SIDNEY — This year each of the department’s administrators were asked to submit information on the programs they operate, reports Tom Bey, director of the Shelby County Department of Job & Family Services.
Their reports are as follows:
Dave Jenkins, Children Services administrator, reported in 2015 a monthly average of 51 children were in out-of-home care. Placements included relative, foster care and residential treatment. More than 50 percent of these placements involved the heroin addiction parent(s). More than 300 allegations of abuse/neglected were investigated. Jenkins forecasts increased caseloads due to the heroin epidemic, including more investigations and increased need for placements.
Child Support Administrator Shannon Smith oversees more than 4,000 cases each month. The division’s activities resulted in the payment of more than $7,500,000.00 in 2015. A great deal of time is spent locating parents, filing court charges, etc. In 2016 Smith reported that significant changes may be made to the Child Support Guideline Calculations. These guidelines are used by the division and the courts to determine the amount of monthly child support payments.
Under the direction of Helen Scott, the Employment & Family Services Division is responsible for the department’s employment and child care programs. The division also operates the Job Center and assign/monitor individuals required to work for receiving cash and/or food assistance. Scott reported that in December that of the 2007 adults receiving SNAP assistance (food stamps) 151 were required to participate in a work program. More than 1,000 are exempt due to age or incapacity, 400 due to caring for a child under 6, and almost 300 due to already being employed. In December only four of the six adults receiving monthly cash assistance were required to be in a work program. In 2016 a new state program increasing services to the unemployed will be implemented. Planning for extensive training along & new systems will need to be implemented to meet this challenge.
As Fiscal Administrator Nick Finch is responsible for managing 62 different funding streams used to operate the agency and its contracts. Finch reported that 73 percent of these funds are federal, 19 percent state and 7 percents local. In 2015 the agency was audited along with a state fiscal review. Both audits and reviews are done on a regular basis. Both the audit and review went very well. For 2016 Finch is concerned that with the implementation of new programs funds may be shifted from current programs to the new. He anticipates “flat” funding with increased operating costs as a significant concern.
Tina Hooks as the Financial & Medical administrator is responsible for federal assistance programs. Cash Assistance, Food Assistance & Medicaid programs fall within this division’s services. In December there 135 cash cases but only 1 case included an adult. The other 134 involved children living with disabled parents or relatives. Hooks reported that although food assistance cases were declining the number still remains high with more than 1,816 cases (4,036 individuals) in December. Although the Medicaid caseload has somewhat flattened it is still high. In December, more than 9,000 Shelby County residents were receiving Medicaid assistance. In 2016 Hook reported the Medicaid caseload will transition onto a new computer system.
The department is fortunate have Steve Pulfer as assistant director. Among other duties, Pulfer oversees issues centered the quality of services provided by the department. Under his leadership department staff continue to improve services to Shelby County. The department is fortunate to have a very qualified staff in all positions to serve Shelby County.
The department realizes that every dollar it receives for its operations and programs are from taxpayers. The department strives to be good stewards for these dollars. For more information on the department and the services offered, see our website at www.shelbycountyjfs.org.
