Official warned of staffing at Ohio vets program

COLUMBUS (AP) — Records released to a newspaper indicate a state official warned about vacancies at a veterans program that later had its federal funding cut because of understaffing.

A document obtained by The Columbus Dispatch shows a bureau chief with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services wrote in March 2009 that the Disabled Veterans Outreach Program was “in dire need” of filling positions.

This spring, the U.S. Department of Labor reduced the program’s grant from $6.2 million to $5.7 million because of a lack of vocational counselors.

The department says the state now appears to be working hard to get the program up to full staffing.

A spokesman for the program says it remains a priority for the administration of Gov. Ted Strickland.