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County to go online to aid needy
County to go online to aid needy
The Web site is expected to be ready in about 10 days.
LISBON — The needy will soon be able to turn to the Internet to find help in Columbiana County.
Eileen Dray-Bardon, director of the county’s Department of Jobs Family Services, told county commissioners Wednesday the department will be online in about 10 days.
People will be able to download an application for benefits and fill it in before seeking benefits.
Those in need will still have to apply in person, as they do now. People who go to the department’s offices now have to fill out the forms when they arrive.
Each department will have information about its activities, such as child support or food stamps.
People can also use the Web site to look for jobs.
“Families can also report a change in addresses,” she added.
The Web site eventually will be linked to the county’s Web site, which includes different links for the individual offices.
For good measure, the JFS will have links to local social services that are offering assistance, such as the Community Action Agency.
The move is tied to a drive to improve the boards that oversee various nonprofit agencies and some government agencies in the county.
New board members “don’t necessarily go through training before getting on a board,” Dray-Bardon said. “People don’t realize how much is involved.”
The county commissioners are sponsoring an event that will help get people involved on serving on nonprofit boards.
Daniel Bing, the chairman of the commissioners, said, “This is sort of like, ‘What took us so long?’ This is fantastic.”
Jeff Vengrow, the director of the Center for Nonprofit Excellence in Akron, will speak at event, which will be from 5 to 7:30 p.m. April 28 at the Career Center. The event will include materials and a meal for $15.
Dray-Bardon has asked members to take part from the county Mental Health and Recovery Services Board, the Community Action Agency, the Family Recovery Center, the county board of elections, the Metropolitan Housing Board, the Veterans Service Board, the General Health District Board, the board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities and the Counseling Center.
Among discussion topics will be the nonprofit agency’s mission, relationship with its director, planning, evaluations, oversight and its public image.
wilkinson@vindy.com