Brown County Ohio Links
Job & Family Services
Brown County Department of Job & Family Services
Welcome
Brown County Department of Job and Family Services is committed to supporting the families and children of Brown County. The agency provides a variety of public programs aimed at promoting stabilization, self-sufficiency, employment sustainability, as well as adult and children services. The agency consists of two units: Public Assistance and Protective Services for Children and Adults. Local programs include Cash Assistance (TANF), Food Assistance (SNAP), Childcare, Medicaid (including Long-Term Care, Children’s Health Insurance, and services to Aged, Blind, and Disabled), Children and Adult Protective Services, Adoption, Foster Care, and local Workforce initiatives.
For additional information about our programs and how to apply, please select from the menu.
Individuals eligible for, receiving services from or benefiting from programs funded by or through the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) are protected by various laws, regulations, rules, and policies against unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, disability, political affiliation (food stamps only), age, sex, citizenship/ participant status (WIOA Programs only) and national origin. If you believe that you have been denied or delayed services for which you are eligible because of your race, color, national origin, religion, sex, political affiliation (food stamps only), disability or age, you must file your complaint within six months of the date on which the incident or treatment happened. You may call the Bureau of Civil Rights to submit your complaint, or you may submit your complaint in writing. If the complaint is submitted by telephone you can call (614) 644-2703 or Toll Free 1-866-227-6353.
Nondiscrimination Statement
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (833) 620-1071, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to:
Mail:
Food and Nutrition Service, USDA
1320 Braddock Place, Room 334
Alexandria, VA 22314; or
Fax:
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
Email:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
BCJFS Links
Links
BCJFS PATH Program
PATH Program
* PATH is a program for Comprehensive Case Management and Employment Program (CCMEP)
- PLAN: You will work with your case worker to create a personalized plan to overcome challenges and help you achieve your goals.
- ACHIEVE: Your case worker will be your advocate as you overcome challenges and follow your path to success.
- THRIVE: As you find success, you will stay connected to your case worker to make the most of your experience.
- HIRED!: After you have reached your goals, you will follow up with your case worker to ensure long-term success.
ELIGIBILITY
- Be age 14-24.
- Meet income guidelines.
- Be eligible to work in the United States.
PROGRAM GOALS
- Establish pathways to employment
- Move up and out of poverty
FIND OUT MORE
Brown County Job & Family Services
775 Mount Orab Pike
Georgetown, OH 45121
(937) 378-6104
BCJFS Help
Help
COMMON QUESTIONS
What should I know about applying for medical coverage and food stamps?
The 7501 Program Enrollment & Benefit Information form is a great resource to help you learn more about these programs. You can also browse this site and the state website at jfs.ohio.gov for more information about all of our services.
What is Estate Recovery?
“If you get Medicaid after you turn 55 or while you are considered permanently institutionalized, after your death Medicaid will seek to be repaid for the cost of services provided to you” (Form 7501, p.9). For more information see forms 7400 Estate Recovery Information and 7501 Program Enrollment & Benefit Information (page 9).
INFORMATION FROM THE STATE
Our Services
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services offers a wide range of assistance for Ohioans. This includes employment and training assistance, unemployment compensation, cash assistance, food assistance, child care, child and adult protective services, adoption, and child support. For more information about these services and how to access them, just click on the tabs at the top of this page, or on any of the questions below.
Cash Assistance
Q How do I know if I’m eligible for cash assistance?
A. Ohio offers two types of cash assistance: Ohio Works First and Disability Financial Assistance.
Ohio Works First provides time-limited, monthly cash assistance to eligible families. To be eligible for Ohio Works First cash assistance, adults and minor heads of household must participate in work activities. For more information, go to http://ODJFSBenefits.Ohio.gov, http://jfs.ohio.gov/factsheets/OWF.pdf, or call or visit your county department of job and family services.The Disability Financial Assistance Program provides a monthly cash assistance benefit to eligible low-income, disabled individuals who do not meet all the eligibility requirements necessary to receive help from other federal and state programs. For more information, go to http://jfs.ohio.gov/factsheets/disabilityFA.pdf or call or visit your county department of job and family services.
Q. How can I apply for cash assistance?
A. You can apply for cash assistance online by going to http://ODJFSBenefits.Ohio.gov or by filling out a “Request for Cash, Food and Medical Assistance” form and submitting it to your county department of job and family services. For more information, go to http://jfs.ohio.gov/ofam/cmandfsa.stm or call or visit your county agency.
Answer the questions on the form as thoroughly as possible. If you cannot answer all the questions on the form, just complete the first page and sign and date it. You will be asked to attach copies of proof of your income, other financial resources (if applicable), citizenship or qualified-alien status, pregnancy (if applicable) and any insurance you may have. If English is not your primary language, if you have a disability, or if you have questions about your case, someone at your county agency can help you complete your application.
You can then drop off, mail or fax the application. After your county agency receives your application, you may be called for an interview.
Child Care
Q. I want to work, but I can’t pay for child care. Can ODJFS help?
A. ODJFS offers financial assistance to help eligible parents pay for child care while they engage in work or training efforts. To be eligible, a family’s income must be below 125 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. After that, families may remain eligible unless their income becomes greater than 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.
Q. How can I apply for child care assistance?
A. Call or visit your county department of job and family services. You can fill out an application, and staff there will determine whether you are eligible.
For more information, go to http://jfs.ohio.gov/factsheets/ChildCare.pdf or call (877) 852-0010.
Q. Can you help me find a good child care provider?
A. To search for child care providers in Ohio and view past inspection reports, go to http://www.odjfs.state.oh.us/cdc/query.asp. You can search by county, city, zip code, program type and/or Step Up To Quality rating. You also can search for providers that serve families whose child care is publicly funded.
