September 2013

In This Issue

Director's Letter: HCJFS Improves Effectiveness of SuperJobs

New Support Program for Foster Teens 

Hamilton County Mother Receives Support for Children

Top 5 Super Jobs

Adopt 6-year-old Marquez

Marquez can be described as rough and tough but he also has a soft side with a very big heart. This adorable little boy likes trucks and action figures. More...

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Last year, Hamilton County Job and Family Services took over operation of the SuperJobs Center from a private vendor. We did so with a number of goals, namely increasing services to Hamilton County and City of Cincinnati residents by reducing administrative costs.

I am proud to say that one year after we assumed operation, we’ve reduced operating costs by more than $700,000 and increased spending on training and transportation for Hamilton County residents by more than $900,000. As a result, more residents were able to get and keep a job.

The SuperJobs Center, located at 1916 Central Parkway, is a valuable local service that connects current job seekers with employers who have current openings. Unlike a private employment agency, SuperJobs uses a variety of community partnerships and internal resources to help job seekers overcome barriers and work toward financial stability and self-sufficiency.

In some cases, SuperJobs is able to work with employers to help provide job seekers with training or certification. Other times, SuperJobs is able provide assistance with transportation to help an individual get to their job the first few weeks. SuperJobs works closely with 13 partners – including Job Corps, the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation, the Community Action Agency, Mature Services and others – who collaborate to meet the needs of Hamilton County residents.

The SuperJobs Center has done some solid work for several years. Last year HCJFS took over the operation in a move led by Hamilton County Commissioner Greg Hartmann with an eye toward improving both the efficiency and effectiveness of this public service.

At the time, we set seven goals for the SuperJobs center. All are aimed at putting more people to work.

Those goals were:

1. Increase spending on direct services to consumers by $500,000
2. Reduce operating costs by $500,000
3. Enroll 750 individuals in the Workforce Investment Act
4. Provide training and wage subsidies to 200 individuals
5. Help 450 individuals find employment
6. Serve 200 employers more than once
7. Meet or exceed state federal performance measures.

One year later, we have exceed our objectives in the first six goals, saving more money that we expected, redirecting those savings to consumers and helping more people enroll in services and find employment.

We’ve also improved our relationships with local employers. Last year, we added value for more than 300 local employers who turned to us regularly for help filling positions. As a result of our frequent and successful hiring events, we are regularly able to match employers with job seekers.

We also met the final goal – to meet federal performance measures – meeting four state objectives and exceeding two. Five of the six increased compared to one year prior.

All of this was done while staffing levels dropped from 27 to 18.

Moving forward, we know changes are coming for SuperJobs. As Governor John Kasich recently announced, all of the one-stop employment centers – SuperJobs included – will soon undergo a change in branding and become Ohio Means Jobs centers.

But we have already transformed last year’s goals into benchmarks for this year and are confident that the new, more efficient center is ready to meet any challenges that lie ahead. We will continue to adapt to ensure that we spend public dollars well and that we continue helping Hamilton County residents to find work.