able to provide for my grandchildren on my fixed budget.  It is very much appreciated and God bless JFS for helping with this," shares a grandfather who is raising his three grandchildren.  

Community Services also partnered with Information and Referral of Fairfield County and provided more than 350 school supply kits to elementary and junior high students.  
For some children who need a place to call home when their parents aren't able take care of them, kinship families have filled the need.  Throughout Fairfield County and across Ohio, an ever increasing number of individuals and families are stepping forward to provide care for youth who are not their birth children.  In Fairfield County alone, there are currently 650 identified families receiving kinship benefits from JFS, with 83 of those families providing care for children who are involved in open cases with Protective Services.
 
Kinship families in Fairfield County take on many different appearances.  Sometimes, it might be grandparents or another relative caring for a grandchild, niece or nephew, or even a sibling; but, kinship can be anyone - someone who is or is not related - providing care to children in their home.  Some families take on this responsibility on a temporary basis, while others raise the children who come into their custody all the way to adulthood.
 
As a way to help recognize these efforts, September is Grandparent/Kinship Month across the United States.  Protective Services and our partners throughout the county will provide opportunities during the month to acknowledge and reward kinship families for the efforts they make on a daily basis to ensure the children in our communities receive the care they need.  Thank you to all our kinship families!
On July 28, 2016, three teens in the custody of Fairfield County Protective Services and their Independent Living Caseworker, Stephanie Jackson, attended the Pathways to Success Conference in Columbus.  Pathways to Success is a state-wide Independent Living Conference, hosted by Ohio Reach.  Ohio Reach is an organization that works with county and post -secondary educators to improve outcomes for foster youth in college.  The conference brings current foster youth, foster alumni, post-secondary educators and caseworkers together to promote youth success. 

Workforce Development/OhioMeansJobs of Fairfield County is committed to making a difference for members of the community who are in search of fulfilling and substantive jobs.  Through the services they provide, many people are assisted annually with great success.

A recent graduate of Lancaster High School worked closely with Ginny Grilli, Youth Workforce Development Coordinator, to receive employment guidance and training services.  He attended a short term welding program with the Eastland/Fairfield Career Center this summer.  Upon completion of the program, he was able to obtain full-time employment with a local business.  He and Ginny continue to work closely for assurance of long term success and retention. 

In similar news, with the development and opening of a new facility, Amazon has been accepting applications for a variety of warehouse and professional positions.  Another customer, with the assistance of OMJ, was recently hired by the growing company.

Melissa Bennett, Career Advisor, stated, "It really is a joy to meet so many people with different skillsets and abilities and a privilege to help them take their next career steps.  I'm glad to see so many people who utilize our services go on to find careers that they are passionate about."

Our Career Advisors work closely with customers to look for employment or to obtain a better job.  We focus on evaluating and determining what skills and assets the job seeker can offer an employer.  Job Seekers can receive guidance on creating a resume, writing a cover letter and have access to training information and services.  For more information or to schedule an appointment visit the OhioMeansJobs Fairfield County Center website at www.FCJFS.org.
Fairfield County Protective Services participates in the Ohio Depar tme nt  of Health's Personal  Responsibility and Education Program (PREP). The PREP program provides youth in foster care  and the juvenile detention system with training to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections as well as career and financial information. 

The program includes more than sixteen hours of class instruction including lecture and group activities. Many small organizations struggle to provide these trainings to their youth.  Two area private foster care agencies A New Leaf,  and House of New Hope,  requested assistance in training their trainers and providing the training to small numbers of youth. Fairfield County Protective Services was able to host both agencies in sessions to help promote this program. As a result,   Independent Living Caseworker Stephanie Jackson accepted an award from Nationwide Children's Hospital on behalf of Protective Services for collaboration in partnering with two private agencies to provide this important program.
Believe it or not 2016 is now more than halfway over, which means Protective Services is already thinking about this year's holiday season.  Each year, the agency provides holiday gifts through its annual Holiday Donation Drive for children and elderly adults under its protection.  September 25 th is typically our Christmas kick-off to begin all the planning.  It is our hope that our agency, with the support of many community partners and private donors, will again be able to make the holidays special for children and elderly involved with our agency.
 
There are many different ways to help make the 2016 Holiday Donation Drive a success.  If you are interested in sponsoring a child or elderly adult, providing a donation, or for more information, please contact Heather Funk at 740-652-7689 or email at [email protected] .