December 2010
Year in Review
Agency adjusts to fulfill mission

2010 will go down as a year of adaptation and innovation for the Hamilton County Department of Job and Family Services. The agency implemented a number of changes as it strived to carry out its increasingly important mission. Here's a  quick recap of the top stories of 2010:

Demand for services continues to increase

The sluggish economy continued to have a major impact on the Hamilton County Department of Job and Family Services. The number of residents receiving food help from the department went from 113,000 in September 2009 to 133,000 in September of this year. The rolls for Medicaid grew from 141,000 to 150,000 in the same year. Meanwhile. the agency operated with fewer than 800 employees -- half the number of just two years earlier. The department continued to make adjustments necessary in this challenging environment.

Child Care implements statewide computer system

Due to a new statewide computer system, the Child Care Information Data System (CCIDS), about 1,500 Hamilton County child care providers encountered big changes. They started getting paid monthly by the State through Electronic Funds Transfer. (They had received biweekly checks from the County.) They signed agreements with the State. (They had contracted with the County.) Home child care providers began paying union dues for the first time. (They had been non-unionized.) The State launched a “provider portal” where providers entered rates and other information. (They had done more by paper.)

241-KIDS celebrates 35th anniversary

Hamilton County's 24-hour child abuse and neglect reporting line has come a long way. What started as a single phone in the old welfare building has evolved into an efficient operation staffed by some of the most experienced social workers in the country. Hamilton County was first in Ohio to develop a comprehensive emergency service for abused and neglected children. All 88 counties have since added this important service. 241-KIDS handles more than 66,000 calls and refers more than 6,000 new reports of abuse for investigation in a year.

Choose Your Partner Carefully campaign targets moms

Hamilton County JFS launched a child abuse prevention campaign called Choose Your Partner Carefully... Your Child's Life Depends on It. The campaign sought to increase awareness among mothers of the risk their children face when a non-related male is entrusted with their care. It provides tools to help moms better evaluate the likelihood that a boyfriend could abuse their children. A TV commercial, brochures and Web site (www.KnowTheWarningSigns.com) stressed warning signs and pointed out resources for mothers. The campaign won a Blacksmith Award from the Cincinnati chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.

Agency receives national customer service award

An automated appointment system and live online chats helped the Hamilton County JFS win a national customer service award. Hamilton County JFS was the only department in Ohio and one of just 30 in the country recognized for providing outstanding service in its food assistance (food stamp) program. U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon named Hamilton County a Bronze Hunger Champion in the 2010 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Hunger Champion Awards.

421-LIFE hits major milestone: 20 years of service

Twenty years ago, the Hamilton County Department of Job and Family Services made a commitment to ensuring the safety of the elderly of the county by starting 421-LIFE, the 24-hour elder abuse and neglect reporting line.  
The agency became one of the first in the country to operate a centralized elder abuse reporting line.
Before 421-LIFE, county residents called Adult Protective Services (APS) workers, Cincinnati Area Senior Services, University Hospital and others to make the reports. Agencies faxed the information to APS workers. 

Children's Services begins Alternative Response

Hamilton County Children's Services staff began implementing Alternative Response -- a new approach by Ohio's child welfare agencies to help families access services, support and other help that will resolve their concerns. Alternative Response is an alternative way to address allegations of child abuse and/or neglect that includes early family engagement, joint decision-making and service delivery in lieu of a traditional investigative approach. It involves a partnership between the family and the agency to identify problems, develop solutions and implement services. The goals of Alternative Response are:
* Increased child safety and well-being.
* Fewer repeat cases of abuse or neglect.
* Lower placement rates of children in foster care.
* Reduced cost over time.

Technology improves service for food assistance...

Hamilton County joined counties across the state in launching an online application for food stamps, cash assistance and Medicaid. Meanwhile, Hamilton County residents with questions about their Medicaid, food assistance, cash assistance and child care cases got the option of doing private/secure online chats about their cases with Family and Adult Assistance and/or Child Care technicians.

Adoption campaign features older kids

Nearly 200 Hamilton County children await adoption -- more than half age 10 or older. To help those children find homes, Hamilton County JFS launched a campaign featuring TV commercials, billboards, posters and community presentations. The campaign centers around the theme: "Adoption = Possibilities." It features teens sharing dreams such as getting a bedroom of their own, having supportive parents and a loving home, not aging out of the system alone, and staying in Cincinnati and getting a chance to make the city better. It encourages people to call (513) 632-6366 or visit www.hckids.org for more information.

Medicaid/food assistance techs at area hospitals

Hamilton County JFS stationed eligibility technicians at four additional hospitals in 2010: Christ, Good Samaritan, Mercy Western Hills and Mercy Mt. Airy. The agency has had technicians at University Hospital and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center for several years. “It's much more convenient for patients who might qualify for Medicaid and/or food stamps,” said Joyce Cottrell of Hamilton County JFS, leader of the Hospital Project. “And hospital financial counselors can work more quickly and efficiently with eligibility technicians to determine eligibility.”

Child Support answers calls quickly with new setup

Technology, teamwork and tenacity has helped Hamilton County Child Support provide prompt service to customers calling (513) 946-SETS. Between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays, a rotating group of technicians answers calls using the Avaya Call Management System, software that allows managers to monitor call traffic and allocate staff to cover peak times. At least six of Child Support’s 46 technicians cover one- to three-hour shifts, for a total of seven hours per tech/per week. They work from their regular workspaces, which are equipped with Avaya phones.  

Mayerson Center hits 10-year mark

In 2000, several entities came together to show their continued commitment to fighting and preventing child abuse and neglect. This year, The Mayerson Center for Safe and Healthy Children at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center celebrates a decade of a coordinated effort to keep children safe in the Greater Cincinnati area. 
The Mayerson Center staff includes officers from both the Cincinnati Police Department and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, Job and Family Services workers, a victim advocate from the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office, and Cincinnati Children’s staff of physicians, nurses and social workers. 

Child Support fatherhood conference attracts many

What topic would bring a former Major League baseball star, a Congressman, and about 200 attorneys, court officials, social workers, Child Support technicians and members of the community (mostly dads) together? On Aug. 13, they assembled at the Kingsgate Marriott near University Hospital for A Brighter Future: Strengthening Fathers for Families and Community. The day-long conference was sponsored by Lighthouse Youth Services, Hamilton County JFS, and the Ohio Practitioners Network for Fathers & Families. The event featured workshops, discussions and remarks by Hall of Famer Joe Morgan, MVP of the 1975-76 World Champion Cincinnati Reds, and Congressman Steve Driehaus of Cincinnati. Agency Director Moira Weir presented Judge Thomas Lipps with the 2010 Child Support Hero Award. Child Support techs processed more than 20 drivers’ license reinstatements for fathers who made payments or shared employment information.

Grant to help agency with 'crossover' youth

Hamilton County was chosen as one of 11 communities across the nation to participate in a nationally-recognized program helping youth involved in both the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. The Center for Juvenile Justice Reform at Georgetown University and Casey Family Programs has created a Crossover Youth Practice Model Initiative aimed at reforming services to “crossover youth” -- children and youth who are known to multiple systems of care, particularly juvenile justice and child welfare.