Faculty Outfits 4 Youngsters Program Using Apps in Belmont County | News, Sports, Employment


image by: Robert A. DeFrank

Belmont County Section of Task and Family Providers Director Jeff Felton, foreground, experiences on having apps for the College Apparel 4 Youngsters system, with purchasing to be accomplished prior to the initial working day of faculty. Pultney Township Trustee Frank Shaffer observes.

Belmont County is again encouraging students get started the school calendar year off with the annual College Clothes 4 Youngsters application, making use of Short-term Guidance for Needy People funding.
Belmont County Director of Position and Relatives Solutions Director Jeff Felton and DJFS Finance Director Jack Regis Jr. noted to the Belmont County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday on designs to get the word out to people. Felton claimed the software is obtainable to people today whose earnings is at or underneath 150 p.c of the federal poverty level.
“It’s a very well-recieved program. Persons are extremely, really appreciative when they come in,” Felton claimed. He stated the plan dates from about 2014 or 2015.
Felton claimed learners are significantly appreciative of starting the university calendar year with new dresses. With that in intellect, the plan is obtaining an early begin this yr.
“Last calendar year we did not get it off the ground until finally possibly Oct, so we’re seeking to be new, just before faculty commences, which we should really have carried out very last yr,” he explained. “We’re ahead of the match as opposed to last year. It is a method we run each and every calendar year. The good thing is most counties have extra TANF pounds, which is our greatest allocation and relatively than sending it again to the condition we attempt to put it to use in our community.”
Felton additional there are two apparel systems. A person is for kinship vendors these as grandparents, aunts and uncles who have connected small children positioned with them.
“We have a different allocation for kinship guidance, and this is just for the standard general public who qualify centered on profits,” Felton explained.
“Last yr about among our two systems in addition the revenue the Community Motion Commission allows with for family members that are a bit previously mentioned the 150 p.c poverty level and ineligible for TANF, we did virtually $725,000 at the Ohio Valley Mall,” Regis stated, incorporating this proved a advantage to the local financial state.
“The mall’s been superb to operate with,” Felton claimed.
He explained they started spreading out the program times because of to the COVID-19 pandemic, considering that garments experienced to be quarantined after it was tried using on. They discovered positive modifications, such as a deficiency of long strains and crowds.
“I think it’s less complicated for the personnel and definitely less complicated for the households,” he explained.
“They get to decide it out by themselves,” Felton reported. “It’s for kindergarten all the way as a result of 18, so we’re equipped to provide the total college-age populace.
Felton reported apps can be taken at the St. Clairsville DJFS office and at the Ohio Indicates Jobs Martins Ferry office right until 4:30 p.m. July 19. The searching days will probable be Aug. 9-11 and Aug. 16-18.
The St. Clairsville office is located at 68145 Hammond Street, and the Martins Ferry business at the Ohio Implies Work center at 302 Walnut St. Application kinds can also be downloaded and printed from BelmontCDJFS.com.
Felton extra those people not able to participate on the desgnated times will be accommodated.
“Once we system eligibility, we’re heading to assign the shopping times and give them a present card,” Felton reported. “Everyone appears to be like forward to it. I know we’ve started out to receive phone calls. We’re content to make that announcement.”
Gift playing cards are really worth $300. Felton mentioned all the vendors in the shopping mall accept the present playing cards, as properly as the Gabe’s footwear and clothing retail outlet on the mall home.
Felton said they may perhaps maintain the party at the very same time as Monroe County’s outfits method. He stated about 1,800 little ones had been assisted previous 12 months, with about the similar turnout predicted this year.
“We have ample money to meet up with the demands, no subject what amount it is, whether it is 1,800 or 2,000, we’re not likely to convert any person absent,” Felton stated. “With the economic situation and COVID, persons are continue to having difficulties.”
“It’s a terrific system and it does have a substantial effects on a great deal of young ones,” Commissioner Josh Meyer mentioned. “… I like the concept that we’re receiving this in in advance of college commences. … It’s nicely well worth the time and exertion set into it. … There are a lot of pretty appreciative folks.”







