Team FCCS Employee Reception: Celebrating our Call to Action Awardees and Nominees

A new tradition during the Team FCCS Employee Reception is celebrating our Calls to Action awardees, recognizing staff whose work over the past year best exemplify our agency's priorities... from Protecting the Whole Child and Strengthening All Families to Valuing our Team Culture and Engaging our Community Authentically.

Leading up to the 2026 Team FCCS Employee Reception, there were more nominations made by staff than last year, so there are even more winners, as selected by our agency's Executive Council. 

As you'll read below, every awardee and nomination is impressive.

WINNER: Stefanie Miller - Program Services/ West Region 

Nominated by Meghan Stokes: "Stefanie’s work on this complex triple‑companion case exemplifies FCCS’s Call to Action 1: Protecting the Whole Child. Faced with a minor mother, an adult sibling with young children, and an infant with extensive medical needs, Stefanie navigated concerns spanning substance use, mental health, delinquency, medical neglect, domestic violence, and significant cultural and language barriers. Through persistent engagement, she built trust with each member of the family and ensured that every child and adult was connected with a caring, supportive presence. Her efforts extended far beyond routine casework — from locating and communicating with a father in New York despite interstate barriers, to coordinating with multiple organizations across states to advocate for safe and appropriate permanency options. Stefanie’s commitment became even more critical when one of the parents in the case became terminally ill. Understanding the profound emotional impact on the 13‑year‑old sibling already struggling with severe depression and prior suicide attempts, she ensured that this youth remained informed, supported, and able to say her goodbyes. Stefanie collaborated closely with Nationwide Children’s Hospital Behavioral Health, working weekends and holidays to advocate for strong safety planning and comprehensive mental‑health support. Her actions reflect the core of our integrated child protection strategy: protecting the child’s body, mind, and heart. By showing unwavering compassion, persistence, and advocacy, Stefanie ensured that these children were not just served — they were supported by a caring adult committed to their safety, well‑being, and healing. This is the heart of FCCS’s mission, and Stefanie embodies it fully."

WINNER: Avery Winston - Ongoing Services/East Region

Nominated by Brittany Biegler: "I am pleased recommend Avery Winston for recognitions for his unwavering commitment to the Call to Action: Protecting the Whole child. He consistently demonstrates that effective child welfare practices extend beyond ensuring physical safety by recognizing and addressing each child's mental health, trauma and social-emotional well-being. For more than 2 years, Mr. Winston has worked diligently with a sibling group of 3 who have experienced significant abuse and neglect. Throughout this time, he has remained a steadfast advocate, ensuring that every decision is made in their best interest while remaining mindful of the lasting impact of their trauma. His ability to build trust, provide consistency and advocate for services that support their healing has made a meaningful difference in their lives. The children see him as a positive support in their lives, one of few adults they are able to trust since reentering the child welfare system. Mr. Winston is able to recognize appropriate interventions that are essential to a child's success. He goes above and beyond to ensure children receive services that truly meet their needs. Rather than simply making referrals, he proactively meets with providers in advance to determine whether they are the right fit and ensure services align with recommendations from psychological assessments, treatment reports/recommendations, etc. Perhaps most importantly, Mr. Winston never loses sight of the small acts that help children feel valued. He regularly takes children to lunch or picks up their favorite snack when interacting with them. When a teenager turned 18 and the case was closing, Mr. Winston asked his peers and this supervisor to write encouraging words to the teenager in a card so she can have something positive to reference when life becomes challenging. The simple, but powerful gesture ensured the teenager left agency care knowing they were celebrated, supported and believed in as they entered adulthood. Mr. Winston exemplifies what it means to protect the whole child. His trauma-informed practice, thoughtful advocacy and genuine compassion consistently demonstrates that every child deserves not only safety, but also hope, dignity and the opportunity to heal and survive. I firmly believe Mr. Winston is truly deserving of this recognition. "

NOMINEE: Amber Johnson - Intake/East

Nominated by Cory Cole: "Amber is an exceptional caseworker who consistently demonstrates compassion, professionalism, and dedication to the families she serves. She takes the time to put herself in each family's shoes, allowing her to better understand their unique circumstances and the needs of both the children and their caregivers. Amber is always willing to go above and beyond to ensure the safety and well-being of the children in her care while recognizing that every family has individual needs that deserve thoughtful attention. She understands that the mission of FCCS extends beyond meeting basic needs—we strive to help children thrive mentally, emotionally, and physically so they have the best possible opportunity for a successful future. Amber embodies this mission through her commitment, empathy, and unwavering advocacy for the children and families she serves."

