COLUMBUS - At one time, poor people in Catholic Social Services' comprehensive employment program were trained for careers, placed in corresponding jobs and given support they needed to remain working, such as transportation and day care.

        Now, after getting less money from Franklin County over the past few years, the program, called JobReach, simply assesses people's skills and finds them jobs.

        “Money's very tight,” said Walter Tucker, JobReach's director.

        Budget cuts caused by the sluggish economy have made it more difficult to move people from welfare into the work force because counties have less money to pay agencies that provide support for those people.

        “We're now having to look at whether or not we're even able to provide basic services for low-income people,” said Loretta Adams, executive director of the Ohio Job and Family Services Director's Association.

        In the 1990s, federal reforms turned welfare into a temporary program, putting a three-year limit on cash assistance. After that, welfare recipients were expected to find and keep jobs.

        Beginning in January 2000, the state distributed $300 million in unallocated welfare dollars to counties. The money was good for one time only and had to be used by the end of June 2001.

        Counties used that money, as well as $45 million in annual incentive dollars, for welfare-to-work contracts.

        Hamilton County officials have $21.7 million available this fiscal year for contracts, compared with $30.5 million and $64.5 million in the two previous years. The county's contracts with agencies dropped to seven, from 63 and 135. “Amazingly, our welfare caseloads continue to decline,” said Laurie Petrie, a county spokeswoman. “Now, whether those people are actually getting work and stay

        ng in January 2000, the state distributed $300 million in unallocated welfare dollars to counties. The money was good for one time only and had to be used by the end of June 2001.

        Counties used that money, as well as $45 million in annual incentive dollars, for welfare-to-work contracts.

        Hamilton County officials have $21.7 million available this fiscal year for contracts, compared with $30.5 million and $64.5 million in the two previous years. The county's contracts with agencies dropped to seven, from 63 and 135. “Amazingly, our welfare caseloads continue to decline,” said Laurie Petrie, a county spokeswoman. “Now, whether those people are actually getting work and staying in jobs is the big question mark.”

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