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Employment & Family Services

Joseph Gauntner, Director

Cuyahoga County Employment & Family Services

1641 Payne Avenue, Suite 520

Cleveland, Ohio 44114

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Today’s Agenda

Overview of Board of County Commissioners, Cuyahoga County Office of Health and Human

Services and Employment & Family Services

Neighborhood Family Service Centers

Healthy Start Program/Medicaid—Aged, Blind and Disabled

Child Care Assistance

Food Assistance Program – Ohio Direction Card

Ohio Works First

Prevention Retention and Contingency

Job Training and Placement Services

EITC/Free Tax Preparation Services

Q&A/Wrap-up

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Board of County Commissioners The Commissioners directly oversee the areas of

Finance and Administration, Health & Human Services, and Justice & General Government, managing funds used to support the activities of these areas.

Cuyahoga County’s budget is the largest local government budget in the State of Ohio. The 2009 budget is approximately $1.457 billion.

The Commissioners execute legislative-like powers in carrying out their legal and financial responsibilities. These responsibilities include budgeting, levying taxes, issuing bonds and awarding contracts for public works.

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Cuyahoga County

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Cuyahoga CountyHealth and Human Services

The Cuyahoga County Office of Health & Human Services (HHS) is the local office of the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services (ODJFS).

HHS oversees the operations of four distinct agencies dedicated to improving the health, safety and self-sufficiency of families and children throughout the County.

On behalf of the County Commissioners, the Office of Health & Human Services works with these agencies and community partners to provide a foundation for mandated and creative programming as well as strategic funding.

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Employment & Family Services Employment & Family Services (EFS) is one of the four

divisions of Health & Human Services under the administration of the Board Of County Commissioners.

EFS is responsible for the local administration of Ohio Works First (OWF), the Food Stamp Assistance Program (FAP), and the Prevention, Retention and Contingency Program (PRC) in Cuyahoga County.

EFS also administers Medicaid covered Families and Children, including Healthy Start and Medicaid for the Aged, Blind and Disabled. In addition to child care assistance programs as well and a variety of other services to assist families in achieving self-sufficiency.

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Employment & Family Services The mission of Employment & Family Services is to improve the

quality of life for our customers by: Enhancing economic well-being, Strengthening families, Coordinating services and Promoting equity.

Our core values are respect, responsibility and professionalism .

Our goal is to partner with community and faith based organizations, government and non-profit agencies, private organizations and employers to help some of our communities’ most vulnerable families enhance the overall quality of their lives.

In the past 12 months, EFS served more families than ever before and many of them first-time families, reflecting the difficult economic conditions of Cuyahoga County such as increased unemployment, a weakened housing market and price increases for basic services. Overall there has been a 11.8% increase in households served by EFS in the past 12 months.

Through March 2010 the EFS caseload has grown to serve 133,420 households with one or more benefits (Medicaid, Food Assistance, Childcare, etc.)

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Employment & Family ServicesWho We Are

More families than ever before are now receiving Food Stamps. In March 2010, the Food Assistance caseload exceeded 117,611 families. This is an increase of 16% from 12 months ago.

In March 2010, 18,799 children received child care. This is a decrease of 1.7 % from 12 months ago. The recent state budget has eliminated the ELI program as of August 2009 and reduced the eligibility level for new subsidized child care applicants from 200% to 150% of the federal poverty level.

PRC utilization (emergency services) for March 2010 totaled more than $120,730 dollars. This is a decrease of 32% from 12 months ago. Approximately 65% of all PRC usage is for utility assistance, and approximately 30% for rental assistance/security deposits. PRC usage tends to decrease in winter months when customers are able to access utility assistance programs such as HEAP.

OWF Utilization in March 2010 was 11,796, a caseload increase of 12% from 12 months ago. Adult time limited households were responsible for all of the increases. Of these households, 6,044 were subject to time limits and another 5,752 were child only households.

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Welcome to Your Neighborhood Family Service Center (NFSC)

What to expect when you apply for services and programs.

