News report looks at why the number of people receiving welfare in Ohio has dropped so much in the last year

The Columbus Dispatch recently wrote an article about the large decrease in the number of people receiving welfare cash assistance in Ohio. The articles looks at reasons for the huge drop, including the state's work requirements for welfare, and can be found by clicking here.

Work requirements for welfare are having a huge impact in Ohio

While national political leaders debate the issue of if America’s welfare program has tough enough work requirements, the state of Ohio has thrown more than 75,000 people off of welfare since January of 2011 primarily due to the work requirements.

According to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Public Assistance Monthly Statistics (PAMS) report, in January 2011, Ohio had 226,778 people receiving Ohio Works First (OWF) cash assistance. Since that time, the state has been removing thousands of people from the welfare program primarily due to the implementation of strict work requirements. In May 2012, the number of recipients had dropped to 159,034.

While May is the latest month shown in the PAMS figures, other state reports show that the number of people being removed from OWF continued to increase in June and July.

Click here to read more.

Changes coming to the GED tests in Ohio

Athens County residents interested in earning their GEDs may want to get started soon before the price of the test greatly increases and other changes are put into place.

August is National Child Support Awareness Month

August is National Child Support Awareness Month, and it is an important time for Athens County residents to remember that child support means both financial and emotional support.

Summer Employment Program benefits local teenagers and young adults in numerous ways

More than 100 local teenagers and young adults are taking part in special programs this summer that give them the opportunity to earn a paycheck and gain valuable work skills, while also helping local businesses and organizations.

No child should go hungry or be homeless

Currently in Ohio, tens of thousands of children are being raised in families that have no cash income. They struggle to survive on a small allotment of food stamps, which can only be spent on food. They have no cash for rent, utilities, clothing, transportation, or personal care products.

Funding cut for Athens County Job and Family Services

A cut in federal funding for the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) programs in Athens County is reducing the amount of funding available to help area residents enroll in job-training programs.