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![A woman is sitting at a desk in a cubicle decorated with llamas and cactus.]()
Departments
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There are two departments within our organization. Each department is led by a director who oversees that department. All directors report directly to the Executive Director, Jennifer Jacobs.
HUMAN RESOURCES
Many organizations say it, but at Leading Families Home we live it…..our people are our most important asset. From our Participants to every employee, we focus on strengths and develop our employees to be the best they can be for the organization and our community. Some of the ways the Human Resources (HR) department achieves this is by: recruiting internally and externally for the best talent, addressing employee concerns, providing training and development at all levels, maintaining compliance, developing and overseeing employee benefits and wellness programs, and providing guidance and mentoring. The HR team’s driving goal is to keep our team happy to achieve our Mission.
RUTH ANN PETROFF, EdD
People and Culture Director
Ruth Ann Petroff is our Human Resource Director. She holds a Doctorate degree in Leadership Studies from Bowling Green State University and a Masters of Organizational Leadership from Lourdes University.
Ruth Ann recruits candidates, develops and refines personnel policies, ensures compliance with all labor/employee laws and regulations, coordinates benefits enrollments, develops and provides trainings, disciplinary actions, evaluations/goal setting, coordinates employee events, and provides counseling and coaching.
She is a member of Providence Center Board of Directors, Community Outreach Committee at Epworth United Methodist Church, and Alpha Omicron Pi sorority (Theta Psi Chapter).
JENNIFER SEIBEL
Data and Administrative Specialist
Jennifer Seibel is our Data & Administrative Coordinator. She processes data out of the HMIS system and other systems for grants reporting and internal needs. She is a part of the CARF team, helping the organization to stay compliant with accreditation requirements. Jennifer monitors and orders office supplies and assists the HR department in any way needed.
Jennifer is a member of the Historic Church of St. Patrick and Epworth United Methodist Church. She enjoys making a "direct impact on the people we serve; it takes everyone, and I'm proud to be doing my part."
Jennifer studied political science at Eastern Illinois University. She is married and enjoys cooking and baking, travel, writing, and live theater including acting, directing, stage management, and properties management.
MARY BURDA
Staff Accountant
Mary Burda works in the Finance department as our Accounting Specialist. She handles billing grants, coding payables, posting deposits, and assisting the staff accountant.
Mary has been involved in the United Way. She believes, "homelessness will continue to be an issue as long as there is mental illness and drug use. If we could help to reduce the drug abuse and mental illness I think homelessness would reduce." She has been married to her husband, Jeff, for 32 years.They have three children and nine grandchildren. Mary also has a cocker spaniel named Dogee. She loves camping, traveling, entertaining, and crafting.
MARY BRYANT
Facilities Custodian/Inspection Coordinator
Mary Bryant has been with Leading Families Home since 2015. She handles inspections and day-to-day activities at both Beach House Family Shelter and Leading Families Home on Ashland Ave..
DANIELLE EDWARDS
Marketing Communications Manager
Danielle has her BS in Communications and Psychology with a minor in Religious Studies. She manages our organization's social media, website, marketing communications, and fundraising events.
Danielle re-branded and implemented consistent messaging throughout the organization in her first year with LFH. She has worked for over 20 years in digital marketing, advertising, project management, graphic design, UXD, and website design.
She lives with her daughter and cat in Michigan.
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
Our Community Programs Department is primarily composed of three main facets: Housing, Education, and Behavioral Health. Because we believe all of these go hand-in hand, we have created a place where all can be achieved. Our Education program includes information and support groups for domestic violence, anger management and parenting. We also conduct parent observations where one of our professionals will observe and assist with parent-child relationship and behaviors. The Housing program at LFH has many different responsibilities, including working with landlords, providing training and assistance with lease signing, and unit inspection as the Participants transition from emergency family shelters to permanent housing. We house Participants from both our emergency family shelter as well as others included in our Continuum of Care. Our case managers not only connect Participants to community resources but also support them and guide them through emotional issues as well. The mission of our Behavioral Health program is to help families navigate the emotional, physical, social, financial, and mental stresses of homelessness by providing holistic, individualized, trauma-informed care. Our holistic approach utilizes the Participant’s strengths and abilities while involving them in every aspect of their treatment planning. We focus on treating co-occurring mental and substance disorders through evidence-based practices and holistic modalities to assist Participants in uncovering the layers of emotional distress and underlying issues that have caused homelessness and that have created barriers to obtaining housing.
