MOUNT VERNON — Knox County Job & Family Services and Interchurch Social Services are again teaming up to offer back-to-school vouchers for eligible Knox County residents.
JFS Director Scott Boone said the agency anticipates serving up to 1,425 individuals with vouchers and typically budgets around $370,000 in TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) grant funds.
“We most likely will not reach the full amount, but we want to build capacity so that we do not turn anyone in need away,” Boone said. “Last year we served over 500 families and 1,400 children.”
Knox County JFS has overseen the program for nearly 15 years. Boone said it fits well with the agency’s mission: improving the lives of Knox County families.
“We believe that families have the capacity to learn, grow, overcome, and maximize their strengths to make significant contributions to our community and protect themselves from harm,” he said.
“We also understand that everyone can sometimes benefit from a hand up. The Back-to-School Voucher benefit gives us a remarkable avenue to provide children with necessary school and hygiene supplies. Simultaneously, it supports their right to the best available educational programming.”
The value of this year’s voucher is $150. Participating stores are Walmart, Marshalls, Shoe Sensation, and Fashion & Home by FC in Mount Vernon. Mansfield’s location is Gabriel Brothers.
A long-term partnership
Interchurch coordinates the voucher distribution. This year, ISS will distribute vouchers in one location rather than individual communities.
The 2024 distribution is slated for Aug. 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The First Church of the Nazarene, 807 Coshocton Ave. in Mount Vernon.
“It’s a pretty big event, and it gets bigger each year,” Boone said. “We are grateful for our relationship with Interchurch, which gives us the ability to distribute these vouchers. We are also grateful to our other community partners and Job and Family Services public assistance staff who make this happen.”
Vouchers are available for children aged 3 through 18. Families can use the vouchers for clothing, hygiene items, and school supplies.
Residents must provide picture IDs for all household adults, proof of residency, Social Security numbers, and birth dates.
For more information, call ISS at 740-397-4825.
Workforce Leadership Academy
Knox County JFS will partner with Licking and Delaware counties on an initiative designed to strengthen local networks and increase leadership skills.
The Ohio Workforce Coalition is providing $250,000 for leaders in the tri-county area to attend the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program’s local Workforce Leadership Academy.
During the year-long program, participants will attend retreats and workshops and participate in action-learning projects.
The coalition is one of eight partners nationwide that Aspen works with to implement the Academy. This is the second Academy held in Ohio. The coalition held the first Academy in Cuyahoga County in 2023.
