(Jan. 24, 2012) The tax assistance program being offered at The Work Station is now open on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. The program is run by the Ohio Benefit Bank, and area residents need to contact the Ohio Benefit Bank to make an appointment. To read more about the program or to learn about the contact information for making an appointment with the program, click here.

(Jan. 5, 2012) The Ohio Benefit Bank will be offering a tax assistance program at The Work Station in The Plains this year. For more information on the tax assistance program, click here.

(Dec. 6, 2011) A local company will be conducting open interviews for truck drivers and mechanics on Wednesday, Dec. 14 from 1-5 p.m. at The Work Station. For more information on the open interviews, click here. For additional information on the positions that area residents can apply for, click here.

(Nov. 9, 2011) The Work Station will host an information session on medical care options for area residents on Thursday, Nov. 17. Click here for more information on the event.

(Oct. 5, 2011) Due to a state budget cuts, it is now taking longer for the Athens County Child Support Enforcement Agency to process cases. Click here for more information on the new average time frames for cases.

(Sept. 20, 2011) Athens County Job and Family Services announces the continued sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Agriculture funded Child and Adult Care Food Program. Meals are served at no separate charge to all eligible participants enrolled for care, and will be provided without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability. The goal of the program is to improve the diets of young children and increase the opportunity for children to eat a variety of nutritious foods. Click here for more information.

(Sept. 8, 2011) Special event for grandparents/caregivers The Work Station will present a special workshop for Caregivers on Thursday, Sept. 15 from 12-2 p.m. All local caregivers / guardians of a family member’s child are invited to attend and learn more about the programs in place to help them. The workshop will look at issues such as:
What programs are in place to assist me in raising my grandchildren? What assistance is available to me? How do I get guardianship while my loved one is away? How can I pay for my grandchildren? What support programs are out there? For more information, call The Work Station at 797-1405 or click here.

(Aug. 10, 2011) Due to budget cuts that have forced staff reductions, the Athens County Child Support Enforcement Agency will no longer be able to accept cash payments or any other payments for child support or spousal support at its office beginning on Sept. 1, 2011. The agency is providing several payment options for area residents who previously paid at the Athens County Job and Family Services County Home Building. Click here to read more about the payment options that are available.

(Aug. 9, 2011) A nationally-televised news program that focused on poverty-related issues in Athens County and aired in 2010 has now been nominated for a prestigious national award. The Dateline NBC special, “America Now: Friends and Neighbors,” has been nominated for an Emmy Award by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Click here for more information on the program.

(Aug. 4, 2011). On Wednesday, Aug. 10, representatives from the Job Corps will be meeting with area residents between the ages of 16 and 24 at The Work Station from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. The Job Corps is a program that can help people earn their GEDs, learn about different career options and even begin training for different fields. Click here for more information on the meeting.

(Aug. 2, 2011) The Athens County Reentry Program is expanding its services and personnel in order to help more ex-offenders live independently after serving their time in prison. The Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services recently awarded a grant to Athens County Job and Family Services and the Athens County Reentry Task Force to allow for the expansion of the program. Click here to read more about the program and how it is expanding its services in order to better serve the community.

(July 22, 2011) The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services has created a new website that allows state residents to apply online for food assistance, cash assistance and Medicaid. Ohio residents can also now complete interim reports for their cases, fill out forms to reapply for services and report changes to their cases online. Click here to read more about all of the different services offered by the new online system.

(July 13, 2011) The Work Station in The Plains has increased the number of services and resources it offers to area residents. The One-Stop office, which provides free employment, training and support services for businesses, job seekers and the community, now has new computer equipment and personnel on hand to provide assistance. Click here to read more about the changes at The Work Station.

(June 21, 2011) State budget cuts are forcing Athens County Job and Family Services to eliminate 25 positions, 18 of those through layoffs. In the proposed state budget, Athens County Job and Family Services stands to lose $1.2 million in state and federal funding. The agency is also projected to lose an additional $670,000 in federal stimulus funds. Click here to read more about how the budget cuts will impact the programs and services that Athens County Job and Family Services provides.

(June 16, 2011) Officials from social services agencies in Athens County are asking state leaders to protect funding for safety net programs in the new state budget. Click here to read more about how the current budget proposals call for drastic cuts in funding for several agencies that provide programs and services to children and families in need.

(June 10, 2011) The Work Station will host a workshop for employers on Thursday, June 16 that will focus on issues related to hiring ex-offenders. Click here for more information.

