Commissioners vote to merge Children Services, HCDJFS

 After months of consideration, the Highland County Board of Commissioners voted 3-0 Wednesday, Dec. 29 to merge the Highland County Children Services agency with the Highland County Department of Job and Family Services.

 Commissioners agreed that Job and Family Services Director Debbie Robbins would lead the transition, which is to be completed by June 30, 2011.

 Commission President Shane Wilkin said he contacted HCCS board members prior to Wednesday's meeting to inform them of the decision.

 "Most board members understood. Danny Long (HCCS board member) told me he just wanted to 'be sure the children are well cared for.' Pam Nickell (HCCS board member) said she wasn't sure this was the best plan.

 "I understand that," Wilkin said.

 Commissioner Gary Heaton said, "This (merger) has been discussed since 2008 when Mike (Rector) and Rich (Graves) were on the board. It's not something we've done in haste; it's something we've addressed at length. For a county our size, it just makes sense to combine."

 Wilkin added that the commissioners have "talked with other directors in other counties and discussed the pros and cons. It just didn't seem like there were that many pros (in maintaining separate departments)."

 In a letter to HCDJFS Director Debbie Robbins and HCCS Director Wendy Jacobs, the commissioners wrote:

 "After careful thought, consideration, and discussion, both in and outside of Highland County, it is the intent of this Board to move forward to combine Highland County Children Services and the Highland County Department of Job and Family Services. The combination of these two agencies is an effort to streamline operations, to be more efficient with monies available, and to better service the public. We are now joining the majority of counties in Ohio by combining the two agencies.

 "The merger of the two departments will take effect July 1, 2011 to coincide with the implementation of the new state budget. However, we expect both agencies to immediately begin the transition process to make this change as seamless as possible. The departments will be fully merged and operational by July 1, 2011.

 "We find ourselves at a time where not only the county but the state, too, is faced with unprecedented budget challenges. The full cooperation and support of both agencies throughout this process is imperative. It is only with total cooperation that we can be successful and perform the services needed by the citizens of Highland County during these difficult ties. The issues we face have made all agencies throughout the county reevaluate how business is done. Although change is seldom desired, it is this change and our ability to adapt that will, in the years to come, make us better.

 "We will be in contact with you to schedule a meeting to discuss this process in more detail. Should you have any questions prior to this meeting, please feel free to contact our office."

Robbins told The Highland County Press on Wednesday that the agencies will do their best to "make it work."

"At this point I think that the decision has been made, the commissioners have decided the path that they want us to take, and for Wendy Jacobs and I to comply with their wishes," Robbins said. 

Robbins said that there will be many steps the agencies have to take in order to facilitate the merger.

"Because we're dealing with people our first thought is we want to ensure we try to retain every employee, but there may be changes in job duties," Robbins said. "It's a difficult process to go through, but we will go through things in the best way we can, and in a fair and consistent way. The bottom line is, we will make it work."  

Jacobs said that she still has concerns about the merger, but that she supports streamlining operations. 

"I see a lot of advantages," Jacobs said. "I still have some concerns, fiscally. However, I support streamlining and I support combining the agencies to provide more efficient services to the county so it is more of a one-stop shop for clients. Debbie is going to be taking the lead  and I will be assisting her. It's going to be a positive thing for the county, we just have to see where the pieces fall. I look forward to a smooth transition and we will make sure there are no disruptions in services and we will continue to provide safety and stability for the children of our county."