NOMINEE: Kristine Krehbiel - Visitation

Nominated by Mary Leach: "Kristine has been updating the crisis center room by adding new toys and placing new wall decals in the teen area, crisis center, and bathrooms. She consistently advocates for obtaining new items for children and teens, such as a PlayStation and portable DVD players. She also ensures all essential supplies - blankets, food, soap, laundry detergent, and other necessities—are ordered in a timely manner to keep youth comfortable while in crisis and under our care. Additionally, she is advocating for the creation of a designated quiet room to support children with autism who may need a calmer space. She wants this area to be a welcoming environment where any child or teen coming from a traumatic event can feel comfortable, safe, and able to relax."

NOMINEE: Chloe Felix - Ongoing/West Region

Nominated by Lucia Gasca: "Chloe has had a difficult case in which the youth's mental status causes conflict within the family dynamic due to her stress responses, while also being affected by the members of the family as well. Chloe has stayed vigilant on maintaining contact with GAL, Youth therapist, Family Therapist, PGM (Caregiver), and Father to try to have everyone supporting the Youth gain a better understanding of their mental health. Certain interactions with the family cause stress with the youth due to their advocacy for said youth and maintaining their family bond. In this, Chloe has been very set on setting boundaries for the family to follow so the youth is able to move within her own speed and time frame to move into Father's care, simultaneously keeping her peace and mental stability for further reunification purposes."

NOMINEE: Martia Reed - East Region 

Nominated by TaNeesha Williamson: "Ms. Reed consistently embodies all six Calls to Action, but her commitment to Call to Action 1: Protecting the Whole Child stands out in everything she does. With ten years of experience as an ongoing child welfare caseworker, Ms. Reed approaches her work with deep compassion, professionalism, and an unwavering focus on each child’s safety and overall well-being. She intentionally looks beyond surface-level needs, paying close attention to every child’s mental health, trauma history, and social-emotional challenges. Ms. Reed builds genuine rapport and trust, taking the time to understand each child as an individual. She allows them to share difficult experiences at their own pace and ensures they always feel safe and supported. Her ability to accurately assess needs comes from truly knowing the children she serves, rather than treating them as cases. One example of her dedication involves a youth currently placed in an out-of-state residential facility. After noticing his hair was not being groomed properly, which was affecting his self-esteem, Ms. Reed addressed this directly with the facility. When she discovered the issue had still not been resolved on her next visit, she took it upon herself to braid his hair. She was able to observe an increase in confidence and comfort spoke volumes about how meaningful her gesture was. This moment captures Ms. Reed’s readiness to go beyond the expected to protect and uplift the whole child. Another example comes from a transfer case she received last year involving a teen with long-standing behavioral struggles and multiple placement disruptions. Despite these challenges, Ms. Reed invested time and care in building trust with him. Through her experience and thoughtful assessment, she identified that his trauma and mental health needs were not being properly addressed. She advocated for him to receive the right treatment, and as a result, he made significant progress, both behaviorally and emotionally. Within months, he was able to reunify with his mother, and he continued to thrive until the case successfully closed. These examples represent only a fraction of Ms. Reed’s dedication. Her work consistently reflects a deep commitment to protecting children fully emotionally, mentally, and physically, while strengthening the families connected to them. Her impact is profound, and I wholeheartedly believe she deserves recognition for her exceptional service and unwavering dedication."

