$500,000 approved for aid programs

One program will help people move from welfare to self-sufficiency.

LISBON — The Columbiana County commissioners approved Wednesday nearly $500,000 in federal funds for programs to help juveniles and adults overcome obstacles in their lives.

The programs range from work preparation to overcoming peer pressure to pregnancy prevention.

The money goes to the county’s Department of Job and Family Services, which in turn gives it to agencies that will run the programs. The funding goes from July 1 through June 30, 2008.

All of the programs, except one, are being run through the Family Recovery Center in Lisbon.

The center programs include:

U A work program to help students sharpen their readiness skills. The program will be available to all school districts that are part of the county career center. Cost: $72,159.

U The Champions to Work program will help people in the Ohio Works First program move from public assistance to self-sufficiency. Cost: $54,520.

U The Aiming High North and Aiming High South programs that will help pupils overcome barriers such as drugs and alcohol, peer pressure, bullying and participating in violence. The north program will be available in the Salem, Crestview, Leetonia, United Local and East Palestine schools. Cost: $72,740. The south program will include the Beaver Local, Southern Local, Lisbon and s districts. Cost: $72,746.

U The Stepping Stones program will offer information to prevent teen pregnancy and increase awareness of sexually transmitted diseases. The northern program includes Salem, Beaver Local, Crestview, Columbiana, Leetonia and the United Local schools. Cost: $73,132. The program in the southern portion of the county will include the East Liverpool and East Palestine schools. Cost: $70,730.

The Columbiana County Educational Service Center will provide the Opportunity Schools Teachable Skills Program. It provides academic and social support to low-income pupils who are not successful in their home school. Cost: $68,658.