(June 9, 2011) The Athens County Adult Basic and Literacy Education (ABLE) Program honored its 2010-2011 graduates during a Friday, June 3 ceremony and also heard from three special speakers during the evening. For more information on the ceremony and on what several of the graduates had to say about how earning their GED is opening up new job and educational opportunities for them, click here.

(May 16, 2011) The Work Station is hoping to hear from local employers who may have job openings for teenagers and young adults this summer. The Work Station has heard from numerous local teens who are anxious to find work for the summer, and can help match up these energetic employees with local businesses and organizations. For more information, click here.

(May 6, 2011) The two-year state budget proposal passed this week by the Ohio House of Representatives does nothing to help Ohioans in poverty and in many cases will just make things worse for poor children and families. To read more about the state budget proposal, click here.

(May 3, 2011) The Work Station and the Ohio Poverty Law Center will host a workshop for ex-offenders on Thursday, May 19. Held at The Work Station from 12-2 p.m., the workshop will focus on issues such as supervision and expectations, pardon and clemency, and expungement. For more information, click here.

(April 4, 2011) At a time when Ohio residents are already hurting, state leaders are planning to make even deeper cuts to the budgets of programs and services in place to help people living in poverty. We already do not provide enough assistance to help our neighbors meet their basic needs, and now we are making additional cuts in order to pay for tax cuts that benefit the rich.Click here to read a few comments from Athens County residents, discussing the challenges they are currently facing in their lives.

(March 22, 2011) The current budget proposal from Governor John Kasich calls for a cut in funding of more than $2 million for Athens County Job and Family Services.  This loss of funding is spread across several of our agency’s programs and will severely impact our programs and services. Click here for more information.

(Dec. 9, 2010) Over the past 10 years, Ohio has slashed the budgets of  programs to help poor people numerous times. State leaders have slowly but surely picked apart the programs and services that were intended to help poor families meet their basic needs and give them the opportunity to overcome their circumstances. Now, Ohio leaders are looking at more budget cuts in 2011, and poor families simply cannot afford any more cuts in programs or services. Click here to read more about the cuts in the last 10 years and why state leaders need to protect poor families in the next budget.

(Nov. 30, 2010) Volunteers are needed to help run the Fast and Free Tax Assistance Center at The Work Station in The Plains. For more information on volunteering for this valuable community service, click here.

(Nov. 30, 2010) A workshop for ex-offenders will be held at The Work Station on Thursday, Jan. 20. The workshop will focus on issues such as finding employment, programs available to help ex-offenders and child support. For more information on the workshop, click here.

(Nov. 18, 2010) The fact that Social Security benefits are not increasing for the second straight year means that cash assistance benefits for Ohio’s poorest citizens are also staying the same for the second straight year. This is despite the fact that the cost of living is increasing in the state and the Ohio Works First benefits already do not provide enough funding to get a family up to even half of the federal poverty level. For more information, click here.

(Oct. 7, 2010) The Friends and Neighbors Community Choice Food Center will be giving away free produce and other food items at the Athens County Job and Family Services County Home parking lot from 10 a.m. until noon on Saturday, Oct. 9. Click here to read more about the free program.

(Sept. 29, 2010) Poverty is increasing in Ohio and around the country, according to new figures from the U.S. Census Bureau. More than 1.75 million people are living in poverty in Ohio, and 43.6 million people are living in poverty in the United States of America. Poverty is a crisis in America, and our leaders need to be focusing on ways to increase public assistance and help families in need. Click here to read more about the most recent poverty statistics.

(July 7, 2010) The Athens County Subsidized Summer Youth Employment Program is providing jobs and valuable learning opportunities for 138 Athens County residents between the ages of 14 and 24. Participants are working in a wide range of businesses and organizations all across Athens County. Click here to read more about the program.

(June 15, 2010) The Athens Farmers Market leads all farmers markets in Ohio in the number of customers it serves who are receiving Food Assistance Program benefits. And this summer, the Athens Farmers Market is offering extra incentives to customers who use their Food Assistance benefits to buy fresh fruits and vegetables at the market. Click here to read more about how the Athens Farmers Market has made it easy for area residents to use their Food Assistance benefits to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables.

(June 14, 2010) The Athens County Adult Basic Literacy and Education (ABLE) program at The Work Station held its annual GED graduation ceremony on Friday, June 4. Click here to read about a few of the graduates and to see photos from the ceremony.

(June 8, 2010) All local employers are invited to an Employer Awareness Workshop that will be held at The Work Station on Thursday, June 24 from 1-3 p.m., and focus on the subject of hiring ex-offenders. Click here to read more about the event.

