Food. Clothing. Housing. Medical. Transportation. Employment. Child Care. Education.

Those were among the biggest needs identified when Clermont County Family & Children First asked agencies who work with children, adults and families for input. Family and Children First responded with a list of resources to meet those needs.

In upcoming weeks, those resources will be shared on Clermont County’s social media channels as part of an effort to educate people about how to meet these needs.

Here's the first installment:

Where can you find food, utilities or clothing for those that don't qualify for SNAP (food stamps)?

According to Clermont County Family & Children First, food pantries and churches will often provide food boxes for those who do not qualify for SNAP. Utilities are often difficult to get assistance with unless the person qualifies for HEAP or PRC funding. Clothing for children can be requested through Give Like A Mother at 513-400-3208 or Impacting Tomorrow provides clothing for adults and children.

The Adams-Clermont Solid Waste District will be hosting a scrap tire collection event on Friday, Sept. 8, and Saturday, Sept. 9, at the Clermont County Fairgrounds in Owensville. Hours of operation will be 8 a.m.-2 p.m. on both days. 

This event is funded by an Ohio Environmental Protection Agency grant with matching funds contributed by the Adams-Clermont Solid Waste District. Residents are encouraged to take advantage of this service to rid their property of accumulated tires which are not only unsightly, but can pose an environmental and potential health risk.  

The following disposal fees will be collected in cash from the resident at the time of unloading:

$1 for car/SUV/light truck/trailer/ATV tires

$10 for commercial-type vehicle tires (semi tractor-trailers, dump trucks, etc.)

$20 for tractor tires (must be cut in half if larger than 48″ in diameter)

No additional fees will be imposed for tires that are mounted on rims, but participants should separate on-rim tires and off-rim tires in advance for ease of disposal at the drop-off site. 

During the event, traffic can enter the fairgrounds at the State Route 132 gate and follow posted signs to the tire drop-off site. Residents may be responsible for unloading any tires they bring to the location. 

Tires can only be accepted if they are originating from a Clermont County household, meaning tires accumulated by private companies (auto dealers or repair shops, trucking companies, etc.) during the course of their business are not allowed. A maximum of 10 tires per resident will be accepted unless prior arrangements are made with the Adams-Clermont Solid Waste District. 

For additional information visit www.OEQ.net, email DSNYDER@ClermontCountyOhio.gov or call the Adams-Clermont Solid Waste District at (513)732-7744.

The National Association of Counties (NACo) has included in its advocacy platform a priority that could affect the Beckjord site near New Richmond, Clermont County Commissioner David Painter reported at the July 26 Board of County Commissioners meeting.

The NACo Environment, Energy, and Land Use-Steering (EELU) Committee approved a resolution urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to not allow the storage of coal combustion residue in unlined ponds in close proximity to waters and where those residues have the ability to impact groundwater. 

Beckjord sits in proximity to the Ohio River and near wells that supply the county’s drinking water. The former coal power plant stores coal combustion residue in unlined ponds.

This resolution passed by a super majority at NACo’s annual meeting in Austin, Texas, and was included in the association’s advocacy platform for the U.S. Congress. The platform will guide NACo’s efforts to influence the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s rule-making to ensure the environmental restoration of sites like Beckjord.

“As commissioners, I think that we are doing everything that we can do to protect Clermont County from Beckjord becoming a large environmental impact for our county,” Painter said.

Painter serves on the NACo Board of Directors and is Chairman of the NACo Environment, Energy, and Land Use-Steering (EELU) Committee where he previously served as the Vice Chair before being named to the Chairmanship in 2022; Environmental Protection Agency Local Government Advisory Council.

The Board of County Commissioners on Aug. 2 appointed and/or reappointed 26 people to the Clermont County Local Emergency Planning Committee. Their terms run through Aug. 14, 2025.

The Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) is a coordinated planning body comprised of individuals who have expertise in planning and response to incidents involving hazardous materials. 

Read more here

Six first responder organizations in Clermont County were among 300 agencies statewide selected to receive incentives under the Ohio First Responder Recruitment, Retention, and Resilience Program. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine last week announced the latest round of incentives in the program created to address first responder burnout caused by understaffing and overall job stress.

-Central Joint Fire-EMS District, $120,000

-Clermont County Sheriff’s Office, $284,000

-Felicity Police Department, $4,000

-Franklin Township Fire and EMS, $31,197

-Goshen Township Police and Fire Departments, $196,396

-Stonelick Fire Department, $53,278

The Ohio Emergency Management Agency administers the program and provides funding to support initiatives, such as wellness programs addressing mental, physical, and emotional health issues unique to first responders; recruitment and retention efforts to restore workforce levels; onboarding and training costs; and explorer programs to engage young adults about first responder careers. 

The program is funded as part of the $250 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding that Gov. DeWine and the Ohio General Assembly dedicated to first responders to help counter various pressing issues exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, including increased stress and decreased staffing levels.

Clermont County Child Support celebrated achievements and built awareness about its programs in August.

