County unemployment rate up nearly 2 percent

Among the state's 88 counties, the January 2010 unemployment rates ranged from a low of 8.4 percent in Delaware County to a high of 19.8 percent in Ottawa County. Rates increased in 87 of the 88 counties, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. In January, the comparable rate for Ohio was 11.8 percent. Nine counties had unemployment rates below 10.0 percent in January. The counties with the lowest rates, other than Delaware, were: Holmes, 8.6; Mercer, 9.3; Franklin, 9.4; Athens, 9.5; Lawrence, 9.6; Geauga, 9.7; and Medina and Union, 9.8 percent.

 

Seven counties had unemployment rates at or above 18.0 percent during January. The counties with the highest rates, other than Ottawa, were: Clinton, 19.3; Highland, 19.1; Noble, 18.6; Morgan, 18.5; Huron, 18.3; and Pike, 18.0 percent. Adams County's rate was at 17.8 percent, Brown County was at 14.9 percent and Fayette County was at 13.9 percent.

Debbie Robbins, director of the Highland County Department of Job and Family Services, said that when it comes to determining the cause of the nearly 2-percent increase, "there are some assumptions we could make. Some of the folks who had temporary employment for the holidays, that ended in January. Some of the people who had been receiving unemployment for a year or longer who are associated with ABX and (the Wilmington Air Park), their severance may have run out. We're seeing more of those folks. And there are other businesses who have had to lay off in the meantime. We're seeing more people coming in right now."

Robbins said the number of Highland County residents seeking assistance at HCDJFS is an an all-time high. 

"According to our caseload management summary, we are seeing 'a dubious and unprecedented high of 5,024 cases,'" Robbins said. "That is a combination of food assistance, and medical. In the county, this is a milestone for us. We have never had that many cases. The child support section is also seeing an increase. People are asking for a review on their cases because they have been laid off and are not able to pay what they were ordered."

As the state-reported number is a reflection of the number of people receiving unemployment benefits, Robbins said the actual number of unemployed people in Highland County, "I would guess would probably be between 23 to 25 percent. Usually it is several points higher. People who are discouraged and have stopped looking for work, people whose unemployment benefits have ended, they aren't counted in that (state) percentage."

As with all county- and state-funded agencies, job and family services is having to deal with an increased case load with a decrease in funds.

"We are holding our own at this point," Robbins said. "Primarily the reason why is we have had some folks who have retired and we had a resignation. A couple more people have indicated their intent to retire at the end of April. That is how we are able to maintain our staffing. We haven't had to lay off due to that, but that means the folks who continue to work have to shoulder the burden of those extra cases.

"For an example," Robbins said, "one of the folks who is going to be retiring at the end of April has about 800 cases. She does Healthy Start/Healthy Family, and while their requirements aren't as stringent as something like food stamps, there is activity there and people are reporting changes. She has managed that very well, but those cases are going to have to be distributed among the rest of the staff."

When it goes to replacing staff members, Robbins said, "We are not even about to consider replacing staff until we know the budget for the coming year, which will be in July. Hopefully we will get good news. We'll have to wait and see."