Latest news with #ODJFS
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ohio families to receive extra EBT benefits during summer
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — Some families can now get extra EBT benefits to help fight food insecurity while kids are on summer break. Summer benefits, also know as Sun Bucks, will be distributed for most eligible children in the month of June. This will come as a one-time $120 benefit. 'Last year, we provided $144 million in food assistance to over 1.2 million Ohio children through the Sun Bucks program,' said Matt Damschroder, ODJFS director. 'We have begun the process of distributing the $120 per eligible child and expect to have most benefits distributed over the next month.' Summer meal programs under strain amid increased need, funding cuts These benefits help families who rely on school lunch programs, which are unavailable through the summer months. Families unsure about eligibility can apply with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Eligible families to receive $120 per child in food aid as schools close for summer
What the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services calls 'Sun Bucks' will be given to eligible Ohio children throughout the month of June. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Director Matt Damschroder announced the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Program for Children will provide family assistance this summer, according to a media release. 'Sun Bucks' will be distributed to eligible children throughout June. Last year, ODJFS gave $144 million in food assistance to over 1.2 million Ohio children, according to the release. TRENDING STORIES: City says arbitrator ignored 'simply obvious dangers' by reinstating fired police sergeant FBI investigation blocks off Ohio neighborhood 6-year-old hit, killed by car in Harrison Township The federal program assists eligible families with school-aged children while schools are closed for the summer. The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce administers this program as a partner of ODJFS. 'Whether it's during the school year or the summer months, Ohio is focused on student wellness to ensure children are nourished and ready to learn, grow, and achieve,' Director of Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Stephen Dackin said. Eligible families will receive $120 for each school-age child over the next month, according to the release. 'Sun Bucks helps to reduce the lack of access to nutritious food for children over the summer and promotes the importance of nutrition and healthy meals,' Dackin said. Families on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), cash assistance (Ohio Works First), and who are income-eligible and receiving Medicaid benefits will automatically receive the Summer EBT benefits, according to the release. Families who receive SNAP benefits can expect the money to be loaded onto their Ohio Direction Card. Those who received 2024 summer benefits will have 2025 benefits loaded onto their existing card, while new recipients will receive a benefit card by mail, according to the release. The money can be used to buy food at grocery stores, farmers markets, and other authorized retailers. Families not automatically eligible can learn more about the application process at [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Ohio Recognizes World Elder Abuse Awareness Month
Resources to Help Ohioans Age Safely COLUMBUS, Ohio, June 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- June is World Elder Abuse Awareness Month, and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) and Ohio Department of Aging (ODA) are reminding Ohioans to help seniors by being aware of the signs of elder abuse and how to report it. "Local agencies receive over 100 adult protective services referrals each day," said ODJFS Director Matt Damschroder. "We all play a role in ensuring that older Ohioans can age safely. During Elder Abuse Awareness Month, we remind all Ohioans that we can all be a part of the solution." The U.S. Administration for Community Living defines elder abuse as "any knowing, intentional, or negligent act by a caregiver or any other person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to a vulnerable adult." This can include physical, sexual, or psychological abuse, as well as self-neglect, neglect by others, abandonment, or financial exploitation. National studies show as many as one in 10 seniors is a victim of elder abuse. In Ohio, nearly 3 million adults are 60 or older. By 2030, older Ohioans will make up more than a quarter of the state's population. "As a former Adult Protective Services case worker, I know firsthand the horrors of elder abuse, fraud, and exploitation" said ODA Director McElroy. "Often, many cases of abuse go unreported. To make Ohio the best place to age in the nation, we must continue to protect older Ohioans by educating them on ways to prevent elder abuse and empowering them to report it." Signs of elder abuse can include a lack of basic amenities, a worsening living environment, unexplained injuries, unusual behavior changes, unpaid bills, new credit cards, and increased cash withdrawals. To help Ohioans understand what elder abuse is, where it happens, and how to recognize it, ODJFS is continuing its Age Safely, Ohio campaign. ODA's elder abuse webpage, has detailed elder abuse warning signs and insights into how older Ohioans can avoid scams. Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jim Tressel are recognizing the importance of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15 with this resolution. Anyone can report elder abuse by calling 1-855-OHIO-APS (1-855-644-6277) or visiting Callers can review a checklist to provide appropriate information. Callers can also choose to remain anonymous. To report suspected abuse in a nursing home or assisted living facility, contact ODA's Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman by calling 1-800-282-1206 or visiting The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services manages vital programs that strengthen Ohio families. These include job training and employment services, unemployment insurance, cash and food assistance, adult protective services, and child support services. MEDIA CONTACTS:Tom Betti: Bill Teets: View original content: SOURCE Ohio Department of Job and Family Services
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ohio highlights state's in-demand jobs
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Ohio is encouraging residents to explore their career options this week during In-Demand Jobs Week, a statewide recognition of the jobs, industries, and skills that are in demand in the state. 'In-Demand Jobs Week is a great opportunity for us to spread the word about the many good-paying career opportunities and industries that are available throughout Ohio,' Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) Director Matt Damschroder said in a press release. 'Through or the OhioMeansJobs Centers, Ohioans have many resources to help them find their next great opportunity.' According to ODJFS, in-demand jobs are defined by offering a median wage of $21.52 an hour and there are at least 650 annual job openings. Some of the top jobs listed in the state include: Truck Drivers, Heavy and Tractor Trailer Assemblers and Fabricators Construction Laborers Electricians Machinists Software Developers Registered Nurses Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technicians Computer Network Support Specialist Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Industrial Machinery Mechanics Sheet Metal Workers Engine and other Machine Assemblers Tool and Die Maker Ohioans interested in finding out more about in-demand careers can visit the Ohio Means Jobs website by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Yahoo
ODJFS employee wrongly released $565K in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits, inspector general says
[Watch in the player above: How to tell if a company is planning layoffs] COLUMBUS, Ohio (WJW) — An Ohio Inspector General investigation has revealed a temporary worker for the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services improperly released more than $565,000 in pandemic-era relief funds in 2021, some of which went to her relatives and acquaintances. The case has been referred to a county prosecutor and the state auditor. Manhunt suspended for James Douglas Meadows, suspect in Lorain County police officer assault who is still at-large The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program was created by Congress in 2020 to address rising unemployment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After the program expanded, ODJFS received 'an unprecedented number' of new unemployment claims, according to a Thursday news release from the IG's office. The agency hired several new intermittent and temporarily contracted workers to handle the influx of claims. The agency disbursed about $7.6 billion in pandemic unemployment benefits in the 2021 fiscal year. Millions of those dollars were later determined to be fraudulent, according to the release. Car stolen with toddler in it: Suspect enters plea ODJFS in August 2021 referred a claim of wrongdoing by one of those intermittent workers to the inspector general's office. Investigators learned the woman previously worked for a private organization as a customer service representative processing PUA claims. In both jobs, she acted outside her authority by releasing a total of $565,949 over 28 PUA claims, according to the release. Investigators found the woman improperly searched for PUA claimants and removed fraud and eligibility issues and fact-finding information from their claims, allowing them to move ahead. Five of the claims were for her relatives and acquaintances, according to the release. Read the full investigation on the Inspector General's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
