BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio – At Wednesday’s meeting of the Belmont County Board of Commissioners, several contracts and agreements were approved related to senior services, youth assistance programs, and Medicaid waiver supports.
Belmont County Department of Job and Family Services Director Jeff Felton and Fiscal Administrator Jack Regis Jr. appeared before the commissioners to recommend entering into an agreement with the Area Agency on Aging, Region 9. The contract, effective from June 4, 2025, through June 30, 2027, is on behalf of Senior Services of Belmont County and relates to the PASSPORT Medicaid waiver program, which supports residents aged 60 and older who qualify for home and community-based services.
Senior Services of Belmont County will continue to provide home-delivered meals and non-medical transportation to PASSPORT participants identified by Region 9 as needing these services. Felton noted that in the previous year, the PASSPORT program brought in $40,000 in reimbursements to support the meal delivery initiative. Felton acknowledged BCDJFS collaboration with Senior Services and its Executive Director, Lisa Kazmirski.
The commissioners also moved to accept and approve the updated Prevention, Retention, and Contingency (PRC) plan, effective June 4, 2025. The plan, submitted by the Department of Job and Family Services in coordination with the Belmont County Family Services Planning Committee, is required to be updated every two years in accordance with state regulations.
Regarding other social services programs, the board approved a contract not to exceed $30,000 with Outreach Inc. for the purchase of materials and supplies for the school backpack food program. The contract runs from June 4 through September 30, 2025, and is partially funded through Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) dollars. Felton said the program helps ensure children have access to meals over the summer and on weekends.
A second TANF-funded agreement was approved between the county and the Belmont County Health Department to provide home-visiting nursing services to families with infants exposed to substances like drugs and alcohol at birth. The program, which is voluntary, is designed to ensure at-risk newborns receive a healthy start in life. Felton emphasized the importance of the partnership with the health department and Wheeling Hospital in supporting substance-exposed infants and their families.
The commissioners also approved an amendment to the contract with East Central Ohio Educational Service Center to support adult mentoring for in-school and out-of-school youth. The contract was increased by $1,000, for a new not-to-exceed amount of $189,443, retroactive to May 1, 2025, and running through June 30, 2025.
Additionally, the board authorized Commission President J.P. Dutton to sign the 2026 Title XX County Profile, a planning document for the use of social services block grant funding.
During the meeting, Felton addressed the broad scope of the Department of Job and Family Services’ work. He highlighted the impact of food assistance programs, transportation policies, and family support services, noting the department’s active involvement in regional transportation meetings and grant applications, such as the 5310 grant, which led to policy updates without changes to service delivery.
Felton said the PRC plan aims to address TANF’s four core purposes: promoting job retention, reducing dependency on public assistance, encouraging two-parent families, and preventing teen pregnancies. The updated plan includes support for vehicle repairs, rental assistance, and security deposits as a means of maintaining family stability and preventing foster care placements.
Commissioner Dutton commented on the extensive reach of the department’s programs and their importance to the community, particularly initiatives aimed at supporting children and food security.
All motions passed unanimously.
