Serving with Excellence
Everyone at Focus on Youth, from interns to executive director, shares a passion for helping kids reach their full potential. Our staff is carefully selected and extensively trained to be the best advocates for children and partners to families, both birth and foster, in the area.
Executive Director
The Executive Director Reports to a 5-9 member board of directors. The Assistant Executive Director and department heads report directly to the Executive Director.
Alicia Ajiboye, LISW-S
Executive Director
Team Player since: 2021
Loves spending time with family and, shopping, and traveling. Favorite place to be is at a beach. Loves to sing and really enjoys listening to Elevation Worship, Tasha Cobbs, and many others.
Sid Taylor
Assistant Executive Director
Team Player since: 2023
Born and raised in Cincinnati. Happily married (his wife is his best friend) with one young adult son and one teenage daughter. Is a die-hard Bengals fan, fair-weather Reds fan and probably one of the biggest Ohio State Buckeyes Football fans you’ll ever meet. O-H!!!!
Administration
The Finance and Administrative department manages the day-to-day business details that make our organization productive, effective, and healthy. From staffing to building improvements and money management, this team is the engine that keeps everything we do for youth and families on track.
Penny Dougan, BSBA
Operations Manager
Team player since: 1996
Has worked at Focus on Youth over 28 years! Is a huge Ohio State Buckeye fan. Proud parent of two daughters and a son-in-law and a loving grandparent to twin grandsons. Has a passion for reading and exercising at Pure Barre.
Andrew Dodds
Office Coordinator
Team player since: 1997
Proud father of two children. Has spent over 27 years working for Focus. Avid Doctor Who fan and Trekkie; also spends a lot of time playing Dungeons & Dragons.
Dylan Chambers, MA
Administrative Assistant
Team player since: 2024
Recently graduated from Florida State University with an MA in Philosophy, doing research centered on applied ethics. Lover of books, most music genres, and playing video games or watching TV shows with his wife.
Margaret Harbaugh, BA
Human Resource Specialist
Team player since: 2024
A recent graduate from Wittenberg University with a BA in Psychology. Proud dog mom, and loves to read, go on walks, watch movies and listen to music!
Joe Bruns, BS, CLSSYB
Quality Improvement Coordinator
Team player since: 2021
I try to be better than I was yesterday. When not at work I stay very busy with my wife, son, and my 3D printing small business.
Foster Care & Adoption
Our Foster Care and Adoption staff works to find, train, and support foster parents. Youth Specialists provide supervision of youth in placement, foster family support, recertification of homes, and coordination of community services. Family Assessors do the same while also performing homestudies and family assessments for new foster homes. Case Assistants offer administrative support and may also assist foster families needing help getting children to family visits and appointments.
Christina Kappen, MSW, LISW-S
Foster Care and Adoption Manager
Team player since: 2004
Enjoys watching movies and NCIS.
Savannah Morris, MSW, LSW
Placement Services Supervisor
Team player since: 2015
Is a proud Bengals fan who married into a Steelers family. Has a passion for animal rescue. Owns a toothless kitten named Elias. Dreams of someday living in Ireland.
Joselin Laib, MSW, LSW
Placement Services Supervisor
Team player since: 2017
Dog mom to a crazy dog. Helped inform legislators on child topics, aiding in passage of the bill that provided funding for the Bridges program. Has traveled to 27 states and plans to hit all 50.
Patricia “Patty” Jatczak, LSW
Licensing Team Lead
Team player since: 2005
A pure cheesehead/proud Green Bay Packers’ fan. Born and raised near Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Has a degree in Social Work and Education from UW-Wisconsin. Moved to Cincinnati in 1989. An adoptive and birth parent who wants to help others grow their families through foster and adoption.
Cierra Scott, BSW
Bridges Liaison
Team player since: 2022
Graduated from University of Cincinnati with my Social Work Degree! Girl Mom and dog Mom. I love my family and traveling! Movie fanatic! Living out my purpose and helping others is what I was meant to do. #SocialWorkIsLife
Barb Snelling, MSW, LSW
Youth Specialist & Family Assessor
Team player since: 2014
Avid scrapbooker who is a former foster parent. Adopted two girls and went back to college at 50 years old to earn a degree in social work.
Sarah Feine, MSW, LSW
Youth Specialist & Family Assessor
Team player since: 2016
Sarah grew up in a family who opened their doors to children in foster care, which is what inspired her career as a social worker. After completing her internship at Focus during her Masters program at NKU she knew she had to return! Sarah and her husband are former foster parents in Indiana where they live and adopted their two children in 2022 and 2023. When she is not working she is travelling, going to Minnesota Vikings or Cincinnati Bearcats games, and spending time with her husband and kids.
