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OHIO WORKS FIRST (OWF) - provides time-limited cash assistance for needy families with dependent children. Replaces Aid to Dependent Children (ADC). Allows participants to receive benefits while working or participating in training to develop skills that will help them to become self-sufficient.
FOOD STAMPS - issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the CDJFS, helps people with low incomes to purchase specific staples and grocery items at participating grocery stores. Through an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) system, entitled the Ohio Direction Card, food stamp benefit are issued to families and individuals meeting the federal guidelines of income, resources and household size.
MEDICAID - Federally funded, this program provides for coverage of medical expenses for eligible families and individuals. The Medicaid program provides health care coverage to three primary markets: children to age 19 whose families fall within income guidelines (Healthy Start, Ohio's Title XIX Medicaid and Title XXI Children's Health Insurance Program-CHIP); adults participating in OWF, pregnant women and some working adults with limited income; and persons who area 65 or older, blind or have some disabilities. Many people who are aged, blind or disabled may receive care in a nursing home or other institution, or may qualify for one of the Home and Community Based Services Waiver programs which enable them to live in their own home in the community.
DISABILITY ASSISTANCE (DA) - provides for cash assistance and medical coverage for individuals not qualified under OWF, medically dependent, or pending other forms of ongoing public assistance (Social Security Disability, SSI).
LEARNING, EARNING and PARENTING PROGRAM (LEAP) - is designed to help OWF-eligible teen parents and pregnant teens who have not completed high school. Financial incentives are provided to help LEAP teens graduate or get their High School Equivalence Diploma or GED.
WORK ACTIVITIES - are mandatory for OWF recipients and many food stamp recipients in order to receive cash assistance, and can include: employment placement assistance, work experience, basic education (GED preparation), job readiness training, job search assistance, subsidized employment opportunities. Self-Sufficiency Contracts are utilized in helping families design personalized plans that will help each adult family member become self-sufficient.
CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE - provides payment of a portion of the cost of child care while parents are participating in OWF work activities, are employed with low incomes, or are attending training programs. Care is provided in certified family child care homes or state licensed child care centers in the community. In Defiance County, child care services are administered by Northwest Ohio Community Action Commission (NOCAC) through a purchase of service contract with the CDJFS.
PREVENTION, RETENTION & CONTINGENCY PROGRAM (PRC) - is designed to help families at different levels of need. Services are provided either directly by the staff of the CDJFS, or under contract with other area service providers. Goals of the program include: services to prevent dependency on public assistance, help families to attain or retain employment and to assist families with contingency or emergency services in order to overcome barriers to self-sufficiency. Specific services can include payment of rent or utilities, car repairs, training/employment programs, legal services, domestic violence counseling, family planning services, teen pregnancy prevention programming, and other services to vulnerable children and families.
CHILDREN SERVICES PROTECTIVE PROGRAMS - Defiance County Department of Job & Family Services receives all reports of suspected child abuse and neglect of children, and must investigate these reports in a timely fashion. If necessary, our social services staff works with families to develop case plans that identify services needed to prevent further abuse or neglect. In most cases, In-Home Services or referrals to other resources are provided and the child remains in their own home. If the determination is made that a child cannot remain safe in their own home, the agency works with the Juvenile Court to remove the child from the situation. The case plan then identifies steps to be taken to ensure that the child is able to live in a safe, permanent environment, usually by returning them to their natural parents. Out-of-Home Care Placement Services become necessary when the child must be removed from home. Substitute care may be provided in an authorized relative home, licensed foster home, group home or institutional setting. Adoption Services may be necessary when it is determined to be in the best interests of the child.
ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES (APS) - like children, adults are sometimes in danger of harm, unable to protect themselves, and have no one else to assist them. APS reduces or remedies conditions causing endangerment to adults, maximizing their independence and self-direction, and preventing unnecessary institutionalization.
TITLE XX of the Social Security Act -provides funding to counties for local services programs for families, children and adults. The funds are to strengthen, restore, maintain or improve their ability to be self-supportive and independent. Currently in Defiance County we provide many services either directly or through a purchase of service contract with other service agencies in the community, to include: transportation, information & referral services, health related services, homemaker services, shelter for domestic violence victims, family planning services, and more.
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