Director's letter: We help seniors too

Many people know Hamilton County’s Department of Job and Family Services for its child welfare program. In fact, a lot of people don’t even call us by our name – they call us 241-KIDS, which is the name of our child abuse reporting hotline.

While we are very serious about our role of helping protect the youngest members of our community, we have a lesser-known role in helping our community’s older adults, too.  More...

News

HCJFS works to modernize

By the end of this year, nearly all Family and Adult Assistance cases could be conducted over the phone or through the internet, according to Hamilton County’s Department of Job and Family Services Chief Operating Officer Tim McCartney.

What that means for the agency is a dramatic shift to modernize procedures and assets to not only better serve customers but aid employees dealing with a much greater workload. 

“In the past, we tried to fit the world into us. What we are trying to do now is fit into the world,” McCartney said. More...

ODJFS to implement EPPICard Fees

When the Ohio EPPICard was introduced in 2009, clients were advised  if they called more than 10 times per month, there would be a $0.25 fee for every additional call.

The fee was not immediately activated, however, and the clients did not incur the charge.

The charge will be activated March 1.

According to the Office of Families and Children, Bureau of Operations, customers will hear a message reminding them that fees will accumulate. The fees will be in addition to existing ATM fees and the cost to replace a card. More...

HCJFS joins Pregnancy Pathways

Pamela Dewberry’s work with Pregnancy Pathways has been so influential in the lives of some local women that one of Dewberry’s customers asked for her assistance in naming her son.

Dewberry chose “Asher”, meaning blessing, and it became the baby’s middle name.

The name is apt, as the new program serves as a blessing to many women by working to save the lives of their unborn and newborn children.

Unfortunately, infant mortality remains a serious issue within the county, often the result of social or health issues that cause the mother to go into pre-term labor or deliver at a low birth rate. More...

New grant to provide financial education to parents

Hamilton County’s Job and Family Services Department has been chosen to participate in an innovative program designed to improve the financial well-being of children by increasing the financial literacy and standing of parents who pay child support.

The Asset Building for Financial Responsibility Program will connect low-income, non-custodial parents involved in the child support system with financial education and asset building programs.

The goal is to develop financial stability among the parents, so their children will receive the support they need to lead happy, healthy lives.
Hamilton County and Cuyahoga County will pilot the program.  More...