Before the first of next year, many deadbeat dads who owe child support to moms receiving government assistance may be forced to make a choice between jail, work or workforce training.

At a recent Medina County Board of Commissioner’s meeting, Mead Wilkins, Director of the Medina County Department Job and Family Services, discussed the new program which would force these individuals to participate in the county’s work training programs.

Some of the programs include drug testing, occupational therapy and counseling.

"If they don’t show up for work training, they will go to jail," Wilkins said, "It’s as simple as that.

"And, when they get out of jail," he continued, "they will go back to work training."

The work programs Wilkins mentioned were the county’s work school and the newly established Medina County Office of Workforce Development.

Wilkins told commissioners that Domestic Relations Judge James Leaver and Mike Pataky, director of Medina County’s Child Support Services, have already discussed the new program.

Although these fathers are already court-ordered to find work, the new program is meant to insure they are moving toward that goal.

Anyone not interested in participating in the work training programs can find a way out through employment.

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In other Job and Family Services’ news, Wilkins reported to the Medina County Commissioners that more than 2,000 people came through the doors of the agency in August.

And, to date, the agency has spent approximately $200,000 PRC grant funds for emergency assistance to county residents.

Funds were spent on shelter, car repairs and food. This year, school clothes for children were also included, helping 77 families prepare their children for the school year.