T-L Photo/CARRI GRAHAM Members of the Harrison County Department of Job and Family Services and Jefferson County Community Action Council speak with commissioners about an agreement between the two agencies for the CCMEP program at Wednesday’s meeting. Pictured, from left, are Michael McGlumphy, director of JCCAC; Scott Blackburn, director of HCDJFS; and Deb Knight, assistant director of HCDJFS.

CADIZ — The Harrison County Department of Job and Family Services will soon receive more than $200,000 in funding for a program that aids local families in need.

HCDJFS Director Scott Blackburn, Assistant Director Deb Knight and Jefferson County Community Action Council Director Michael McGlumphy met with the Harrison County Board of Commissioners Wednesday to receive approval to pursue the funding, and to sign an agreement between the two agencies.

Knight said the department will receive $207,672 in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds. This will contribute to the Comprehensive Case Management and Employment Program.

“CCMEP is a youth program that is funded by both (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) and TANF funds. This contract is for TANF funds because they have a separate, they’re funding year is different from the WIOA, so we have to have two contracts,” Knight said to commissioners.

The program is designed to provide benefits and services to needy and low-income employed families who are need assistance to move out of poverty and to become self-sufficient. The funding begins in October and will end in September 2020, Knight said.

“Last year we served 62 youths. … We anticipate that we’re going to need more TANF funding, once the allocation and everything comes into play, so we can serve more youth,” McGlumphy said. “Most of this is (for) our summer youth program, that’s where the biggest chunk comes out.”

Commissioner Dale Norris made the motion to approve the agreement, with Paul Coffland and Don Bethel voting to unanimously approve it.

Knight also announced that the county has been selected to participate in the Ohio START program — Sobriety, Treatment and Reducing Trauma.

“We are going to training toward the end of October to start, there’s a lot of technical assistance. What it will do is one of our workers will be designated as the START worker and the program will provide intensive case management services to our families that have substance abuse issues,” Knight said.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine launched the program in 2017, while he served as Ohio Attorney General. The program’s mission is to help entire families, who are impacted by child mistreatment and parental substance abuse disorders. START has now expanded to 14 counties.

The HCDJFS currently has 27 children in their care, Knight said. 18 of those children are involved in families with substance abuse problems.

“Hopefully this will help us return kids home sooner and deal with the substance-use issue,” she said.

In a press release, Dewine stated that working to keep families together, while parents begin treatment for substance use disorders, helps minimize trauma children face.

“Expanding Ohio’s START’s unique approach helps give families the tools they need to support long-term recovery and put them on paths to brighter futures,” he said.

Since it began, the initiative has served 894 people in total and 389 children, the release stated.