Agency modernizes Web site
May 7, 2008 -- The Hamilton County Department of Job and Family Services today completed a major upgrade of its Web site (www.hcjfs.org).

The refurbished site includes online forms where agency customers can ask questions about their cases -- and submit address, income, household size and other changes.

It features videos explaining agency services, chat areas for discussing topics of interest to agency customers, podcasts, RSS feeds and other technology for keeping the public up-to-date.

More than 20,000 individuals visit the Web site monthly to conduct business, learn about services and research topics.

Camp offers programs for kids involved with Children's Services
May 12, 2008 -- More than a hundred abused and neglected children will get a chance to attend a picturesque summer camp north of Cincinnati with programs designed especially for them. The Hamilton County Department of Job and Family Services once again has contracted with Camp Joy in Clarksville to provide five programs for children ages 7-16.

The camp has proven a life-changing experience for youth coming from chaotic home situations. Exposure to nature and outdoor activities awakens a part of them that they didn't know existed.

Programs range from a Youth Camp (ages 7-12), June 16-20, that provides activities such as canoeing, hiking, crafts, adventure ropes courses and campfires to Leader-in-Training, an intensive 10-day experience for 15- and 16-year-olds in late July.

Camp Reunite, which takes place July 28-Aug. 1, brings separated brothers and sisters together. For the first time in weeks or months, siblings (ages 7-16) get to enjoy quality time together in a fun environment. They build positive bonds that last a lifetime.

The Camp Joy experience helps children:

* Gain interpersonal and personal skills (increased self-confidence and social skills).
* Make new friends with youth who lead similar lives.
* Experience healthy challenges from living in cabins to tackling high ropes courses.
* Develop lasting relationships with role models.
* Have lots of fun.

Click here for course descriptions. To register, a child's Children's Services worker must complete this registration form for each participating child.

Contact Holly Britton (britth@jfs.hamilton-co.org or 513-946-1902) for more information.

Hamilton County Children's Services, a division of the Department of Job and Family Services, assists 6,600 children on a given day.

Agency adds "how-to's" to weekly podcast
May 14, 2008 -- Get a quick tip designed to enhance your experience with the Hamilton County Department of Job and Family Services by listening to the agency's weekly podcast.

A how-to segment was added to the 90-second audio podcast, which has featured weekly headline news since its inception in October 2007.

To access the podcast, visit www.hcjfs.org or see the Local Government section under Podcasts in iTunes. You can listen to it on your PC or load it into your iPod.

Click here for a link to the podcast archive