The Ohio Job and Family Services Directors’ Association selected Champaign/Logan County JFS Director Susan Bailey-Evans as the 2016 Outstanding Director of the Year.

Each year the association recognizes a JFS director who, through dedicated efforts throughout his or her career, exemplifies the professional qualities and achievements of an outstanding director. Bailey-Evans received numerous nominations from her peers and was officially selected by the 2016 OJFSDA officers last month with a recognition ceremony last week.

Bailey-Evans began her tenure as the Champaign County JFS director in 2008. Since that time she has established herself as a leader amongst her peers and champion of the agency’s clients, especially those in the child protective system. Speakers during the award ceremony noted she is a talented, reliable and faithful public servant.

As a testament to her skills as an agency director, nearly five years ago the Champaign and Logan county commissioners requested Bailey-Evans to take on the unique role of serving as director of both agencies simultaneously. What started as a one-year commitment quickly turned into a five-year work arrangement that served both counties well.

Never one to shy from hard work, Bailey-Evans dove into the challenge of the dual-county role. She daily split her time between the two counties, working closely with both boards of county commissioners, agency staff and community leaders. She took on significant fiscal issues during this time, as well as work on multiple personnel and administration structural challenges. This two-county arrangement will provide all counties with a working shared-services concept to consider in the future.

While busy managing operations in two counties, Bailey-Evans mentored incoming directors. During the award luncheon, several directors highlighted the appreciated advice she had provided them as they began their careers as county directors.

Public Children Services Assn. role

In addition to her work with OJFSDA, Bailey Evans is active with the Public Children Services Association of Ohio, for which she serves as a board trustee. Her experiences and insight representing a combined agency is an asset to both organizations. She has been an active participant in both associations, including testifying before the general assembly on the need for additional investments in children services.

“Anyone that has had the pleasure of working with Sue recognizes her commitment and dedication to the clients and her employees,” OJFSDA Executive Director Joel Potts states in a news release. “Walking into an unprecedented management situation Sue was able to earn and keep the buy-in of agency staff, as well as the local elected officials.

“Sue is resolute in her approach to managing through change and other difficult situations,” Potts adds. “She is caring and compassionate, reliable and helpful. In short, she is the kind of county director we all can look up to. She is an asset to the job and family service system and it is an honor to recognize Susan Bailey-Evans as the 2016 OJFSDA Outstanding Director of the Year.”