Michigan Family Independence Agency (FIA) Director Marianne Udow announced today plans to consolidate the Osceola and Mecosta County FIA offices effective March 28, 2005. At that time, the Osceola County Office, currently located at 220 East Church Street in Reed City will be consolidated into the Mecosta County Office located at 800 Water Tower Road in Big Rapids. "Because the offices are only 14 miles apart, this merger will cause minimal customer inconvenience," Udow said. "It will also reduce rent and building occupancy costs during difficult economic times and allow for greater flexibility in office operations and better internal controls."

The Mecosta County FIA office already has a toll-free telephone number (1-888-536-9266) so clients won't incur additional phone charges. Most Osceola County cities and villages are able to make local calls to Big Rapids.

In addition, effective October 1st, FIA public assistance clients in Osceola and Mecosta counties were offered greater flexibility in choosing where they receive services. Clients in those counties will be able to apply for and receive services in a county other than the one in which they live as a result of an initiative called transparent county lines.

"Transparent county lines will let clients in participating counties obtain services from the office most convenient for them," Udow said. "If they live in one county but find it easier to get services in another, they can now get them in the alternate county."