Commissioners pen letter of support for 2-1-1 program, learn about court grants
[Tiffin, OH – June 15, 2023] – The Seneca County Board of Commissioners signed a letter of support Thursday morning for a new program to be launched through the Tiffin-Seneca United Way.
United Way Executive Director Chris Lewis informed the commissioners of a proposal by his organization to implement a countywide “2-1-1” system.
“2-1-1 is a free, confidential, information (phone) line system,” Lewis said. “It really is a catch-all for information. The idea is to have a one-stop shop for people who can call if they have a utility disconnect or if they are being evicted.”
Once the system goes live, anyone in the county can dial 2-1-1 at any time to get information and to receive help specific to their needs. The service will connect people with local resources. Lewis mentioned several different assistance options that can be offered through the service, including but not limited to connecting those in need with housing, utility, employment, financial, transportation and education assistance.
The program is operated through Ohio AIRS, and United Way officials are currently working through the designation process. One of the requirements through the process is to receive support letters.
Seneca County EMA Administrator John Spahr, who was in attendance at the meeting, had already submitted a support letter earlier this month, and the commissioners joined with a support letter of their own Thursday.
Lewis said the United Way has been operating First Call for Help since the 1970s, which offers a similar service but is not available 24/7. He said by working with the United Way, the new call center will be able to better help those in need.
Lewis said the program is to cost the United Way about $20,000-$30,000 annually, with the organization receiving grant funding for the first $50,000.
Learn more about 2-1-1 here: https://ohioairs.org/what-is-2-1-1/2-1-1-in-ohio/
In other action, Seneca County Common Pleas Court Judge Steve Shuff visited the session to discuss more than $1.6 million in grant funding coming into the county over the next two years from the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections.
The funding, which helps to fund items like presentence and post-sentence investigation reports and other probation-related services, comes from three grants, Shuff said. These grants include the Justice Reinvestment and Incentive Grant, the Probation Services Grant and the Targeted Community Alternatives to Prison Grant.
The commissioners thanked the common pleas court team for working to bring in state funding for these services, thus bringing relief to the county’s General Fund.
In other business, the board adjusted its schedule for July. The board sessions for July 6th and July 27th were canceled.
Also, the commissioners received three bids for the CR 23/46 project.
The engineer’s estimate for the project is: $1,922,096
Bids:
– Gerken Paving, of Napoleon, for $2,012,176.90
– M&B Asphalt, of Tiffin, for $1,744,294.95
– Erie Blacktop, of Sandusky, for $1,760.577.61
In new business, the board approved all financial matters and resolutions from the agenda.