Cole out of CFS job

A little more than two weeks after getting his job back, Don Cole is out of work again.
Cole, who has been involved for several years in running the Helping Hand Food Bank for Community and Family Services, is leaving the anti-poverty organization after the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority told CFS he could not be involved in any programs funded via that state agency.
Since that includes housing, weatherization, energy assistance, and virtually every CFS program except Head Start and WIC (Women, Infants and Children), he was out of a job.
“Truly our hands are tied,” said a CFS program administrator, stressing that the action had been driven by the funding source.
Cole ran afoul of federal and state guidelines earlier this year when he authorized $375 in heating assistance to a family that did not meet income guidelines but was in need because of the Feb. 28 flooding in Portland.
The error was found during a program review, and Cole was discharged at that time. The heating assistance was revoked, and the $375 was put back onto the family’s utility bill.
Cole then filed a grievance, and the initial response from the state was that reinstatement was a local decision.
After a review, he was returned to his job, placed on 90 days employment probation, and given more supervision than he had had in the past.
That was May 19.
Monday, word was received from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority that though it wouldn’t contest Cole’s re-hiring, it would prohibit him from working on a broad scope of programs.
CFS officials were clearly upset by the state decision, praising Cole’s public involvement — particularly with the food bank. “It’s a loss to the community,” one said.
Cole was confused and frustrated by the turn of events.
“I guess the governor would have to step in at this point,” he said. “I just don’t want people to think I’m a crook.”[[In-content Ad]]