Child Support
Q. I just lost my job. How can I pay my child support?
A. If you have a child support order in Ohio and you lose your job through no fault of your own, you have the right to request a review of that child support order from your county child support enforcement agency (CSEA). The CSEA will consider your case and present a recommendation for a possible adjustment. The amount you pay could go up, go down or stay the same. To find the CSEA in your county, call (800) 686-1556 toll-free or visit http://jfs.ohio.gov/County/County_Directory.stm.
Q. I haven’t lost my job, but I’m still having trouble paying my child support. What should I do?
A. If you have experienced at least a 30 percent decrease in gross income or income-producing assets for a period of six months because of circumstances beyond your control, and you expect that decrease to continue for an extended period of time, you have the right to request a review of your child support order from your county child support enforcement agency (CSEA). The CSEA will consider your case and present a recommendation for a possible adjustment. The amount you pay could go up, go down or stay the same. To find the CSEA in your county, call (800) 686-1556 toll-free or visit http://jfs.ohio.gov/County/County_Directory.stm.
Q. My children receive child support, and it helps, but I just lost my job. Is there any way I can increase the amount of the child support order?
A. Custodial parents have the right to ask their local child support enforcement agency (CSEA) to review their child support orders if their income drastically changes. To find the CSEA in your county, call (800) 686-1556 or visit http://jfs.ohio.gov/County/County_Directory.stm. The CSEA will consider your case and present a recommendation for a possible adjustment. The amount you receive could go up, go down or stay the same.
Q. My children’s other parent has stopped paying support. What can I do?
A. Contact your county child support enforcement agency (CSEA). To find the CSEA in your county, call (800) 686-1556 toll-free or visit http://jfs.ohio.gov/County/County_Directory.stm.
Child Welfare
Q. How can I report child abuse?
A. If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, call (855) OH-CHILD (1-855-642-4453), and you’ll be connected to a local child welfare or law enforcement agency.
You also can report abuse or neglect by directly contacting the law enforcement agency or public children services agency in the county where the incident occurred or where the child and his or her parent, guardian or custodian live. To find the phone number and location of your county public children services agency, go to http://jfs.ohio.gov/County/County_Directory.pdf.
Q. I’m interested in becoming a foster parent. What should I do?
A. Call (866) 886-3537 and select option 4, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or visit your county public children services agency. To learn more about foster parenting, view the brochure “Thinking about Becoming a Foster Parent or Adopting a Waiting Child?”
Q. I’m interested in becoming an adoptive parent. What should I do?
A. Call (866) 886-3537 and select option 4, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or visit your county public children services agency. To learn more, download the publication “Ohio Adoption Guide: A Handbook for Prospective Families”.
Employment and Training Assistance
Q. What employment and training assistance does ODJFS provide?
A. ODJFS offers a variety of help for out-of-work Ohioans and businesses looking to hire workers. The agency manages OhioMeansJobs.com, where individuals can post their resumes and search tens of thousands of job opportunities by a variety of key words, including job title, location and desired salary. ODJFS also supervises a network of county OhioMeansJobs Centers, where individuals can get one-on-one help and learn more about available job-training programs.
Q. How can I apply for employment and training services?
A. Call or visit your county’s OhioMeansJobs Center. To find the center nearest you, go to http://jfs.ohio.gov/owd/wia/wiamap.stm.
Q. How can I find a job?
A. Visit OhioMeansJobs.com. Through a partnership with Monster.com, this website lists tens of thousands of job opportunities from within a 50-mile radius of the state. People looking for a job can go to the site to post their resumes online or to search for available jobs by keyword or location.
Food Assistance
Q. How do I know if I’m eligible for food assistance?
A. To be eligible for food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps), your family income cannot exceed 130 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. To see if you might be eligible for SNAP, visit http://ODJFSBenefits.Ohio.gov. You also can check your eligibility by calling or visiting your county department of job and family services. More information about the program is available at http://jfs.ohio.gov/factsheets/foodassistance.pdf.
You also may be eligible for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), which is distributed through local nonprofit agencies, such as food pantries. To be eligible for TEFAP, your family income must be below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.
To find a local food bank, visit http://www.oashf.org/.
You also can contact your county department of job and family services and ask for help finding an agency that provides emergency food assistance.
Q. How can I apply for food assistance?
A. You can apply for food assistance online at http://ODJFSBenefits.Ohio.gov or by filling out a “Request for Cash, Food and Medical Assistance” form and submitting it to your county department of job and family services. For more information, go to http://jfs.ohio.gov/ofam/cmandfsa.stm or call or visit your local county agency.
Answer the questions on the form as thoroughly as possible. If you cannot answer all the questions on the form, just complete the first page and sign and date it. You will be asked to attach copies of proof of your income, other financial resources (if applicable), citizenship or qualified-alien status, pregnancy (if applicable) and any insurance you may have. If English is not your primary language, if you have a disability, or if you have questions about your case, someone at your county agency can help you complete your application.
You can then drop off, mail or fax the application. After your county agency receives your application, you may be called for an interview.
Unemployment Compensation
Q. How do I know if I’m eligible for unemployment compensation?
A. If you lost your job through no fault of your own, you might qualify for unemployment compensation. For more information, visit http://unemployment.ohio.gov.
Q. How can I apply for unemployment compensation?
A. You may file online 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at http://unemployment.ohio.gov. You also may file by phone with our toll-free numbers, (877) OHIO-JOB (1-877-644-6562) or TTY at (888) 642-8203, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (excluding holidays). When you call, please have paper and pencil available.
Other Assistance
Q. Are any other types of assistance available?
A. For a list of other resources, from both public and private sources, visit http://www.ohioheretohelp.com.