By Steve Kemme
The Cincinnati Enquirer

HAMILTON - When Jann Heffner accepted the offer this week as the new executive director of Butler County Children Services, she knew she would be taking over an agency that has been the center of controversy in recent years and is trying to reform.

JANN HEFFNER

New position: Executive director of Butler County Children Services Age: 54 Professional experience: Executive director of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption in Columbus, 1994-2001; deputy director of the Office of Children and Families in the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, 1991-1994; executive director of Alternative Care for Teens in Columbus, 1988-1991; deputy director of mental health, commissioner of forensic psychiatry, legislative liaison/chief of staff and legal counsel with the Ohio Department of Metal Health/Mental Retardation. Research policy fellow at the Academy for Contemporary Problems; director of health and welfare with the Columbus Urban League. 1971-1988. Education: Juris doctorate from Capital University Law School; master of arts in guidance and counseling from Ohio State University; bachelor of educational arts in linguistic anthropology from Ohio State; Ph.D candidate in guidance and counseling at Ohio State's College of Education. Personal: Married to Kevin Osterkamp, an attorney. Daughter Casey. Salary: Between $95,000 and $100,00

Three years ago, a state audit criticized the agency for being understaffed, not having enough foster parents, taking too long to investigate cases and having inferior computer technology.

Ms. Heffner said that while she's aware of the challenges of her new job, she's not afraid of them.

"I think this is an exciting situation because there are so many people who want to see the agency work well," she said in a telephone interview from her home in Powell, Ohio, north of Columbus. "They're willing to put in the time and the mental energy behind it."

The Children Services Board decided Monday to hire Ms. Heffner to replace Kathy Vallance, who recently retired. The other finalist for the job was Mike Francis, who resigned as board chairman in May to become acting executive director when Ms. Vallance went on medical leave.

Ms. Heffner, 54, said her passion for helping children has driven her career, which spans more than 30 years.

"I think we're extremely lucky to be doing this kind of work," she said. "We can have a tremendous effect on what happens to a child's life - for the better or for the worse. My passion is to do it for the better."

Ms. Heffner was executive director of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption in Columbus from 1994 to 2001 and deputy director of the Office of Children and Families with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services from 1991 to 1994.

All three Butler County commissioners are happy about the Children Services Board's choice.

"She has extraordinary experience and education and has been one of the nation's leaders in promoting policies for adoptions and child welfare reform," said Commissioner Mike Fox, who has led the effort to reform Children Services. "The agency is crying out for positive, constructive leadership. She brings those qualities to the table."

Commissioners Courtney Combs and Chuck Furmon said they believe Ms. Heffner is the person who can lead the agency to new heights.

"I feel confident that she is the director we have been working to find to replace Kathy Vallance," Mr. Combs said.

Ms. Heffner's exact salary hasn't been set yet, but it will be $95,000 to $100,000,said Hall Thompson, acting chairman of the Children Services Board.

Ms. Heffner lives with her husband, Kevin Osterkamp, and daughter, Casey, a college student.

She left her job with the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption last year because of a family illness.

In about two weeks, Ms. Heffner, who is recovering from hip-replacement surgery, will begin working at her new job for two to three days a week. After Jan. 1, she will be begin working full time.

Ms. Heffner said she wants Children Services to continue its push to be more open and accessible to the public and to families in need.

"When people call us," she said, "I want every single phone call to be answered by a real person who can help them."

E-mail skemme@enquirer.com