WELCOME TO OHIOKAN
Region 7
Please learn about our region, our partners and services, and all of the resources we have available for you.
REGION 7 STAFF
Lena Garner
COORDINATOR
Lena Garner
Coordinator, Region 7
Lena joins OhioKAN with seventeen years of administrative experience. Most recently, she was employed by The Buckeye Ranch, where she worked as the Foster Care Billing Specialist for nearly nine years; she also served as a Foster Care Team Lead, supervising two administrative positions. During her tenure at The Buckeye Ranch, Lena was responsible for working collaboratively with case managers, supervisors, and county agencies to provide accurate monthly billing for youth in Foster Care, invoicing foster parent trainings, reconciling payments, and completing dashboard tracking. Lena also oversaw her department’s relationship with a donor organization, assisted in event coordination, and participated in budget planning. In addition to her duties, Lena was a member of The Buckeye Ranch’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council, serving for more than five years; she also helped facilitate the organization’s involvement in several Pride Parades as a Pride Parade Ambassador. Lena also attended The Buckeye Ranch’s Leadership Academy and served as a member of the social media team, creating content for several platforms on behalf of the Foster Care team as well as the entire organization. Lena is excited to be a part of OhioKAN as Region 7’s Coordinator!
Karla Hall
COACH
Karla Hall
Coach, Region 7
Karla began her career with Muskingum County Adult and Child Protective Services as an Assessment Caseworker where she conducted investigations for suspected abuse, neglect, and dependency concerns. She also spent time working with kinship families and children with delinquency concerns. Karla is a graduate of Muskingum University, New Concord, with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. Karla worked with OhioKAN as a Region 7 Navigator for 2 years and is looking forward to continued growth in her professional experiences within the nonprofit sector.
Emily Phillips
Emily Phillips
Coach, Region 7
Emily is coming to OhioKAN with over seven years of experience supporting children and their families. Emily is a graduate of Ohio University where she studied child development and received her bachelor’s degree in Child and Family Studies. Emily holds certification through The Child Life Council as a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS). Most recently, Emily was employed by Nationwide Children’s Hospital where she spent two years working as a Child Life Specialist in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Perinatal Palliative Care Team. In this role, Emily helped infants and their families cope with the stress and uncertainty of illness, injury, trauma, and bereavement. Emily also worked at The Buckeye Ranch as a Child Protection Specialist and Kinship Support Specialist. In these roles, Emily worked to promote child safety, strengthen family bonds, and support permanency for youth. Emily’s passion for child development is the basis of her daily work. She strives to achieve the best outcomes for children and their families. Emily is excited to be part of OhioKAN as Region 7’s Coach!
Zachary Mitchell
NAVIGATOR
The Recovery Center
Zachary Mitchell
Navigator, UMCH Family Services (Region 7)
Zachary is coming from a community case management position at Pathways Caring for Children. Before that he worked as a Contact Tracer during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Zachary graduated from Muskingum University with a Bachelor's degree in Public Health, Health Administration, and Health and Fitness. He is currently in pursuit of his Master of Education from Kent State in Community Health Education and Promotion. Zachary looks forward to his new role at OhioKAN!
Daniel Bush
NAVIGATOR
The Recovery Center
Daniel Bush
Navigator, The Recovery Center (Region 7)
Daniel has seven years of experience in social services, including corrections, mental health, substance abuse and child welfare. He began his career at Alvis House, a drug recovery non-profit in Columbus, then transitioned to Franklin County Children Services as a Caseworker before joining OhioKAN. Daniel is a graduate of Central State University with a B.S. in Psychology and is a member of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity. He plans to obtain his master’s degree in Social Work and certify as a licensed social worker. He is passionate about the families he serves through OhioKAN and is excited to serve as the Navigator for Region 7!
Erica Wilson
NAVIGATOR
ETSS
Erica Wilson
Navigator, ETSS (Region 7)
Erica received her Bachelors of Arts and Science in Sociology from Boston University. Following graduation she completed an AmeriCorps Service Year in Austin, TX where she worked as a Shelter Advocate/Case Manager for victims of domestic violence. Erica has years of experience working with children and with foster parents as a foster parent recruiter, and adult survivors of abuse as a shelter advocate and supportive housing advocate. Erica obtained her Masters of Social Work at the Columbia School of Social Work. During graduate school, Erica interned as a counselor for high school students where she provided social and emotional therapy and taught seminars on healthy mind and body living.