WINNER: Emily Brown - Ongoing Services/East RegionLieschen Compston - Kinship

Nominated by Brittany Hughey: "Over the past year, Emily has consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication to Call to Action 2: Strengthening All Families. Her work reflects a commitment to keeping children safe, supporting parents through crisis, and ensuring every youth is connected with the most appropriate and family like environment possible. One notable example is her work on a complex domestic violence case that drew media attention. Emily collaborated closely with the Intake Department to gather accurate information, assess safety concerns, and respond quickly to the family’s needs. She supported the mother through the crisis by linking her to essential community services, helping stabilize the home, and ensuring the children could remain safe while maintaining important family connections. Her calm, organized, and trauma informed approach helped prevent unnecessary system involvement and upheld the core principles of strengthening families during crisis. Emily also demonstrated outstanding advocacy and coordination for a youth placed in a residential facility. She worked directly with the Placement Department to ensure the child was matched with a program that met their specialized needs, even when the appropriate placement involved a challenging location. Her commitment to prioritizing the youth’s therapeutic and developmental well being over convenience reflects her belief that every child deserves stability, individualized care, and a supportive environment that promotes healing. Beyond direct casework, Emily serves as a valued resource across the agency. Other supervisors and assistant directors regularly seek her guidance, invite her to mentor staff, and request her presence for shadowing opportunities. Her willingness to support colleagues enhances the quality of practice agency wide and strengthens consistency in service delivery for families. Emily is highly organized, dependable, and always ready to assist  whether that means helping a caseworker navigate a tough decision or connecting a family with the right services. Emily follows policy meticulously, yet she continually goes above and beyond what is asked of her. Her actions throughout the year exemplify the mission of Call to Action 2 through her efforts to preserve family stability, support community based solutions, and ensure children and youth remain connected to safe, nurturing environments. Emily serves as a mentor on the Development Team for the Ongoing Department, and her leadership has become an essential asset to the agency. Her professionalism, consistency, and depth of knowledge make her an ideal role model for newly hired caseworkers as they begin their careers."

WINNER: Lieschen Compston - Kinship Care

Nominated by Brittany Biegler: "I am please to recommend Lieschen Compston for recognition for exemplifying the Call to Action: Strengthening All Families. Throughout every stage of the case involvement, she has consistently demonstrated a commitment to supporting not only the child, but also the kinship caregiver who play a vital role in helping this youth achieve safety, stability and success. One example of her commitment is her work with a 17-year-old youth and her kinship caregiver. Ms. Compston became a reliable source of support for everyone involved. She routine transports the youth to medical appointments in order to ensure her healthcare needs are being met while alleviating barriers and stress for the kinship caregiver. Beyond transportation, she remained actively engaged in advocating for educational opportunities that better met the youth's individual needs, collaborating with ESSA and Ongoing Service Team to identify the most appropriate setting for the youth's continued growth and success. What truly distinguishes Ms. Compston is her ability to strengthen relationships with every individual connected to the case. She provides encouragement, guidance, and practical support to the kinship caregiver while empowering the youth to have a voice in decisions affecting her future. Whether coordinating services, addressing challenges or simply being available to listen, she consistently demonstrates compassion, respect and a genuine investment in the family's well-being. Rather than viewing support as a checklist, Ms. Compston recognizes that strengthening families requires trust, partnership, and advocacy. By walking alongside both the caregiver and youth during difficult circumstances, she has helped create a strong support system that promotes stability, resilience and positive outcomes."

NOMINEE: Stefanie Miller - West Region / Family Services Division

Nominated by Meghan Stokes: "Stefanie consistently exemplifies Strengthening All Families through her proactive, family-centered approach to case management. Even as her caseload has increased, her commitment to each family has not wavered she ensures every case member receives timely, quality attention. She consistently refers clients for needed services, taking the time to explain to families why each referral is being made so they understand and can engage in the process. Stefanie goes well beyond the minimum requirements of her role. She has been responsive and communicative during weekends and holidays when calls have been received from Screening. She maintains exemplary attendance at court hearings to advocate for her families. Her ability to build genuine rapport with the families on her caseload shows in the trust her families place in her and the consistency of services in place for their cases. She is a model of dedication, advocacy, and reliability within our unit."

