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ODJFS cuts six workers
Children’s services loses caseworkers
Published Thursday, March 19, 2009
As Gene Myers sees it, the day of reckoning has finally come.
Tuesday six of the 10 caseworkers who are part of the children services division of the Department of Job and Family Services were given notice.
Caseworkers go out in the field to investigate the living conditions of children at risk.
“With the funding issues, we have had to make the decision,” said Myers, ODJFS director. “Our funding has been cut substantially over the last four years.”
Myers saw this day coming when the 1-mil Children Services Levy he wanted passed in November 2008 was soundly defeated.
The levy would have generated approximately $326,000 annually but as a local match could have brought in possibly four times that to the department.
“If I could have had that local match dollars, I could have paid for foster care. That runs $1.4 million a year,” Myers said. “Whenever the levy did not pass, I knew I would have to do what I am doing right now.”
All but one of the case workers have been employed from 2005 forward; the sixth came in 2000. The average salary was $32,000.
The effective date for the layoffs is April 6.
Four of the six have displacement rights, which means they can “bump” or take the position of another employee at the agency. They are not required to inform Myers of their decision to exercise that right for five days after receiving notice of the layoffs.
The caseworkers at the department are a part of the AFSCME union. Currently Myers and AFSCME representatives are in negotiations about other ways to prevent further job cuts.
“Basically it is a look at strategies we can use about curbing the expense of employment,” Myers said.
“We are currently talking about furloughs, wage freezes and those types of issues.”
The department’s budget has taken a 46 percent hit since fiscal 2005 overall that also covers the other aspects of the agency’s responsibilities: family stability, child support and workforce.
“We have been able to weather it through attrition or offering buyouts,” Lawrence County Commissioner Jason Stephens said. “I really sympathize with the workers.
“They work hard. It is certainly not their fault. What really concerns me are the abused and neglected children.”
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Comments
Posted by family545 (anonymous) on March 19, 2009 at 10:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I thought ODJFS was 2 Furloughs each month, wage freeze, ect, almost every working class person is experiencing this. I hate to hear people loosing their job.
Posted by MasterChef (anonymous) on March 19, 2009 at 2:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
that is the absolute dumbest thing I've seen posted on the Trib's forum!
Posted by howardhughes (anonymous) on March 19, 2009 at 2:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Here, here
Posted by howardhughes (anonymous) on March 19, 2009 at 2:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
And that is saying something
Posted by MasterChef (anonymous) on March 19, 2009 at 2:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Remember, frog, these employee cuts tie directly back to the W administration and the Republican Congress. They don't give a hoot about our kids. Just bring on the tax cuts for the wealthy!
This isn't the end, this is just the beginning. Give President Obama enough time and I'm sure he will reverse the Bush funding cuts.
Posted by groversdad (anonymous) on March 19, 2009 at 3:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh, yes MasterChef, I am sure that the chosen one will fix it all. Maybe no one should pay taxes just like some of his cabinet appointees... My philosophy on taxes is that 10% of $100,000 is a lot more than 10% of $10,000. I do not like the idea of 15% on people making 45K and 47% on people making 200K. That may be "fair" in your book, but not in mine. Let's do away with the IRS and current tax structure and institute a flat tax (with exemption for low wage earners but no earned income credit) or an even more fair nationals sales tax. I will get off of my soapbox now.
Posted by MasterChef (anonymous) on March 19, 2009 at 3:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
groversdad, I certainly respect your opinion, even if we disagree. Have you seen any statistics that would indicate how high the sales tax would have to be to run the government?
Posted by MEinOH (anonymous) on March 19, 2009 at 3:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with MasterChef.. groversdad, i don't think masterchef ever referred to Obama as "chosen one" so I will assume that is YOUR opinion. I am just happy to have a president who was able to provide so much hope for a country that so needs it... I am finding it very hard to believe that Law. county could not find funding to keep employees in children's services! How absurd!
