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Foster parents, Job & Family Services thankful voters approve child services levy

127 views · Published 12 November 2018 · 2:39 · Indexed 11 October 2026

Channel: LOCAL 12 · 2018 · News & Politics

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CINCINNATI (WKRC) - Suzanne Kahle and her wife, Ashley, are fostering their first child, a 9-month-old baby boy.

"We see a lot of the issues in the community," Kahle said. "The drug epidemic and we know that there's a lot of kids out there who need help. Also, I am an adopted child and was adopted at birth so we just kind of wanted to give back to the community."

The couple was hopeful Hamilton County voters would say yes to the Children's Services Levy.

"As numbers increase, they are going to need more funding and you know, that money gets allocated to different things," Kahle said. "It helps even with his daycare costs and things like that. So, it really does go back to the kids to make sure they're safe where they are."

Just under 60 percent of those who voted gave a thumbs up to the levy. It will mean an extra $69 for every $100,000 of your home's value. It will bring in about $37 million dollars a year to Hamilton County Job and Family Services. JFS' funding has been the same since 1996.

"It was greatly needed," Moira Weir with Hamilton County Job & Family Services said. "As you can imagine, the cost of services has continued to rise and the funding was flat. In fact, we've actually seen a reduction in some of our funding streams."

Weir said everyone at JFS is grateful voters said yes.

"So grateful for the community for hearing the need for our families. So, truly grateful, not all counties are lucky enough to have a levy," Weir said. "It's a sigh of relief but there's a lot of tough work to do ahead of us. So, we're excited about getting back to work.”

Weir said Ohio is last when it comes to funding local child welfare services.

“Even if you doubled the allocation, we would still be last," Weir said. "So, there's really a lot of pressure on the local communities to fund the child welfare system."

The money can only be used to help the children and families served by JFS.

"Eighty percent have substance abuse, mental health and domestic violence all happening at the same time," Weir said. "So, if you can imagine just the trauma and the need for services for families."

Weir said the goal is to help the children and families out as quick as possible and try and return them to a normal home life but the number of kids needing help keeps on rising.

Kahle said if you’re thinking about becoming a foster parent, now is the time.

"These kids need a stable environment and a safe home and I think that if you're considering doing it, just go for it. There's tons of support out there and it's what's best for the kids," Kahle said.

To see how much this tax levy will cost you, click HERE to be taken to the Ohio property tax calculator.

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