Social service agencies across the county are seeing a significant rise in older adults needing essential services and support with food, utility assistance, shelter, and transportation, and yet funding has not kept pace with this growing need. In response, Portage County Job and Family Services made the request and received support from the Board of Commissioners to place a new levy on the ballot this November, that would replace one of two child welfare levies set to expire in December 2026. The Human Services #13 levy, if passed will sustain current services and create new safety net programs for the senior citizens in Portage County.
The .4 mill levy will support increased staffing of social service workers within the Adult Protective Services team who are carrying double the caseloads from several years ago. This levy would keep current services and supports in place such as funds that support operations for Portage County’s Guardianship Services board and the countywide senior center operated by Axess Family Services. Additionally, the levy will introduce a new Portage Emergency Support Services (PESS) program for seniors where senior citizens can apply for new services such as emergency funds for rent, mortgage, home repairs, assistance with delinquent taxes, victim supports and services, transportation, health and wellness programs with guaranteed transportation, and access to care management. To view the draft plan please go to the Human Services Levy #13 Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/profile/pcjfs.humanservices.levy
To assist in the most immediate need of food and self-care items for senior citizens, Portage County Job and Family Services and the county’s Portage 50 Plus Community Committee will roll out a unified SOS (Support Our Seniors) Campaign starting August 25, 2026.
The SOS Campaign will focus on collecting donations of frequently requested items to make daily life safer, healthier, and more comfortable for older adults in our community. The following is a list of suggested donation items: Ensure or Other Nutritional Drinks, Depends, Deodorant, Toothbrushes & Toothpaste, First Aid Kits, Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Detectors and Fire Extinguishers, Large-Print Word Searches, Puzzles, Grabbers, Pill Boxes, Blankets, and Nonperishable Food Items.
Anyone interested in donating these or other useful items to this campaign may the upcoming collection drive event:
The JFS drive through donation event on October 15 from 2:00-6:00PM at the Portage County Administration Building, 449 S. Meridian St, Ravenna.
The mission of the Portage 50 Plus Committee is to establish a network of community partners committed to assessing the needs, creating and collaborating on initiatives, setting goals and providing services to the Portage 50 Plus community. Members include but are not limited to: Portage County Job and Family Services, Axess Family Services, Catholic Charities, Direction Home Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities, United Way of Portage County, PARTA, Community Action Council, Streetsboro Senior Center, Neighborhood Development Services, the Portage County Guardianship Services Board, and the Shepherd’s House.
For more information about the Human Services #13 levy or the new SOS Campaign, contact Audrey Riley, Public Information Officer at PCJFS at audrey.riley@jfs.ohio.gov.
