ODSA has granted STEH funding for new RRH projects serving transitional age youth (18-24) and/or single adults.  STEH, in consultation with the Homeless Clearinghouse (the CoC Board), is inviting proposals from potential sub-recipients of this funding. The detailed terms regarding the available funding are listed in the attached Request for Proposals.

Please see the following schedule regarding notifications and submissions:

Please contact Amy Stewart with any questions.

Please also spread the word and share this RFP with any agencies that you believe may be interested in responding.

The post Notice of FY18 ODSA HCRP RRH Funding Availability appeared first on Strategies to End Homelessness.

Click to visit original source at Strategies to End Homelessness (.org)

Food assistance recipients will receive a portion of their March benefits early, on Feb. 22. They will receive the rest of their March benefits on their regular March load date. 

This is NEW information. As a result of the February benefits being issued early during the government shutdown, the state of Ohio is adjusting the schedule for issuing March benefits so that half come out on Feb. 22 and the other half come on the consumer’s normal March load date.

We apologize for the confusion and thank you for your understanding.

The post March food benefits now coming early appeared first on Hamilton County Job & Family Services.

View Original Source (HCJFS.org) Here.

It’s the week of Valentine’s Day and we want to remind you to share your love.

Forget about roses and all thinks pink and red. We want you to think about the love our kids in foster care need – regardless of the season.

Through no fault of their own they need temporary or permanent homes who are ready to show them the love they need. The number of kids in our care continues to grow and we desperately need more foster parents. We have 1,200 kids in care and 400 waiting to be adopted.

We urge you to consider foster care or adoption and foster an environment of love around the kids who need it most. You can find more information here.

But we understand that fostering isn’t for everyone. And there are plenty more ways to love on our kids. Here are just a few:

1. Become a mentor. HEMI matches teens in foster care with mentors who help them through high school and college.
2. Donate to the FAMILY Fund. We use these donations to provide our kids in care with things the agency might not otherwise have funds to cover. Among the possibilities: car repairs necessary to keep them employed; trips to check out colleges; and tuition for special camps.
3. Become a respite care provider for foster parents who need a break.

There are so many ways to help. Think about how you can step up and show some #FosterLove

The post It’s time to #FosterLove appeared first on Hamilton County Job & Family Services.

View Original Source (HCJFS.org) Here.

Our offices will be closed on Monday, February 18, in honor of Presidents’ Day. 

We will reopen regular hours on Tuesday, February 19. 

The post Office closed Monday, Feb. 18. appeared first on Hamilton County Job & Family Services.

View Original Source (HCJFS.org) Here.

The Hamilton County Job and Family Services (HCJFS) PRC team is expanding again. Just a few short months ago the PRC team consisted of three staff members which grew to five and will expand to seven staff during February.

Additional funds have become available and policy has been changed to provide for greater flexibility. The volume and variety of PRC applications continues to grow. These dollars can support school and employment-related needs such as:

• Transportation (gas cards or bus cards)
• Needed car repairs
• Work/school tools, boots, and uniforms (must be required for work or school)
• School fees and supplies (textbooks only)

Or, short-term emergency need such as:

• Infant safety products
• Utility assistance
• Furniture for recently homeless families

This is the kind of flexible money that can be used for car repairs, so someone can make it to work and not lose their job. Or, pay for a work uniform needed to start a job. Or, someone with a one-time emergency expense, that might otherwise threaten their job or housing stability.

Hamilton County families with a minor child in the home and income under 200% of the federal poverty level may be eligible for PRC. The assistance, if approved, must serve one of three goals:

• Allow the family to avoid or escape dependence on public assistance
• Help the applicant to get and keep a job
• Help the family manage a one-time and unexpected expense

HCJFS is partnering with community organizations to identify people who need this service. Our agenda is to use PRC funds to leverage the good work done by community partners in fields ranging from homelessness and children services to vocational training and employment.

PRC will be one small part of the fuller “LIFT” project starting in 2019. Project LIFT is a $5 million, public/private effort to remove barriers to self-sufficiency and help families thrive. The effort is led by the Child Poverty Collaborative and aims to help 1,000 families (3,000 individuals) in its first year.

The post Prevention/Retention/Contingency (PRC) program growing appeared first on Hamilton County Job & Family Services.