WINNER: Organizational Health Team - Malik Moore, Nicci Faw, Joy Xaybandith, Asia Davis

Nominated by Jeanne Middleton: "I am thrilled to share my experiences and nominate Team Asia Davis - Malik, Nikki, and Joy (under the leadership of Asia Davis) - for the Call to Action #3 in Valuing Our Team FCCS Culture. This team has been an incredible source of support, consistency, and care throughout the past year, and their positive influence can be felt across FCCS. What makes Team Asia Davis truly stand out is the way they show up for staff every single day. They embody what it means to value our team culture by creating an environment where people feel heard, respected, and supported. Whether they are helping someone navigate a difficult situation or offering encouragement during a challenging workday, their presence strengthens the foundation of our agency. Their partnership with my Information Technology team has been especially impactful. Team Aisa Davis brings thoughtfulness, patience, and professionalism to every interaction. They take time to understand the needs, communicate clearly, and work collaboratively to help staff while collaborating with IT so we can properly support the service delivery for major events with professionalism, teamwork and trust. Across all their work, Malik, Nikki, and Joy elevate FCCS by modeling our values - creating safer spaces, encouraging open dialogue, and supporting staff through changes big and small. They help ensure that our workforce feels culturally supported, organizationally valued, and fully connected to the mission we serve. Team Asia Davis doesn’t just contribute to our culture - they strengthen it. Their kindness, consistency, and commitment to fostering a positive work environment truly reflect the spirit of Valuing Our Team FCCS Culture. Their impact reaches far beyond their roles and makes FCCS a better place for all of us."

WINNER: Acacia Poindexter - Human Resources

Nominated by Sinthea Mondesir: "Acacia best exemplifies Call To Action 3 by improved infrastructure through the very meaningful work she has be responsible for as it relates to the agency's HRIS (Human Resources Information System) UKG/Kronos. Acacia has been instrumental in transforming the way FCCS Payroll and HR departments utilizes the software and has provided agency-wide solutions in how we facilitate new hires, self-serve for employees, while continuing to build the infrastructure around the system. She has worked in building a more collaborative relationship between Payroll and Human Resources by holding quarterly stabilization meetings to provide new features within the system and to support questions that the teams may have.  She also held  training sessions for both groups and has worked through new features and modules we have incorporated. This is transforming the way we will be able to operate HR and Payroll functions in the future, which will elevate many paper processes and lead to much more streamlined processes, reducing errors and inconsistencies. She has been able to accomplish all of this with her being the sole implementor.   This is a huge accomplishment."

NOMINEE: Destiny Sunday - Intake

Nominated by Ona Brewer: "Since joining the same team as Destiny, she has consistently taken the time to answer MANY of my questions, provide emotional support during challenging situations and encourage me ever step of the way. Her candid, compassionate and selfless personality inspires me to be a better caseworker. I am constantly learning from her, and I truly appreciate the positive impact she has had on both my growth and confidence as a caseworker."

NOMINEE: Nicci Faw - Organization Health Department

Nominated by Jamayca Curry: "Nicci exceeds the expectation when it comes to providing aligned strategies to keep Team FCCS safer together, organizationally supported, continually valued, better heard and culturally competent. She has lead the Obsidian Meetings monthly and does AMAZING. She truly cares about the worker as a whole at FCCS and goes out of her way to make sure everyone is seen and heard. This type of devotion helps with retention at the agency. When people feel valued, they are more willing to stay and give their best to the families we serve."

NOMINEE: David Wagner - Finance and Administration

Nominated by Dorcas Koomson: "David exemplifies the commitment and professionalism that strengthen our agency. His dedication and skill uplift everyone around him. He embodies the strength of a workforce built with intention—someone who not only masters complex projects, but uses that knowledge to make our organization safer, more connected, and better equipped to serve families. His work reflects the investments we make in a skilled, well‑supported workforce—someone who is attentive, culturally competent, deeply valued, and fully aligned with our mission to serve families with excellence."

NOMINEE: Dorcas Koomson - IT

Nominated by Simon Sable: "Dorcas does a tremendous job in bringing IT closer together with trivia, social events, and a ceaselessly positive attitude. No matter who is hosting our standup meeting each morning, Dorcas is the one sending us off with: "Let's make it happen!"

NOMINEE: All Staff in Facilities - Facilities Department

Nominated by Rowleen Tedford: "The Facilities Department has played a crucial role in assisting agency staff and their families throughout the year. Through initiatives such as the renovation of the lobby at 4071, implementation of a new security system, fencing, and offering safety training, keeping staff and families against potential harm. With a team of nine, they are present Monday through Friday, regardless of weather conditions, to ensure the agency facilities remain functional. They provide services including mail delivery, landscaping, painting, plumbing, and upkeep of agency vehicles. They have created new office spaces for the Human Services department. In support of the Communications Department, they help with community setups and takedowns on the weekends for our Speaker Engagement Team. For the OHD Team, they handle the setups and takedowns as well. We have had an increase of activity with recruitment, OHD, Volunteer and Communications engagements and they have supported our staff and families. I believe that the Facilities Department has earned this award because they truly show that they value the FCCS culture."

