Logan County training - date change

Reminder:  The Google Calendar in the right side bar of this blog is a live, up-to-date schedule for trainings and regional meetings.  Please use this to look at dates in order to sign up for trainings. 

Most recently, the Logan County training originally on November 5th has been moved to December 10th.  It will still be held at the Bellefontaine Library.  To register for this training or any others, simply contact a Central Ohio AmeriCorps*VISTA!

Faces of Food Assistance

Recently my job responsibilities expanded to include supervision of a few people around the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks. One of those folks, Emily, is a HarvestCorps member and works in the Direct Service Office. Her primary goals for this year of service include enrollong individuals in the programs supported by the OBB, spreading the word about the program, and other activities to connect people with the help they need.

Supervising Emily is difficult because everytime I need to get in touch she is busy with a client. Helping them with the completion of applications, scanning documents to the local JFS office, reading through mail with clients, looking for other resources with clients... the list goes on. When Emily and I finally do have time to touch base I am always interested to hear about her work. Each and every client she works with presents a new story, a unique set of circumstances, and each situation demands some kind of reasonable deviation from the 'norm' to have their needs met. Emily's refusal to accept that every client will fit into standard format, and her insistence that everyone deserves thoughtful, individualized, service is part of what makes her so good at her job.

Earlier this week some interesting facts came across my Inbox. Characteristics of SNAP Households. Some of my preconceived notions were challenged by this data, look it over for yourself and think about the clients your OBB site is serving. Are you outreaching to the "right group of people"? Are you missing folks? Do your processes and procedures address the needs of those in need? Can your agency be a little more flexible in one way or another to help these families, with their unique situations, get the assistance they need. The full report can be found at http://www.fns.usda.gov/ora/menu/Published/SNAP/SNAP.htm, a summary is below:

Of SNAP recipients in Ohio (see pages 71 to 83 of the attached):
• 41.3% had gross countable income below 50% of the FPL
• 46.9% had incomes between 51 and 100%
• 11.7% had incomes above 101%
• Their average monthly shelter expense was $618.00
• 49.7% were children (309,000)
• 14.4% were elderly (90,000)
• 25.9% were disabled, nonelderly (161,000)
• 32.1% were single adults with children (200,000)
• 9.7% were non-elderly, non-disabled childless adults (60,000)
• 10.9% received TANF (68,000)
• 2.1% received General Assistance (13,000)
• 26.6% received Social Security Insurance (166,000)
• 22.9% received Social Security (142,000)
• 26.5% received earned income (165,000; average gross earnings were $894.00 a month)
• 17.6% were preschool-age children (238,000)
• 28.5% were school-age children (385,000)
• 46.9% were non elderly adults (625,000)
• 7% were elderly adults (94,000)
• 4.7% were non-elderly, non-disabled, childless households (64,000)

Madison County: Numbers and Counselor Supplement

Number of Benefit Bank sites: 12
Number of Common Application completed through the OBB in the last quarter: 116
Number of clients served county-wide year to date with the OBB:  475

Number of essential new tools for OBB counselors: 1

CLICK HERE to access your "Madison County Job and Family Services Counselor Supplement,"  or more explanatory "JFS Cheat Sheet."  It is crucial to print this and have it with you when you are working with clients, in order to help them navigate the JFS process for Madison County.  We worked directly with JFS representatives to create this supplement, so it is current and correct.  

We are rolling out county JFS supplements in all 15 counties in Central Ohio, so stay tuned if you are reading this from another county!


Thanks for you dedication to help your fellow Madison County residents access public benefits.  Don't forget to contact your friendly AmeriCorps*VISTA if you want to become a new Benefit Bank site or need more people trained at your location.

Don't Forget! The OBB is on the Road

One of the coolest features about the Ohio Benefit Bank is that it can be utilized anywhere you have a printer, computer, and a connection to the internet. Throughout most of Ohio finding these three items together is not a problem. However, some parts of the state do not have reliable and consistent access to internet connections. On top of this many of the people who live in smaller towns and villages outside of county seats do not have easy access to social services, let alone service providers with the technology necessary to use the OBB. Unfortunately, many of the people who live in these areas simply go without. Without the resources and supports needed to put adequate food on the table, purchase perscriptions, pay utilities, or access education and job training.