Housing Team
JEAN SIMON
Community Programs Clinician
Jean Simon was hired at Beach House Family Shelter in November 2013. Currently, she works in our behavioral health department. Jean primarily with children from 4-17 at our emergency shelter, conducting diagnostic assessments, crisis intervention and individual counseling. She also offers individual counseling and assessments to adults in emergency shelter as needed.
She believes early intervention is key in helping children process trauma, learn coping skills and process their feelings in a non-judgmental and safe environment. Jean is thrilled to be a part of a team and agency that recognizes the importance of treating our Participants holistically.
DAVID HUNT, LSW
Community Programs Case Manager: Housing Inspection Specialist
David Hunt began working at FOCUS as a Housing Inspection Specialist and continued in this role at Leading Families Home once FOCUS and Beach House Family Shelter merged. He was recently promoted to Community Project Case Manager. He handles all aspects of housing and case management, as well "as a bunch of other stuff as needed." David and his wife run a Little Free Pantry (food) in Findlay. He has four cats.
DAVID BONINSEGNA
Community Programs Case Manager: Housing Inspection Specialist
Dave Boninsegna works in the Housing department as an Inspection Specialist. He has a Bachelor's degree in Counseling and Psychology. Dave also and assists in operating an online sports and Christian rock radio station in Ottawa, Ohio. He has a heart for people in need.
He has been married to his wife, Anne, for 21 years. They have six kids: David II, Victoria and Carmela (twins; Carmela passed away from cancer at age 19), Lilly, Zoe, and Dawson. They have six grandchildren and have two dogs, Cody, a Puggle, and Kira, a Mini Doxie. David loves sports, especially hockey, baseball (he is a big Reds fan), and football.
Emergency Family Shelter Team
JACKIE JAQUEZ, QMHS, CDCA
Community Programs Manager: Shelter Manager
Jackie Jaquez manages Beach House Family Shelter where she overseas our behavioral health and Shelter programs. Jackie is currently a Qualified Mental Health Specialist (QMHS) who is also working on completing her Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant (CDCA) licensure. She works with United Way's 211 system to help people get placed into Shelter and also uses her skills as an interventionalist with addicts.
Jackie loves to help people, especially people who struggle with addiction, and that is her main reason for getting her CDCA. Jackie loves to travel and most of all loves spending time with the ones she loves.
MARY TRINIDAD, QMHS, CDCA
Community Programs Manager: Shelter Manager
Mary Trinidad is our assistant manager at Beach House shelter. Mary is QMHS and CDCA certified .Mary also is bilingual in Spanish . Mary assist in all areas at the shelter to have families reach their goals .Mary has 23 years experience in general management .She has recently switched careers after 25 years .Mary genuinely enjoys and loves her new field ,she also works with individuals that have mental disabilities .Mary has a sister that is mentally challenged which gave her great passion to be a voice to help persons with disabilities or any one that may need a voice. Mary loves to spend any of her free time with her family and thrift shopping! “ Helping people in anyway brings me peace “
Case Management Team
LAURA CRAVENS, QMHS, CDCA
Community Programs Manager
Laura Cravens is our Community Program Manager. She oversees the Providence Center in Toledo and is helping to implement our Steps to Education program throughout the organization. Laura is a Qualified Mental Health Specialist (QMHS) and is working to receive her Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant (CDCA) licensure later this year.
She teaches classes for Lucas County Children's Services (LCCS) and the courts, and oversees parenting observations for LCCS. Laura says, "I am blessed to be in the position I am today."
Laura previously owned a day care center where she was introduced to the Child Care Food Program run by state of Ohio. After closing her day care center, Laura was hired at the Child Food Care Program. She then went on to become the Community Program Manager at Providence Center through Jennifer Jacobs, where she has worked for 17 years.
