By DOUG GRAVES
Ohio Correspondent

WILMINGTON, Ohio — Identifying local and state resources when confronted with financial woes or even unemployment can be a stressful, overwhelming task. But a new effort by five Ohio State University extension offices is saving Ohioans the energy by bringing those resources directly to them.

5 County Solutions is a collaboration among OSU offices in Clinton, Highland, Greene, Fayette and Montgomery counties, which provides comprehensive local, state and federal financial education, tools, programs and other resources. This free service is the brainchild of Melanie Hart of the Greene County extension service.
Other extension educators key to this service include Chris Olinski (Montgomery County), Rose Fisher Merkowitz (Highland), Pat Brinkman (Fayette) and Susan Holladay (Clinton).

“Melanie got us all thinking of ways to help,” Brinkman said. “The five of us wanted to get something available to people 24/7 and we felt that the Internet was the best way to reach people.”

More than 2,500 in Clinton and Highland counties were directly affected when DHL in Wilmington closed its doors nearly a year ago. In Fayette County more than 600 felt the unemployment pinch with its closing. Business declines in Montgomery, Highland and Greene counties have put many out of work as well.

“The key was to use technology rather than traditional information outlets to deliver resources to residents to fit their schedules, rather than the schedule of businesses,” Brinkman said.

The 5 County Solutions website carries a wealth of information, including articles on coping with stress and job loss, identifying financial priorities and budgeting, county resources including family services, career centers and food pantries. In addition, there are extension resources, small business resources, support groups and information on essentials such as food, shelter, clothing, taxes and even tips on avoiding scams.

5 County Solutions was launched in November 2008. By 2009 more than 3,000 visitors visited the site.

“This website is for anyone facing economic hardships and financial difficulties,” Brinkman said. “It’s a one-stop shop to being informed of tools, resources and services that exist, and a way of easily reaching them.”

According to Brinkman, 5 County Solutions will continue to expand with news, information and resources, eventually adding a blog page. “In the past extension was always ag-related,” she said, “but we now touch on a lot of different areas that affect people.”
According to her, there were 444 visits to the new website in March alone. She adds that 72 percent of those were new visitors to the site.

“This five-county area was hit really hard, and right now there aren’t that many jobs available. Hopefully this website will help,” Brinkman said.

The site can be found at www.5countysolutions.osu.edu