WELCOME TO OHIOKAN
Region 2
Please learn about our region, our partners and services, and all of the resources we have available for you.
REGION 2 STAFF
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!
Cha'Noah Powell
COORDINATOR
Lexi Haas
Coach, Region 2
Lexi has spent her career primarily in nonprofits, starting as a Teacher in Head Start before moving to Service Coordinator then Developmental Specialist in Early Intervention at Help Me Grow. She was also an Associate Director at the Center for Nonprofit Resources, a Client Advocate at Advocating Opportunity working with survivors of human trafficking, a Case Manager at Toledo Legal Aid Society, and finally a Care Coordinator with Unison Health in the OhioRISE program. Lexi has a Bachelor’s in Science from Bowling Green State University with a major in Human Development & Family Studies, and a minor in Health Promotion. She has volunteered at Toledo Children’s Hospital doing Child Life activities, previously volunteered with Sparrow’s Nest, a local woman’s homeless shelter, doing intake, and previously volunteered at Cherry Street Mission, serving meals to the unhoused population. She currently volunteers at her church Trinity Episcopal doing meal service for the downtown unhoused population, participating in Pride activities and serving as their Parish Life Coordinator. Lexi fostered through Lucas County Children’s Services from 2016-2020 and adopted her daughter through foster care in 2018. She is thrilled to work with emotionally intelligent techniques and strategies to provide families connections, services, and support in a way that is unique to each of them.
Jessica Robb
COACH
Jessica Robb
Coach, Region 2
Before joining the OhioKAN team, Jessica served as the Leader of Network Development with the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank. She was responsible for building a strategic and dynamic approach to distributing food and other essential services to the community. She managed the Network Engagement Volunteer program, Feeding Kids programs, and led the implementation of network development and Lean Six Sigma initiatives in the programs department. Jessica holds a master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Akron and was awarded the Green Belt in Lean Six Sigma by Akron Children’s Hospital. She is grateful to serve as the OhioKAN Coach in Region 2!
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!
Kimberly Neese
NAVIGATOR
National Youth Advocate Program
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!
REGIONAL SITE PARTNERS
