STARK COUNTY
JOB &
FAMILY S ERVIC E S
Stark County Job & Family Services
2009 Annual Report
Making a Difference ✔✔ Children Services levy renewed
Stark County voters passed the Stark County Children Services 1.4 mill renewal levy by nearly 64%. Thank you to the individuals, agencies and organizations that supported, volunteered and voted for this critical levy which secures local funding through 2015.
✔✔ More than 50,000 now receiving Food Assistance
The number of individuals in Stark County receiving Food Assistance increased by more than 11,000 in 2009. In July the number passed 50,000 for the first time ever and by December 31, more than 53,000 were receiving Food Assistance.
✔✔ Children Services receives reaccreditation
SCJFS’ Children Services Division earned reaccreditation from the Council on Accreditation (COA).
✔✔ Human Services creates customer service line
Food, cash, medical and emergency assistance customers can now call 330-451-8861 or e-mail stark_csc@odjfs.state.oh.us for questions about their cases.
✔✔ Foster youth and agency worker awarded
For the first time ever, a Stark County foster child was recognized by the Public Children Services Association of Ohio (PCSAO). Two youth, Rico and Richard Rushin were awarded the Rising Up, Moving On Award. Administrative Assistant, Michelle Neisel, became the first employee recognized by PCSAO, receiving the Support Worker of the Year Award.
✔✔ Child Support Enforcement Division receives grant The Child Support Enforcement Division was one of 15 agencies nationwide who received a Federal Grant to fund a special 17-month program called Project Rapid Response.
✔✔ Family Services Planning Committee formed
The Stark County Family Servces Planning Committee reviews and provides recommendations to SCJFS for the most effective and efficient delivery of services.
✔✔ Staff volunteer in community
SCJFS staff committed time and energy to local organizations including, United Way, Stark County Hunger Task Force, American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, Project KARE, Stark County Foster Parent Fund and many others.
✔✔ JOBS/Child Care & Alliance offices move to Midtown To save cost and increase efficiency, the JOBS/Child Care and Alliance satellite offices moved into the SCJFS Midtown building.
✔✔ 2010
So far this year, SCJFS finalized a Strategic Plan for 20102015, rolled out a new logo, developed new Prevention, Retention and Contingency program initiatives and continues MAKING A DIFFERENCE.
2009
Mission
To partner with our customers, community and other service providers to protect children and vulnerable adults, stabilize and strengthen families, and encourage self sufficiency and personal responsibility.
Stark County Commissioners
The Stark County Commissioners oversee SCJFS and other county departments.
Todd Bosley Dr. Peter Ferguson Steven M. Meeks
SCJFS Executive Team Julie Barnes, M.Ed., L.S.W. Executive Director
Valarie A. Nash Deputy Director Human Resources Nedra Petro, M.P.A., L.S.W. Deputy Director Children Services Rob Pierson Deputy Director Child Support Tom Thompson Deputy Director Human Services Larry Davis, C.P.A. Deputy Director of Finance
Stark County Family Services Planning Committee Eric Henderson, Chairperson Patricia Croskey, Vice-Chairperson Roy Gleason, Secretary Barb Armitage Julie Barnes, Executive Director Tyne M. Brannan Vicki Conley Susan K. Denning Patrice Fetzer Michael Flood Pat Gramoy Kristen Guardado Susan M. Kunkle Laura C. McIntyre Rebecca Stallman Kyle L. Stone Daphne E. Thomson R. Scott White Ronald S. Young
Dear Friends, I am proud to present the Stark County Job and Family Services (SCJFS) 2009 Annual Report. Like most businesses and organizations, SCJFS had to navigate a struggling economy in 2009 while the need for services continued to rise at a staggering rate. Many changes have occurred over the past year to manage the internal and external economic challenges. With our focus on services to our customers, we have accomplished a great deal in 2009. For the first time ever, our Human Services Division witnessed participation in the Food Assistance Program exceed 50,000 individuals. We handled the drastic increase in customers through a complete overhaul of our workflow process and implementation of a customer service call center. The initial transition was challenging, but our customers have appreciated our efforts to provide more efficient services in a time of such great need. Our Child Support Division surpassed the record amount of collections set the year before and remarkably established paternity in 99.63 percent of all required cases. The Children Services Division continued diligent efforts to decrease the number of children in custody by maintaining children in their own homes and returning children to their homes as soon as safely possible while reducing placement costs by approximately $2 million. These are a few of many changes that have taken place at SCJFS in 2009.
Rep. Ted Celeste (left) presents Michelle Neisel with Public Children Services Association of Ohio’s “Support Worker of the Year” Award.
