ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Fifteen days into the shutdown of the federal government, Belmont County Department of Job and Family Services director Jeff Felton said the immediate future of his department was uncertain.

Felton provided a brief status update of the department Wednesday during the regularly scheduled Belmont County Board of Commissioners meeting. Commissioners Jerry Echemann and Vince Gianangeli – Commissioner J.P. Dutton was absent for the meeting – listened as Felton informed them on the status of benefits provided to residents in need.

Felton said that all Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits were distributed throughout the month of October.

“We don’t know if they’re going to be issued for November. We haven’t received any correspondence,” Felton said.

He added that he has reached out to Ohio DJFS, and was told that ODJFS will be reaching out to all Ohio counties in the next couple weeks. Belmont County distributes about $1.5 million in SNAP benefits per month, Felton said, which provides a significant positive impact on the local economy.

He is also unsure if Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds will be affected if the shutdown continues into November.

“States have surpluses in TANF, but we don’t know if TANF benefits are going to be issued to recipients or not,” Felton said. “The vast majority of TANF recipients in Belmont County are caregivers. So grandparents who are taking care of their grandchild, (will) receive a cash benefit for doing that.”

He added that, in anticipation of TANF benefits not being distributed in November, the DJFS website will have a list of food pantries and assistant programs within the county.

“This is a long shot, in the sense that politically speaking, but this would be just terrible for Thanksgiving,” Felton said. “We’re hopeful that they’ll get it resolved and move forward. But we also have to make contingency plans.”

Following Felton’s update, Belmont County Health Department public health nurse Jenna Cunningham then spoke about October being breast cancer awareness month.

She said that the Health Department’s main focus is to prevent, promote and educate the community

“We work with the Ohio Department of Health and other surrounding health departments while following the guidelines and recommendations of the CDC to help promote education about the prevention of breast cancer,” Cunningham said.

Founded in 1985, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month aims to raise awareness about breast cancer and the importance of birth detection through regular screenings. Cunningham said October serves as a reminder of the progress made in breast cancer research and treatment, while also highlighting the work still needed to ensure accessible care and education for everyone other than skin cancer.

“Breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women. When caught in its earliest stages, the five year relative survival rate of breast cancer is 99% most often,” Cunningham said. “Breast cancer is thought to only affect women, but it also affects men.”

According to the CDC, one in every 100 breast cancer diagnoses in the U.S. are found in men. She added that the Ohio Department of Health heads the Ohio Cancer Incident Surveillance System, which collects and analyzes cancer incidence data on all Ohio residents.

“This can help raise awareness about factors that may increase cancer risk, benefits on early detection and improve the survival rate of persons diagnosed with cancer,” Cunningham said. Ohio BCCP program offers no-cost breast and cervical cancer screenings and diagnostic testing to talk to qualified participants.

Noble County Health Department operates as Belmont County Health Department’s partner for the program.

She said that the reproductive health and wellness program sees patients, monitors the risk factors and refers them to other facilities and resources if needed.

“Unfortunately, sometimes people don’t know that they are at high risk or have symptoms until it’s too late,” Cunningham said.

She recommends keeping a healthy weight, staying physically active and asking your doctor about the risks of birth control and hormone replacement therapy.

“No one knows their body better than you. Voice your concerns, get screened regularly, and most importantly, support the fighters, admire the survivors and remember the angels,” Cunningham said.