May 2010
Ohio State Board of Cosmetology
1929 Gateway Circle •
Grove City, Ohio 43123
Local: (614) 466-3834 •
Statewide: 1-866-642-6723
http://cos.ohio.gov
It will be here before you know it. The Board will begin an aggressive effort to remind all licensees that old style U.S Post Office paper renewal will no longer be utilized. All renewals will be done on-line using the internet (unless, you wish to come to the Board office in person when renewals begin). If you have an e-mail address and would like us to add that to your credential so you can receive a reminder, send us an e-mail at: phyllis.jones@cos.state.oh.us.
You will need to have a MasterCard, Visa or Discover credit or debit card to complete the transaction. If you do not have a credit or debit card, we suggest purchasing a pre-paid one at a local grocery store or bank. You can then place only the amount you like to be spent on the card.
If you don’t have Internet access, go to the nearest library and click on the link we will provide on our website (beginning in September), that will enter you into the State Licensing Database. You will then need your personal user ID and password to log in to complete your transaction. For more information visit http://cos.ohio.gov.
Inspectors are out to protect the public and ensure that salons and licensees are following the laws and rules established for the Ohio Cosmetology industry. But just as important, they are there to be ambassadors to assist you in any way possible for you or your business to be successful. Many times it is a routine inspection, but if they are responding to a complaint, the inspector will let you know.
• Licensing: The inspector will check the business and personal licenses first to see if they are valid and current. A common violation is many licensees forget to update their photos every five years. Check your photo; if it has been more than five years since the date on the photo, it’s time to send an updated photo with your address on the back with a self addressed stamped envelope.
• Keep lids on containers: Many times Inspectors find trash cans or containers with clean linens without the lids on them. Be sure to keep them on so they do not contaminate other items in your area.
• Dirty combs and brushes: This is probably the biggest violation. It can be hectic when a shop is busy to throw combs and brushes back into a tray, but think about what could occur if that previous client had lice? Remind yourself to keep those clean and disinfect after each use.
• Ask Questions: Many times the licensee receives a violation or warning based on bad information from another co-worker. If you’re not sure about what to use for clean-up, or whether you need a certain license, ask the inspector. They are there to help. Refer to the brochure the inspector gives to you and your customers that give a basic understanding of what they do and why it is important.
Elder abuse is an often overlooked crime, but it is a real problem for elderly Ohioans. From July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009, Ohio county departments of job and family services received a total of 17,366 reports of abuse, neglect and exploitation for adults 18 years of age and over; nearly 95 percent of those cases involved Ohioans who were 60 or older.
According to a U.S. Department of Justice study released last year, about 11 percent of people ages 60 and older suffer from some kind of abuse every year. This abuse is not just violent in nature; it is also financial. Scammers actively target older people in order to make a quick buck.
For instance, a Columbus consumer recently reported that she was targeted by a scammer posing as her grandson, saying he was in Canada and needed money. In this type of scam, the scammer will call an elderly person and say, “Hi Grandma” or “Hi Grandpa,” tricking that person into believing that his or her grandchild really is calling. The scammers then make up a story explaining that they’re stuck in another country and need money through a wire transfer. If grandparents do send a wire transfer, they will lose any money they send.
It is clear that elderly people need help to protect themselves from abuse and exploitation.
My office will be working with law enforcement officials from across the state on trying to help elderly victims of crime by increasing the number of local Triad organizations. This national program involves law enforcement, senior citizens and community groups partnering to help seniors learn of the scams and crimes that target them, increasing their communication with law enforcement and making them aware of community resources.
Through creating Triad groups in Ohio communities, we hope to build stronger bonds among the elderly and the law enforcement officers who can assist them.
As a stylist, you may be one of the first people to suspect a client is being abused. They may talk about the way a child/caregiver talks or treats them at home. They may miss appointments or begin limiting visits because they were told how much money they could spend. You may even notice a change in their overall demeanor with you or someone that brings them into the salon. This is your chance to talk to them about how they are doing. This may be their one chance to safely disclose their concerns to a trusted individual.
As someone who may find themselves confronted with abused victims of all ages, we hope to give you the tools you need to better help your clients. In addition to the ongoing Cut It Out trainings our office provides, we also host an annual conference for victim advocates, Two Days In May. This year’s conference, Collaborating to Provide 21st Century Victim Services, will feature a wide range of courses covering topics like elder abuse, identity theft, sexual assault, and domestic violence. Our domestic violence track will feature workshops on elder abuse, domestic violence and disabilities, and how one community has responded to battered women who fight back.
Safeguarding the rights and welfare of our state’s senior citizens is among society’s most important responsibilities. Together, we can make the kind of progress none of us can make alone.
If you have questions about Triad, please call my office at (614) 466-5610 or toll –free at (800) 582-2877. You can also email to Triad@OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov.
For more information about our Two Days In May conference, please visit our website at www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov/TDIM.
As always, we encourage you to learn about how you can help all the victims of domestic violence by attending a Cut It Out training, which are held across the state. If you would like to schedule or attend training, please call (800) 582-2877 or visit www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov/CutItOut.
Richard Cordray is Ohio Attorney General. For updates about the office’s work, visit www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov/SignUp.
Looking for past Board News? Visit the archives page.
Ohio State Board of Cosmetology
1929 Gateway Circle
Grove City, Ohio 43123
Local: (614) 466-3834
Statewide: 1-866-642-6723
Fax: (614) 644-6880
E-mail: ohcosbd@cos.state.oh.us
http://cos.ohio.gov
Board Members:
Steve Thompson, Chairman, Independent Contractor
Daisy Rickman, Cosmetologist & Salon Owner
NeCole Cumberlander, School Owner
Kimberly Thomas, Salon Owner
Dr. Marilyn Huheey, Medical Doctor
Bernadine Neal, Cosmetology Instructor
Delores Gillis, Cosmetologist
Dr. Milroy Samuel, General Public