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Neighborhood Family Service Centers

EFS operates seven Neighborhood Family Service Centers (NFSCs) throughout the county.

Individuals may access benefits and programs at any of these Centers.

Individuals receiving OWF cash assistance are directed to our Jobs, Education, and Training, or “JET” Center downtown at 1641 Payne Avenue.

The process for applications, eligibility determination, and case management are largely the same across centers although Centers vary somewhat in size and case load composition.

Individuals may also access Healthy Start and childcare benefits through a central hotline operated by MetroHealth Medical Center.

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Location of NFSCs

Fairfax 8111 Quincy Avenue (216) 391-5027

J.E.T. Center 1641 Payne Avenue (216) 987-6782

Mt. Pleasant 13815 Kinsman Road (216) 561-5488

Old Brooklyn 4261 Fulton Parkway (216) 635-2918

Southgate 5398 ½ Northfield Road (216) 518-4862

Virgil Brown 1641 Payne Avenue (216) 987-6782 Westshore 9830 Lorain Avenue (216) 939-2523

Healthy Start Fax Lines (216) 987-7486

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Additional NFSC On-Site Services

Drop-In child care center at VEB only Employment Connection Career Centers at

NFSCs Co-located services – other county agencies and

community-based organizations Voter Registration—offers County residents the

opportunity to register to vote

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Voter Registration The National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) of 1995 includes

provisions that require human services agencies to integrate voter registration into client-staff interaction, recognizing that this population may not otherwise be served.

At each NFSC, clients are offered the opportunity to register to vote when they check in at the front desk, when they are with their worker, and when they call or mail in a change of address.

Front Desk CSA’s complete the compliance form and provide a voter registration application to clients who wish to register. Clients receive the same assistance in completing the application as they are with any other agency forms.

Voter registration applications are collected in a locked storage box in each waiting room. All Voter Registration Applications MUST be placed in the locked box for collection.

Staff cannot influence a client’s decision to register nor their political beliefs or party.

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NFSC Career Centers “Career Centers”, operated by the County Department of

Workforce Development through the Employment Connection, are located in each of the NFSCs and open to any individual seeking assistance with employment and/or training

The Career Centers are a free resource for those looking for employment.

The Career Centers provide job leads, clerical tutorials, and free phone and internet access for job seekers.

Other services include internet job search, job seeking, resume writing, and interviewing workshops, career planning, and scholarships for occupational training for those who qualify.

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Neighborhood Family Service Centers Addressing Case-Specific

Concerns Caseworker

Team Leader

Team Coordinator

Center Manager

Customer Relations Specialist

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Employment & Family Services Customer Relations Specialists

Located in each NFSC

Provide assistance to customers with case-specific concerns

Provide information and referrals to about community resources available to customers

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Know Them By Name!

Valerie Baker, Manager (216) 802-2817

Fairfax Mr. James Jones (216) 391-4547

Mt. Pleasant Ms. La-Tresia Smith (216) 561-5571

Old Brooklyn Ms. Marilyn Bagley (216) 635-2937

Southgate Ms. Shuray Merriweather (216) 518-4814

Virgil E. Brown Ms. Cynthia Walker (216) 987-8274

Westshore Ms. Verlinda Moore (216) 939-2482 Healthy Start

/Child Care Programs Ms. Cynthia Walker (216) 987-8659

JET Center Mr. Jose Figueroa (216) 987-7294

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Ohio Benefit Bank (OBB) The Ohio Benefit bank is a free web-based software program that

helps people gain access to work support programs and available tax credits

The Ohio Benefit Bank was developed in response to billions of dollars in funds that are targeted for low and moderate income families that are unclaimed every year. In Ohio, $1.6 billion in tax credits and work support programs are not accessed by Ohioans

The OBB helps bring millions of dollars back to the communities that need it the most

The Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks serves as the lead implementation agency for the Ohio Benefit Bank.