WINNER: Cody Addison - Evaluations

Nominated by Brad Gregg: "Cody Addison consistently demonstrates exceptional skill, innovation, and leadership in managing and analyzing complex data that directly supports FCCS, county partners, and state-level policy decisions. In particular, his data expertise has transformed how our agency—and Ohio as a whole—understands and responds to the financial impacts of the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA). Over the past two years, Cody has developed detailed analyses identifying lost revenue tied to QRTP compliance, pinpointing missed steps and quantifying the statewide financial impact. His reports became the foundation for collaboration between PCSAO, DCY, and county agencies, ultimately prompting the formation of a statewide focus group to improve QRTP practices. After these improvements were implemented, Cody reran the analyses and demonstrated measurable statewide progress. His work was later highlighted nationally by Casey Family Programs, where fiscal leaders praised the depth, clarity, and replicability of the data he produced. Cody also created multi‑year fiscal reports detailing the dramatic increase in placement per diem costs since FFPSA took effect. By documenting an 81% increase in congregate care rates and a 46% increase in foster home rates, he provided critical insight that has shaped FCCS’s annual budget, year‑end projections, fiscal planning, and levy strategy. His data directly supported the agency’s successful request for a .6 mil levy increase—the first in more than two decades—and continues to guide both county and statewide fiscal discussions. Most notably, Cody’s analyses were used during Governor DeWine’s SFY 2026-2027 state budget hearings and played a pivotal role in the creation of the “Rate Card” system to stabilize placement costs. Codified in ORC 5180.42(G)(2), this new model is expected to reduce statewide placement expenses by approximately $20 million annually while increasing federal reimbursement by an additional $20 million—an estimated $40 million improvement in available revenue. This legislative change would not have been possible without the detailed, reliable, and forward‑thinking data Cody produced. Through his expertise, initiative, and commitment to accuracy, Cody has significantly advanced both fiscal responsibility and innovation within our agency and across Ohio’s child welfare system. His work has generated statewide improvements, informed national conversations, and shaped legislative outcomes—impact few data analysts ever achieve. Cody is highly deserving of recognition for his outstanding contributions. Special recognition should also be given to those who supported Cody in his work through their guidance and years of expertise, namely Dan Shook and Jeff Clendenin."

NOMINEE: Leah Zuck - Procurement & Contracts

Nominated by Jeanne Middleton: "I am honored to nominate Leah Zuck, for the call to action #4 Managing Financial Resources Responsibly award. Leah has made a tremendous positive impact on my Information Technology department and my team, and I want to personally recognize the work she does that often goes unseen but benefits so many of us. Over the past several years, Leah has brought an exceptional level of care, thoughtfulness, and professionalism to every contract she negotiates. She doesn’t just look at numbers—she truly listens to the business and IT needs, takes the time to understand the technical realities behind the requests, and ensures that the agreements we enter into support FCCS in all aspects of IT deployment requirements, IT Ohio Revised Code (ORC) / ODJFS security, FCCS financial and operational regulations. Her work directly strengthens the stability, reliability, and sustainability of our IT environment. One of the things I appreciate most is how Leah collaborates with IT senior directorship. She asks thoughtful questions, listens carefully to our needs, and works with us to craft agreements that support both immediate priorities and broader strategic goals. Her ability to balance cost, quality, security, and operational impact has been invaluable. Her work makes it easier for my team to deliver stable, secure, mission‑aligned technology to the rest of the agency. Much of Leah’s impact happens quietly behind the scenes, but the results show up every single day—through the vendors we rely on, the systems we maintain, and the responsible stewardship of our financial resources. Her work protects public funds while ensuring FCCS continues to invest in strong, sustainable, compliant technology services. I deeply appreciate the partnership, professionalism, and positive influence Leah brings to our work. She truly embodies Managing Financial Resources Responsibly, and her contributions make a meaningful difference for IT, FCCS staff, and the families we serve."

