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
Mandie Kender
DIRECTOR
Mandie Kender
Director, Region 9
Mandie comes to OhioKAN having previously worked at site partner Beech Acres Parenting Center in Cincinnati. There she was the Director of Parent Connext ® and Community Partners. At Beech Acres, she designed and drove the Parent Connext business model, implemented research-based best practices, supported and monitored team productivity, and secured multi-year external funding to support the success of Parent Connext. Mandie has a Master’s in Counseling and is a Certified Transformational Parent Coach. Outside of work, she is also a Branch Advisory Board Member for the YMCA. Mandie is excited to continue the work of supporting caregivers so they can focus on the important work of nurturing children!
Janell Fisher
COORDINATOR
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!
Kari Mehl
COACH
Kari Mehl
Coach, 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 has been 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 Coach after her experience as an OhioKAN Navigator!
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.
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!
Lena Safi
NAVIGATOR
The Buckeye Ranch
Lena Safi
Navigator, The Buckeye Ranch (Region 9)
Previously, Lena worked as a Licensing Coordinator for the National Youth Advocate Program in Cincinnati. There, she developed a comprehensive home study for potential foster/adoptive families, provided ongoing training and support to licensed foster homes, completed annual evaluations and recertifications of licensed foster homes, and prepared adoption finalization paperwork. She also has experience as a Care Coordinator for CareStar, Inc. There, she worked under the Ohio Rise funded program, assisting children and their families in gaining access to needed services. Lena has a Bachelor’s in Psychology, while also being certified in Foster care/adoption assessment and crisis prevention intervention. She also volunteers as a donation sorter through Hope’s Closet. Lena is so happy to continue working with families in her Navigator role and use her experience to empower kinship and adoptive families!
Meredith Potts
NAVIGATOR
Beech Acres Parenting Center
Kiara Helm
NAVIGATOR
4C for Children
Kiara Helm
Navigator, 4C for Children (Region 9)
Kiara comes to OhioKAN after working as a Case Manager for Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health. There, she helped people with mental health and substance abuse disorders and created treatment plans. Before that, she was a Paraprofessional in the Cincinnati public school district where she worked with children with autism. Kiara has volunteered at the Gorman Heritage Farm, the Dater Montessori Nature Camp, and the Freestore food bank. She has a Bachelor’s of Science in Forensic Psychology and is CPR and Crisis Prevention Intervention certified. She is excited to use her previous experience to help children and families dealing with substance use and mental health issues!
REGIONAL SITE PARTNERS