"We appreciate all of the hard work of the Clermont County Child Support staff and our partners, the Prosecutor’s Office, Juvenile, Domestic, and Common Pleas Courts, the Sheriff’s office and the Clerk of Courts," said Theresa Ellison, assistant director in charge of Clermont County Child Support. "This year, Clermont County Child Support Enforcement won the award for Best Overall Performance for a large county CSEA in the State of Ohio. We continue to strive to bring excellent child support services to our community and to collect the necessary funds to help our children."

The Ohio Department of Transportation is making a plan to identify needs and priorities for walking, biking and rolling on the state-maintained roads in District 8, which includes Butler, Clinton, Clermont, Greene, Hamilton, Preble, and Warren counties. 

The plan will focus on State and US Routes that are outside of city boundaries in all seven counties.

ODOT needs your input to understand where there are needs for bike lanes, sidewalks, trails, and crosswalks on these roads. Please visit www.publicinput.com/D8ATP through Sept.5 to learn more and share your ideas! 

Clermont County plans to illuminate county buildings green Nov. 6-12 as part of Operation Green Light for Veterans, a nationwide effort uniting counties to support military veterans.

More info is coming in next month's newsletter, but you may want to pick up green bulbs for your home or business at local hardware stores and retail outlets and online at Amazon.com.

Bonnie Batchler, President of the Board of County Commissioners, has been named a Rising Star for 2023 by Cincy: The Magazine for Business Professionals.

Commissioner Batchler was among just seven government leaders named to the prestigious list.

Joy Lytle, President, Clermont Chamber of Commerce, and Harry Snyder, President & CEO, Great Oaks Career Campuses, were on the Power 100.

Other rising stars from the area include: Noah Berkheimer, Chief Support Officer, Beneficial Talent Source; Jeff Blom, President, Clermont County Convention & Visitors Bureau; Todd Cain, CEO, Sharefax Credit Union; Adam Stypula, Market President-Cincinnati, Park National Bank, Greater Cincinnati Ohio; 

Karla Berger, Vice President, Great Oaks Career Campuses; and Michael Doss, City Manager, City of Milford.

Learn more

During National Recovery Month in September, the Clermont County Mental Health and Recovery Board celebrates the Clermont Recovery Center (CRC).

CRC is a contracted partner of the board and a division of Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services. It provides a comprehensive range of outpatient treatment and addiction services for adolescents and adults with a substance use disorder, including medication-assisted treatment, intensive outpatient individual and group counseling, dual diagnosis treatment, peer recovery services, outreach prevention and gambling addiction treatment. CRC also operates the Clermont County Community Alternative Sentencing Center.

September is a good time to visit the Clermont County Public Library. Plenty of entertaining and informative programs are planned and if you don't have a library card, stop by the front desk to get one. To say thanks, the library will give you a cleaning cloth in a plastic holder just the right size to hold your new card. If you already have a library card, show it to a staff member to receive a cleaning cloth. The library has lots of great programs and many services that don't cost anything. We hope you visit soon.

Some of the programs planned for September include:

• Fiber Arts Club, Union Township Branch, Sep. 11 and Sept. 25, 6 p.m. A place for fiber artists and craters to work, network, and share ideas.

• Family Fun Night: Festive Fall, Goshen Branch, Sept. 12, 6:30 p.m. Enjoy some festive fall fun.

• Crafting Club, Miami Township Branch, Sept. 19, 1:30 p.m. Craft with your friends.

• Melt and Pour Soap Making, Union Township Branch, Sept. 19, 6 p.m. Make your own soap.

• Cake Decorating, Goshen Branch, Sept. 26, 2 p.m. Learn how to decorate a cake from a pro.

• Fall wreath, Union Township, Sept. 26, 6 p.m. Make a fall wreath for your home.

• Knot Another Craft Program! Amelia Branch, Sept. 26, 6 p.m. Work with knots in practical and decorative ways.

• Outsmart the ACT! ACT Workshop, Union Township Branch, Sept. 30, 10 a.m. Get ready to take the ACT.

The Clermont County Municipal OVI Court Specialized Docket held its 39th graduation ceremony on Aug. 17. OVI Court Judge Jesse B. Kramig presided over the ceremony recognizing 12 participants who successfully completed the program.

The OVI Court Specialized Docket Program is dedicated to rehabilitating high-risk multiple OVI offenders through a combination of intensive community control supervision, frequent judicial monitoring, cognitive behavioral interventions, and specialized substance use treatment at the Clermont Recovery Center – a division of Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services.

The Program also works to reduce long-term jail sentences associated with repeat OVI offenders. The 12 participants who graduated entered the program with a combined total of 46 OVI convictions. Their participation in the specialized docket saved the county $153,160 and 2,188 jail bed days.

The Clermont County Municipal OVI Court Specialized Docket began in June 2005, and is certified by the Specialized Docket Section of the Supreme Court of Ohio. Anyone interested in learning more about the Clermont County OVI Court, please contact Probation Officer Brian J. Dixon at (513) 732-8142. 

Tickets and sponsorships for Looking Toward the Future (see below) may be purchased here: https://clermontseniors.com/fallevent/