January 2014

In This Issue

Director's Letter: Resolution: Improved Customer Service

HEMI Scholarship Named After HCJFS Director Moira Weir 

Hamilton County Job and Family Services Year in Review

Petra Clay Among Hundreds to Find Help at SuperJobs

Continue to Apply for Medicaid Coverage

Top 5 Super Jobs

Adopt 11-year-old Makayla

Makayla loves to spend time in the swimming pool perfecting her stroke and mastering her dive. Swimming is one of her favorite sports. Makayla also enjoys basketball and she is currently playing recreationally.  More...

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2013 was an important year for HCJFS. Here is a look at some of the major headlines.

HCJFS Shows Adaptability by Exceeding 90 Percent Timeliness for Public Assistance for One Year

As of March 1, HCJFS met or exceeded a 90 percent timeliness rate for public assistance claims for a full year. That means between March 2012 and March 2013 more than 90 percent of consumers who reapplied for food assistance and more than 96 percent of consumers who applied for the first time received a determination within the required 30 days.

This milestone was important to HCJFS because it represented the agency's ability to face a challenge head-on and tackle it. After dramatic cuts in staffing when the economy slowed, making a determination on public assistance claims in a timely manner was one of the biggest challenges. Public assistance claims rose dramatically while staffing levels dropped.

In fact, not only was Hamilton County the first major metropolitan county to pass the 90 percent mark, other counties asked HCJFS for help.

Since then, HCJFS has continued to deliver timely service, staying above 90 percent. In November, the agency completed 94% of applications timely.

Two Big Changes Came to Food Assistance

On Nov. 1, the 2009 Recovery Act’s temporary boost to food assistance expired. As a result, most families receiving benefits saw a decrease in their monthly allotment.

And the state of Ohio’s waiver for Able-Bodied Adults without Dependents (ABAWD) enrolled in the food assistance program recently expired.

That means any adult between the ages of 18 and 50, who is not pregnant, does not have a disability and is not in an assistance group with a minor child, needs to prove they are either working or in a job program or work-experience program by Jan. 1, 2014 to continue receiving benefits.

The approximately 18,000 individuals affected in Hamilton County were given the opportunity to choose the job training program or work experience program – as long as it meets requirements – that best meets their needs and goals for future employment.

HCJFS Improves Effectiveness of SuperJobs

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

One year after assuming the operation, operating costs had been reduced by more than $700,000 and training and transportation spending for Hamilton County residents had increased by more than $900,000. As a result, more residents were able to get and keep a job.

HCJFS has also improved relationships with local employers. As a result of frequent and successful hiring events, employers are regularly matched with job seekers.

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

Country Music Star Jimmy Wayne Speaks to Hamilton County Foster Kids

On June 12, HCJFS celebrated the graduation of 48 high school students who had been in foster care.

Through the generosity of the US Bank/Haile Foundation, country music star and foster care advocate Jimmy Wayne shared his inspirational story about being raised without his biological family. In 2010, Wayne walked across America to raise awareness about child abuse and the number of young people who age-out of the foster care system without any support. In 2012, his testimony convinced Tennessee legislators to extend funding for foster children aging out of the system at 18 years until age 22.

Wayne also spoke to HCJFS staff and community partners at the United Way of Greater Cincinnati.

Kiosk Installed in HCJFS Lobby

Beginning in July, consumers were able to scan their documents directly into HCJFS's document-maintenance system through a self-serve kiosk in the lobby.

The system is free and easy to use. After consumers scan their original documents, the documents are immediately returned and consumers receive an on-the-spot receipt for what was submitted.

Previously, consumers had to submit documents through the mail, fax or in an agency drop-box. Those documents were later scanned into the agency’s document-imaging system. The kiosk, which was paid for by the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, scans documents directly into the system, giving caseworkers almost immediate access.

The kiosk is part of a series of plans implemented by HCJFS to reduce wait times for assistance and increase customer service.

Hamilton County Reinstated the Foster Youth Advisory Board

After a brief hiatus, the Foster Youth Advisory Board is back in Hamilton County. Over the past several months, this recharged foster youth-led initiative has organized around making the foster care system better for the children it serves.

