Ashtabula, Columbiana DJFS swap funds
By MARY ANN GREIER
POSTED: April 10, 2008
LISBON — A swap of $100,000 worth of state and federal funds between Columbiana and Ashtabula counties will allow each Department of Job and Family Services to use the reallocated money where it’s needed instead of losing the funds or falling short.
The Columbiana County Commissioners approved the deal Wednesday, calling for the state to transfer $100,000 of state Income Maintenance Control Funds to Ashtabula County DJFS from the allocation given to Columbiana County DJFS.
In exchange, the state will be asked to transfer $100,000 of federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families/Title XX funds to Columbiana County DJFS from the allocation given to Astabula County DJFS. Ashtabula County Commissioners were expected to take action on the proposal today.
Columbiana County DJFS Director Eileen Dray-Bardon explained that Ohio Administrative Code allows for the acceptance and release of funds between counties during a 30-day window from March 31 to April 30. Each allocation of funds has very specific parameters for use, with spending restricted to those specific uses. For income maintenance control funds, they can only be used for administration of programs such as food stamps. The Title XX funds can only be used for foster care costs.
Dray-Bardon said she wouldn’t be permitted to transfer funds from one funding pot to another due to the restrictions for usage.
She noted the county would lose the income maintenance funds if they weren’t used. In this case, the county will gain something in return that’s really needed — more funding for residential facilities for children in foster care.
“That’s a good deal for us,” she said.
Dray-Bardon said the fund reallocation opportunity hasn’t been used much. In this case, Ashtabula County announced what was needed and what would be offered as incentive for the swap.
The deal was an advantage for Columbiana County, giving some relief to the local funds used for foster care.She said there have been increases in the number of children requiring residential placement, along with increases to the cost.
Commissioner Jim Hoppel commented that counties know more how they can use their money better than the state.
“I’ve always thought we can spend our money more wisely than they can,” he said.
Dray-Bardon said the Title XX money will cover room and board for children in foster care who are in a facility less than six months.
Mary Ann Greier can be reached at mgreier@salemnews.net
