Richland County Children Services reviews strategic plan with community leaders

January 25, 2012

Richland County Children Services is successfully following its board-approved, five-year strategic plan while meeting or exceeding most state and federal child welfare standards.

That was the key message offered Jan. 18 during a “Community Leaders” meeting inside the agency’s Gerald Futty Training & Learning Center.

Every elected official in Richland County was invited to attend, along with leaders of other local agencies, law enforcement units and other community stakeholders. About 50 people attended the hour-long series of presentations, followed by a questions-and-answers session. 

Among those attending were six of the agency’s 13 board members – Nancy Joyce, Dean Wells, Carol Payton, Pam Siegenthaler, Robert Konstam and Jim Kulig – along with agency Executive Director Randy Parker and agency administrators.

The agency is in the second year of a five-year strategic plan from 2011 through 2015. Administrators develop tactical plans each year that respond to changing situations while keeping the overall strategic plan in place. The strategic plan and the annual tactical plan are submitted to the agency’s board for approval.

The strategic plan, approved by the board in 2011, focuses on five areas, all of which were discussed by administrators during the meeting. Those areas are finance, building & grounds, personnel, intake enhancement and programs.

Parker provided an overview of the agency’s achievements in 2011 during his presentation and was followed by Kevin Goshe, finance director; Elayna Rizor, human resources director; Kevin Wharton, Differential Response program supervisor; and Nikki Harless, director of operations.

Among those in attendance were Richland County Commissioner Gary Utt, Domestic Relations Court Judge Heather Cockley and Mansfield City Council member Ellen Haring.

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