As The Enquirer's Hamilton County reporter, I heard about the children's services levy for months at county meetings before commissioners decided to place it on the ballot.
The commissioners talked at length about the strain Job and Family Services faces, the higher number of children in county custody and their increased needs due to medical or behavioral issues. They debated how to reduce the burden of an increased levy on taxpayers.
Many of my stories before the levy was placed on the ballot focused on the impact to property owners. So before voters decide on the levy, I wanted to hear from the children themselves — the reason the levy exists — and put their stories in front of you.
With Enquirer photographer Frank Bowen IV, I shadowed a caseworker
with Hamilton Job and Family Services through her nonstop day of appointments and met six children whose care is funded by county taxpayers. You provide them with backpacks and shoes for school, food to eat and a caseworker to monitor their care and education.
I learned about the challenges that drive costs up, such as increased aggression and runaway risks that mean children need out-of-home placements. I also learned about the factors that make caseworkers' jobs more difficult, like generations of people in the foster care system and domestic violence.
I heard from JFS officials and coordinated coverage of the foster care system with Enquirer breaking news intern Jane Park, who published her own story on the strained agency.
I hope you can take the time to read our stories and to vote on Nov. 3.
Regional politics reporter Erin Glynn can be reached at eglynn@enquirer.com, @ee_glynn on X and @eringlynn on Bluesky.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Why we shadowed a Hamilton County caseworker