Brooke LoPresti
Youth Specialist
Team player since: 2022
Graduated in 2021 from NorthWestern State University of Louisiana with a degree in Criminal Justice. I am a proud big dog owner of two. One of which being a Great Dane/ English Mastiff mix named Little Man and the other being a Cane Corso named Biscuit.
Sav Taylor
Youth Specialist
Team player since: 2023
I graduated in 2022 from the University of Cincinnati with a Criminal Justice degree and a Law and Legal Studies certificate. I am currently working towards my LSW part-time through Cleveland State University. I am a proud domestic zoo owner of 6 cats and 3 pugs. I love all things video games and traveling.
Lindsey Halasz
Youth Specialist
Team player since: 2023
Cat mom of 2 crazy little guys and Indian food aficionado. I pretty much dip everything in ranch dressing too. I love music and singing. I love my coworkers here at Focus and look forward to my future with this organization!
Lauren Inderhees
Youth Specialist
Team player since: 2023
Born in Ohio Raised in Kentucky and moved back to Ohio in 2018. Loves hiking, kayaking, and horseback riding. Enjoys traveling, coffee and reading.
Mikenlee Bowcock
Youth Specialist
Team player since: 2024
A Bengals and Reds fan! A cat owner to a beautiful girl named Linguini. Earned Bachelors of Social Work from Miami University in May of 2024. I was an intern at this organization for a year and secured a spot as a Youth Specialist after graduation. Can’t wait to see what my future holds at this agency!
Janette Lowe
Case Assistant
Team player since: 2019
I am a Michigan native -Go Blue! We’ve lived in Ohio for 21 years. All 4 of our children are grown, successful, 3 married (2 grandchildren) and 1 is a Captain in the United States Air Force. We couldn’t be more proud of our kids. Family is #1 priority for me! My husband & I love to travel. It is mostly for his work, but we get some pleasure travel in there too.
Kara Baumer
Case Assistant
Team player since: 2021
Mother of two adult children. Happily married to my husband for 26 yrs. Has been working at Focus for 3 yrs now and it’s my favorite job. I get to be there for all the kids, get to do booths at events and meet so many new people. I can see staying here until I retire.
Lillian Lochard
Case Assistant
Team player since: 2023
I love working with kids, and my coworkers. I enjoy spending quality time with my friends and family. I’m a big Bengals fan and love all country music. I’m one of four, I have three brothers and an sister-in-law. I love spending time with my two nieces, being an Aunt is one of my favorite things.
Michelle Bulach
Intern
Team player since: 2024
A senior at the University of Cincinnati, majoring in social work with a minor in psychology. Loves traveling, trying new things and spending time with friends and family. Has a cat named Keith.
April Calloway
Intern
Team player since: 2024
A senior, social work major with a minor in Gender & Diversity Studies at Xavier University. Loves to spend time with friends and family, playing sports or with her dog, reading books, and listening to music. Is excited to learn more through this internship and help others grow.
Julia Fortney
Intern
Team player since: 2024
Born and raised in Cleveland. Loves spending her time writing, reading, playing video games, and going on hikes with her five year old border collie. Hopes to become an author one day!
Wendy’s Wonderful Kids
Wendy’s Wonderful Kids recruiters are dedicated to finding permanent families for children in foster care who are most often overlooked. That includes teenagers, children with special needs and siblings.
Leah Weimer, LISW-S
Supervisor
Team player since: 2010
Trauma Responsive Care certified
Started at Focus as a Case Assistant and progressed to a supervisor, now leading the Wendy’s Wonderful Kids Program. A true Bengals and Xavier Basketball fan and recent Nascar fanatic. Spends most of her time running around with her three children to sporting events!
Brittaney Englemon
Recruiter
Team player since: 2021
Loves spending time with family. A huge fan of University of Kentucky basketball and University of Michigan football. Finds riding horses, listening to music, and being in the mountains therapeutic. Would love to visit Rome one day.
Megan McQueen
Recruiter
Team player since: 2021
Proud to be a social worker for children and families for the last 17 years. Has had a strong desire for advocacy for vulnerable populations at a young age. Momma to two boys and dogs with my loving husband.
Deja Williams
Recruiter
Team player since: 2021
Graduate from Wright State University with bachelor’s in social work in 2018. Child Welfare has had my heart, and I love the work I do with foster youth. I’m a One Tree Hill superfan, and you can catch me in Wilmington, NC visiting the amazing area it was filmed in. I enjoy spending my time with my family and friends. My dream is to travel the world especially Europe.
Rachel Smith
Recruiter
Team player since: 2023
Ohio State University graduate with a BS in Social Work and a Youth Development minor. Loves to travel and be in the mountains, specifically Colorado! Avid reader, movie watcher and tv-show binger; some of my favorites being all MARVEL films, Harry Potter, New Girl, FRIENDS, and Outlander. Enjoys spending time outdoors and being with friends and family.
