WELCOME TO OHIOKAN

Region 2

Please learn about our region, our partners and services, and all of the resources we have available for you.

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We proudly serve kinship and adoption families throughout the state. Our OhioKAN Region 2 team specifically serves families in our area and is dedicated to making sure you get the resources you deserve.

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COUNTIES SERVED

Erie


Huron


Lorain


Lucas


Ottawa


Sandusky


Seneca


Wood


REGION 2 STAFF

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Jo Ellen Simonsen

DIRECTOR

Jo Ellen Simonsen

Director, Region 2

Jo comes to OhioKAN from the Ohio Domestic Violence Network, where she served for 17 years, most recently as the Family Systems Advocacy Director. In her work at ODVN, she nurtured cross-system and multidisciplinary partnerships, managed a federal demonstration project serving young victims of crime, developed and designed programs, supervised and trained staff, and more. Jo also privately consults as an expert witness on domestic violence in civil and criminal cases. She earned a BA from Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, and holds training certifications from the Ohio Child Welfare Training Program and the National Council for Behavioral Health, among others. Jo is an active board member at Wynford Education Foundation. She is also a Harvard University-trained dramatist and has volunteered and performed in community theater productions in Upper Sandusky and in Tiffin in Seneca County, Region 2!

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Nicole Diaz

COACH

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Nicole Diaz

Coach, Region 2

Nicole comes to OhioKAN after previously coordinating six different health programs throughout Cuyahoga County as a Healthy Cleveland Coordinator for the City of Cleveland. She has a BA in Nonprofit Administration from Cleveland State University and an MPA from Ohio University. Nicole is also a certified Spanish interpreter and Notary. In this role, she is excited to have the opportunity to help others and impact their lives in a positive way!

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Tiyana Lighty

NAVIGATOR

National Youth Advocate Program

Tiyana Lighty

Navigator, National Youth Advocate Program (Region 2)

Tiyana has experience working with communities in various roles, including tenures as a Family Advocate Mental Health Worker at Ohio Guidestone in Lorain, and a Case Manager/Therapeutic Behavior Specialist (TBS) for children and adolescents at the Nord Center. Tiyana is a licensed Pharmacy Tech Trainee and has a BS in Public Health with a concentration in Health Promotion and Education from Kent State University. She’s so excited to join OhioKAN as a Region 2 Navigator at the National Youth Advocate Program!

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Kimberly Neese

NAVIGATOR

National Youth Advocate Program

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Kimberly Neese

Navigator, National Youth Advocate Program (Region 2)

Kimberly has over 25 years of experience in social services, primarily within the developmental disabilities community. She previously worked for Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities in a variety of roles ranging from supporting individuals with work goals as a Habilitation Specialist to providing supports for community employment as an Employment Navigator. Kimberly has a BA from Wilberforce University and an MA in Counseling from Spring Arbor University. Kimberly is looking forward to providing kinship and adoptive navigation services to Region 2 in her work as a National Youth Advocate Program Navigator!

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Gimmick Wilder

NAVIGATOR

National Youth Advocate Program

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Gimmick Wilder

Navigator, National Youth Advocate Program (Region 2)

Gimmick has professional training in non-profit administration and Metalsmithing, with an Associates of Arts in American Sign Language (ASL) and a Bachelors in Social Work from Bowling Green State University (BGSU). They have interned at the Wellness Connection at BGSU, building community mental health and their wellbeing programming. Gimmick volunteers with Camp Lilac, a summer camp for transgender teens, as a social media chair as well as a counselor during the summers. His family does a ‘placement bag’ program for kids entering care 2 times a year including community drives for extra materials. Gimmick has unique experiences, being transgender (Non-binary), queer, neurodivergent, and disabled. Previously, he had seen some damage done to friends and family in state care and is excited to help other families navigate the system through OhioKAN!

REGIONAL SITE PARTNERS

National Youth Advocate Program

Serving all families

We are 100% committed to making sure every kinship and adoption family in Ohio who is looking for support will get it. No matter who you are or what your circumstances may be — contact us because we are here for you!