View Original Source (HCJFS.org) Here.

Due to the partial federal government shutdown February food benefits were loaded into SNAP accounts on January 20. No further food benefits will be issued until the regularly scheduled dates in March. 

If you need food assistance, Freestore Foodbank and its partners can help. 

The post A reminder: February food benefits were posted in January appeared first on Hamilton County Job & Family Services.

View Original Source (HCJFS.org) Here.

How do we know how many youth are experiencing homelessness on a given night in Cincinnati?

One of the ways that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) gets an accurate count of how many people are experiencing homelessness is through a coordinated Point in Time Count. That combines a census of people sleeping in emergency shelters, transitional housing units, with a count of people sleeping in places not meant for human habitation.

What is the Point In Time Count?

Volunteers are needed to count how many people are experiencing unsheltered homelessness on a given night. They visit known homeless camps, bridges, and other public places where people are known to sleep. To this, we add the number of individuals in emergency shelter and transitional housing. This gives us a snapshot of how many people are experiencing homelessness.

However, it does not reflect the individuals sleeping in doubled up locations, couch surfing, or other risky housing situations. To get a sense of how many young people face these challenges on a given night in Cincinnati, the Lighthouse Youth Advisory Council partnered with the Youth Outreach Program and the downtown branch of the Hamilton County Public Library. Together we collected this information by surveying young people between the ages of 18-24 on their housing situation.

Ultimately, the group interacted with 54 young people between the ages of 18-24. We connected 6 to receive assistance in obtaining housing, shelter and other services. And collected contact information on 10 more youth sleeping in unstable situations. One young woman (a mother of 2) was connected to the Youth Outreach Program and through the Central Access Point. She was able to receive shelter for her family.

Learn more about how we’re working to end Youth Homelessness by 2020.

The post Focus on Youth Homelessness: Point in Time Count appeared first on Strategies to End Homelessness.

Click to visit original source at Strategies to End Homelessness (.org)

Colder temperatures can be deadly for those with no place to stay. Strategies to End Homelessness has created an easy way to get help if you see a person in need of shelter. 

The Street Reach app is available for Apple users.  If you do not have an Apple device, you can call and leave a message at the CAP helpline at 513-381-SAFE (7233). Leave a message with location info and it will be shared with the street outreach workers.

The post Street Reach can help homeless people escape the cold. appeared first on Hamilton County Job & Family Services.

View Original Source (HCJFS.org) Here.

With the weather expected to drop to dangerously cold temperatures this week, it is important for residents to be prepared and know where they can go to get out of the cold. If residents are in need of a place to warm up, they can consider visiting a restaurant, shopping mall, community center, or a local library. Please be aware that all City of Cincinnati Recreation Centers will be opened as warming centers during normal business hours. Residents can find their nearest local recreation center here: https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/recreation/facilities1/recreation-centers/.

For information about an open warming center in your community, please contact local municipal leaders, fire or police departments. The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is also welcoming those who would like a place to warm up, and encourages residents to visit their local library branch during normal business hours. Residents can find their nearest library location and hours of operation by visiting: https://www.cincinnatilibrary.org/info/hours.asp

.

The post Where to get warm during extreme cold in Hamilton County appeared first on Hamilton County Job & Family Services.

View Original Source (HCJFS.org) Here.

The early disbursement of food benefits for February has resulted in an increase in illegal sales of benefits. We have noticed and we are paying attention.

[See image gallery at hcjfs.org]

Others are too, and sharing images with us. 

• Selling less than $100 in benefits carries a prison sentence of up to one year and fines of up to $1,000.
• Selling benefits can result in a total of 20 years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines.
• One of the most common ways fraud is reported is by screenshots of social media.
• Selling benefits could result in a permanent loss of benefits.
• Committing benefit fraud could cost you any future benefits.
• Committing benefit fraud could cost you your freedom, for up to 20 years.

If  you sell benefits, you could be buying trouble.  

You can report suspected public assistance fraud here, or by calling HCJFS at 513-946-2217 or going to www.jfs.ohio.gov/fraud.

The post Selling stamps? We’re watching. appeared first on Hamilton County Job & Family Services.

View Original Source (HCJFS.org) Here.