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
JoAnn Heichel
DIRECTOR
JoAnn Heichel
Director, Region 7
JoAnn is a dedicated Licensed Social Worker with over 22 years of experience in the field of social work. She has also spent time working with youth and families in education, including a tenure as a preschool teacher and children’s librarian. Most recently, she served as a Licensing Specialist with The Buckeye Ranch, where she completed home studies with kinship and Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) families. Additionally, she was a Program Coordinator for Big Brothers Big Sisters and has extensive experience in foster care and adoptions. JoAnn holds her bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the Ohio Dominican University and is a certified Adoption Assessor. JoAnn is pursuing her MSW currently with Florida State University. She has been interested in working at Kinnect since she attended the Kinnect convening event in December of 2018, and is so excited to be the Regional Director in Region 7!
Kylie Brown
COORDINATOR
Kylie Brown
Coordinator, Region 7
Kylie joins OhioKAN from a tenure at Bowling Green State University, where she worked as a Coordinator, creating, implementing, and managing many employer and student programs. Previously, she served as the university’s Grant Coordinator, where she supported the preparation of grant documentation, developed and maintained systems for recording and tracking grants, and provided on-site support for large programming initiatives. Kylie has a bachelor’s degree in Communication from the University of Pittsburgh. Kylie is thrilled to be the Program Coordinator in Region 7!
Shelly Bell
COACH
Shelly Bell
Coach, Region 7
Most recently, Shelly was the Linking Systems Project Coordinator/Incarcerated and Reentering Victims Specialist with the Ohio Domestic Violence Network. In this role she was responsible for supporting the research needs and policy review for the Linking Systems of Care for Ohio's Youth (LSCOY) project, contributing to the development of LSCOY project documents and training resources, and providing technical assistance to project partners and Ohio systems to enhance cross-system coordination for responding to child and youth victims of crime. Shelly is thrilled to be the Coach in Region 7!
Melanie Craft
NAVIGATOR
ETSS
Melanie Craft
Navigator, ETSS (Region 7)
Melanie has been a Licensed Social Worker since 2017, a Medical Assistant, and a Licensed Massage Therapist. She has worked in people oriented careers her entire adult life, as she believes it is crucial to always help the whole person - body, mind and spirit. As a Medical Assistant and Social worker, she has worked in the mental health, elder care, and foster and adoption fields. She is a Certified Adoption/ Foster care Assessor and a Licensing and Training Specialist, training our licensed foster/ adoptive parents. Melanie was adopted and is passionate about creating some type of support group for those involved in any capacity with reunification of families. She herself is the mother of three adult children and three grandchildren. Melanie finds great joy in helping kinship, foster and adoptive parents work to be the best they can be for the children they are charged with caring for.
Karla Hall
NAVIGATOR
ETSS
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.
Damita Kniceley
NAVIGATOR
ETSS
Damita Kniceley
Regional Director of Community
Damita has over 20 years’ experience working with families and children in various roles, including Community Outreach, Workforce Development, Family and Youth Advocacy, OWF/SNAP and Medicaid Case Management, Kinship and Adoption, and working with survivors of Domestic Violence. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Ohio University in Organizational Communications and a Family Development Certification from the University of Iowa. Damita's passion is working in the community, helping families overcome challenges and barriers and become self-sufficient. Previously, an RAC member, Navigator and Coach, she is now excited to serve the families of OhioKAN as a Regional Director!
Ashley Brown
NAVIGATOR
The Recovery Center
Ashley Brown
Navigator, The Recovery Center (Region 7)
Ashley earned her Bachelor of Science in Organizational and Health Communication Studies at Ohio University. She is currently working towards her Master of Science in Yoga Therapy at Maryland University of Integrative Health; a program that is through the lens of trauma informed care and evidenced informed practices. Ashley is a 500-hour registered yoga teacher and is certified in trauma informed yoga. She previously worked as a Regional Studio Manager for multiple GoYoga studio locations in Columbus, Ohio. She is excited to serve her community in a fulfilling and meaningful way as an OhioKAN Navigator by transferring her skills from the for-profit business world to the non-profit social service world. Ashley is passionate about providing inclusive, engaging and genuine support for children, youth and their families.
Zachary Mitchell
NAVIGATOR
UMCH Family Services
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
UMCH Family Services
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!
REGIONAL SITE PARTNERS