(June 2, 2010) The annual GED graduation ceremony will be held on Friday, June 4, and The Work Station will be closed on Friday, June 4. Click here to read more about the graduation ceremony

(May 25, 2010) A new summer employment program is now taking applications from Athens County residents between the ages of 14-24 who meet certain income guidelines. Click here to read more about the new program.

(May 25, 2010) An Ohio University class surveyed Ohio voters about their opinions on poverty-related issues recently and found some very interesting results. Representatives from the class, as well as representatives from Athens County Job and Family Services, will discuss the survey results at a Friday, May 28 press conference held at noon in Ohio University's Lasher Hall. Click here to read more about the survey and the press conference.

(May 25, 2010) The state of Ohio is encouraging all eligible families to sign up for Medicaid and has made it easier for families to enroll in the health care program more quickly. Click here to read about the changes to the Medicaid program.

(May 20, 2010) Athens County Job and Family Services Director Jack Frech was honored by the UCM: Center for Spiritual Growth and Social Justice recently. Click here to read more about Frech and the other winners of the 2010 UCM Social Justice Awards.

(April 9, 2010) Senior citizens who meet certain income requirements can now apply for coupons worth up to $50 to be used at the Athens Farmers Market. Click here to read more about the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program and to find out how to apply.

(April 7, 2010) Many Athens County residents who pick up their mail at their local post office and do not have home delivered mail have not received their U.S. Census forms yet, and many of the college students living in Athens County also have not received their Census forms yet. Click here to read more about when all Athens County residents will receive their Census forms and where area residents can go to pick up a Census form.

(March 2, 2010) Job Fair to be held in Athens in April. The sixth annual One-Stop Job. Career and Information Fair will be held in Athens on Wednesday, April 21. The public is invited, and local businesses and organizations that would like to have a booth at the event still have time to sign up. Click here to read more about the Job Fair.

(Jan. 29, 2010) Time Warner Cable, Inc., and the Athens A.M. Rotary Club both made donations to the ABLE program recently to promote adult literacy in Athens County. Click here to read more about the donations and the ABLE program.

(Dec. 3, 2009) A southeast Ohio resident recently wrote on her blog about her experiences with The Work Station. Click here to read what she had to say.

(Dec. 2 , 2009) A large crowd of veterans turned out for a recent Job Fair in Athens. Click here to read more about the event, and to read about the economic challenges facing a few of the individuals at the Job Fair.

(Nov. 24, 2009) The Columbus Dispatch recently published an outstanding series of articles looking at how state budget cuts are affecting Ohio famiiles living in poverty. Click here for the links to the articles.

(Nov. 18, 2009) The Athens County Fast and Free Tax Assistance Center is looking for volunteers to help area residents e-file their tax returns. Volunteers are needed to greet customers, screen callers and prepare basic federal, state and school district tax returns. Click here to read the news release about the volunteer program. Click here to learn more about the Athens County Fast And Free Tax Assistance Center.

(Nov. 10, 2009) House Bill 308 is a responsible way to help poor families in Ohio. Director Jack Frech wrote an editorial piece about how House Bill 308 would help poor families in Ohio, and why state leaders need to do more to help families in need. Click here to read Frech's editorial column.

(Nov. 3, 2009) Annual Report details how demand for assistance is increasing in Athens County. "Our annual report tells a story of rising demands and shrinking resources. Caseloads for financial and medical assistance are growing to reflect the general economic downturn. Cuts in services reflect the consequences of state budget reductions," Director Jack Frech. Click here to read the 2008-2009 Annual Report.

(Oct. 21, 2009) Report shows how America is failing to take care of poor children and families. The newly updated report, “TANF: Failing America’s Poorest Children,” details how cash assistance and food programs are underfunded and do not get families up to even half of the federal poverty level. Click here to read the news release about the report. Click here to read the report.

(Sept. 15, 2009) The Recovery Conservation Corps program has had a positive impact on Athens County, as well as on the nearly 40 young men and women who took part in the program this summer. Click here to read more about the program.

(Aug. 19, 2009) All Athens County Job and Family Services offices will be closed on Friday, Aug. 21 for a staff training day. Click here to read the news release about the offices being closed.

(July 31, 2009) Children who receive free lunches at Ohio's public schools no longer have to pay general school fees. The new state budget waived the general fees for these children. This is a very positive first step, and Athens County Job and Family Services would like to ultimately see all fees waived for all children at public schools in Ohio. Click here to read more about the public school fees.