The statewide effort is directed by the Office of the Governor in partnership with the Ohio Departments of Job and Family Services, Development, Aging, and Mental Health

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How the Ohio Benefit Bank Works A trained counselor works with a client, at a computer, with

web access and a printer The counselor poses questions prompted by the software

program The program is in English and Spanish and includes

application completion assistance and a potential eligibility calculator

OBB offers free tax services, one stop benefit applications, and many convenient locations

Examples of OBB locations include churches, social service agencies, job training programs, soup kitchens and food pantries, schools, prisons, hospitals, community centers, government offices, and homeless shelters to name a few

For more information visit the website at www.obb.ohio.gov

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EFS Benefits and ProgramsHealthy Start/Healthy Families

Healthy Start/Healthy Families—part of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)

Free health insurance for eligible low to moderate income families and their children under the age of 19

Some parents and pregnant women may be eligible depending on their income

Eligibility is determined by the number of family members at home and total household income

Coverage includes a wide range of healthcare services including regular checkups, dental care, eyeglasses, prescription medicine, immunizations, emergency care and hospitalization

May apply by mail, no office visit is necessary

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EFS Benefits and ProgramsHealthy Start Hotline & Website

The Healthy Start Hotline is a telephone resource for residents of Cuyahoga County providing information about the Healthy Start and Child Care programs.

Hotline staff take Healthy Start and Child Care applications over the phone and provide information and referrals for other benefit programs.

EFS contracts with MetroHealth Hospital to operate the hotline. Hours of Operation are Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to

9:00 p.m. The phone number is (216) 987-7346. For more information visit our website at

www.healthystart.cuyahogacounty.us.

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EFS Benefits & ProgramsManaged Care Plans

After customers receive approval for Healthy Start or any other Medicaid program you will be required to choose a Managed Care Plan (MCP).

An MCP is a private health care insurance company licensed through the Ohio Department of Insurance.

EFS offers 3 MCPsCare Source, Well Care and Buckeye

To enroll in a MCP - customers should call the Ohio Medicaid Managed Care Enrollment Center

at 1-800-605-3040Or enroll online at www.ohiomcec.com

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EFS Benefits and Programs Healthchek

What is Healthchek?

Healthchek is a group of prevention and treatment services for children and teens including but not limited to:

Screening services Vision, dental and hearing services

These services are provided through Ohio’s Medicaid program and are also part of the Healthy Start/healthy Families program.

Healthchek focuses on helping all children, including those with disabilities, get and stay healthy.

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EFS Benefits and ProgramsChild Care Assistance

For individuals on the job, looking for a job, or in training

Pays part of the cost of child care for eligible families

Allows individuals to choose a child care center, child care home, or care by a certified relative and/or other adult

Eligibility depends on household income and family size

Apply by phone or mail; no office visit necessary

Childcare Hotline: 987-7346 or visit www.employment.cuyahogacounty.us

For help finding emergency child care anytime, call Starting Point at 216-575-0061

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EFS Benefits and ProgramsFOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Available for low income households

Eligibility is determined by income, household composition and resources

Benefits are issued monthly through the use of an Ohio Direction card

An interview at a Neighborhood Family Service Center is necessary

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Effective April 1, 2010, the food assistance program will transition to 12 month certification periods for most assistance groups.

AGs with “special circumstances” may be assigned a 4, 5, 6 or 12 month certification period based upon county discretion.

Special Circumstances include: Assistance Groups expecting a change that would make them ineligible Migrant Farm Workers Homeless Assistance Groups Woman and her children residing in shelter for battered women & children

Assistance Groups with all aged and/or disabled members with no earned income will continue to receive a 24 month certification

EFS Benefits and ProgramsFOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

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Reporting Requirements Previously State rules rules required Ohio Works First, DFA and RAC

Assistance Groups to report a change in the amount of gross monthly income of more than $25. This rule has been amended requiring a report if the amount of gross monthly income increases by more than $50.

Reinstatement Effective April 1, 2010, county agencies will reinstate food assistance benefits without a new application when a case closes due to an ineligibility factor, but the recipient complies within 30 days of the termination.

EFS Benefits and ProgramsFood Assistance Program

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EFS Programs and Benefits Reapplication Telephone Interview

Customers offered option to complete Food Assistance Reapplication Interview by telephone.

