OhioMeansJobs Hardin County Receives ‘Drive On Responsibly’ Grant to Help Residents Obtain Driver Licenses
The OhioMeansJobs Hardin County and Area 8 Workforce Development Board announced today that they received the Drive On Responsibly Grant from the state. Area 8 is comprised of Auglaize, Hardin, Mercer, and Van Wert Counties. All four counties are rural, and the population relies upon independent means for transportation, and a valid driver license is key to employment and financial success.
The Drive On Responsibly program is proposed to assist unemployed, or underemployed, adults in obtaining valid driving privileges and employment, regardless of whether they have never had a license or lost that privilege. Participants determined eligible based upon Area 8’s self-sufficiency policy will be enrolled in the WIOA (Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act) Adult program. The program would offer one-time funding for driving courses, license fees, reinstatement fees, and up to one year of vehicle insurance, including SR 22 bond insurance premium. WIOA enrollment will ensure continued support from the OhioMeansJobs staff until participants goals are met.
To target those in need of the program, we will work directly with businesses, courts, probation offices and veteran services to obtain referrals. This program would work hand-in-hand with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) policies of amnesty and reinstatement fee reduction.
Area 8 believes securing a valid driver license will increase the employment by enabling workers to be available and reliable for work assignments, and because area businesses count on their employees to have reliable transportation.
For more information on the Drive On Responsibly program or any OhioMeansJobs programs call 419-674-2312.
