Dear friends,

We are trying new things at the Department of Job and Family Services and we really feel our citizens are going to benefit from our innovation.  

Our partnership with The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County recently received media attention. Staff members of all 41 libraries in the system are now trained to accept verification documents -– Social Security cards, birth certificates, marriage and divorce decrees, etc. -– on our behalf. This means our families can now handle some of the business of applying for our services right in their own neighborhoods, saving them the time, money and gas consumption that would be required if they drove downtown to deliver the documents in person. 

Much like our efforts to open substations at various community centers, health clinics and social service agencies throughout the county, this is an attempt to be more accessible to our clients. We want to be as customer-friendly as possible, within the limits of the regulations we must live by. 

We are also using technology to be more accessible. Individuals can now report changes in address, employment, income, etc. through an online form at www.hcjfs.org. The form employs Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology, which allows the public to safely submit sensitive information such as Social Security numbers. 

We have also added secure online Contact Us forms so clients can contact us with questions, suggestions, complaints or compliments on their cases.  

We are exploring more and more ways for citizens to do business with us online. In fact, just last month, we publicized and conducted online chats about child support and foster care, allowing the public to ask general questions about the programs and receive real-time answers. We plan more of these chats and live discussions on other topics at later dates. 

We are embracing innovation, whether in technology or our physical practices. We hope you are seeing a positive difference.  

Sincerely,

Moira Weir