11:00:40 AM [Visitor] Is that $5,000 for a year.
11:02:07 AM [Kevin Holt] It can be within one year. It may be over multiple years. You would need to work with a job coach to determine the suitability and type of training funds available to you.

10:58:15 AM [Visitor] The support that Super Jobs has is there money for people to go back to school with out it being a loan?
10:59:18 AM [Kevin Holt] Yes. Individual training accounts of up to $5,000 can be provided for job seekers requesting training in high-growth, high-demand industries to the extent that the funding is available.

10:53:10 AM [Visitor] I have applied for unemployment a couple of months ago and am still waiting on someone to get back to me. Is there another way to move the process along other than faxing and mailing my info?
10:54:18 AM [Kevin Holt] You can call 1-877-852-0010.

10:49:06 AM [Visitor] You know, there are lots of other ways that they money that is used to support programs like Community Link (Work Net) could be better used at time like this. I say start a program that would be more geared toward assessing the needs of single parent households and offering some parenting classes for a lot of these young mothers as a lot on them could really use these type of support setting, professional counseling to help identify any emotional, physical, or drug related abuse and/or any psychological or sociological defects that may need to be addressed. Just an FYI from some of the girls that I work with as I get them together every Wednesday for a group discussion. I am talking with them now and that is why it takes me so long to respond. Sorry for the delay!
10:52:41 AM [Kevin Holt] Great thoughts! As part of welfare reform in the mid 1990's, we took on a raft of mandates related to work participation, client tracking, reporting, and enforcement that Community Link is critical to our fulfilling. While we and they maintain the highest work participation rate in the state of Ohio, we acknowledge that these mandates have drawn our attention and our funding away from the sort-of holistic service model you have described. For as long as work participation requirements and associated threatened federal sanctions remain unchanged, our options to change service delivery remain very limited.

10:40:07 AM [Visitor] Is there any assistance for our gas & electric bill?
10:41:11 AM [Kevin Holt] Yes. There may be. Primarily in the form of Prevention, Retention and Contingency funding. You can find more information here: http://www.hcjfs.hamilton-co.org/Buttons/Clients_Customers/PRC.htm

10:36:29 AM [Visitor] What number should I call to verify receipt of my application?
10:39:04 AM [Kevin Holt] Start with 946-1070. They may direct you elsewhere depending on the type of public assistance and the workflow involved.

10:32:52 AM [Visitor] Who would one contact on a congressional level to better address this matter?
10:37:12 AM [Kevin Holt] You might want to look up your Congressional district and contact the people who represent you. Perhaps you could Google "Congressional representatives, Cincinnati) or check with the League of Women Voters.

10:33:28 AM [Visitor] I think I will mainly need medical for myself and my family, and possibly foodstamps. Is all this done at the same time? Will I need to come in for an interview for these services?
10:34:58 AM [Kevin Holt] You will need to come in for an interview. Both Medicaid and food stamps eligibility is determined simultaneously in the same interview.

10:30:14 AM [Michael Hall] I no longer have any unemployment. Is there any other funds, from other parties.
10:33:36 AM [Kevin Holt] I'm not aware of other funds of this sort. Public assistance cash can be available under very particular circumstances. But this service bears little resemblance to unemployment compensation.

10:30:10 AM [Visitor] I will be applying for assistance for the first time. If I fax in the application, will it be received? I don't want my information to be lost.
10:31:59 AM [Kevin Holt] Please follow any faxed information with a phone call to confirm receipt. Some forms of assistance can be applied for without a face-to-face interview, including primarily subsidized Child Care and CHIP. Others will require a face-to-face interview after receipt of your application.

10:28:57 AM [Visitor] Is anything being done to revise this Welfare to work program since our economy is facing such difficult times right now?
10:30:25 AM [Kevin Holt] Great question. We hope so. And we're aware of some efforts. However, most welfare-to-work mandates are driven by federal legislation, rather than rules. As such, any changes will be difficult and time consuming.

10:25:21 AM [Visitor] I've been reading about all the layoffs down there recently. Can you tell me if my services will be delayed?
10:28:59 AM [Kevin Holt] Yes. Because of staff loses, we will maintain our mandates. However, issues of timeliness, access, caseload size and service levels will all be adversely affected. Please be patient with us while we strive to meet all of our customers' needs.

