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Hello Friends,
Summer is here and it is time to look forward to the nice weather and relax. How wonderful it would be if we could stop time (or at least slow it down a little) to take advantage of all our summer has to offer.
In the meantime, I'd like to share that we have changed our mission statement to better align with the work that we do each day:
"To protect children and the elderly, encourage family stability, and promote self-reliance for a stronger community."
Fairfield County Job & Family Services continues to be committed to serving the needs of people in our community and it is because of our stakeholders, partners, and community members that we are able to do so. P
lease take a moment to review our newsletter and all the great ways we are working to make a difference.
Sincerely,
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Changes In Re-determination Interviews for SNAP and Ohio Works First Improves Customer Service
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Community Services started a new customer service initiative which allows customers to call the agency for their re-determination interviews for SNAP (food assistance) and OWF (cash) cases. This initiative allows the customer to call for an interview any time within a one-hour window and provides immediate interview availability for customers who missed their recertification interview in the prior month.
Customers may bypass the Customer Call Center and call the redetermination line directly at
740-652-7885; redetermination interviewers staff the line daily between 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. As part of the initiative, the redetermination packet was revised to include a list of verifications the customer should return in advance of the interview. This initiative has resulted in a greater number of approvals at the time of the interview and prevents the need for customers to contact the Customer Call Center to reschedule missed appointments.
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WEAR PURPLE JUNE 15: Elder Abuse Awareness
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Please join our staff, agency partners, and service providers in celebrating World Elder Abuse Awareness on June 15. Abuse, neglect and exploitation referrals are at an all time high in Fairfield County, while state funding remains low at only $30,000 per year. The nation's opioid epidemic affects Fairfield County seniors in many ways, including caring for children and grandchildren affected by drug abuse, as well as dealing with the theft of prescriptions and other financial resources by friends and relatives struggling with substance abuse. Fairfield County Adult Protective Services staff are committed to serving older adults in our community while providing excellent customer service. Please join our staff in raising awareness on June 15 by wearing purple to show your support. Individual and group photos can be sent to: [email protected] or tweeted to @fcjfs.
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Wrap Up of
CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION Month
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April of 2017 proved to be an exciting month for us regarding child abuse prevention and recognition. Our second annual kick-off breakfast was full of thoughtful and inspiring stories from the perspective of a former foster youth (Alysia Wilson) and former foster parents (Mike and Kelly Brick).
We also had our annual Blue Ribbon Art Contest where two fourth grade classes from the Lancaster City School District participated. Thank you to Gorsuch West and Mt. Pleasant Elementary for participating and congratulations to the winners: Cruz Rainier and Seth Tippton (
pictured above
).
Lancaster High School Marketing Education Program also got involved with April activities by participating in the "Wear Blue" contest. Fairfield County Dog Adoption Center and Shelter partnered with us to provide an incentive to adopt a dog by contributing to child abuse prevention with each adoption in the month of April.
Although we ended up getting rained out in the end, our last event of the month was the Annual Candlelight Walk. The walk to the gazebo was a time to reflect on the gravity of child abuse and neglect and how it affects the children and families of Fairfield County. Thank you to all the community members and partners who supported Protective Services throughout the month of April!
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JFS Recognizes May as NATIONAL FOSTER CARE Awareness Month
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On Tuesday, May 9, 2017, Fairfield County Commissioners Steven A. Davis, Mike Kiger and David L. Levacy, issued a Proclamation recognizing May as Foster Care & Adoption Recognition and Recruitment Month. Commissioner Levacy presented the Proclamation to JFS Director Aundrea Cordle, Protective Services Deputy Director Kristi Burre, Permanency Manager Johanna Pearce, Permanency Supervisor Dave Henwood, and Permanency Caseworkers Ruth Hoch, Traci Hall, and Ashleigh Duffy.
The Proclamation acknowledged the need for more foster and adoptive parents and kinship caregivers to meet the needs of children to heal and reconnect while establishing permanent lifelong connections for those needing consistent, loving care.
Currently, Fairfield County JFS/Protective Services has 39 foster families caring for 45 children.
Another 21 children are in network foster homes. Moreover, kinship caregivers are caring for an additional 66 children. Protective Services wishes to express sincere appreciation for all kinship, foster, and adoptive caregivers for their commitment and dedication to children and their families. If you are interested in learning more about becoming a foster or adoptive parent, please call 740-652-7787 and ask to speak with someone on the foster care team.
Pictured above: JFS staff who volunteered to set-up the Foster Parent Recognition event on Friday, May 26, 2017. This event acknowledges how important our foster parent families are and how they make a difference, every day. Special thanks to Kroger on Memorial Drive for donating flowers, Old Towne Candles and Cupcakes by the Confectionary. Also, special thanks to the staff members who went out of their way to donate food and help make the event possible.
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Child Abuse Prevention Month Proclamation
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On April 12, National Wear Blue Day for Child Abuse Prevention, Fairfield County Commissioners Mike Kiger & David Levacy presented Job and Family Services with a proclamation recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. We would like to extend special thanks to all those that helped promote awareness and celebrated at the breakfast, as well as participated in our many other Child Abuse Prevention Month activities.
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Deible Has a Calling
"YOU ARE MORE"
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Sarah Deible has worked here at JFS in Community Services for 10 years. She and her husband have recently decided to move to South Dakota to
serve at Chanku Waste' Ranch which is Lakota for "The Good Road", aka "The Good Road in the Badlands". The Deibles have joined a program called the "Adorned Campaign," which works
to bring awareness, resources, and support regarding mental health, self-harm and suicide.
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In early Spring, the Zenith 17 Apex volleyball team collected personal hygiene items as a community service project to donate to homeless people in Fairfield County. Pictured above is the team and the items they collected to donate and compile the "Blessing Bags".
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Congrats to Leadership Development Program Graduates
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Congratulations to JFS employees who have completed the Leadership Development Program. These individuals are paving their way to success and a better understanding of leadership. This program was created to help build leadership and management skills with staff, while continuing to work in their current positions. This program consists of lectures, group discussions, research projects and real-world experiences.
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Circus Night and Candlelight Walk a HUGE Success, Thanks to Your Help and Support
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On April 20, JFS once again hosted Circus Night and the Candlelight Walk. This event is for families and the community in general to get together and promote a safe and healthy community. This event is fully funded by area businesses and organizations, and we couldn't do it without them! Also, special thanks to J
FS staff who volunteered to make the Circus Night/Candlelight Walk event such a great success.
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