Jewish Community Federation Endorses Health and Human Services Levy

The Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland has come out strongly in favor of Cuyahoga County’s Health and Human Services Levy, which will appear on the November 7th ballot. The Federation Board of Trustees endorsed the levy at their August 24, 2006, meeting, and also committed $10,000 from its Endowment Fund to support the levy campaign.

“This levy is crucial for continuing health and human services provided to children, families and seniors through Federation agencies and throughout Cuyahoga County,” said David Heller, Chair of the Federation’s Government Relations Committee.  “Because the Federation recognizes the importance of the levy, our leadership has decided to help finance the campaign to support its passage.”

The Federation has consistently supported this county levy, which is critical to the operations of dozens of social service organizations, including two Federation agencies: Bellefaire Jewish Children’s Bureau and the Jewish Family Service Association. They receive more than $4 million per year from this levy to help pay for children’s residential treatment, foster care placement and child and adult mental health services that are not covered by any other source of funds.

“Issue 19 provides critical health and human services that bind our community together, and the need for these services is growing every year, especially in our suburbs” said Noelle Celeste, Issue 19 Campaign Manager.  “Issue 19 will protect our health and human services for kids, for seniors, and for all us.  The Jewish Community Federation plays a vital role in Northeast Ohio, and their support for Issue 19 shows just how important this issue is.  We are grateful for the support of the Federation and will work to ensure that the health and human services that we all rely on will continue to be there when we need them most.” 

The proposed 2.9 mill levy on the November 7th ballot replaces and reduces the current 3.0 mill levy that will expire at the end of 2007. The County will use these dollars to fund programs and services essential to a healthy community and to build the foundation for economic development.