Latest news with #OhioDepartmentofJobandFamilyServices
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- 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
09-06-2025
- 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
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ohio near the top in April unemployment
Stock photo from Getty Images. Ohio had the sixth-highest unemployment of any state in April. The news comes after years of state officials spending billions on economic growth programs tilted heavily toward the wealthy. It might seem ironic, but Ohio's economy added jobs in April even as unemployment continued to grow. That's because job growth isn't keeping up with the numbers joining the workforce. And there are reasons to believe that things will get worse, according to the think tank Policy Matters Ohio. Data released last week by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services estimated that the state added 22,200 jobs in April. But statewide unemployment rose for the fifth consecutive month, to 4.9%. That's the sixth-highest of any state, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Heather Smith, a researcher at Policy Matters Ohio, said the new state data raise some questions. 'The civilian labor force has increased at about the same rate as the number of unemployed workers, suggesting that while more Ohioans are entering the job market, they are not all securing employment,' she said in a written statement. 'This raises questions around the reported increases in jobs across service-providing industries – why aren't Ohioans getting hired?' The Department of Job and Family Services conducts a monthly survey, releases its estimate of the number of new jobs, and then often revises it downward. For example, it initially estimated that 7,500 jobs were created in March, and then cut that number to 5,200. Of the jobs thought to be created in April, the great majority were in the service sector, 18,800. More than 6,500 of those were in hospitality as those businesses staff up for summer. Construction and manufacturing added 1,200 and 1,100 jobs, respectively, while the number of government jobs increased by 1,300. A separate household survey indicated that 15,000 joined the Ohio job market in April. But only 6,000 found jobs while the rest were unemployed. 'Legislators ought to pay attention to the growing unemployment rate, given its steady increase over the last five months,' Smith said. 'The last time we saw the unemployment rate in Ohio decrease was between September and October – prior to the November election.' Ohio's economy has lagged for more than a decade after the creation of billion-dollar programs mostly benefitting the well off on the promise that they would create jobs for average Ohioans. Created in 2013 under the auspices of then-Gov. John Kasich, the LLC tax loophole costs about $1 billion a year. It was sold as a way to boost small business. But an analysis showed that hiring in that sector has fallen relative to other states, while the wealthiest 7% are claiming nearly 40% of the benefit. Started around the same time, JobsOhio is funded through a state liquor franchise that used to flow into state coffers. Its well-paid staff has grown rapidly as it has doled out more than $1 billion in incentives to businesses. But it hasn't proven that those incentives have created any jobs. Controversial 'private corporation' JobsOhio gets billions more without paying more to state Even so, the Ohio Controlling Board in February extended JobsOhio's control of the state liquor franchise to 2053. The 'private' corporation paid the state $1.41 billion for its initial lease of the franchise. But the state didn't require an additional penny to extend it another 15 years. Meanwhile, Smith of Policy Matters Ohio warned that several developments at the federal level could further drag down the Ohio job market. 'A recent survey of Fourth District businesses by the Federal Reserve of Cleveland found that 22% of respondents anticipated the tariffs would force them to decrease their staff,' she wrote. 'This is already underway: Several large employers across the state have submitted mass layoff notices, including 744 manufacturing jobs in Fremont. A Chillicothe paper plant, which was set to layoff 826 union workers by the end of June, agreed to remain open until December. While this buys impacted Ohioans a bit more time, the plant closing will be a devastating hit to workers in the area.' In addition to potential harm from tariffs, the Trump administration is trying to cut hundreds of thousands of federal jobs and to slash services as it tries to fund further tax cuts. 'Ohio policymakers need to hold their federal counterparts accountable for the impact of funding cuts on the state and stop preemptively cutting critical public services with trigger language in the state budget,' Smith said. 'If federal budget hawks get their way and force the state to pick up a greater share of the Medicaid budget, proposed trigger language could cut off the health insurance of 770,000 Ohioans.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
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
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ohio agency hosting Gen Z job fair
(WKBN)- The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services is hosting a job fair for 'Gen Z'ers' looking for job opportunities. There will be plenty of opportunities to explore, internships, part-time, full-time jobs, and summer work. The department says that after signing in, job seekers will be able to explore the available information and opportunities and participate in one-on-one chats with representatives from participating employers. From there, candidates can share their background and experience and get all their questions answered quickly and easily. They will also be able to search locations and specific industries. Registration can be found on the Ohio Means Jobs website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
