Job and Family Services explains award to Community Behavioral Health for employment services

Jerome Kearns, assistant director with Job and Family Services, explained the department is awarding a contract to Community Behavioral Health for employment services that target Ohio Works First participants with work requirements and some OWF recipients with restrictions. "My name is Jerome Kearns and I'm the Assistant Director with Job and Family Services," Kearns said when asked to identify himself; he added the program works with OWF recipients and coordinates referrals through CCMEP for youth 16 to 24.

Commissioners asked whether the newly hired caseworker at OhioMeansJobs would overlap with Community Behavioral Health services; Kearns said the CCMEP-funded staff primarily serve 16- to 24-year-olds and that two navigators funded by the Healthier Buckeye grant will help integrate services across public assistance and workforce development. The board proceeded to approve the contract award listed in the clerk's resolution packet.