Ten Years of Helping Children and Families

I am very proud of the work we do throughout our entire agency. We have many incredible, dedicated employees who go to great lengths to help the people we serve. We are not perfect and we make mistakes, but the overwhelming majority of people who work here do everything they can to improve this community.

The workers at The Mayerson Center for Safe and Healthy Children at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center are a perfect example. These dedicated employees investigate the worst cases of abuse we see in this agency. It is a tough job and takes its toll.

When the Mayerson Center opened Oct. 1, 2000, it was lauded as a first-of-its-kind facility. Mayerson is a holistic, therapeutic center for handling children who are abused and neglected and must be interviewed by social workers, police, prosecutors, medical providers and victim’s advocates. Instead of shuttling between these offices, being interviewed multiple times and having to endure multiple examinations, children receive cooperative care from everyone in a comfortable, friendly setting.

Hamilton County staff working at the center handles about 1,000 cases a year, but the center serves the region and handles even more cases.

The most important reason the center exists is that it makes it easier on the children and families. Many have been through horrific ordeals, and we need to ensure they are treated with as little trauma as possible.

Happy anniversary to the entire staff at Mayerson, not just the JFS staff. Congratulations on 10 years of service to this community.

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Free e-book with Tips on Child Safety

Ever wonder what you could do to help prevent child abuse and neglect? The Hamilton County Department of Job and Family Services gives you some answers in a free e-book called 10 Tips for Keeping Children Safe.

Video News: Making Dreams Come True

We have more than 200 children awaiting adoption. Most are over age 12 and most have been waiting more than a year. Adoption gives them a sense of permanency. Adoption gives them a room a home and a community. Adoption makes their dreams come true.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aDiVw38a5s

Alternative Response Coming to Hamilton County

I first told you about Alternative Response here. We are very excited about being one of the few counties chosen as part of this innovative pilot project that we believe will benefit many of the families we serve in child welfare.

We began training our staff on this approach this month. The American Humane Association, Institute of Applied Research is conducting the training.

If you are a community partner, you can learn about this new approach by attending an information session from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 5. We will hold it in our downtown office, 222 E. Central Parkway, in Room 6SE601.

Community partners are vital to this approach. A family’s ability to access services and establish supports within the community is imperative to the quest to safeguard children.

Hope to see you there!

More Video News: The Higher Education Mentoring Initiative

Here’s our latest video update on what is happening at JFS. We really do need mentors for our Higher Education Mentoring Initiative, which has been a tremendous success. If you are interested, there are three information sessions planned for October and November. Let us know.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BNOf1ijjZ8

More Video News; Record Set with Discount Presciption Drug Cards

Here’s a new video release on what is happening at JFS this week. It is tremendous that so many people are using our discount cards for prescription drugs and it is saving them money! If you are uninsured, or your insurance does not cover a drug you need, the card can help you. Learn more here: http://www.hamiltoncountyrx.com/

Here’s the video:

This Week At JFS

We are trying something new at our agency to help get the word out about some of the interesting things going on down here. Brian Gregg, who handles media for our organization, has started creating weekly video press releases. Each release will give a short update on the week’s events and other newsworthy items.

Brian already issues written press releases. He said the videos will allow him to cover more ground, highlight things that are probably not worthy of an official release and allow reporters a quick and easy inside look at JFS. Brian’s a former reporter himself, and he tells me the news media is inundated with press releases. This is his attempt to cut through the clutter and get noticed.

Take a look and let me know what you think:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NNFMgbkI1U