WELCOME TO OHIOKAN
Region 9
Please learn about our region, our partners and services, and all of the resources we have available for you.
REGION 9 STAFF
Maria Laib
DIRECTOR
Maria Laib
Director, Region 9
Maria has spent her entire career working in social services in diverse areas across child, adult and family systems. Prior to accepting the role of Director, Maria served as Region 9’s Coach. She has worked in direct service and in various levels of management at Hamilton County Juvenile Court, Sojourner Recovery Services in Butler County and most recently as a Regional Clinical Supervisor for Path Integrated Healthcare before joining OhioKAN. Additionally, she has taught social work courses at the graduate level. Maria is a Licensed Independent Social Worker with Supervision Designation (LISW-S) and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and Criminal Justice from Xavier University, and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Kentucky. She enjoys all things nature, has a love of learning, and spends most of her free time with family and friends. Maria is very excited to be part of the OhioKAN team in Region 9, and looks forward to partnering with others in implementing the program’s important mission to strengthen and support children and their families!
Brittany Oglivie
COACH
Brittany Oglivie
Coach, Region 9
Brittany has worked in Cincinnati for almost a decade, most recently as a Community Health Worker at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. There she worked with a multidisciplinary team coordinating care, collaborating with other agencies, and monitoring the needs of patients and their families. Previously she was also a Probation Officer at Hamilton County Juvenile Court, and an Intake/Investigative Caseworker at Hamilton County Job and Family Services responding to child abuse cases. In her free time, Brittany has volunteered at Big Brothers Big Sisters and as a Girl Scout leader for her daughter’s troop. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work and a Master of Social Work from the University of Cincinnati. Brittany is excited to further OhioKAN’s mission as the Coach for Region 9!
Janell Fisher
COORDINATOR
Lauren Rothel
NAVIGATOR
Beech Acres Parenting Center
Lauren Rothel
Navigator, Beech Acres Parenting Center (Region 9)
Before coming to OhioKAN, Lauren worked at Cincinnati Children's Hospital as a PCA on the complex airway floor, doing vitals and providing any care the children or parents needed. She holds several certifications, including STNA (state tested nursing assistant), PCA (patient Care assistant), Hospice Aide & CNA (certified Nursing assistant). Lauren is excited to be able to help families get the resources they need to make things easier on their family especially the children.
Kari Mehl
NAVIGATOR
Beech Acres Parenting Center
Kari Mehl
Navigator, Beech Acres Parenting Center (Region 9)
Before joining OhioKAN, Kari was a Home Based Case Manager and Foster Care Case Manager at Family Ark in Southern Indiana. There, she visited families in their homes and in the community, established relationships and helped them obtain support services, utilized Trauma Informed Care, and taught independent living, self-care, and self-advocacy skills. Previously, she served as a Program Supervisor at Maryhurst, a teenage girls’ residential facility in Louisville, KY. Kari is a committed volunteer with tenures at the Human Rights Campaign, Professionals United for Sexual Health (P.U.S.H.), Planned Parenthood of SW Ohio, and Sophia’s 40 day challenge. She has a bachelor’s degree in Women’s Studies from Wright State University. Kari is looking forward to serving Region 9 as a Navigator at Beech Acres Parenting Center!
Janise Tucker
NAVIGATOR
Beech Acres Parenting Center
Janise Tucker
Navigator, Beech Acres Parenting Center (Region 9)
Janise graduated from Wilmington College with a BA in Psychology and a minor in Communications. She has worked with families in child fare for several years and has previous experience working with Mental health and DDS clients. She is very excited to work in a position where she will assist children with permanency!
Kelsey Sams
NAVIGATOR
Warren County Children’s Services
Kelsey Sams
Navigator, Warren County Children's Services (Region 9)
Before joining OhioKAN, Kelsey worked as a safety companion at Mercy Fairfield Hospital in Ohio. Within that role she cared for patients who required 24/7 observation. She graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a BS in Psychology and a minor in Child and Family studies. After being an active member of Kappa Alpha Theta who supports CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) as their philanthropy and volunteering as a teen mentor for kids in her school district during high school, she knew she wanted to pursue a career in helping children. She also did volunteer work through the House of Bread in Dayton, Ohio by serving hot meals to people battling homelessness, and by working with Life Center to give speeches to high schools and hospitals within the area about the importance and sacrifice of being an organ donor. Kelsey also has lived in experience with being a kinship family and feels that by working with OhioKAN she can help families get the resources they need to be successful. Her family also has previous experience in the adoption process. Kelsey’s goal is to empower families to ask for help when they need it and get access to the things they need. She is excited to provide families with services that will help them overcome everyday obstacles and build up their strengths.
REGIONAL SITE PARTNERS
