Celebrating Service, Connection, and Impact Across DCY

Last month, the Ohio Department of Children and Youth gathered to connect, reflect, and celebrate the people who bring our mission to life.

Across Ohio, DCY employees create ripples of change every day — a caseworker helping a family stay safely together, a customer care representative guiding a parent to the right resource, a child care specialist mentoring a new provider, or a colleague offering support during a tough week. These moments rarely make headlines, but together, they strengthen communities and change lives.

We took a moment to celebrate those everyday acts of service — and the people behind them. We recognized our KID at Heart Award recipients, who lead with empathy and integrity; our Starfish Award teams, who remind us that every action matters; and our Visionary Award winners, whose ideas make DCY stronger and more effective for the families we serve.

One of the most meaningful moments came with the presentation of our department’s highest honor — the DCY Legacy Award — to Joel Potts, Chief Government & External Affairs Officer. Before joining DCY, Joel served as Executive Director of the Ohio Job and Family Services Directors’ Association, where he united 88 counties under a shared vision and inspired countless leaders along the way. His legacy isn’t just the systems he improved — it’s the people he uplifted.

Events like this remind us that the strength of any organization comes from its people. At DCY, our work is guided by three Bold Goals: giving every baby a fighting chance, every child a strong start, and every family the opportunity to stay safely together. Achieving those goals depends on the dedication, creativity, and compassion of our team — people who show up each day to do what’s right for kids and families across Ohio. Taking time to celebrate that shared purpose keeps us grounded — and reenergized for the work ahead.

As I reflected on our time together, I couldn’t have been prouder of this team. Every call answered, every policy advanced, every problem solved contributes to something bigger — a department grounded in purpose and driven by hope.

To the DCY team: thank you for showing what’s possible when people lead with heart. Your work continues to ripple outward — and Ohio’s children and families are better for it.

To our partners: thank you for your continued support, guidance, and motivation to keep moving the needle.