WINNER: Rowleen Tedford - Communications & Community Engagement

Nominated by Scott Varner: "Out at public events, here in the office, and on the phone, Rowleen is always energetically and enthusiastically engaging with the community around her. At community events throughout the summer where FCCS had a booth or table, Rowleen rarely sat. You were more likely to find her up and in front of the table, encouraging passers-by to stop and learn more about our agency. She stood out in the rain at FamJam and the Columbus City Schools Resource Fair, stopping thousands of parents to tell them about the free backpacks or reflectors they could get by stopping at our booth and asking them if they needed any help. At other events, she would intentionally wave down teenage girls who walked by to encourage them to take information about Healthy Relationships and the Green Flags campaign. She also took time to talk with other agencies or vendors at events to share information about our agency, show them the Community Resource Guide, and ask if there was a service or support that could be offered by them to the families and children we serve. And she did it all in a colorful, FCCS-branded shirt… making sure everyone she met knew she proudly represented FCCS. Internally, Rowleen has been active with the Supportive Work Environment committee. She offered ideas at every meeting and volunteered her time and talents at nearly every SWE activity at 855. She hosted wellness sessions on meditation and the free Calm app, drawing in dozens of staff. And she helped her colleagues earn $50 through the ThriveOn Wellness Your Way program when they participated in various wellness workshops. On the phone - when assigned to answer the public calls that come into the Executive Suite - she answered with calm concern and helped callers get the information they need… even when the questions or concerns they had were difficult to answer. Professional in tone yet compassionate in service. She followed up with callers who needed to connect with Screening and provided information to families just seeking some guidance. If there was one instance that best captured Rowleen’s commitment to this Call to Action… a kinship family had come into the lobby at 855 for a routine visit. The two younger boys who were with their caregiver were visibly low-spirited - perhaps because of the weather or maybe their situation. By chance, Rowleen - who had just moments before begun cleaning and packing the costume for our FCCS mascot from its last use- happen to spot these two boys and learned from the Front Desk crew about their gloominess. So Rowleen retrieved the costume.. put it on.. and surprise those boys with their own special visit from Ted E Bear. Both boys lit up… not just from seeing this giant bear but because the bear engaged with them, danced, and showed a true sense of care in meeting these two youngsters. That’s the kind of energetic, enthusiastic, and authentic engagement celebrated by this Call to Action."

WINNER: Shannon Sankey - Professional Development

Nominated by Natasha Lawhorn: "Shannon exemplifies the welcoming spirit of 855 and consistently goes above and beyond in her role. As the first point of contact for employees, community partners, and clients, she greets everyone with genuine warmth and professionalism. Her thoughtful gestures—such as providing small toys for children visiting the office—create meaningful moments and demonstrate her care for those we serve. When clients arrive with concerns, even at the wrong location, Shannon ensures they receive support by connecting them with the appropriate staff rather than turning them away. Her commitment to helping others reflects the values of our agency and strengthens trust within the community. Shannon’s positivity also greatly enhances the daily experience of staff. Her sincere, uplifting presence fosters a welcoming environment and contributes to a healthier, more encouraging workplace culture. No matter what she may be facing personally, she consistently shows up with kindness and a smile that brightens the entire office. Shannon is a true asset to this agency, and her dedication, compassion, and professionalism make her highly deserving of this award."

WINNER: Columbus Police Data Transfer Project Team - Curtis Howard, David Wagner, Leah Zuck, Julie Murrell, Cody Addison, Brad Gregg, Julie Dickson, Eric Kershner, Jeanne Middleton

Nominated by Dan Shook: "Per Dan Shook, I am submitting the IT Project team. Columbus Police Department Dashboard: Innovation award. The Information Technology Department has worked with the Columbus Police Department since 2019 before the Columbus Police portal access event in 2024 that shut down access to the information of Police Runs that were essential to our Case Workers. In September 2024, the Agency’s IT leadership, along with Legal and Evaluation representatives met with the Columbus Police Technical team to discuss options for accessing this information. Members of the team included: Jeanne Middleton, Julie Dickson, Eric Kershner, William Gregg, Cody Addison, Leah Zuck, and Julie Murrell. In January 2025, Columbus Police informed the Agency that they would be unable to move forward with restoring access to the report site and suggested that we pursue the alternative method discussed at the September 2024 meeting. This alternative method of having the raw data securely sent to FCCS was then further researched and implemented. It involved several additional IT Technical and Project Management team members.  This included Benjamin Howard and David Wagner. IT senior leadership partnered with ODJFS to complete the appropriate TSSP and Firewall requests to ensure security and compliance.  Automation of the data being received and processed was enabled by Benjamin Howard. Several internal meetings were held to review the process and get feedback from users of the dashboard. Eric Kershner designed and created the customized application, CPD Dashboard, and it went live August 2025, with several enhancements made based on user feedback. This custom application implemented a new tool that enables fast searches for police run activity at specific client addresses. Automated notifications to case workers when police runs occur at addresses tied to their clients, improving awareness and response times.