10:23:57 AM [Michael Hall] I am an engineer, I have not been able to fine a job for over an year. Where can I go?
10:26:57 AM [Kevin Holt] Please see the information provided below about Super Jobs. In the recently signed economic stimulus package, there will be substantial additional dollars available for services related to job training and job search assistance. This assistance will be primarily available at Super Jobs in this community.

10:23:40 AM [Visitor] And they will be able to tell me whether i need to fill this paper out or not?
10:24:21 AM [Kevin Holt] Yes.

10:21:26 AM [Visitor] I don't know who my child support worker is. I never even filed for child support.
10:21:43 AM [Visitor] Because he's not absent. He helps me. So I'm confused.
10:23:00 AM [Kevin Holt] Please call the Child Support Call center at 946-7387.

10:19:41 AM [Visitor] I have a question. I am actually receiving medical assistance right now for my son and myself. My boyfriend is living with me at my parents house. I recently received an absent parent form for child support. However, my son's father is living with me, therefore he is not absent. So what do I do about the form?
10:20:58 AM [Kevin Holt] You need to contact the Child Support worker to ensure that no negative action is initiated because HCJFS is not aware of your circumstances.

10:14:04 AM [Visitor] So can you tell me who is hiring then? or I need to go to the website?
10:19:06 AM [Kevin Holt] No. You need to work directly with Super Jobs. Their Web site is a great place to start. They also have orientations at 8:30 a.m. each Monday. That said, your frustration is not unique and the job opportunities available in any setting, including Super Jobs, are fewer than you would have found a year ago.

10:13:18 AM [Visitor] OK, so what types of position have you run across in the job market today and with what companies. I have seen lots of ads, but know one seems to be hiring right now only updating their application files it seems?
10:13:08 AM [Kevin Holt] This information is not available in this sort of forum. However, it can be available if you contact the Super Jobs one-stop facility at http://www.superjobs.com/ This is our Hamilton County JFS partner for job seekers. They are the most productive job center among the 20 in Ohio.

10:08:43 AM [Visitor] ok
10:09:47 AM [Visitor] So you can't give me any information youself? what exactly am i supposed to be asking you?
10:12:33 AM [Visitor] Hello. I'm ready for my answer.
10:13:08 AM [Kevin Holt] Our role at HCJFS is primarily to fulfill federal mandates related to delivery of public assistance, child support, and child welfare. With regard to job services, we're deeply involved with a wide variety of community partners in efforts to serve our core populations. That partnership information may be useful in your job search. With regard to our core expertise, we would be glad to assist directly in your application for public assistance, child support assistance, or child welfare.

10:08:12 AM [Visitor] How would I apply for a position like this?
10:06:45 AM [Kevin Holt] http://www.hamiltoncountyohio.gov/hr/JobOpeningsList.asp

10:06:11 AM [Visitor] Okay thank you. I also wanted to know what kind of retail job is in high demand at the moment. This is what I have experience in, but no one seems to be hiring.
10:08:35 AM [Kevin Holt] The Super Jobs Center, 1916 Central Parkway, has staff trained to provide exactly this sort of data to job seekers. I would encourage you to call or visit their facility or their Web site. http://www.superjobs.com/

10:04:35 AM [Visitor] Are there any positions available at hcjfs at this time?
10:06:45 AM [Kevin Holt] In rare instances, such as 241-KIDS night staff, we are hiring. However, for each person hired, we have to lay off another.

10:03:52 AM [Visitor] Okay, here's a general question. I like to look nice obviously during interviews, however, I don't have much money to go and buy tons of clothing. I was wondering what one universal interviewing outfit would be.
10:05:27 AM [Kevin Holt] I would suggest that you try Dress for Success. You could get more information by calling the United Way's 211 referral line.

10:01:49 AM [Visitor] I would like to know, what is JFS offering in the way of financial support for those who would other wise be facing a sanction for losing their jobs after being employed for such a short period of time?
Kevin Holt: I'm not sure what you're asking. Please clarify with a little more information.



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