(July 29, 2009) The Ohio Highway Guy will be at The Work Station on Friday, July 31, to talk to area residents about apprenticeships on highway construction crews. This program can lead to permanent work in areas such as heavy equipment operation and general construction labor. Click here to read more about the Friday event.

(June 17, 2009) More than 80 students graduated from the GED program at The Work Station during the 2008-2009 academic year. A special ceremony was held recently for this year's GED graduates, and the event was highlighted by the inspiring story of new graduate Gilbert Norris. Click here to read about the ceremony, learn what Norris and several of the other graduates had to say about earning their degrees, and see photos of the event.

(June 11,2009) The Hampton Inn of Athens recently donated between 50 and 60 televisions to local charitable organizations to give to area residents in need. Click here to read about how the program helped Athens County residents.

(June 11, 2009) Athens County Job and Family Services sent out a Letter to the Editor to local newspapers today in order to clarify a few points about the new Recovery Conservation Corps Initiative. Click here to read the letter.

(June 2, 2009) The federal government's economic stimulus package is funding the new Recovery Conservation Corps Initiative in Athens County. The program will create 40 work experience positions in public parks in Athens County and allow the participants to earn college credits over the summer. For more information on the Recovery Conservation Corps Initiative, click here.

(June 1, 2009) The Computer Connections program distributed more than 2,700 free computers to households in Athens County over the last eight years and proved to be very successful. The program, which also provided free Internet service and computer training, had to be eliminated earlier this year because of state budget cuts. Click here to read about the program.

(June 1, 2009) The new Career Club program has been formed at The Work Station to help area residents with their job searches. Click here to read about the Career Club.

(May 28, 2009) Representatives from several local government organizations and community groups met on Wednesday, May 27 to hold an initial planning meeting for the 2010 Census count in Athens County. It is vitally important to have an accurate count, and all Athens County residents are strongly encouraged to fill out their forms and be part of the Census in 2010. Click here to read more about the meeting and the importance of the Census count for Athens County.

(May 22, 2009) Athens County Job and Family Services Director Jack Frech testified before an Ohio Senate subcommittee on Wednesday, May 20 about the need to increase Ohio Works First funding by $100 per family, restore human services funding that has been cut in current state budget proposals and eliminate school fees in Ohio. Click here to read the testimony.

(April 24, 2009) A Job Fair, sponsored in part by The Work Station, will be held at the Athens Community Center on Wednesday, April 29 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Click here to read more about the event.

(April 10, 2009) Senior citizens in Athens County will be able to apply for coupons for $50 worth of free fruits, vegetables and herbs at the Athens Farmer's Market beginning on April 20. Click here to read more about the program.

(April 1, 2009) New information posted about the Making Work Pay Tax Credit and how it can help individuals and married couples who are working. Click here for information on this, as well as information on other new tax credits that are part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Click here for information on the Economic Recovery Payment checks that will be sent to those who receive Social Security, SSI, disabled veterans benefits or railroad retiree benefits. For additional information on these new programs, click here for the IRS Web site.

(March 26, 2009) More stories of our clients are posted on our Website and video stories about living on public assistance are posted on Youtube. Click here to read some of the articles and watch the videos. For additional videos and articles, log onto our blog by clicking here.

(March 23, 2009) Athens County Job and Family Services is asking Ohio legislators to eliminate school fees in order to help Ohio families. Director Jack Frech had a letter about this issue published in The Columbus Dispatch on March 17. Click here to read the letter.

(March 17, 2009) Director Jack Frech testified before an Ohio House of Representatives subcommittee on March 17 about the need for more funding for cash assistance, food assistance and other programs to help people in need. To read a copy of the testimony, click here.

(March 23, 2009) New office hours for all four Athens County Job and Family Services offices in response to budget cuts. Read the press release here.

(March 3, 2009) Budget cuts cause additional layoffs, impact services. Read the press release here.

(February 25, 2009) Budget cuts force layoffs, elimination of two programs. Read the press release here.

(10-09-08) Child and Adult Care Food Program: Athens County Job & Family Services announces sponsorship of the US Department of Agriculture funded Child and Adult Care Food Program.

• Meals are served at no separate charge to all eligible participants enrolled for care and will be provided without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age or disability.
• The goal of the program is to improve the diets of young children and increase the opportunity for children to eat a variety of nutritious foods.
• To file a discrimination complaint, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Bldg, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington DC, 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer

Take a look at our most recent annual report, which covers the2007-2008 fiscal year.