I hope this report provides you with many other valuable pieces of information about our programs and services. As our numbers indicate, we touch many lives in Stark County. We realize the importance of the services we provide, and we promise to continue looking at different strategies to continually improve our services. Sincerely, SCJFS employees participated in United Way’s’ Day of Caring in September by landscaping around Quail Hollow State Park in Hartville. (Pictured front row, left-right) Joan Waseity, MaryAnn Noe and RaeLynn Rich-Degasperis.
Julie Barnes, M.Ed., LSW SCJFS Executive Director
Human Services Division
Tom Thompson, Deputy Director Staff Size: 212 employees
The Human Services Division provides Ohio Works First cash assistance; medical assistance; food assistance; Prevention, Retention and Contingency emergency assistance; and job-related services to eligible individuals and families in Stark County. In 2009, Human Services’ programs injected more than $645 million into the Stark County community such as local grocers, hospitals, clinics and retailers.
By the numbers... • 7,165 individuals received Ohio Works First (OWF) cash assistance. Of these 4,669 were children. An average of 3,485 families received OWF cash assistance. • 67,376 individuals received Food assistance at some point in 2009. That is about 17.7% of the Stark County population. • 62,037 individuals received Medicaid assistance. • 2,759 individuals received Qualified Medicare Assistance Benefits (QMB). • 420 individuals received Disability Financial Assistance. • 29 individuals received Disability Medical Assistance. • 708 cases closed because JOBS participants gained employment. The Subsidized Employment Program (SEP), which pays employers 75% of eligible new employee wages and benefits, started in December 2009. That month 5 local employers were able to hire signed up for the program. By March 23, 40 people were hired because of the Subsidized Employment 2 Program. • 3,175 children were cared for through publicly funded child care.
Medicaid Disbursements Aged Medicaid $ 117,718,157 Blind Medicaid $ 320,578 Disabled Medicaid $ 185,162,234 OWF & Family Related Medicaid $ 111,208,896 Healthy Start Medicaid $ 25,141,884 Foster & Adoptive Care Medicaid $ 4,001,248 Transitional Medicaid $ 12,956,834 Nursing Home Medicaid $ 115,478,381 Total Medicaid Expenditures $571,988,212.00 Total Food Assistance Disbursement $ 74,802,145
OWF Cash Assistance Disbursement Disability Assistance Disbursement
$ $
14,421,208 178,027
Child Care Assistance
$
12,699,695
Total Money into Community
$674.1 Million
Children Services Division
Nedra Petro, Deputy Director Staff Size: 160 employees
Stark County Children Services works hard to serve children in their own homes. Most of the children, who received services in 2009, were living at home or with extended family. When family problems are too severe for the children to be reunified with their parents, SCCS develops a permanent plan for them. That plan may include living with a relative, a long term placement plan until the youth reaches adulthood, or adoption.
By the numbers...
2988 Reports of Child Abuse and Neglect
• 48% or 1,424 were calls reporting suspected neglect. • 27% or 816 were calls reporting suspected physical abuse. • 10% or 305 were calls reporting suspected sexual abuse. • 10% or 293 were calls of families in need of services. • 3% or 79 calls of dependent children • 2% or 71 were calls reporting suspected emotional maltreatment.
Placement Services
In an average month, 390 children were cared for in substitute care • 223 in SCJFS family foster homes • 117 in purchased family foster homes • 32 in group homes • 18 in private institutions
SCJFS Children Services Division is accredited by the Council on Accreditation
Ongoing Supportive Services
In an average month, 455 families received case management and supportive services.
Foster Care/Adoption
• 213 licensed foster families • 115 children awaiting adoptive homes • 65 finalized adoptions
Cost of Care
The cost of placing children in agency and private placements in 2009, $8,389,699, represents a decrease of almost $3.8 million over the last two years. Adult Protective Services: Although mandated to receive and respond to reports of elder abuse and neglect, SCJFS is permitted to contract with other agencies to provide those services. Reports of elder abuse/neglect are received and screened through the Children Services report line and SCJFS contracts with Trillium Family Solutions to provide services. There were 466 Reports in 2009.
Child Support Enforcement Division
Rob Pierson, Deputy Director Staff Size: 93 employees
The Child Support Enforcement Division is committed to providing quality child support services, including: establishing paternity and support, issuing orders for medical support, modifying support orders, enforcing support and medical support, monitoring collections and the disbursement of support payments. During Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2009, the division was recognized by the State Office of Child Support for earning the Highest Percentage of “Collections on Current Support for Metro Counties” and for the Highest Percentage of Improvement for “Paternity Establishment” from FFY 2008 to FFY 2009 for Metro Counties. 2009 was a record collections year for CSEA, with $65,406,306 received for support cases in Stark County. This is the largest amount ever collected by the agency, surpassing the 2008 FFY amount by $204,000.
