New office proposed for Jobs and Family Services

The Kasich administration has proposed a new office for the Department of Jobs and Family Services whose efforts are intended to help case workers at the county level spend more time with clients.

The Office of Human Services Innovation would look to coordiante services across all public assistance programs, revise incentives, standardize and automate eligibility determination and "other matters the office considers appropriate." 

Learn more from the Columbus Dispatch or directly from the bill.


 

Smokers may pay for Kasich’s tax cut

According to an article in today's Columbus Dispatch, raising the cigarette tax by $1 would help pay for Kasich’s plan to drop the top state income-tax rate below 5 percent, but it would hit the poor the hardest.

“It’s bad news for poor people, that’s for sure,” said Jack Frech, director of the Athens County Department of Job and Family Services, which is in one of Ohio’s poorest areas. “Let me say, no one should be smoking cigarettes. It’s unhealthy, and no one should smoke. But poor people are not going to be able to turn on a dime and stop smoking because (the state) raises the prices.”

Read more.

What is the SNAP work requirement?

Not entirely clear on what the SNAP work requirement is? Check out this video created by The Center for Community Solutions for an explanation. Still have questions? Leave a comment below.

Who is dependent on welfare?

Are we all on welfare? Ananya Roy, professor at the University of California Berkeley, takes a critical look at government dependence in our society and comes to some surprising conclusions. Watch this video to learn more about welfare and entitlements in the United States and their impact on poverty, power and economic inequality.

Guardians needed to help area senior citizens

Image courtesy of worradmu / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Did you know that Athens County’s Adult Protective Services took on 110 new cases last year involving the abuse or neglect of a senior citizen in our community? Abuse and neglect can come in many forms, either at the hands of someone else or from the senior citizen’s inability to care for himself or herself.

Did you know that community members can help prevent abuse and neglect by becoming a volunteer guardian?

Athens County Job and Family Services, the agency that runs the county’s Adult Protective Services, is seeking volunteers who are able to serve as guardians for individuals 60 years of age and older who are no longer capable of making their own decisions.

The process for determining whether an individual is in need of a guardian is led by the county’s court system in consultation with a physician. Once it’s determined the person is incompetent, the court appoints a guardian to help them.

“Many people in the county don’t know that we provide this guardian service for senior citizens,” explained Tabatha McDade, Adult Protective Services coordinator for Athens County. “We have several who have volunteered their time in the past. But right now, we need new volunteers.”

To be a guardian, you must be at least 18 years of age and pass a background check. The court system prefers family members as guardians when possible, but many times there is no family nearby to help. In some cases, a family member is an inappropriate guardian, due to a history of abuse and/or neglect.

Volunteers are needed as soon as possible to assist the senior citizens in our community, McDade added.

The duties of the guardian will vary. In some cases, a guardian will visit with a senior citizen once a month for an outing, like going out to lunch or bowling. Some guardians assist with paying bills, balancing checkbooks, getting medications or simply socializing. The guardians are authorized to sign legal documents for the individuals with whom they work. Depending on the case, the tasks might be more extensive, like appearing in court as needed or helping them transition into a nursing home. Adult Protective Services staff is also there to support the volunteer when necessary.

Want to know more about helping a community member in need? Contact Tabatha McDade at (740) 677-4208.