By Sherry Larson
People’s Defender
Adams County was well represented on September 21 at the International Work Force Conference in Columbus, Ohio. Chief Probation Officer Chelsea Phelps, Ohio Means Jobs Director Debora Plymail, Ohio Means Jobs Assistant Director Susan Huff, and OVLSD Behavioral Health Director Danielle Poe presented at the conference on behalf of the efforts of Operation Better Together.
Readers may remember that Operation Better Together was formed from a gathering on November 22, 2021, when the Honorable Judge Brett Spencer called an emergency meeting for local agencies. At that time, Judge Spencer described how 14 children had been removed from their homes within one week, and Adams County was leading Ohio in removals of children. He spoke about the drug issues affecting the community and youth at large.
Many positive outcomes came from that meeting. Agencies joined forces, dropped silos, and began working together toward common goals like never before. Efforts like the 210 Program and Family Intervention Court were birthed and continue to grow. Phelps said, “All of our resources came together from treatment facilities to courts, workforce, school boards, you name we have it.” Plymail echoed, “We are still very active.”
Attendees of the conference learned various ways counties and organizations are helping people to succeed and reenter the workforce after life events that hindered their progress. Plymail described the 12-minute speed presentations they gave in a one-hour time frame. She explained that participants were interested in how Adams County was able to move people forward.
Plymail said they discussed empowering and “Fair Chance Employment,” a term they feel best describes what is needed in the community, as sometimes people need more than a second chance to succeed. Operation Better Together has seen significant progress with folks going to work for the Health Department and Court System. Plymail said, “We need other employers to step up. Some employers fear the unknown.” She encourages others to join the effort.
Operation Better Together continues to meet bi-monthly. Recently, Kyle Plymesser was sworn in as the new Community Coordinator of the Adams County Courts, replacing Ashley McCarty. The next meeting is November 28 at 2 p.m. at the Adams County Health Department. A representative will speak about the new Fatherhood Grant based out of Scioto County. The grant will serve Adams and Brown counties and aims to educate fathers, mothers, and other relatives on being good role models utilizing the “Dad’s Matter” curriculum.
Attendees from other areas were also curious about how Adams County sustains its success. Plymail believes it is the close relationships developed with other agencies. Huff said, “We talked about how well our agencies work together to collaborate and provide all the services.” Plymail shares that Ohio Means Jobs is grateful for the education they receive from the probation department on reentry and recovery. She said they continue to learn, “We thought people always had to be ready for a job when they came to us, now we have more of a role to help them get ready.”
What sets Adams County apart? Many community agencies need to work together more closely, like the organizations in Adams County. Plymail said, “It’s not just because we must work together. It’s because we want to work together.”