In March of 2009 The Columbus Foundation acknowledged these barriers to accessing supports and partnered with the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks to launch the OBB Mobile Express. Well, launch may not be exactly the right word, the Express doesn't have rocket boosters! But.... It does have everything needed to provide OBB services.

The OBB Mobile Express can set up virtually anywhere, and the set up includes:

• Climate-controlled workspace with two private stations
• Up to eight laptops and two printers
• Two very knowledgeable OBB Enrollment Specialists who focus on completing applications
• Marketing materials about the OBB program
• An awning, for those bright, sun shining days
• Satellite that provides internet access to the entire set up

Since March of 2009 the OBB Express team has attended about 250 events of all shapes and sizes. Maybe the OBB Mobile Express can attend your next enrollment event. Here's what you can do to make these events a success:

• Contact Russell Allen, rallen@oashf.org, as early as possible to get on the Express calendar (it fills up fast!)
• Be sure that all of your partners, staff and volunteers are aware of how the OBB can help people so that they can spread the word.
• Advertise that the OBB Express will be available to help people complete applications on your event fliers, the radio, press releases, word of mouth... heck, stand on the top of the building and shout it out.
• Consider providing a phone number that people can call to get more information INCLUDING A LIST OF DOCUMENTS TO BRING TO THE EVENT!!!!!
• Have some of your own staff or volunteers trained as OBB counselors to assist at the event and to provide follow up support.

Please consider the OBB Mobile Express as you OBB site reaches out to areas that go unserved or underserved. With some hard work and planning this tool bring resources to the people and places that need it most.
For more information contact Erin West, ewest@oashf.org, Russell Allen, rallen@oashf.org, or visit their blog - linked on the right-hand side of our blog.

"...the beginning of the end for the Refund Anticipation Loans."

Check out the story linked below for some encouraging news about the impending demise of the Refund Anticipation Loans. The report comes from Tara Lynn Wagner out of Buffalo New York.

http://buffalo.ynn.com/content/features/money_matters/514584/money-matters--changes-in-tax-refund-loans/

In sum, until this year when a tax preparer submitted a return electronically they received a 'debt indicator' that notified the preparer and filer of any amount of the refund that would be withheld. This indicator enabled preparers to complete a Refund Anticipation Loan.

This is another encouraging piece of news for free filing services. Let's work together to get the word out early this year and help as many people as possible to avoid traps like the Refund Anticipation Loan. If you need to order marketing materials click the link at the top of this page. Ad, as always, never hesitate to be in contact with your Regional Coordinator or Community Trainers with questions or concerns.

A new presentation tool - Prezi

If you clicked on the “Blog Tour” at the top of the posts and said “Wow, can I make a presentation like that for MY organization?”  The answer is a resounding: yes!

Here is a link to a tutorial on how to use Prezi to make presentations to your volunteers, funders, and community.  

http://prezi.com/learn/getting-started/

If you have any questions about Prezi or how to access things on our blog, please contact Sarah at solinger@oashf.org

County Resource Listings

Many of you have become regular viewers of this blog, THANKS!

Just like the Ohio Benefit Bank software, it is our intention that this blog is a resource for you to better serve your clients. To that end we would like to improve our 'county resources pages' linked on this blog (the red and purple map on the right hand side of this page). If you would like to be included on your county's resource page please send me an e-mail with your logo, address, contact information and a brief listing of your services. We will get the information up as quickly as possible.

