“These kids deserve our care and attention.” Scioto County Commissioner Scottie Powell said that it’s critical that voters pass a levy to help fund the 358 kids in foster care in the county right now.
The $3.6 million dollar levy appears on November’s ballot. “The funding has to come from somewhere. That’s why the levy is critical,” Powell said.
Scioto County Job and Family Services Director Tammy Moore Morton said the agency is looking at a $3 million shortfall in their placement costs, and that doesn’t even include operating costs for the agency. Morton said the main issue is that the agency is funded based on handling 120 children, and there are nearly three times that many in their care right now.
Morton said the once-troubled Children’s Services agency is doing much better since it merged with Scioto County Job & Family Services. The controversial move, which saw County Commissioners disbanding the CPS board, has made it easier for agencies to work together.
Morton said, “We had a significant involvement in several areas of adult protective services and children services working together on cases where elderly and youth in a household are in jeopardy.”
She said she only expects things to improve when the CPS employees leave their current New Boston officers and move into the JFS building in Portsmouth. “As soon as they get into the building with us, we’re going to see a lot more. It’s just going to get better.”
She said services would not be interrupted during the move and that CPS would keep the same phone number for the time being.
CPS employees had asked to hold Trunk or Treat one last time at the New Boston location. Morton said that the event will take place on Tuesday, October 18, from 5:30 to 6:30 pm. Everyone is welcome at the event.