DIRECTOR OF

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

MSW, LISW-S

Her 30 years' experience in the social work field - where she has helped develop and initiate several programs in the state of Ohio - shines brightly through her BH team.

UTILIZATION & QUALITY

IMPROVEMENT COORDINATOR

Lauren Verhoff

BSW

Lauren joined the YAS family as an Early Childhood Intern and we just couldn't let her, or her addictive laugh, go! She believes that staff engagement and a little humor makes quality improvement fun.

DIRECTOR OF

FOSTER CARE

Anita Godfrey

MPA, LSW

A 25-year social services veteran, Anita ensures that YAS’ foster care department maintains compliance with OAC rules, that our foster children are provided with the safest home possible and that we have a supportive and clinically sound staff for our foster parents and children.

We've been privileged to play a role in helping thousands of children and families in central Ohio. As our community's needs have grown, we've been able to grow along with it. Our services now touch the lives of people in more than 14 counties every day. We credit our strength and endurance to a consistent approach to managing our business, and to the character of our people.

Led by YAS' CEO, the Executive Team is a group of experienced agency leaders who have key executive roles in various areas of the agency. The Executive Team’s responsibilities include long-term strategic planning (programmatic and overall agency), preservation of YAS' financial stability, and quality improvement.

meet our executive team

yas staff says

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Sarah Cochey

MSSA, LSW, EIS

Since becoming CEO in December 2016, she has been focused on navigating many industry changes to ensure our rich 40 year history of serving Central Ohio continues to reflect a culture committed to quality client care. Sarah is also dedicated to ongoing efforts that develop and support our most valuable asset, our staff.

DIRECTOR OF

DEVELOPMENT & MARKETING

Jocelyn Pennino

She's been the creative brain behind our print and digital design since 2013, as well as spearheading YAS fundraisers over the years. In other words: defending brand guidelines and cultivating growth is her jam.

January 10, 2019

5.0 Excellent place to work

YAS is a supportive place that truly cares about its employees. I have been here for 3 years and I can say that it has been the best 3 year of my 25 year career. My input is valued and self-care is viewed as important and it is a family and professional atmosphere. YAS allows employees to grow and expand their skills and [offers] CEUs.

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Glenn Richard
He is a trusted CEO adviser (and our resident practical joker) who has analyzed and developed financial and technological well-being for YAS since 2009.

Foster Care Department has offered amazing Growth opportunities for me

I love my foster care team. I work with wonderful people who are all different and unique and allow me to grow and learn from them everyday. I work with amazing foster parents who have given me wisdom and knowledge that I can take with me in all avenues of my life. We work in an emotionally difficult field that takes its toll on us, so it's important to work with supportive people. The foster care team (and really all of the staff at YAS) are so caring and supportive it is refreshing. The people here, in all of YAS, truly care about our clients and each other and I have worked enough places to know you don't get this everywhere. There is a true atmosphere to set each staff person up for success and others on the team walk along side to help make it happen, as long as that collaboration is accepted. I have moved positions and had supervisors I loved and ones I didn't connect with as well, but I have grown from both types here. For that I am grateful. I also believe both types wanted success for me. So many people are promoted from within and that is great to see. With more than one program movement within the agency is possible as well. The best part of this job hands down is the people I work with, this team is so amazing! The worst part is the evils done to our clients [meaning: outside factors that cause our clients to be in the foster system]!

4.0

May 6, 2019

We work very hard to take care of our staff - after all, they take care of our clients! See what staff members have to say about their experience at YAS:

EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT / HR

Erica Fitzgerald

Right hand to the CEO and quality onboarding specialist, Erica is an integral part of our agency's backbone. This no-nonsense problem solver gets things done.

DIRECTOR OF

EARLY CHILDHOOD

Lydia Boles

MSW, LISW

She is a lover of developing processes and procedures that enhance both performance and job satisfaction. As such, she provides supportive leadership to the Help Me Grow's Home Visiting and Early Intervention staff who serve our littlest clients and their families.