The group officially began meeting in November of 2012 and has chosen to meet on the first Thursday of the month at the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County.

Each meeting, the kids discuss what they can do to help others in foster care. Soon the YAB will once again lead the state with an active local voice. Several young leaders are already emerging and with the needed tools and training; the youth will be successful in advocating and improving foster care now and in the future.

Individuals who know a youth interested in the YAB should contact Rosemary Hain at hainr@jfs.hamilton-co.org, Kaitlyn Brannon at brannk@jfs.hamilton-co.org or email YAB@jfs.hamilton-co.org.

New Support Program for Foster Teens

A new state grant, Connecting the Dots, is now helping Hamilton County foster youth transition to adulthood.

The goal of Connecting the Dots is to improve the employment and education outcomes for foster kids ages 15 to 18 currently in Hamilton County foster care. The program also serves recently emancipated youth, ages 19 to 21.

Connecting the Dots has two components. First youth receive a mentor from Big Brothers, Big Sisters (BBBS). Seven of the youth have already been matched with a mentor. BBBS is working on matching the other youth with mentors who are in fields that they want to be in as adults. The second component connects the youth with a workforce development agency to work on life, job and interview skills.

There are currently 55 youth enrolled in the program. Connecting the Dots will serve the youth over a period of two years.

Boxer Meets Match in Child Support Technicians

A Cincinnati boxer met his match when it came to two child support technicians with Hamilton County Job and Family Services.

Set to participate in a 10-bout fight card on Sept. 7 at Cincinnati’s Horseshoe Casino, the boxer ran into two of his toughest adversaries to date: Child Support Enforcement Technicians Sandi Wolf and Debbie German.

When the mother of the boxer’s child called again the Friday before his big fight wondering why he was fighting when he was not current on his support payments, Wolf and German jumped into action.

Wolf suspended him that day but knew the paperwork would never reach the Ohio Athletic Commission in time to stop the fight. So she called and spoke directly with Commission Executive Director Bernie Profato, who said he would pull the fight if the payment wasn’t made.

Under orders from Profato, the boxer’s trainer quickly called Wolf and wanted to know how to make payment of the nearly $5,000 that was owed. Shortly before 4 p.m., he showed up with the money.

Donation from School Outfitters Allows HCJFS to Create Kid-Friendly Spaces

Kids visiting their families at HCJFS now have a bright, colorful place to play thanks to a generous donation from School Outfitters.

HCJFS has dedicated visitation rooms that are used to host family visits with foster children involved with Children's Services. In addition, HCJFS also has several waiting areas for children who are removed from unsafe environments while caseworkers search for a foster home.

But for some time, the rooms have been filled with leftover office furniture and chairs and unappealing to kids. At a time when kids are often already confused or uneasy, HCJFS wanted to be able to provide a safe, clean and comfortable space for them.

The extremely generous donation from School Outfitters allowed HCJFS to fill the rooms with kid appropriate furniture and toys.

Kiwanis International Donates Supplies and Gifts to Hamilton County Foster Children

In early 2013, the Ohio District of Kiwanis International donated boxes of toiletries, blankets, toys, books and more to help Hamilton County foster children who are temporarily removed from their homes.

The donation was part of the district’s service project in 2012, which was to provide supplies for foster children in all of Ohio’s 88 counties. More than 28,000 items were donated statewide.

Hamilton County has about 850 foster children on any given day. When a child is at risk of not being safe in their home, the county will remove the children and work with the family toward an arrangement that will ensure the safety of the child. This donation went to these children, many of whom may have left their home without anything.

April Barker Wins County Employee of the Year

Each year, the Hamilton County Commissioners invite employees to submit nominations for co-workers who have excelled in their service to the people of Hamilton County. The winners are selected by the previous year's winners. April Barker won the 2013 Hamilton County Employee of the Year for Professional Achievement.

April Barker, contract services manager, was nominated by two HCJFS employees for her work in helping to increase Ohio’s Ohio Works First (OWF) work participation rate from 39 to 50 percent. Barker built a team of high performing staff dedicated to pursuing this effort, and since 2010 Hamilton County has consistently led metro counties in this measure. As a result, Ohio's rate is now above 50 percent and the state was able to avoid $250,000,000 in federal fines.