Laura has two children, and a Shih Tzu who is 11 years old.
CHRISTINA WRIGHT, LSW, MSW
Programs Operations & Compliance Manager
Christina Wright is a master’s level social worker who just recently obtained her LSW. Christina obtained her bachelors in social work from the University of Toledo in 2019 and went on to get her masters in social work from Spring Arbor University in 2020. Christina is the Lead Case Manager for Rapid Rehousing where she provides case management services to clients we’ve housed in our rapid rehousing program. Christina also provides guidance for our other case managers, as she oversees the operations for both the rapid rehousing and permanent supportive housing program. Christina makes sure LFH is compliant with our accreditations, such as CARF and OHIOMAS.
When asked about #solvinghomelessness, Christina stated, “homelessness can be related to an epidemic, so I feel that it is our duty to help those that are homeless, get housed and also prevent it from happening again by breaking down barriers for our Participants by helping them reach stability while in our programs."
Christina is married to her husband, who is also a social worker that works with homeless Vets at the VA, and they have 3 beautiful daughters together. In their spare time, when they have it, they like to do things as a family, such as taking trips, shopping, and getting ice cream <3
TARESA O'NEAL
Community Programs Manager: PSH Lead Case Manager
Taresa O'Neal holds a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice. She works as a Case Manager for the PSH program in the Housing department. "In order to #solvehomelessness, we have to target each area that leads to homelessness, like mental health, the job market, affordable housing, etc." Taresa has two girls and one boy. She loves to decorate, rehab items, and paint in her free time.
PATRINA SIGHTS
Community Programs Case Manager
Patrina recently received her BA in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on Health Studies and graduated from the University of Toledo.
Patrina started with Leading Families Homes in May of 2021 in the Finance department as the Accounts Payable/Payroll Specialist. She has since transitioned into the position of Housing Stabilization Case Manager in the Housing department to obtain affordable and safe housing despite many barriers that they may have.
Helping families obtain stability has always been a passion for her as well as an opportunity to give back to the community by assisting those in need.
Patrina has three wonderful children, two grandchildren and a loving husband. She enjoys family get togethers as well as traveling.
JENNA CASTER, QMHS, CDCA
Community Programs Case Manager
Jenna Caster is a Housing Case Manager. She received her bachelor’s degree in Disability Studies from the University of Toledo in December 2020. Jenna Caster also was the recipient of the Catherine S. Eberly Center for Women’s Perseverance Award 2020.She is originally from Fremont, Ohio. Jenna Caster provides case management services to clients in our Rapid Rehousing Program. She is also a Qualified Mental Health Specialist (QMHS) and is currently working on her Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant (CDCA). “From an accessibility standpoint, homelessness can be disabling; our job is to break down these obstacles and provide services to our clients that help them towards the goal of self-sufficiency.” Jenna Caster has a rat-terrier/chihuahua mix named Ruby who is eight years old.
LYDIA ELICK, LSW, CDCA
Community Programs Clinician
As a licensed social worker, Lydia is responsible for completing diagnostic assessments, providing individual therapy, and facilitating group therapy for Beach House Shelter Participants to address problems associated with mental health and substance use.
Lydia graduated from The University of Toledo with a Bachelor of Social Work and has experience working in harm reduction, mental health and substance use treatment.
Lydia is passionate about social justice, gender equality, solving homelessness, harm reduction, and animal welfare. She enjoys spending time with her partner, Noe, swimming, creating art, traveling, and learning. Lydia has 3 spoiled cats: Kiko, Margot, and Kylo.
ALYSSA BANKS, QMHS, CDCA
Community Programs Case Manager
Alyssa Banks works at Beach House Family Shelter as a Residential Support Specialist. She is also a talented artist and has donated several original paintings to our fundraising events. Alyssa is a Qualified Mental Health Specialist (QMHS) and has her Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant (CDCA) licensure.
Alyssa says, "I have gained so much knowledge from my job and this great organization, and I'm so glad to be a part of such an amazing group of people, doing what we do." Alyssa is an animal lover and currently lives in Toledo, Ohio.
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