County Services and Responsibilities

Public-Assistance and Health
The Department of Job & Family Services administers the public welfare functions within the County. As of October l, 2013, the counties of Defiance and Paulding consolidated their respective departments into Defiance/Paulding Consolidated Job and Family Services (DPCJFS). A Director who is appointed by, and responsible to the Board heads the Department. The joint Board enters into an agreement with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) which delineates the responsibilities of both the State and County Departments in the implementation of various public assistance programs. A Family Services Planning Committee has been appointed by the Board to advise the Director and the Board regarding the preparation for and implementation of services.

The DPCJFS is one of the largest departments in County government with 49 full-time employees. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services certifies the expenditures of the various programs to be administered by the DPCJFS, which are partially supported by a local county share of the cost. Most of the funding for programs administered by the DPCJFS flows directly from the state and federal governments to recipients in programs for which the county performs various administrative tasks, such as eligibility determination. Expenditures of the County funds for the activities and programs in Defiance County are funded from the County’s general operating fund and used for children services.

DPCJFS is divided into several units, each of which is responsible for several different functions. For example, the Income Maintenance/Work Activities Unit is responsible for determining eligibility for the federal and state-supported Medicaid and Ohio Works First (TANF) and Food Stamps Assistance programs.