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Cuts announced at Athens County Job and Family Services
< < Back to cuts-announced-athens-county-job-and-family-servicesAthens County Job and Family Services is going to layoff 18 employees.
An announcement today says state budget cuts are to blame. The department says seven other vacant positions will be eliminated.
Athens County Job and Family Services says it’s losing $1.2 million in state and federal funding under the proposed state budget. The agency is also projected to lose $670,000 in federal stimulus funds.
Director Jack Frech has harsh words for lawmakers.
“Cutting services to poor people to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy represents the worst of what’s left of our social conscience,” said Frech.
The elimination of 25 positions means the number of staff members will decrease from 112 to 87. Since 2009, the agency has lost 57 positions from layoffs and attrition.
The latest round of layoffs eliminates the positions of seven caseworkers, three social program coordinators, and three investigators. The positions of three supervisors, two account clerks, and one social program coordinator are going through attrition.
Athens County Job and Family Services says the loss staff will mean delays in the enforcement and modifications of child support, and delays for clients who are applying for assistance.