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Lucas County says benefit-bridge pilot enrolled 54 participants; county seeks continued MOU for $2.3M state allocation
Summary
Lucas County Job & Family Services reported the state’s Benefit Bridge pilot yielded 105 referrals and 54 enrollments from more than 700 applications; staff described financial coaching, mobility mentors and employer outreach and the board approved a state MOU to continue participation.
Rita (Job & Family Services) updated commissioners on Lucas County’s participation in the state Benefit Bridge pilot and asked for approval of a continuation MOU. She said the state allocated approximately $2.3 million for the current fiscal year and that Lucas County received over 700 applications; 105 were referred to the service provider Harbor, 54 ultimately enrolled and 51 declined — many were ineligible under program criteria.
Rita described program elements: mobility mentoring, peer mentors with lived experience, financial literacy provided by LISC, and partnerships with the Toledo Chamber to target employers and identify eligible employees. She said participants showed improvements on a well-being score (an average entry score near 64, with a 15 percentage-point improvement at six months) and that participants reduced debt and increased savings and credit scores during the pilot period.
Commissioners probed enrollment targets and barriers: the initial goal was 80 enrollments in year one; staff said recruitment and strict eligibility (employment required and a SNAP reduction tied to earned income within six months) constrained uptake. Commissioners approved the MOU to continue the county’s role in the pilot and discussed stronger employer engagement and targeting to increase the pool of eligible participants.
