GALLIPOLIS — The Gallia County Department of Job and Family Services (DJFS) is currently reaching out to businesses in Gallia County to assist them in a summer youth subsidized employment program.

The program allows area business to hire local youth for the summer and be completely reimbursed for the wages expended for the youth involved.

According to Jamie Eplin, who works on youth services and programs through the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) at DJFS, a total of 42 youth have already been placed with several local business, and, as additional TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) funds have been awarded through the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Gallia County DJFS is seeking to double that number.

To fully utilize these funds, according to Eplin, more businesses and youth need to communicate their willingness to participate in the program that benefits both the area youth and local employers.

“We are desperately seeking employers that are willing to hire a youth for the summer and get their money back 100 percent,” Eplin said.

The program lasts through August 31, 2012, and is available to not only teenagers but for all individuals, ages 16 to 24.

“It’s a great thing for college kids — a great opportunity,” Eplin said. “Some of the jobs are keepers. Some of jobs will train you and want to keep you if you are a good employee. Most of jobs are just exactly what the program is — just summer jobs.”

Eplin reported that any business in Gallia County that would be willing to train a temporary worker in their particular skill or trade would be eligible to participate in the program.

The participating youth will be paid between $7.70 and $10 per hour — wages that will be reimbursed 100 percent to the employer every month.

Participants must work between 30 and 40 hours per week depending upon their age.

“The whole point of the program is to teach these kids how to be a good employee,” Eplin said. “Teaching worth ethic is the main thing, but learning a trade is also important. There’s so much the kids can learn from these people that have the experience just by being there and by giving them a chance to see different kinds of businesses and different types of jobs. They will see things that maybe they haven’t considered.”

Additionally, the participants will be directed to apply and interview for a particular position with each respective business — just as in a real-world situation — solely for as a learning process, according to Eplin.

“It’s a good program — it really is — and the kids learn a lot,” she said.

Youth who participate in the program must live in a household with an income limit based upon the 2012, 200 federal percent poverty level.

The 2012, 200 percent federal poverty level rates are as follows and are based upon monthly income (figures do not include child support): household of one — $1,862; household of two — $2,522; household of three — $3,182; household of four — $3,842; household of five — $4,502; household of six — $5,162; household of seven — $5,822; household of eight — $6,482; household of nine — $7,142; household of 10 — $7,802.

Additionally, to be eligible, there must be someone in the household of the participate who is under 18 or the age of 18 and still in high school.

Those youth applying in the program must fill out an application available at DJFS, 848 Third Avenue, Gallipolis, and provide all household members and gross income for the past 30 days.

Participants must also provide a copy of their social security card, birth certificate and a photo identification.

Eplin encourages any interested employers or area youth to contact her at the department of job and family services as soon as possible

“I’ll be happy to answer any question that anybody has if they want to call me. They can call me, they can email me,” Eplin said.

Eplin can be reached at at (740) 446-3222, ext. 254 or via email at eplinj@odjfs.state.oh.us.