METRO DIGEST || Foster parents needed in Trumbull

Foster parents needed in Trumbull

WARREN

Trumbull County Children Services Board will have an open house starting at 5 p.m. Wednesday to meet people interested in becoming foster parents.

Because of the opiate crisis, the number of children needing foster homes has increased while the number of foster families has declined, CSB says.

In 2016, the number of children taken into CSB custody was 40 percent higher than the number in 2013. A statewide report projects that the number will increase by 33 percent by 2020. Help is needed.

At the end of 2013, Trumbull County had 92 foster families. At the end of this year, there are 68.

Staff members, licensed foster parents and families currently going through the licensing process will be available to answer questions at this event.

For more information, call Stacy Ferencik at (330) 372-2010 Ext. 1405.

Meet new director

YOUNGSTOWN

The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning Valley will host a reception with its new executive director, Aimee Fifarek, from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Thursday at the main library at 305 Wick Ave.

The public is invited to enjoy coffee and refreshments and talk with the new executive director.

Public meetings set for Boardman plan

BOARDMAN

The township zoning department will host two public meetings to discuss the township’s comprehensive plan.

The meetings are scheduled for 5 to 7 p.m. Jan. 18 and Feb. 5. The first meeting will be at Good Hope Lutheran Church, 98 Homestead Drive; the second will be at the Lariccia Family Community Center in Boardman Park, 375 Boardman-Poland Road.

The zoning department will share information about data it has collected and will seek comments, questions and input from the public for the comprehensive plan. The department will use input to help rewrite the zoning code.

State grants for homeless prevention

YOUNGSTOWN

The Ohio Development Services Agency is providing grants to 72 organizations to support homeless prevention, emergency shelters and permanent housing initiatives. In Mahoning County, Beatitude House will receive $480,000, and Meridian Healthcare will receive $161,400. In Trumbull County, YWCA of Warren will receive $66,800. The grants are from the state’s Supportive Housing Program.

Payments approved

YOUNGSTOWN

The city board of control has approved annual payments of $32,000 to the Austintown Boardman-Mahoning County Joint Communications District for inclusion in the district and for system maintenance. The payments will continue until 2021 and will be taken from the Emergency 911 Operating Services Fund each year.

New chaplain

NEW MIDDLETOWN

New Middletown Village Police Department has hired its first chaplain.

The Rev. Larry Frient of St. Paul Parish in New Middletown will serve as chaplain, and he was sworn in last week during village council’s swearing-in ceremony.

Father Frient will work with both officers and the general public, providing counseling and support services to those in need.