The Meigs County Department of Job and Family Services,  provide a variety of services to meet the basic needs of  low income residents of the county, and also works with the Meigs County Board of Commissioners to pursue economic and workforce development for the county.  While the primary goal of the agency is to assure that the basic needs of  food, shelter and medical care is available for our most vulnerable residents, our secondary goal is to assist those same individuals in becoming self sufficient, whether it be through obtaining employment, training, additional education or obtaining Social Security benefits for the disabled or child support for the single parent. 

The answer for the majority of the individuals we work with is finding employment with a wage that can support their family.  The availability of the agency One-Stop is a valuable resource to our residents and employers.  Employers can list employment opportunities in the state wide employment system through the One Stop and our staff is available to screen applications for skills for the employer, should they wish that service.  Located on the first floor of our agency, the resource room is available to the general public from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.. No appointment is necessary to use the resource room.  Our One Stop staff will assist  individual by: preparing resumes, register them in the state wide employment system, show them how to use the computers for job search,  provide education and training information and determine eligibility for program funding.  Child Care assistance eligibility information may also be obtained through the One Stop.

Residents in need of Food, Cash or Medical Assistance may obtain an application at the agency reception desk or request one be mailed to them.  An appointment will be scheduled at the time the completed application is received in our agency.  The agency also provides a Prevention Retention Contingency Program which may assist in non recurring emergencies, such as utility disconnects or evictions, etc..

The Child Support Enforcement Unit is available to assist in establishing paternity and obtaining child support orders in absent parent cases.  The agency has worked with the county court system to provide funds for  a county magistrate to hear child support cases, clearing the court dockets for other civil and criminal cases.

The Child Welfare unit handles neglect and abuse complaints.  The staff works with families to resolve such issues and assist with obtaining services to keep the family intact when possible.  The staff coordinates services with the court and other agencies to assure for the safety of children involved.  The staff also works closely with the court and with the schools of the county in situations of abuse and neglect.

In addition, the agency provides funding for other services within the county, including the Meigs County Senior Citizens and  Gallia-Meigs Community Action Agency for transportation; the Crossroads Program of the University of Rio Grande for the Workforce Investment Youth Education and Training Program, and the Meigs County Sheriff for deputy assistance with Child Welfare issues.

DIRECTOR CHRISTOPHER SHANK