Multiple agencies across Allen County are working together to help people become self-sufficient.
The Allen County Commissioners approved the Family and Children First Council to apply for a $740,000 grant to create community navigators. The navigators would work with individuals to help them find employment and provide transportation, child care, and other needs.
The First Council, child services agencies, and United Way are contributing to this effort to help people support themselves and their families.
They will only work with employable individuals. "We want them to be self-sufficient, and so these agencies are very passionate about helping the people they serve, and so this will give them an extra opportunity to work one-on-one with individuals to figure out their needs, and if they need transportation, if they need childcare, whatever that would help them get over the hump and make them successful," said Jennie Horner, Coordinator with Allen County Family and Children First Council.
Horner says this is a one year grant through the Ohio Department of Job and Family services. She says the grant is competitive but she thinks they have a good chance of receiving money. Horner says they could be chosen to receive money as soon as mid May.
