Somerlot named JFS Director of the Year for Ohio

Marion County Department of Job and Family Services Director Roxane Somerlot has been recognized as the
Association 2014 Director of the Year.

Each December, the Ohio Job and Family Services Directors’ Association recognizes a CDJFS Director who, through
dedicated efforts throughout the span of their career, exemplifies the professional qualities and achievements of an
outstanding Director. Director Somerlot received numerous nominations from her peers and was officially recognized at a ceremony on Friday, December 12, 2014.

Director Somerlot has worked for Marion County for the past 19 years and began her tenure as a county JFS director in 1999.

“From the very beginning she has been a proactive county director, client focused, a community leader and a strong
advocate for the association,” said Joel Potts, Executive Director of Ohio Job and Family Services Directors’ Association. “Roxane is humble in her service and quick to credit her staff and others around her with any successes. However, as her staff and peers affirmed during the recognition ceremony, her leadership, support, caring nature and management style are crucial ingredients to agency accomplishments.

“In any conversation with Roxane Somerlot regarding job and family services, one will quickly see that serving the residents of Ohio is paramount to her efforts. She works tirelessly on numerous local, state and national boards and committees to advocate for program improvements and enhanced services,” said Potts. “Roxane is always willing to offer her expertise and services to support the association and, as this award demonstrates, highly respected by her fellow directors.”

Somerlot is very active in OJFSDA, currently serving as the Northwest District President, as well as participating on the OJFSDA Executive and Internal Oversight committees, and also co-chairing the Workforce Policy Committee. Over the past decade she has served nearly every office in the Association, including OJFSDA President in 2011.

Potts said that Somerlot also provides leadership for the association by setting a great example as a role model for the work she does at the county level. As an example, she was actively involved in the development of the seven county modernization project, Collabor8, which is a partnership between seven participating counties and ODJFS to streamline operations among the participating agencies in delivering public assistance services through the utilization of a virtual call center and consolidated/centralized digital imaging and case management system. Collabor8 has received numerous state an national awards, including the 2014 National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Award in 2012 for “Best of Category” in the Human Services class.

Somerlot also recognizes the importance of improving the workforce and need for greater training for clients. She has made workforce development a top priority for her agency and works tirelessly to enhance work opportunities in Marion County. ODJFS recognizes this important work and just this month notified her that the Marion County Job Center has been chosen as their Center of the Year for 2014.

Director Somerlot participates in countless meetings in Columbus on behalf of her peers. She is also regularly contacted by central Ohio media for her perspective on issues important to the local JFS operations. Whether it is welfare reform, modernization, child support, Adult Protective Services, workforce, budget issues, legislative matters or association business, Roxane can be counted on to pitch in and lead.

“Roxane is a calm, thoughtful, and innovative director,” said Potts. “She is extremely knowledgeable of programs and administration, and can contribute to any conversation with well-considered reflections and suggestions. She is greatly respected by her colleagues at the county and state level, and also by her local community partners and employees.”