Bridget Michaels
Recruiter
Team player since: 2024
Bridget has been married for 24 years. She is also a former foster parent and a proud parent of her five adopted kids. She spends most of her free time being her kids’ biggest fan at the soccer field and at their 4-H activities. Any extra time Bridget has, she enjoys crafting: scrapbooking, sewing, knitting, crocheting, & more.
Ashely Ratliff
Recruiter
Team player since: 2024
Wife, mother, athlete. I have 5 children, and I love spending time doing DIY and science projects. Fun Fact: I play women’s full contact tackle football for the Cincinnati Cougars (I’m a National Champion!). My primary position is Outside Linebacker, but I also play QB, RB, and WR. I am a Bengals fan- always have been and always will be. I coach 4th grade boys’ basketball for Goshen and 10u boy soccer for Goshen. I am passionate about working with children, as I like helping children build their foundation and find a greater love within themselves.
Behavioral Health
Behavioral Health clinicians are licensed therapists or counselors who specialize in play-therapy and trauma-based therapy approaches.
Tracy Faber, LISW-S, CTRP, ECHMC, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor™
Clinical Director
Team player since: 2005
Grew up in Tennessee, near the Smokey Mountains. Loves hiking and camping. Loves playing games and is renowned around the office for being competitive. Grew up with a love and passion for children in foster care as her parents and extended family were foster parents.
Amy Shull, LISW-S, CTRP, Registered Play Therapist™
Clinical Supervisor
Team player since: 2013
Amy has provided behavioral health services since 2010 working with a wide range of clients/needs. When Amy is not working she enjoys being outside, playing soccer, and spending time with her family.
Erin Hutt, LISW, CTRP, Registered Play Therapist™
Youth and Family Therapist
Team player since: 2017
Erin has been a therapist with Focus for 7 years with the goal of helping families never feel alone. Though play therapy, children are able to heal and families are able to connect. Lover of walks, bike rides, chocolate, and time with family and friends she is always ready to provide encouragement.
Emma Walker, MSW, LSW, CTRP, ECMHC
Youth and Family Therapist
Team player since: 2020
Emma started as an intern and couldn’t stay away. She attended Miami University for both her undergrad and masters, returning to Focus following graduation to progress from intern to Therapist. She spends most of her days in the sand as she is both a play therapist and sand volleyball lover. Emma also enjoys spending time with friends, traveling and a good morning coffee run with her corgi, Porter.
Cassie Cuhran, MSW, LSW, CTRS-C, ECMHC
Youth and Family Therapist
Team Player since: 2021
Cassie is a New York native and Penn State alum, now enjoying a home in Ohio with her husband and son. She is a lover of reading, manatees, traveling, and chocolate- not necessarily in that order. She is a self-proclaimed Disney enthusiast with a passion for play. Cassie enjoyed being an intern at Focus so much, she came back for more!
Maura Hartmann, MSW, LSW, CTRS-C
Youth and Family Therapist
Team Player since: 2023
Born and raised in Cincinnati. Loves the Bearcats, Bengals, Cyclones, Reds, and FCC. Can be found with her husband playing with their son in her free time. Avid marine life advocate especially sea turtles and sharks. Found her love of play again while interning at Focus.
Kerri McKenna, Ed.D, MSW, LSW
Youth and Family Therapist
Team Player since: 2024
Kerri wanted to be Marine Biologist when she was little, spent 29 years teaching HS and college English, and finally realized what she wanted to be as a grown up: A youth and family therapist. She is a proud supporter of her children, the Cleveland Browns, and musical theater. Kerri can be found reading books, spending time with her family, and enjoying belly laughs with her loved ones.
Sydney Day, CTRS-C
Qualified Behavioral Health Specialist
Team Player since: 2023
Graduated from University of Kentucky in December 2021. Lived in Cincinnati for 22 years. Loves to be outside, by the water, and with friends. She hopes to one day take her dream vacation to Sydney, Australia. A dog mama to her sweet rescue pup named Willow.
Kathryn Walters
Behavioral Health Intern
Team Player since: 2024
Kathryn is a MSW student at the University of Cincinnati, with the hope of working with children in her future. She has been an Ohio resident for all her life. She enjoys reading and drawing. Also a huge sports fan but mainly FCC!
Training Institute
Our training staff provides quality, trauma-informed, and research-based training to support the well-being of all children.
Emily Ballard, BA
Training Coordinator
Team player since: 2016
Graduated with a degree in Early Childhood Education and decided she’d much rather teach adults. Spent two years fostering three teenagers and two toddlers with her high school sweetheart turned husband and their two boys. She loves being with people but also loves curling up with a good book in hand.
