Partnership researching electronic document submission

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DUBLIN, OH—March 19, 2013—Northwoods and 23 Ohio counties were awarded a $100,000 grant from the Ohio Local Government Innovation Fund (LGIF) to research community partnerships and technology innovations.

The Community Partnership & Technology Initiative, a partnership of 23 departments of job and family services and Northwoods, will study how human services program beneficiaries could more easily submit verification documentation, either electronically from home or by visiting a community partner agency. Currently, recipients must submit documents in person at their local county department of job and family services.

“This is innovative new ground for the Canton District. I am thrilled to work with directors who are so innovative and forward-thinking to be willing to take this on,” said Eileen Dray-Bardon, Director of Columbiana County Department of Job & Family Services, and the Community Partnership & Technology Initiative project lead.

If the feasibility study concludes that both agencies and beneficiaries will save time and money by submitting documentation electronically, the Community Partnership & Technology Initiative may seek a loan from LGIF to implement the findings from the initial study.

Under the Ohio Development Services Agency, LGIF provides grants and loans to create more efficient and effective service delivery. A complete list of grant recipients is available online, and in an Ohio Development Services Agency news release.

The Canton District of the Ohio Job and Family Services Director’s Association is made up of 23 County Departments in East Central Ohio including Ashland, Belmont, Carroll, Columbiana, Coshocton, Guernsey, Harrison, Holmes, Jefferson, Knox, Licking, Mahoning, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Portage, Richland, Stark, Tuscarawas, Washington, and Wayne.

About Northwoods

Northwoods is a privately-held software developer and service provider helping state and county human services agencies improve client satisfaction, reduce costs, and increase productivity with our Compass® software suite. Over 100 agencies in 11 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands use Compass® software every day. Founded in 1999, Northwoods is headquartered in Dublin, Ohio. For more information, visit teamnorthwoods.com or follow Northwoods on Twitter @teamnorthwoods.

Contact

Tiffany Himmelreich
614.408.8772