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Social Services reports heavy SNAP and Medicaid usage, staffing pressures and outreach work
Summary
Jessica Ombi, director of Cumberland County Department of Social Services, reported that in 2024 roughly 1,900 county residents received SNAP benefits totaling about $3.9 million and that about 4,200 residents received Medicaid; the office is coping with caseloads and staff-retention challenges.
Jessica Ombi, Director of the Cumberland County Department of Social Services, presented service and benefit statistics and staffing concerns during the Feb. 25 budget workshop.
Ombi said county residents received roughly $3.9 million in SNAP benefits in 2024—about $328,000 per month on average—and that approximately 4,200 residents were covered by Medicaid during the year. She reported that 4,534 residents received some type of benefit last year and that the agency handled child-protective-service investigations for 93 children and 65 vulnerable-adult investigations.
Ombi described the agency’s functions—eligibility determinations for SNAP, Medicaid, TANF and child-care subsidy; energy assistance; and the services side for child and adult protective services, foster care and adoptions. The office employs 19 full-time staff, with nine workers processing benefits; Ombi said the office is down one benefits worker and faces recruitment and retention issues similar to other county agencies.
Ombi emphasized community outreach—participation in school career days, trunk-or-treat and other events—to reduce the stigma of social services and encourage residents to seek help. She said the agency’s local match and pass-through funding model requires coordination with county budget staff and noted an expected July 2025 locally supported employee salary increase of about 3%.
Board members thanked staff and raised questions about recruitment; Ombi said the department will continue to recruit and participate in upcoming job fairs.
