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
Jessica Wenig
DIRECTOR
Jessica Wenig
Director, Region 7
Jessica joins the OhioKAN team with 15 years of experience in leadership and program management roles spanning clinical, educational, and community settings. Currently serving as an Adjunct Faculty member and ABA Graduate Program Mentor at Simmons University, Jessica provides tailored instruction to students in the Behavior Analysis graduate program. In her previous role as a Clinical Program Manager at Hopeful Journeys Educational Center, Jessica oversaw a team of Clinicians and Therapists, ensuring high-level supervision, effective training, and quality improvement. She led initiatives to enhance client care, staff work-life balance, and communication with families. Jessica's expertise also extends to delivering staff and parent training and spearheading projects to increase safety in the workplace. As the Clinical Director at Advances Learning Center, Jessica served as a clinical leader for service delivery quality assurance, staff development, and quality improvement initiatives for home-based and school-based youth, adults, and families. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and holds a license as an Applied Behavior Analyst with a Master of Science in Behavior Analysis from Simmons University. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. Jessica is excited to bring her experience in program management, team supervision, volunteer work, and enhancing client outcomes through data-driven decision-making to the OhioKAN team. She has presented at multiple conferences on topics ranging from designing a culture of innovation to incorporating iOS applications into effective behavior programming. Her background in direct family services has provided her with insights and empathy for understanding the challenges faced by families in crisis. She looks forward to her role within this program as it allows her to make a meaningful impact on the lives of families in the region.
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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.
Abdisalan Aden
NAVIGATOR
ETSS
Abdisalan Aden
Navigator, ETSS (Region 7)
Abdisalan (Abdi for short) started working at ETSS in Columbus in 2022. His first role there was as an AMP Coach, supporting high school and college students preparing for their education and career paths. This involved helping them with their educational goals, offering one-on-one mentoring each month, and connecting them with resources like internships, job shadowing, and other opportunities to gain real-world experience. He also helped them navigate supportive services requests to make sure they had everything they needed to succeed.
Abdi is passionate about giving back to his community, and does a lot of volunteer work. One organization he has worked with is the Bantu Hope Foundation, a major community group that connects local youth and elders with resources for employment, education, and training. He has participated in several community drives, like winter coat drives, and helped with events aimed at providing training and job opportunities. He loves being part of something that makes a tangible difference for others, and is so excited to be able to continue this work at OhioKAN!
Khatra Farah
NAVIGATOR
ETSS
Khatra Farah
Navigator, ETSS (Region 7)
Khatra has Bachelors degree in Nursing and has been practicing Nursing for 22 years. She is an avid community volunteer and has volunteered to assist people and families with various needs for many years. She loves to help people and joined OhioKAN to further assist families. She is bilingual. In her free time, she enjoys travelling and teaching.
REGIONAL SITE PARTNERS