Posted by groversdad (anonymous) on March 19, 2009 at 3:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
MEinOH,
How astute of you to recognize that I have issues with Obama. I was a young when Carter was in office. I remember how terrible the economy was then. I pray that Obama does not give me the opportunity to say to you, "I told you so." I did not like Clinton, but he did not hit me in the pocketbook like I feared he would. MasterChef, thank you for your polite response. I do not have figures. My thinking in national sales tax is that people of means spend more money and buy bigger ticket items (i.e. 9% of the price of a Lexus will be more than the 9% I would spend on my Silverado.) The collection of these taxes would be a nightmare. I do not like the idea of punishing achievement. I do not have a "Robin Hood" mentality when it comes to taxes.
Posted by eclipse (anonymous) on March 19, 2009 at 3:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Alot the times nothing was done for the kids anyways. Sent kids back to parents that were drug dealers or that the parents didn't want them, just want the checks.
Posted by MasterChef (anonymous) on March 19, 2009 at 4:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
groversdad, i really appreciate someone with whom i can have a civil discussion. THAT'S what the country AND the county needs.
I know Obama will not have all the answers. Nobody could fix all this mess in four or even eight years. But I do believe Obama is committed to tackling these problems. He's aolready shown he's not afraid to draw "a line in the sand". He's looking to do what's best for his country, not HIS best interests.
I could go on and on, but I'll stop. Again, i appreciate the civil discussion.
Posted by IrishPoet72 (anonymous) on March 19, 2009 at 5:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I appreciate everyone's opinion here, I really do. But...the issue...WHO WILL PROTECT OUR CHILDREN? These workers go into homes and have no way of knowing if they might be met with violence. As their duty they must investigate any complaint that comes in to the agency. If there is no abuse fine. But if they suspect or find neglect or abuse they must find a judge to stamp a paper, then they must put themselves in danger by going to the home to remove these children. They have long hours and loads of paperwork and major job burnout...often all of this only works out to put the child(ren) back into the situation. Hopefully, if they are being mistreated, they will be removed and taken care of. Let's see, and who will take care of them? Foster care is overloaded, money is short for placements and most people do not want to get involved in this type of issue due to family ties or emotional and physical issues these children face.
But imagine being a child, afraid to go home due to the hurt they know is comming in what should be a santuary. The hunger at bedtime because no one thought it important to feed you a meal. The emptiness, the loneliness, the out right fear of their existance.
Now, how do we explain to them or to anyone why we can't afford someone's wages to be able to step up and provide a voice for them, to give them protection?
People, tax money is one way, but we see the issue of a tax on the voting form and we say NO. Often we vote before we think of who we are affecting.
Also, there are many ways each of us could help out. Times are hard, America has often had children to protect in the poorest of times, but they stepped up. VOLUNTEER!!! PAYBACK for any kindness of help you or your family has ever received. Donate some time to the numerous agencies that can use more help than they ever have.
I know it is hard to imagine, but write some letters to higher powers than at the local level, be a voice for these children that can not speak up for themselves.
Losing jobs and lowering wages are part of our time, but do not let the children suffer the sins of the fathers. They are the innocents.
I am not living in an idealistic world when I ask you to step up, I have been there raising three children alone. Wondering where the next meal would come from? Hoping the gas company could wait just one more week. I am blessed that others cared. I in turn passed that on in my own life when I was able to. God,the Bible, the government, ok, look within and do something yourself.
Posted by IrishPoet72 (anonymous) on March 19, 2009 at 5:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Frog I pray for you.
Posted by beitthetruth (anonymous) on March 19, 2009 at 5:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Looks like Frogs paranoia is getting the best of his lillie pad! I agree with MasterChef that we need to give Obama time to see change in our economy. As too finding money to keep these jobs and programs running, well that was our fault the Citizens of Law. Co. by failing to pass the levy that would have stopped all this from occurring in the first place. Only now when the layoffs are happening do people take notice and cry foul. The next time we start pointing fingers we need to point them at the right culprit (I give you a hint: look in a mirror).
Posted by sugar08 (anonymous) on March 19, 2009 at 7:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes, I really feel sorry for the kids, all this is happening because they want that levy. We pay enough taxes to take care of all this if they would stick to a budget, we have to. If you take the kids out of the mess they are in and then put them right back into it, what is the point of it, If you care more for your drugs than you do your kids, give them up for adoption, at least they would be out of that mess and have a chance for a happy life. They care more for their drugs than they do their kids. They get a slap on the wrist and that's it.When you are on a fixed income and have lots of medicine you have to take to stay alive and no jobs for the ones who want to work,how do they expect people to pay more when they can't follow that budget? I still say NO MORE LEVYS. There has to be some other way.