Whitney Beck
NAVIGATOR
ETSS
Whitney Beck
Navigator, ETSS (Region 7)
Whitney worked for seven years at the Buckeye Ranch in Columbus, OH. There she had many titles, including Child Protection Specialist, Kinship Support Specialist, and Family Facilitator Coordinator. She has experience volunteering with the Little Hercules Foundation, which works to improve the lives of those diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and their families. Whitney has a Bachelor’s in Education and Human Ecology from The Ohio State University, and she is working towards a Master of Social Work also from Ohio State. She has lived experience with adoption as her parents adopted her cousin after his parents passed unexpectedly. Whitney loves working with families and is excited to continue working with them at OhioKAN!
Jordan Bell
NAVIGATOR
ETSS
Jordan Bell
Navigator, ETSS (Region 7)
Jordan has over five years of experience working with families and children. Most recently she was employed as a Health Educator at the Licking County Health Department in Newark, OH. In this role, she coordinated multiple programs including the Child Injury Prevention and Ohio Buckles Buckeyes programs. There, she taught concussion education to 3rd graders in Licking County schools, distributed car seats and helmets to Licking County families/children, properly installed and educated families on car seat safety, collaborated with community partners to provide referrals to families, and distributed materials to help educate and reduce child injury occurrences. SHe has Bachelor of Science in Public Health with a minor in Health Services Administration from Kent State University, and is a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST). Her partner was taken in and adopted by his biological grandparents and she heard many stories about how scarce resources were during the time they needed them. Jordan is excited to help families in region 7 obtain these resources and give them peace of mind through OhioKAN!
Erick Bellomy
NAVIGATOR
National Youth Advocate Program
Eric Bellomy
Navigator, NYAP (Region 7)
Having graduated with an Associates of Art in Social Work from Columbus State, Erick is currently pursuing his bachelor’s degree in social work at the University of Cincinnati, with aspirations to obtain a master's degree in the field which reflects his dedication to understanding and addressing the complex issues surrounding mental health and social welfare.
Erick is a graduate of the United Way's Leadership Academy, further enhancing his leadership skills and ability to effect change in his community. After the murder of his father in 2017, he became the Ohio Chapter President for Brady United Against Gun Violence and is a founding member of the Gun Violence Survivor Network where he tirelessly advocates for policies and programs aimed at preventing firearm deaths and supporting survivors, which include safe storage laws, changes to the victims' compensation policies, and providing resources to families affected by such tragedies. Prior to his involvement with Brady, he was appointed City Commissioner by the Mayor of Columbus for the Far South Side. Throughout his tenure, he actively participated in the Columbus Public Health Safe Kids Coalition, Mayor Andrew Ginther’s Gun Violence Prevention Coalition, and served as a member of the Ohio Gun Violence Coalition, which encompasses both local and national organizations including Brady. Erick's impactful contributions have garnered widespread recognition. In 2020, he was honored as the Change Maker of The Year in Ohio, acknowledging his outstanding efforts in advocating for mental health awareness and social justice. He was invited to the White House by President Biden to celebrate the signing of the Safer Communities Act, highlighting his commitment to making a difference on a national level.
Erick's journey towards social work is deeply rooted in his personal experiences and commitment to service. As a former foster care youth with OYAP (Ohio Youth Advocate Program), now NYAP (National Youth Advocate Program), he understands the challenges faced by vulnerable populations and is dedicated to providing support and resources to those in need.
With a heart for service and a vision for a more equitable society, Erick is excited to continue his work with kinship families and to make meaningful contributions towards improving the lives of individuals and communities alike.
Emily Hauger
NAVIGATOR
National Youth Advocate Program
Emily Hauger
Navigator, NYAP (Region 7)
Emily has an Associate Degree in Social Work and is actively pursuing her Bachelors. She also has her drug and alcohol counseling certification. Previously, she was the Director of Operations & Enrollment Specialist at the Learning Experience Childcare Center Assistant in Oceanside, CA. Before that, she was the Site Director of BASE Programs of Oceanside California, a before and after school program. Emily has volunteered cleaning up local neighborhoods of trash, and assisted in packing Christmas gifts with local social services and fire departments for foster families. She looks forward to the opportunity to help get back into this field of work!
Wanetta Gibson
NAVIGATOR
National Youth Advocate Program
Wanetta Gibson
Navigator, NYAP (Region 7)
Before becoming a Navigator, Wanetta worked at NYAP as a Parenting Coach helping families nurture their parenting skills. Outside of work she has volunteered at the YMCA, fed the homeless at a local park, and during Covid volunteered at the Columbus Urban League. Wanetta has a certificate in Front Office Medical Secretary and Business Administration from the MJS School of Medical Technology. She is excited to make a difference with families in the community!
REGIONAL SITE PARTNERS
