BH Masthead

  A Publication of Buckeye Hills-HVRDD March  2010  
Update on Ohio's Portion of Federal Stimulus

One year after Congress approved the $787 billion American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, here are details about Ohio. 

  • $10 billion: Current estimate of total stimulus funds coming to Ohio
  • $6.4 billion: Recipient-reported funds awarded to Ohio so far
  • $2.8 billion: Funds awarded directly to the state spent as of yesterday
  • 24,694: Jobs in Ohio funded all or in part with stimulus dollars during last three months of 2009
  • 6th: Ohio's rank among all states in jobs funded by stimulus money

Source: Recovery.gov

January
Unemployment Rates

Ohio's January unemployment rates were not available at our publish date: They will be posted on March 5.
 
Third Frontier Program to Go to May Ballot

On the May 4 ballot voters will be asked to renew the Third Frontier Program. Known as Issue 1 to voters, Third Frontier has helped secure more than $6.6. billion of new investment in Ohio while utilizing just $600 million in public money.

The program has also helped create 48,000 jobs since its approval in 2005.  
Ohio Job Ready Sites Grant Assistance Available 
 
The Ohio Job Ready Sites application for grant assistance is now available for download on the Ohio Department of Development's website.  Here is the direct link to the webpage. 
Please note the following important items: 
 
The Ohio Job Ready Sites application is due to the District Public Works Integrating Committees no later than 4:00PM on April 1, 2010Late applications will not be accepted.
 
Communication during the competitive grant cycle is limited to written correspondence only.  Questions must be submitted to the "E-mail Us" link found on website under the Resources section.  Your question and the Ohio Department of Development's response will be posted to the "Frequently Asked Questions" document on the website.  This ensures that all entities have access to the same information.
 
The Ohio Job Ready Sites Guidelines and Due Diligence Checklist are available at the ODOD website and the BH-HVRDD site.
Buckeye Hills Hosts Chamber After Hours
 
The Buckeye Hills office in Marietta was host to the Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours. Folks gathered to get a warm "cup of Joe" and to learn more about Buckeye Hills and its Area Agency on Aging.
 
After HoursShown at left are guests Paige Burton of Interim Healthcare in Marietta and Ken Stewart of The Marietta Care and Rehab Center. Below are Erin Meeks of the Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce and Charlotte Keuhn, an RSVP volunteer.
 
Chamber
SE Broadband MapBroadband Update
 
The region continues to provide updates on current broadband resources available to businesses and residents. Connected Nation and Connect Ohio developed a map detailing current broadband coverage and availability as well as noting underserved areas across the district.The map is also available as a pdf on the Buckeye Hills website. 
 
Around the District:
Monroe & Noble County: GMN Receives State Award
The Guernsey, Monroe, Noble Tri-County Community Action Corporation was recently awarded the prestigious Best Practices Award by The Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies in cooperation with the Ohio Department of Development.

The GMN Tri-County L.I.F.E. Program (Learning is For Everyone). Prevention Services Director Misty Atkinson crafted and directs the program which is implemented within the Switzerland of Ohio Local School District and funded by the Monroe County Department of Jobs and Family Services. The program assists students with academics through tutoring, cultural and social issues by providing opportunities to explore cultures, art, and diversity, and careers through the establishment of life goals and work readiness.

These students are afforded the opportunity, in many case, to become "first generation" college graduates. An impressive 94 percent of participants in the GMN "LIFE" program raised their grades by a grade point in a specific subject. 

Washington County: O'Neill Center Receives National Accreditation
O'NeillNational Senior Center Accreditation Board unanimously approved the recommendation for full accreditation of the O'Neill Center in Marietta by The National Council on Aging and the National Institute of Senior Centers (NISC).

 

Noted in the announcement was the fact that successfully achieving accreditation status takes the work of many people both in the senior center and in the community. When these two groups work together the rewards will be felt for many years to come. O'Neill's organization demonstrates outstanding leadership and commitment to quality programs and services.

 

 

The O'Neill Center joins the list of more than 185 senior centers that meet the standards developed by NISC. These are centers that are held up as models in striving to meet the needs of the older population in the community.


AAA8
 

Governor Ted Strickland Opens PASSPORT & Assisted Living Waiver Enrollments

 
handsThe Buckeye Hills Area Agency on Aging District 8 (AAA8) is pleased to announce that at the end of Feb. there were no longer enrollment caps on the PASSPORT and Assisted Living Waivers in Ohio.
 
Governor Ted Strickland recently ordered an end to Ohio's waiting list for PASSPORT and other in-home and community services. Now, the 592 older adults currently on the waiting list will be able to access the long-term care they need. In the AAA8 region, there were approximately 15 on the waiting list that were able to be immediately enrolled.
 
 
 
joined hearts AAA8 Celebrates Region's
 "Joined Hearts in Giving" Honorees
 
 
Joined Hearts in Giving honors long-married Ohioans who share a commitment to volunteerism. Eligible couples have been married at least 40 years and at least one of the spouses must be age 60 or older. Couples are honored by the Ohio Department of Aging and the First Lady of Ohio at at a reception held in observance of Valentine's Day at the Governor's residence in Columbus.
 
MillersHonorees Aaron and Charlene Miller of Beallsville are shown with Ohio Dept. of Aging Director, Barbara Riley and Ohio First Lady Strickland 
 
 
 
 
 
BrokawsHonorees Allen and Elizabeth (Libby) Brokaw of Marietta are also shown at the ceremony with Director Riley and Ohio First Lady Strickland.
 
 

Project Lifesaver Programs Helps Protect Seniors and Residents Who Wander from Home

 

lifesaverProject Lifesaver relies on proven radio technology and a specially trained Law Enforcement search and rescue team. Clients enrolled in Project Lifesaver wear a personalized wristband that emits a tracking signal. When caregivers notify the local Project Lifesaver agency that the person is missing, a search and rescue team responds to the wanderer's area and searches with the mobile locater system. In over 1,500 searches, there have been no reported serious injuries or deaths and recovery times average less than 30 minutes.

 

Designed to track and rescue those with cognitive conditions who tend to wander, this service answers a critical need for protecting people at risk of wandering, including children and adults with Alzheimer's, Autism, Down syndrome and Dementia. 

"We are pleased to have partners that help us bring this service to this community as it provides invaluable protection to those with cognitive disorders, peace of mind to caregivers and a highly effective solution to public safety agencies responsible for rescuing those in need," said Cathy Ash, AAA8 Program Manager and Project Lifesaver Trainer. "Wandering is one of the most life threatening issues associated with Alzheimer's, autism and other cognitive conditions.  Working together with Project Lifesaver, search and rescue quickly and efficiently find those who have wandered off, helping to save the lives of people at risk in this community." 

 

For more information, please contact The Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-331-2644. 

Contact Us
Buckeye Hills is organized as a voluntary organization of local government political subdivisions to foster cooperative efforts in regional planning, and implementing of regional plans and programs. Share your success stories and let us assist with your development needs - 740-374-9436. 

 
Misty Casto - Buckeye Hills Executive Director
Rick Hindman - Buckeye Hills Assistant Executive Director & Area Agency on Aging Director
Melissa Zoller - Development Director
Doug Dye - Fiscal Director 
Gwynn Stewart- Communications Director