Posted by RabidElmo (anonymous) on March 19, 2009 at 9:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You have to excuse "groversdad." He's still butthurt about the old man and his nurse not winning.
I still don't know where "groversdad" and some others get where Obama or anyone ever said that he is the "Chosen One." Where does this come from? Someone has been reading too many Left Behind books.
Posted by grover (anonymous) on March 19, 2009 at 9:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i seen nothing to indicate my dad is "butthurt" rabidelmo. he stated an opinion. an OPINION!
get over yourself already. jeez. its time to move on and grow up.
Posted by grover (anonymous) on March 19, 2009 at 9:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
also, you obama voters are the ones that have called him the second coming of Christ. Not us republicans.
Posted by groversdad (anonymous) on March 19, 2009 at 10:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey Elmo,
Perhaps if you were capable of abstract thinking, you would realize that the term "chosen one" refers to how some Americans act like Obama becoming President is as big as the second coming of Christ. That is not saying that Obama is Christ. As to the comment about the "old man," I did vote for him as the "lesser of two evils" (have someone explain that to you, I am not calling either man evil.) My candidate did not even run. If it makes you feel better, I will admit that I can not even spell his name. He was run out of office several years ago because he is not good with sound bites; he was taken out of context again and again. And if your term "butthurt" means that I think America got screwed, than Bravo, you hit the nail right on the head (Are you keeping up or is this too many metaphors for you?)
Posted by marcash79 (anonymous) on March 19, 2009 at 10:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think keeping these people employed would be a good way to use stimulus money. Lets see how that money is spent in this county and remember these families.
Posted by RabidElmo (anonymous) on March 19, 2009 at 11:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Some must have me confused with someone else. I did not realize I had to "grow up and move on" to post here. I thought I did that many moons ago.
Mr. groversdad. Obama is the first African-American president. Also, he inspires people. I agree that there are those that have gone overboard. However, for you to call him "The Chosen One" is a bit much due to the behavior of some people that got carried away.
As far as the "abstract thinking" comment goes, my comment came from seeing your posts off and on always referring to Mr. Obama as the aforementioned "chosen one" or whatever it is you call the man, does sound a bit childish.
As far as my "Left Behind" comment, I kept reading articles saying how Mr. Obama was indeed "evil." Come on folks! He's just a MAN!
Also, you seem as if you are a very smart man! That's great! Or perhaps it's really an act to hide the fact that you're a buffoon.
Posted by grover (anonymous) on March 19, 2009 at 11:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
No, I'm not confused, RabidElmo. You're the classic example of the Internet "troll."
From all of the posts I recall reading from you, it's obvious you cannot carry on a conversation in polite society.
You immediately jump to saying sarcastic comments instead of actually trying to engage in a conversation.
Have a fantastic evening!
Posted by groversdad (anonymous) on March 20, 2009 at 8:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Why don't you just say something bad about my mother?
Posted by RabidElmo (anonymous) on March 20, 2009 at 4:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
A troll is a fictional being that lives under a bridge, if I remember correctly. I apologize if I'm not hip to you kids' hip internet lingo.
I never remember seeing or hearing that the internet is "polite society." I thought the term polite society was reserved for the "real world" and not the cyberworld.
Grover, you seem like an angry young man. If I may say so, perhaps you and your father, "groversdad" if that is indeed your father, should spend more time together bonding in real life instead of posting things on the internet.
If all else fails, Grover. Perhaps church is the answer. Being angry at the world isn't a way for anyone to live.
Posted by grover (anonymous) on March 23, 2009 at 6:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm not angry at anyone or the world. I go to church every time the doors are open, I read my Bible daily, spend time in prayer, and am a born again Christian.
What I don't understand is you liberals preach tolerance and love, but anytime someone disagrees with you... you're the first people to start throwing stones and name-calling.
Posted by bb (anonymous) on March 23, 2009 at 11:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
no real close friend of commissioner's got the ax.
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