WELCOME TO OHIOKAN
Region 5
Please learn about our region, our partners and services, and all of the resources we have available for you.
REGION 5 STAFF
Sandy Honigford
DIRECTOR
Sandy Honigford
Director, Regions 4 & 5
Sandy joins Kinnect with 26 years of experience in child welfare. Most recently, she was Assistant Director of Delaware County Job and Family Services, and previously held the role of Co-Director of Van Wert County Job and Family Services. Sandy was appointed to the Central Ohio Children Trust Fund Board. She has served on the Westwood Mental Health and Life Links Charter School boards, where she had tenures as President and Vice President, and the NorthWest Ohio Community Action Board (NOCCA). Sandy has also served Van Wert County as the FCF Coordinator and the Vice President of its board. Sandy is a licensed social worker with a bachelor’s in Human Services Administration from Indiana Institute of Technology and a Master of Social Work from the Ohio State University. She is ecstatic to serve Kinnect!
Erin Thompson
COORDINATOR
Erin Thompson
Coordinator, Regions 4 & 5
Right before joining Kinnect, Erin worked at the University of Findlay as the Executive Assistant to the Vice President of University Advancement. There she did a bit of everything, including managing multiple calendars, meeting with donors, and planning over 15 university events each year, She has also operated her own business, Errands by Erin, and worked as an executive assistant in the music industry in Nashville, TN. While in Nashville, she volunteered as a wish granter for the Make-a-Wish Middle Tennessee. Erin holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication with an emphasis on print journalism and public relations from Wright State University. She is extremely excited to play a part in helping to change the lives of so many children!
Savanna Adkins
COACH
Savanna Adkins
Coach, Region 5
Jennifer Arnold
Navigator
Family Promise
Jennifer Arnold
Navigator, Family Promise (Region 5)
Jennifer comes to OhioKAN having previously worked for her site, Family Promise, as a housing case manager. She has extensive experience as a project coordinator and program facilitator, working with organizations such as the United Way of Central Ohio and Bridges Community Action Partnership. Jennifer served in the Peace Corps for three years, working with environmental organizations in N. Macedonia. She has a degree in History and Political Science from Heidelberg University, and a Master’s in Public Administration from Bowling Green State University.
Shirley Seward
Navigator
Family Promise
Shirley Seward
Navigator, Family Promise (Region 5)
Shirley Seward is very happy to be working as a Navigator with the great Region 5 team. She received her BA degree in sociology from Tufts University with her sights set on being a social worker. She worked for Lucent/AT&T as a technical writer and trainer, and enjoys motivating and helping people as a group fitness Instructor. Shirley feels her real-life family experiences combined with her strong listening and helping skills make her well equipped to assist Ohiokan’s families in need. She has volunteered for Lifecare Alliance, Voicecorps reading service, St. John AME church, and has been President of the high school PTO. Shirley looks forward to her job as Navigator, connecting kinship and adoptive families to available resources and services.
Pam Newhouse
Navigator
NYAP
Pam Newhouse
Navigator, NYAP (Region 5)
Pam has worked in various social realms throughout her career, most recently as a Site Director for Family Promise. She was also an instructor at Fairfield County Board of Elections, a Corrections Officer at the Ohio Reformatory for Women, and then went to Union County JFS to be their Social Services Navigator, Kinship PRC Specialist, and CCMEP Officer working with the underprivileged youth. Pam has an Associates in Human Services and a Bachelor’s in Psychology, a CDCA License, and is a Notary. She has volunteered on the Lancaster Festival Committee for planning their yearly Festival Day promoting ART in various forms. She has been a fan of OhioKAN since seeing one of the org’s first presentations, and is incredibly excited to join the team as helping families stay together and navigating life is her drive!
Stephen Sene
Navigator
NYAP
Stephen Sene
Navigator, NYAP (Region 5)
With a bachelor's degree in Youth Ministry from Liberty University, Stephen embarked on a journey to create change through a non-profit organization he founded in 2014. This organization focused on providing sports and educational programs to underprivileged communities, hosting sports camps across the southeast regions of the United States.
Stephen continued to dedicate his time and efforts locally, but he also ventured abroad in 2015, living in Medellin, Colombia, South America for three years. During this time, he launched his sports and educational programs there as he served various communities and offered valuable assistance to those in need, showcasing his commitment to global outreach.
Upon returning to the United States, Stephen worked for the Department of Children Services (DCS) in Tennessee before relocating to Ohio in 2019. For four years, he served as an Ongoing Caseworker in Marion County, where he embraced his role in supporting and advocating for children and families. Before joining OhioKAN, Stephen worked as a Foster Care Assessor with the Buckeye Ranch, utilizing his expertise to assess and evaluate the suitability of potential foster families, ensuring the safety and well-being of children in need of care.
Stephen is excited to use his background in youth ministry, community development, and social work to make a difference in the lives of OhioKAN families!
REGIONAL SITE PARTNERS