NOMINEE: Michele Bullock - West Region

Nominated by Susan Ernst: "I am honored to recognize Associate Director Michele Bullock for her outstanding leadership and unwavering commitment over the past year to the OhioSTART program. Michele consistently leads by example, demonstrating integrity, professionalism, and a genuine passion for helping clients as well as her staff. Her ability to inspire and encourage those around her has created a positive and collaborative work environment in which others feel valued and motivated to do their best. Throughout the year, Michele has shown exceptional judgment, remained calm under pressure, and approached challenges with confidence and determination. She is always willing to listen, provide guidance, and recognize the contributions of others. Her leadership and support contributes significantly in the drive to do better, and to ensure successes for the OhioStart program and the agency as a whole. It is a privilege to work with and nominate such an inspiring leader. Michele's compassion and dedication to excellence make her highly deserving of a Call to Action Award."

NOMINEE: Susan Ernst - Program Services/ West Region 

Nominated by Michele Bullock: "I am honored to nominate Susan Ernst for recognition due to her exceptional leadership, innovation, and commitment in redeveloping and implementing the Ohio START Program in Franklin County.  Her work has been instrumental in strengthening our county’s ability to support families navigating the intersecting challenges of substance use and child welfare involvement, while advancing the broader transformation of the child welfare system. From the earliest stages of planning, Susan helped shape a program vision that not only aligned with Ohio START’s statewide objectives but also reflected the unique needs of Franklin County families. As implementation moved forward, Susan continuously modeled excellence. She helped build effective processes, streamline workflows, interviewed caseworkers and peer mentors and ensured she and her staff had the comprehensive training and ongoing support needed.  Her leadership created an operational foundation that will benefit families and frontline staff for years to come. Susan’s contributions embody FCCS’s CALL TO ACTION 6: Leading in Innovation. As part of one of Ohio’s largest public child service agencies and a national voice in child safety, Team FCCS is committed to championing the transformation of the child welfare system and always pushing our systems to “do better.” Susan exemplifies this mission with her willingness to take on this challenge in addition to traditional child welfare cases. Her willingness to move beyond traditional approaches have propelled Franklin County’s Ohio START Program forward.  The program models collaborative care, strengthened family engagement, and meaningful support for recovery. In true appreciation for her willingness to go along with all of my “crazy ideas and expansions”, I nominate Susan Ernst for this award. Her leadership, innovation, and unwavering commitment to improving outcomes for children and families make her truly deserve this recognition."

NOMINEE: Paula Davis - Policy and Performance Support

Nominated by Tina Rutherford, Lynetta Patterson, Joe Humenay, Travis Morarity: "Over the past year, Paula Davis has exemplified the spirit and purpose of the FCCS Calls to Action, demonstrating leadership, innovation, collaboration, and an unwavering dedication to protecting children and strengthening families. Her contributions span multiple strategic areas of the agency and reflect the qualities this recognition is meant to honor. As an engaged member of the Senior Operations Cabinet and a Goal Owner for the Strategic Plan, Paula helps drive agency-wide improvements with insight, steadiness, and intentionality. Her commitment to child fatality prevention stands out as one of her most impactful contributions: she leads and participates in deep case reviews, actively applying learning to strengthen safety practices and inform systemic improvements. Paula has also represented FCCS on NPCS initiatives, including convenings, applied practice groups, the data workgroup, and the Safely to Their 1st Birthday effort. Her work with the Safe Systems Improvement Tool (SSIT) has been transformative. Since late 2021, Paula has championed this process, creating a safe, trusted space for service teams to share what they see and experience, helping the agency identify meaningful opportunities for change. Under her leadership, SSIT has matured into a vital learning mechanism that is already showing positive impact. In addition, Paula is an exceptional and deeply supportive supervisor, consistently fostering a stable, professional, and caring environment for her team. She played a key role in facilitating the PFSN transition of cases and staff, ensuring continuity, clarity, and compassion during change. Her leadership extended significantly into the agency’s CFSR work, helping shape practice and elevate quality through her thoughtful guidance. Her role in advancing agency policy work—including CCubed, Cabinet policy decisions, and IDCR policies—demonstrates her breadth of expertise and her ability to approach complex issues with clarity, balance, and practical problem solving. Beyond her technical and leadership strengths, Paula’s character sets her apart. She is always willing to step in and help. She is patient, steadfast, calm, and thoughtful—qualities that inspire confidence and demonstrate professionalism in every interaction. Paula consistently embodies the FCCS Calls to Action, especially Leading in Innovation, Protecting the Whole Child, Strengthening All Families, and Valuing Our Team FCCS. For these reasons, we are proud to nominate her for the 2026 Call to Action Award."

