MOUNT VERNON — A joint meeting planned at the Ohio Statehouse today with Matthew Kurtz, director, and other staff of Knox County Jobs and Family Services was announced to the Knox County Board of Commissioners on Monday morning. Kurtz said he will be addressing the state budget and how it affects local agencies.
“We just want them to understand where we stand and what we’re doing,” said Kurtz, about his visit to the Ohio Statehouse.
Kurtz said recent reductions in county allocations of TANF (Temporay Assistance for Needy Families) funding have amounted to $400,000; and that another proposal from Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services will cut local funding by another 30 percent. “I have already adjusted what we do with TANF funding. We do have a little wiggle room available for families in crisis,” said Kurtz, adding that he currently has less in TANF funds available than before the days of welfare reform.
He added the Child Support Enforcement Agency’s staff has dropped from 13 to 11, “We’ve really trimmed down,” and were down to just meat,” said Kurtz.
“We’re going to try to make an impact on the legislature on what we’re doing. There are numerous challenges we are facing on the budget side.”
