By John Kiesewetter
The Cincinnati Enquirer

HAMILTON - With budget-cutting and the passage of a November tax levy, the Butler County Children Services Board has been able to turn a $4.8 million deficit into a $19,000 surplus.

Jann Heffner, board executive director, told county commissioners Thursday the changes she had made since taking over the agency a year ago. She cut the budget by 22 percent and terminated more than half of the administrative staff, she said, adding: "2003 was not an easy year."

But the year ended with good news: Voters approved a five-year, 2-mill replacement levy that generates $12.7 million annually.

During the year, the agency also focused on returning children in troubled families to their homes, instead of placing them in foster care or institutions outside the county. The number of children in custody dropped from 437 in 2002 to 353 last year.

"We have put more youngsters back into their families, with supportive care," Heffner said.

A TV advertising campaign last year also helped recruit 44 new foster and adoptive parents, twice as many as the previous year, she said.

Heffner was hired by commissioners to bring some stability to the turbulent children services department. In three years, the agency had three directors, four board chairmen, and "a revolving board," said John Wade Sloan, board chairman.

With the recent resignation of Ron James, the board is looking for its fifth ombudsman in three years. "It's not an easy job," Heffner said.

Among the goals for this year are developing a mediation program with Juvenile Court for parent-child and child custody disputes, and creating a Childrens Advisory Board.

Commissioner Mike Fox, a sharp critic of the Children Services Board in the past, praised Heffner and her staff.

"It's made all the crap I've gone through in dealing with this issue worth it ... with positive, real results. The kids are better off than they were before," Fox said.

E-mail jkiesewetter@enquirer.com