"It is the mission of the department to offer the highest level of quality and consideration in providing services to the residents of Shelby County."

This is done by:

• Providing services in a professional, considerate manner;
  
• Providing services as expeditiously as possible;
  
• Making all reasonable efforts to reduce the need for ongoing public assistance
• Performing our mission with financial economy on behalf of the general public, who provide the funds for services and our professional compensation.

The department is responsible for administering a variety of public assistance and children/adult service programs.  These programs and services have, as their base:

• Laws enacted by the State Legislature which pertain to the granting of public assistance and the provision of social services.

• Laws enacted by the congress of the United States, and the regulations implementing these laws as issued by Federal regulatory agencies

• Ohio Administrative Code Rules reviewed and approved by the State Legislature's Joint Committee of Agency Rule Review.

• State/Federal Court decisions governing the manner in which State/Federal laws/regulations are administered.

• Opinions of the State Attorney General.

• Executive Order of the Governor.

• State/Federal laws and regulations governing other state and local agencies in so far as they affect the administration of public assistance programs.

• Experience of state and county departmental staff in carrying out the actual operation of these programs.

The Department is composed of five divisions:

1. Administration/Fiscal – responsible for the implementation and monitoring of all programs and services.

2. Child/Adult Protective Service – investigation/provision of child abuse, child neglect and dependency services, including placement services when necessary.

3. Child Support Enforcement – responsible for establishing paternity, financial and medical support establishment and enforcement of those orders.

4. Employment and Family Services – provision of employment and training programs, operation of the Job Center and child care programs.
   
   
5. Financial & Medical Services – determination/redetermination of eligibility for public assistance, food stamp, and medical/health related programs.