MANSFIELD — Richland County Job & Family Services will continue to support the First Call 211 informational and referral service, according to a new agreement between JFS and the Mansfield/Richland County Public Library.
The local JFS, which began I&R services for the community almost 40 years ago, has worked with the library to provide the service since 1995 when then-MRCPL Director Joe Palmer brought the idea to Mansfield with him.
Richland County commissioners on Tuesday approved the new memorandum of understanding during a meeting with JFS Executive Director Sharlene Neumann and Terry Carter, First Call 211 coordinator.
JFS and the library have a separate financial contract, apart from the agreement approved Tuesday, according to Neumann, who said the MOU was more aimed at goal-setting and accreditation efforts.
Neumann said JFS contributes about $20,000 annually to the I&R effort, utilizing federal funds. The MRCPL departmental expenses for First Call 211 in 2020 were $436,884, using a variety of funding resources, including $67,132 in contractual agreements.
Carter said public calls for information and referral assistance have grown over the past decade. She said First Call 211 had 26,164 calls in 2016 and set a high of 39,479 in 2019, declining slightly to 35,998 in 2020.
She said the service continued throughout 2020 despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I can’t imagine a more perfect partnership,” Carter said of the agreement with JFS, “to have information on social services, especially those administered by JFS. It’s a perfect partnership not enjoyed across the rest of Ohio and the United States.”
According to the agency website, the mission of First Cal 211 is to provide useful information to the public in helping residents find exactly what’s needed.
“Whether the issue you’re dealing with is simple or complex, we are here to help! Our up-to-date database allows us to search through local services and match your needs to the proper organizations and agencies to connect you to the help you need,” the website said.
Commissioners praised the work of First Call 211.
“I am a big fan of what you’re doing,” Commissioner Darrell Banks said.
Commissioner Cliff Mears said, “I am a big proponent of your services.”
Also on Tuesday, Commissioner Tony Vero said the board meeting room was in the process of being reconfigured and renovated and that livestreamed commissioner meetings should be available by the end of March or beginning of April.
Vero also said commissioners will begin the process of seeking proposals/bids to replace exterior signs and interior directional signage at buildings maintained through the commissioners’ office, including Peoples Community Center, the Longview Center, JFS, Child Support Enforcement Agency, JobsOhio and Dayspring.
He said the outside signage at the sites were “in horrible states of disrepair.”
