How the myth of the welfare queen died

The NBC News blog, "In Plain Sight, Poverty In America" is filled with great information, and the most recent post is outstanding. The most recent post is titled:

"'People think everyone who is poor gets welfare, and it's just not true'; How the myth of the welfare queen died"

Click here to read the post.

Click here to go to the home page for the blog.

CATO Versus Reality: 2013

In August, the CATO Institute will release a report based on the premise that welfare benefits are so high that recipients have little incentive to accept jobs. This is an old argument that has never been valid and is much less so now.  Both the number of cash assistance recipients and the value of their benefits have dropped dramatically. The Athens County Department of Job and Family Services has prepared a response to the CATO report.

Click here to read the news release about the report.

Click here to read the response from the Athens County Department of Job and Family Services.

Free workshop to provide tips on gardening and composting

This workshop will be held on Thursday, Aug. 15 at The Work Station in The Plains from noon until 2 p.m.
Click here for more information.

Back To School resource programs

Several local organizations are holding Back To School programs to get school supplies and clothing to local families who are preparing for the upcoming school year.

Athens County 211 has compiled a list of these local Back To School programs. Click here to see the list. If you live in Athens County, you can also call 211 for more information about these programs and other social services programs in the county.

August is Child Support Awareness Month in Ohio

Currently in Ohio, more than 1 million children are involved in the state’s child support system.

In order to recognize the importance of parents providing support for their children, August has been declared as Child Support Awareness Month in Ohio. Child support programs provide important services such as collecting child support for families, establishing the legal relationship between children and their parents, and enforcing court orders.