By the numbers...
Average number of cases monthly: 34,200 cases Collections for the Year: $65,406,306 Paternity Establishment: 99.63% of required cases Support Orders Established: 80.20% of required cases Collections on Current Support: 72.75% of required cases Collections on Arrearages: 69.01% of required cases Paternity Cases scheduled for DNA testing: 1,169 Cases referred for Support Establishment: 1,972 Court Hearings scheduled/attended by Legal Department: 4,198 • Phone Calls Received by Customer Service: 118,847 total calls for the year; monthly average of 9,904 calls • Customers served in the CSEA Lobby: 9,146 for the year, monthly average of 762 customers. • • • • • • • • •
3
Agency Expenditures Calendar Year 2009
Children Services Division
Wages 6,687,872 Benefits 3,174,946 Contracts 454,318 Shared costs 1,369,749 County Indirect Costs 215,032 Agency Foster Homes 1,822,777 Purchased Foster Homes 3,493,028 Residential Treatment 784,278 Group Homes 2,460,378 Foster Children Clothing 159,342 Foster Children Medical 25,262 Mileage Expense 361,530 Work Related Day Care 293,478 Child Abuse Prosecution 354,000 Special Services Subsidy 10,002 State Adoption Subsidy 302,522 County Share Adoption Subsidy 424,800 Kinship Permanency Incentive Program 433,500 Non-Recurring Adoption 64,063 Post Adoption Special Services Subsidy 196,794 Emergency Services 386,087 Foster Parent Training & Stipends 91,301 Advertising/Training/Recruitment 3,434 AdoptOhio Kids 179,327 Independent Living 68,406 IV-B Adoption 49,314 Client Service Contracts 117,712 Child Abuse Awareness 896 Entitlement Refunds 5,767 Tax Settlement Fees 147,108 Rent 432,131 Travel & Training 11,068 Office Supplies 29,022 Public Records 38,302 Communication 37,903 Membership Dues 12,499 Maintenance & Utilities 35,986 Reimbursements 23,759 Miscellaneous 282,726
Operating Totals
$25,040,419
Child Support Division
Wages Benefits Shared Costs Countywide Indirect Costs Travel/Training Data Services Public Records Memberships Legal IV-D Contracts Rent Miscellaneous
2,733,787 1,263,227 632,109 53,916 7,621 36,086 1,172 4,140 362 404,326 224,160 61,194
Operating Totals
$5,422,100
Human Services Division Wages Benefits Shared Costs PRC/Work Allowance Contracts Countywide Indirect Costs Equipment/Furniture Public Records Travel/Training/Education Supplies Mileage Expense Books/Periodicals Reimbursements/Special/Projects/Dues Data Processing Maintenance/Utilities Rent Quality Funds SEP
Operating Totals
7,770,069 3,847,488 1,697,141 1,016,316 206,732 150,940 3,980 55,325 22,325 12,467 4,846 223 42,003 229,506 100,472 482,922 73,794 5,810
Julie and Dave are just one of the more than 200 foster families licensed by SCJFS. For information about the SCJFS foster-to-adopt program, call 330-451-8789 or visit www.starkadoptfoster.com.
Nearly 300 attended the 6th Annual Senior Citizens Forum sponsored by SCJFS, Senior Forum newspaper and Mayfield Senior Center. The annual event provides information about local services to area seniors and caregivers.
$15,722,359
Other Program Services Child Care Help Me Grow Summer & After School Program Medical Transportation WIA Youth
Operating Totals
Total Agency Expenditures
$60,783,482
12,699,696 1,221,943 293,150 244,251 139,564
$14,598,604
More than 40 SCJFS employees and family members volunteered their time to walk in the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Junior Parade. Participation in the parade was made possible through employee contributions. Participating in community parades, festivals and exhibits plays an important role in the Agency’s goal to increase community awareness.
Stark County Job & Family Services Child Support Enforcement Division 122 Cleveland Ave. North P.O. Box 21337 Canton, OH 44701
Web site: www.StarkDJFS.org Child Abuse Hotline 330-455-KIDS (5437) Elder Abuse Hotline 330-451-8998
Executive Offices & Human Services Division 221 3rd Street S.E. Canton, OH 44702
Child Support Customer Service 330-451-8930 Foster Parent or Adoption Information 330-451-8789 Children Services Division 300 Market Ave. North Canton, OH 44702
Human Services Customer Service 330-451-8861 General Information 330-452-4661