E-mail: zach@oashf.org
Phone: 614-634-6458

Ohio Benefit Bank Regional Meetings

Hello Central Ohio! The month of October will hold the regional meetings for each of the central region’s fifteen counties. These meetings will be a great opportunity for existing Benefit Bank sites to network with other site representatives from the area and potential new sites to gain information on the Benefit Bank program. Each regional meeting will also discuss the updates the Benefit Bank has experienced over the last year and will offer brief presentations by representatives from the local Job and Family Services office and the county Community Action. Attendance is not mandatory but all are welcome to take part in this yearly get-together! The schedule is listed below:

Delaware County- Wednesday, October 6^th from 1:00-3:00 at the Delaware County Job and Family Services Building

Knox, Marion and Morrow Counties- Tuesday, October 12^th from 2:00-4:00 at the Mt. Gilead Public Library

Licking County- Wednesday, October 13^th from 10:00-12:00 at Opportunity Links in Newark

Fairfield County- Thursday, October 14^th from 10:00-12:00 at the Fairfield Family, Adult and Children First Council Building in Lancaster

Champaign, Clark and Logan Counties- Tuesday, October 19^th from 10:00-12:00 at the OSU Extension Office in Urbana

Madison and Union Counties- Thursday, October 21^st from 10:00-12:00 at the Plain City Public Library

Franklin County- Monday, October 25^th from 1:30-3:30 at the Columbus Metropolitan Library’s Main Branch

Fayette, Pickaway and Ross Counties- Thursday, October 28^th from 1:00-3:00 at the Circleville Public Library

If you would like to attend, please RSVP by contacting John DeSimone at 614-935-8401 or jdesimone@oashf.org. Hope to see you soon!

Welcome: Franklin County Office on Aging

The Central Ohio region welcomes our newest site, The Franklin County Office on Aging.

Here is a description of their services from their website (click here to view website):

The Franklin County Office on Aging is primarily responsible for planning and coordinating services and programs that assist older citizens in the maintenance of independent living.

The Office on Aging administers the Senior Options and Adult Protective Services programs. Senior Options is funded by the Senior Services Levy and provides "one-stop shopping" for callers needing information, advocacy or direct access to a wide range of community-based services. Adult Protective Services is funded by the Department of Job and Family Services and assists impaired adults who may be harmed due to abuse, neglect or exploitation.

By dialing (614) 462-6200 residents of Franklin County (Ohio) can access a system of services and information about community and home-based care for frail seniors. Senior Options maintains contracts with companies and agencies that provide personal care, home delivered meals, adult day care, medical transportation and other services that allow our county's older citizens to live independently in their own homes.

Welcome to the Ohio Benefit Bank network!

OBB Tax Trainings in the Central Region

If you are an OBB counselor in the Central Region you should have received an e-mail with next quarter's training schedule. You may have noticed that there are no tax trainings listed. This is not a mistake. This year we will not be providing tax training for new volunteers until mid-December. The reasons for this decision are below:

1) Our partners at Solutions for Progress, developers of The Benefit Bank, must wait for final directions from the IRS in order to program appropriate modules for the software. Many of these directions do not come until December. We want to be able to train your new volunteers on the current tax year's software modules to avoid confusion and the need for additional 'refresher' training.
2) The OBB Tax Training manuals will also not be available until sometime in December for the same reason given in item #1. Your new volunteers should have access to the most up-to-date training materials available when they sit down with their first client at you Kick-Off Events.
3) Many new OBB counselors who were trained on taxes in October or November were concerned that they had forgotten too much important information by the time tax season arrived. Many counselors asked to attend another training in December or January, but I fear that many more decided that this volunteer opportunity was not for them. Hopefully this change to our training schedule will help to produce more confident counselors for your tax clinics and increase volunteer retention.
4) This year the OBB is partnering with the IRS to develop a level two tax training for site administrators and experienced volunteers. This training will be accessible through OASHF, watch your e-mail for more details!
As noted in the e-mail you received each county will have at least one scheduled OBB Tax Training between December 13th and January 15th. In addition, each county will have at least one OBB Tax Training scheduled in February or March. If this schedule will not work for your clinic please contact Zach Reat to set up an additional training, zach@oashf.org or 614-221-4336 ext. 236.

5 Ways to Get Involved: Hunger Action Month 2010

For many of us, waging the war against hunger is an everyday battle. In support of Hunger Action Month, please read below and share the following to your network of friends and colleagues in an effort to gain strength as anti-hunger advocates!  Together we will make a difference.

