Our mission is to enhance the quality of life for the residents of Jefferson County, by supporting the delivery of health and human services.

JCDJFS BuildingChildren and adults are sometimes in danger of harm, unable to protect themselves, or have no one to assist them. To protect and assist these citizens, the Children Services Division is responsible for responding to reports of child abuse/neglect/dependency and has a fully qualified staff which investigates reports, provides supportive services to children and their families, and oversees foster care, a children’s home and adoption services. Adult protective services reduces or remedies conditions endangering adults, providing supportive services and referrals, job assistance, medical services and referrals to community resources. The Business Department facilitates services which enable the Income Maintenance, Social Service, and Child Support Divisions to function successfully. Jefferson County Department of Job and Family Services provides matching fund grants to organizations county-wide to assist with job training and other essential services.

Voter Registration

Jefferson County Department of Job and Family Services is a designated voter registration agency. Anyone may register to vote, or change their current voter registration address or name at this agency. Read more...

Non-Discrimination

The Jefferson County Department of Job and Family Services prohibits discrimination in all of its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability or political beliefs. Read more...

Recent Agency News

November 6, 2009Adoption AwarenessMark Law, Staff Writer - Herald Star

Commissioners proclaimed November as Adoption Awareness Month at the request of the Jefferson County Job and Family Services, Children Services Division.

October 23, 2009Sheriff ContractMark J. Miller, Staff Writer - Herald Star

Commissioners approved the contracting of security services for the Jefferson County Department Job and Family Services from the sheriff's department.

August 21, 2009Budget CutsMark Law, Staff Writer - Herald Star

Jefferson County commissioners learned Thursday the county Department of Job and Family Services will receive about $1 million less in funding from the state, which will result in the end of several programs the agency had funded in the past. Elizabeth Ferron, county Job and Family Services director, said the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families fund will receive a cut of $955,412. TANF had funded several programs since 2001, such as the visitation center for the Alternatives to Living in a Violent Environment, juvenile court's mediation and drug court programs and sheriff's deputies who serve as resource officers in schools.

Job and Family Services reported the cut amounts to a 29 percent reduction in overall state funding for the agency. Ferron said there will not be any layoffs at job and family services or a cut in mandated programs, such as food stamps or benefits to people who have lost their job. She noted the department over the years has cut staff through attrition and eliminated spending on certain items to save money. If the TANF contracts were funded, job and family services would have to cut at least 12 jobs, she said.

County Commissioner Thomas Graham said he wants to further discuss the cuts to the various other agencies funded by TANF. County Commissioner David Maple told Ferron he understands she is not in a position to fund the TANF grants. Jodi Scheetz, A.L.I.V.E. director, said after Thursday's meeting that the agency is in the process of applying for a federal grant to fund the visitation center. The center is used as a nonconfrontational visitation exchange of children by divorced parents. If A.L.I.V.E. doesn't get the federal grant, Scheetz said the agency's board of directors will have to discuss other options. "Ohio has a terrible budget crisis and something had to give," Scheetz said about the funding cut. Ferron said agencies given TANF money were notified in June not to expect the grants to be renewed. The grants expired on June 30.

Job and family services has changed the way cases are handled to make the agency more efficient. The agency recently was notified it received a best practices award from the state job and family services agency for processing child support case more efficiently. "Our staff through all of this has stayed focused to just providing services. That has been our No. 1 priority," she said.