NOMINEE: Pat Erckert - Data management

Nominated by Amberly Hearn: "She goes above and beyond in everything she does. She leads in everything she does and is the prime example of someone deserving of this! So happy I have her to learn from. "

NOMINEE: Greg Miller and Curtis Howard - IT

Nominated by Jeanne Middleton: "Greg Miller and Curtis Howard have shown not only me, but my entire leadership team, what it truly looks like to lead in innovation at FCCS. I’ve watched both of them bring deep technical expertise, steady reliability, back-up each other thus avoiding a risk to the agency. They both have shown they operate with a mission-focused mindset to their work every day. And when they come together, they operate as a dynamic duo whose combined strengths consistently elevate our agency’s technology and forward‑looking vision. Over this past year, Greg and Curtis have played a major role in strengthening our systems through proactive server maintenance and thorough security patch management. Their work keeps us stable, secure, and protected—things that matter immensely when we’re safeguarding sensitive information and supporting our staff in their work with children and families. Much of what they do is invisible to most people, but I see just how foundational their efforts are. One thing that stands out to me is how thoughtfully and collaboratively they engage with Senior IT leadership. They bring strategic insight to the table, communicate clearly, and help us explore solutions that fit both our immediate needs and our long-term goals. They have an incredible ability to break down complex technical challenges and translate them into practical, mission‑aligned steps that help us make better decisions. Yet, despite the impact of their work, Greg and Curtis often operate quietly in the background with limited public acknowledgment. They don’t look for credit—they focus on solutions, stability, and making sure our systems support the people who rely on them every day. Their humility combined with their innovative thinking and reliable execution is exactly what Leading in Innovation is all about. Greg Miller and Curtis Howard are the steady, thoughtful problem-solvers who turn challenges into opportunities and keep FCCS moving forward. Their contributions truly make a difference for our staff, our children, and our families."

NOMINEE: David Wagner - IT

Nominated by Carlos Craig: "David Wagner consistently emerges as a leader in innovation at our agency. He doesn't just delegate IT needs; he proactively seeks them out when required to support challenging operations (deafferent depart) or manage critical projects, often jumping first with the initiative needed. His ability to identify areas where technology can overcome obstacles and enable progress is truly innovative. What makes David's approach stand out is his seamless execution of this IT-driven leadership role. He doesn't merely request technical help; he actively applies his understanding (or perhaps helps others understand) how IT systems like FCCS.us are crucial to the mission, acting as if managing their implementation were personally vital (as if his child need it). This proactive involvement ensures that technological hurdles become catalysts for solutions rather than barriers. Furthermore, David Wagner is more than just a technical driver. He leads by example and provides strong guidance towards effective support structures during major initiatives or when significant workloads arise (like managing the transition to JFS.ohio.gov). His actions go beyond simple workload management; they foster an environment where innovation is not only championed but also made accessible across teams. He's always approachable, willing to help colleagues navigate complex situations and direct them towards necessary technical resources (anything that is ask from the agency he always want to help guide other). This dedication ensures that innovative potential isn't limited by departmental boundaries or individual challenges. Therefore, David Wagner is strongly deserving of this award for Leading in Innovation due to his consistent initiative, effective execution with IT resources, and supportive leadership style within our agency."