Commissioners press for local employers, Administrator says youth job program can support "up to around 1,300" positions

At the April 2 Hamilton County commissioners meeting, Vice President Alicia Reece emphasized the countys ongoing focus on youth employment and called on local employers, nonprofits and unions to participate in upcoming events and hiring efforts.

Reece described prior ARPA-supported youth employment events that offered free physicals, assistance obtaining birth certificates and on-site registration, and she urged partners including Messer, the Cincinnati Reds, Children's Hospital and the Cincinnati Zoo to provide internships and job opportunities. "If you got a youth program, we want to see you," Reece said, pressing for local presence and participation and asking that county-supported initiatives prioritize paying youth and supporting organizations that already serve young people.

County Administrator Jeff Aluotto said the Office of Youth remains open and staff and providers will be prepared to register young people on April 11. When asked for a funding estimate, Aluotto said he would follow up later; staff reported in the meeting that the year's funding supports "up to around 1,300 jobs." "We are open and will be ready to work with youth on April 11th to register them for jobs and connect them with other services," Aluotto said.

Reece and other commissioners also raised concerns about procurement and service providers, asking whether some contracts had gone to out-of-town organizations with no local office and urging that future RFPs consider local presence to ensure residents can interact with providers. County staff said several renewals are scheduled and that new RFPs will be published to invite additional providers.

Commissioner Reece said the board will continue outreach to employers to expand opportunities and recommended that interested employers contact the Office of Youth ahead of the April 11 registration day.

The county did not take new policy action at the meeting; staff committed to provide the board with more detailed job- and funding-number estimates following the meeting.