September 2010: HUNGER ACTION MONTH

5 Ways to Become Engaged

1. Participate in the OASHF Paper Plate Project

There is no better way for our local legislators and the media to understand the hardships faced by millions of Ohioans than to hear from the Ohioans who are faced with making tough choices each and every day. To give a glimpse into the lives of what a staggering number of Ohioans are facing because of the Great Recession, the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks is launching the Paper Plate Project! The Paper Plate Project is an opportunity for Ohioans to share their stories regarding their daily lives and the trails they are facing: giving a voice to those who feel they are not being heard. To learn how you can become involved, visit www.oashf.org and select CALL TO ACTION or call 614/221-4336.

2. Donate your time, talents and treasures

Join hands with your local foodbanks to donate your time, talents or treasures Ohio’s 12 Feeding America Foodbanks have each seen a substantial increase in the number of Ohioans turning to their doors in the face of strapped or completely exhausted resources. Due to the monumental number of Ohioans in need, there is a need for additional resources coming into the foodbanks.

Ways in which you can become involved include:

• Volunteering for at least two hours at a local food pantry or soup kitchen.
• Supporting your local foodbank by “liking” them on Facebook or becoming involved in community programs that are of interest to you enables your local foodbank to have a higher presence within your community.
• For every $1 that is donated to the foodbank network, 5 meals can be purchased, which are returned to your community’s food pantries, soup kitchens and homeless shelters.
• High protein, nutrient rich foods are always a necessity for all members of the emergency food network, including canned tuna and peanut butter.

3. Become a trained Ohio Benefit Bank Counselor

The Ohio Benefit Bank is an Internet-based, counselor assisted service that connects low- and moderate-income families to tax credits and work supports. As a response to the declining economic plight facing thousands of Ohioans, The Ohio Benefit Bank connects individuals and families to the support they need where they live, work, play, and pray. By becoming a trained Ohio Benefit Bank Counselor, you will be able to help your friends and neighbors who are in need. To learn more about The Ohio Benefit Bank and how you can become involved, visit www.obb.ohio.gov or call 614/221-4336.

4. Hold a Food and Fund Drive

Did you know that millions of Ohioans visit the emergency food network each year? Did you know that for every $1 that is donated to the Ohio emergency food network, 5 meals can be purchased? To ensure that the needs of Ohioans are met, food and fund drives help local foodbanks distribute food to its network of member soup kitchens and food pantries right in your neighborhood! By setting up a food and fund drive, you will be helping your friends and neighbors who are in need of support during their times of need. To set up food and fund drive, visit www.dosomething.org/feedtheneed

5. Contact your local legislators

Our country was founded on three small, but powerful words, “We the people”! To ensure that your elected officials hear directly from those that they represent and who brought them to office, we encourage each and every Ohioan who is entrenched in the fight against hunger to call their legislator and say “The United States cannot cut its way out of a budget shortfall. Stand up and ensure that measures are taken to restore all dollars slated to be cut from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP Program) in 2014.” To contact your local Representative or Congressperson, visit www.usa.gov/contact  or call 1/800-648-1176 and ask for the direct number for your local legislator.

OBB Central Region Sites and Counselors Recognized at the Community Meeting and Training

At the recent OBB Community Meeting and Training the Central Region was represented in a big way!

• Over 200 people from throughout the region were in attendance.
• Lucinda Mitchell, an OBB counselor for Faith Mission and The Open Shelter, was awarded the Counselor of the Year Award. Both of the sites Lucinda volunteers for serve the homeless and marginally housed populations in Columbus; populations that are extremely vulnerable and underserved. Lucinda was nominated for the award because she consistently delivers a high level of customer service to the people she serves.
• The partnership of The Well at Sunnyside and the Community Action Commission of Fayette County was awarded the Neighbors Helping Neighbors award. These sites jointly applied for and were awarded a capacity-building grant last tax season. By combining their resources, reputations in the community, and the added support of funds from OASHF this partnership served far more people than each entity could serve alone.

As you Regional Coordinator I would like to say thank you to each and every one of you. Not only for representing the Ohio Benefit Bank so well at the Community Meeting and Training, but for the tireless work you do each and every day to make sure Ohioans have access to the resources they so desperately need.

Keep it up, and don't hesitate to be in contact!