Jackson County Department of Job and Family Services

The Jackson County Department of Job and Family Services is part of one of the largest health and human services delivery systems in the nation. As a quadruple combined county administered, state-supervised organization, the Agency is responsible for delivering program services through the Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA), Public Children Services Agency (PCSA), Workforce Development and Public Assistance. JCDJFS staff determine eligibility for Ohio Works First Cash Assistance, Food Assistance, Medicaid, Prevention Retention and Contingency (PRC), Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and Child Care programs.
The organization's work is driven through state and federal mandates and guidance enforced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA - Food and Nutrition Services), U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) and the local County Commissioners.
History:
In 1946, the Ohio General Assembly passed legislation permitting Boards of County Commissioners to create County Departments of Public Welfare to provide assistance to needy individuals and families. The legislation established the state-supervised, county administered public welfare system in the state of Ohio. During the 1980s, the name was changed to the Department of Human Services. By this point in time, numerous state and federal programs had been added.
In 1996, the Ohio General Assembly passed the first comprehensive welfare reform legislation, H.B., 167. This legislative change was soon followed by federal welfare reform legislation, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, which eliminated the long-standing Aid for Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) entitlement program and replaced it with Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). As a result of this tremendous shift in policy, cash assistance was no longer available as an indefinite entitlement and individuals were now provided with opportunities to reach self-sufficiency within a three-year time frame.
In 1999, the Ohio General Assembly, in response to the federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA) legislation, passed profound changes in the provision of workforce development services. As a result, two state-level organizations, the Ohio Department of Human Services and the Ohio Bureau of Employment Services became what is now known as the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. With this transition, county Human Services became known as Job and Family Services in 2000.
MISSION:
Our mission is to serve our community by protecting children, strengthening families and securing basic needs for county residents in a caring and professional manner.
VISION:
Empower, protect, and serve our community with respect, integrity and professionalism.
VALUES:
Empathy
Respect
Collaboration
Quality
Accountability
Commitment