Residents will soon be able to apply for a Back-to-School Clothing voucher to help pay for school clothing and shoes.
PORTAGE COUNTY , Ohio - For some Portage County kids, walking into school on the first day in a new outfit isn’t a given. A local voucher program is working to change that.
Residents can apply for Back-to-School Clothing vouchers worth $175 per eligible school-aged child. The vouchers can be used to buy clothing, shoes, water bottles and lunchboxes for kids in kindergarten through 12th grade. Portage County Jobs and Family Services Director Kellijo Jeffries said the program has been a lifeline for local families.
“It has been such a blessing to Portage County families over the last decade, as needs have continued to grow, so have our amounts of our vouchers,” Jeffries said. Last year alone, more than 1,000 families received vouchers, totaling nearly $284,000 in back-to-school support. With costs rising, officials said the need hasn’t let up.
“Knowing in today’s economy gas prices are out of this world, we have seen an increase in food costs, families are absolutely grateful and in need this time of year,” Jeffries said. The program is funded through federal TANF dollars. Families already receiving TANF or SNAP benefits qualify. Kids must be enrolled in grades kindergarten through 12.
“New this year is we will print each voucher individually per child that way parents are able to take one kiddo to one store and maybe another one to a different store,” said Carly Spencer, Ohio Means Jobs administrator. For one week only, families can walk into OhioMeansJobs on South Chestnut Street and leave with vouchers the same day.
From June 22-June 26, staff will be available Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and Thursday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. “It’s really important because it allows us to process those applications timely especially for parents who are on a tight turnaround or time crunch,” Spencer said. After that first week, applications can still be dropped off through July 31, with vouchers arriving in about 10 days.
Portage County Job and Family Services, 449 S. Meridian St., Ravenna, second floorOfficials said there is limited funding and applications will be accepted on a first-come-first-served basis. Applicants must reside in Portage County. More than 100 people arrested in statewide human trafficking sting, including Cleveland firefighter
PORTAGE COUNTY PORTAGE COUNTY JOB AND FAMILY SERVICES Portage County Residents TANF BENEFITS PORTAGE COUNTY FAMILY SERVICES BACK-TO-SCHOOL
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Cyberattack cripples Chelan County government network systems over holiday weekendThe Chelan County network systems were hacked by malware over the weekend, the county confirmed.
Read more »
Manheim Central SD says it's investigating alleged 'student misconduct' at high schoolThe Manheim Central School District is investigating reports of 'student misconduct' at the high school.
Read more »
Here’s how much San Diego County’s top school leaders are paidSan Diego Unified’s Lamont Jackson was paid more than $600,000, about half of it severance for his firing, and Cajon Valley’s David Miyashiro was paid nearly $500,000.
Read more »
Texas primary runoff elections: Fort Bend County experiencing county-wide poll book issueThe Fort Bend County Elections Office has confirmed they are experiencing a county-wide issue with their poll book.
Read more »