Posted by Beth Seibert on Jul 26, 2019
Ohio Means Jobs – extraordinary resources for producing a high quality workforce for a growing region.
Joe Patton Director of the Allen County Job and Family Services (JFS) and the local Ohio Means Jobs (OMJ) program, spoke to the Lima Rotary Club about how his agency works to provide and promote a high quality workforce support system that connects individuals and employers.  He emphasized in his presentation how they have evolved from a transactional agency where clients would primarily come in and get their food stamps or have their day care needs met.  A transformational agency model focuses more energy on transitioning clients into fulfilling local careers that are also financially uplifting and rewarding.  Joe spoke of the importance of his staff of 94 being well trained and knowledgeable.  Joe noted that their services are free to the over 500 employers that they serve and they give the same effort to a small business as they do to a large employer.  Many in the Rotary audience were surprised to learn that job and hiring fairs, financial literacy classes, and high school job coaches are all critical components to the OMJ local workforce services.