Family services department recognized for food-stamp program

Star Beacon

July 29, 2007 07:23 am

— The National Association of Counties has awarded Ashtabula County a 2007 NACO Achievement Award.
The National Association of Counties has awarded Ashtabula County a 2007 NACO Achievement Award.
It recognizes the Ashtabula County Department of Job and Family Services (DJFS) for it's program "Accessing Unclaimed Food Stamp Benefits Through Exemplary Customer Service." The program is singled out as being effective and innovative in getting food-stamp benefits to eligible county residents.
With the roll-out of the new Ohio Direction Card in spring 2006, it became evident that many county residents were problems preventing them from accessing food stamps. DJFS implemented it's program in April 2006 to ensure that all residents entitled to benefits could receive them.
The agency identified groups that had not activated their food-stamp benefits. They were contacted personally by DJFS staff, who facilitated their applications for benefits.
"The program has proven to be very successful for (county residents), especially those who may have otherwise 'fallen through the cracks' and not received their food assistance", said Patrick Arcaro, DJFS' executive director.
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