For the second straight year, the Hamilton County Department of Job and Family Services led the state with the highest all-family work participation rate for Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) recipients. The agency also set the pace for the two-parent participation rate. 

In November 2008, the agency’s all-family rate was 41.19 percent and the two-parent rate was 44.52 percent. Those rates are both the highest percentages the agency has received since policy changes were implemented in 2006. 

In October 2006, the federal government tied significant at-risk dollars to states achieving certain work-participation rates. To meet the participation criteria, agency clients must take part in a work assignment for at least 20 hours if they have children under the age of 6 and 30 hours if they have children older than 6. 

“Community Link has been an outstanding partner in this effort,” said Kevin Holt, Workforce Development section chief. “They are one of the key reasons for our successful rates. The efforts of the agency’s registration technicians and Community Link staff are unique in Ohio. We believe that it’s this partnership that distinguishes us from our metro county peers.” 

Community Link is a consortium of 10 agencies that collaborate with Hamilton County JFS. They provide customers who receive cash assistance through HCJFS with coordinated services that help to remove employment barriers. That may involve working with other community agencies on issues such as disabilities, substance abuse, domestic violence, or lack of basic needs.

The two tables below show the all-family and two-parent participation rates for Hamilton County and the other metro counties in Ohio from April 2008 to November 2008: 

Federal all-family rate 

 Federal two-parent rate