LISBON — The Columbiana County Educational Service Center (ESC) is making a change to its Family and Children First Council administrative services.

According to minutes of the May ESC meeting posted online, the ESC board approved transitioning Family and Children First Council (FCFC) administrative agent responsibilities to the Columbiana County Department of Job and Family Services.

ESC Superintendent Marie Williams explained in her report to the board that while the ESC was approved in April to continue serving as the administrative agent the local Department of Job and Family Services would provide more opportunities for funding.

“Rachel Ketterman reached out to offer support with the FCFC funding issue. They have access to multiple funding pools that could help offset the current shortfall,” Williams explained in her report.

Ketterman is the Director of the Columbiana County Department of Job and Family Services.

According to information made available on the Ohio Family and Children First website, fcf.ohio.gov, the state allocated $77,089 for the FCFC in Columbiana County this year.

That amount includes $30,750 to be put toward FCFC efforts and comes from the state General Revenue fund.

Each county allocated funds was also allocated the $30,750, of which some may be used to provide a portion of salary and fringe benefits for FCFC personnel, administrative support, training, consultation or family representative involvement, the Ohio Family and Children First website states.

Allocated funds are available to FCFCs that meet the funding requirements upon approval of the state’s fiscal year 2026 budget.