Ohio state policy as of May 1st 2009 approved reapplication interviews for Food Assistance by telephone.

A letter will be mailed to the customer (and if applicable Authorized Representative) to indicate date and time of interview.

The customer will receive a telephone interview packet with reapplication forms before the 15th of the prior month of the interview including a postage paid return envelope.

The packet should be returned to agency with requested documents within 10 days.

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EFS Programs and Benefits Reapplication Telephone Interview

All eligibility requirements are the same for both the face to face interview and the telephone interview.

The caseworker will attempt to call the customer twice and if contact is not made the second call will be considered a missed appointment and a “Notice of Missed Interview” letter mailed.

If appointment is missed the customer will be allowed to

reschedule their interview.

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EFS Benefits and Programs Ohio Works First (OWF)

Cash assistance for individuals with a minor child or pregnant The amount is based on household income, the number of people

in the family and resources. 36 month time limit but may be extended in certain situations Work requirements through a self-sufficiency contract for 35 hours

of work activities Work activities may include employment, job search,

vocational training, college, paid and unpaid work experience. Most activities have participation limits

Work & training programs with county contracted providers Must apply at your local NFSC

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EFS Benefits and Programs

Prevention, Retention & Contingency (PRC) Emergency financial help

Short term or one-time assistance geared to prevent dependence

on public assistance, keep adults in the family employed, and meet

emergency needs that threaten health, safety, or well-being of

family members

Eligibility is limited to low-income families who must show that they

do not have access to other community resources

For more information about the County PRC plan go on-line to

http://www.cuyahogacounty.us/bocc and search “PRC”.

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EFS Benefits and Programs PRC Continued

Rent and/or Security Deposits Furniture Utilities (coordinated through the Consumer

Protection Agency) Car Payments or vehicle repair (only for applicants

needing payment to maintain or obtain employment) Children’s clothing and beds Adult clothing for work or training programs

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EFS Benefits and Programs

Transitional Benefits

May be available for up to one year for individuals transitioning from OWF cash to employment

Includes childcare and transportation services

Other benefits such as Food Stamps and Medicaid are also available for low income households once an individual begins working

Claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) can significantly increase take-home pay for those who qualify

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EFS Benefits and ProgramsJob Training and Placement Services

EFS contracts with a variety of organizations that offer job search, career development, occupational training, and job placement services for OWF recipients

The City of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County Department of Workforce Development operate The Employment Connection which offers a comprehensive array of employment and training services at two One-Stop Centers to any individual seeking assistance with employment and/or training:

11699 Brookpark Road (216) 898-1366 1020 Bolivar Road (216) 664-4673

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Other Benefits for Working FamiliesEarned Income Tax Credit

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a federal income tax credit for certain persons who work and is claimed by filing a federal income tax return.

The EITC puts money into the pockets of many low-to-moderate income working families (under $38,000 per year).

Each year, it is estimated that tens of thousands of Cuyahoga County residents who are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) do not apply for this important benefit.

Employees may qualify even if they are not required to pay taxes on their income.

Families may be eligible for up to a $4,400 refund.

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Other Benefits for Working FamiliesIncome Tax Preparation Assistance

Families can receiving FREE help with their tax forms. EFS operates six VITA sites:

VEB NFSC 1641 Payne Avenue Southgate NFSC 5398 Northfield Road Old Brooklyn NFSC 4261 Fulton Parkway Westshore NFSC 9830 Lorain Ave Merrick House 3167 Fulton Road Employment Connection 11699 Brookpark Rd

The Coalition operates more than 30 electronic and paper VITA sites in Cuyahoga County.

For more information call 2-1-1 or visit www.refundohio.org

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Thank You for Attending this

Presentation!

The Office of Community Initiatives can be contacted at:

(216) 987-8595

or email questions to

community_outreach@odjfs.state.oh.us

Employment & Family Services

General Hotline: (216) 987-7000

Or visit our website at:

www.employment.cuyahogacounty.us