The Franklin County Commissioners today announced the appointment of Joy Bivens as director of the county Job and Family Services agency (JFS). Bivens currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer for the agency and will begin her new position which pays $132,000 annually on Monday, May 2nd.
Franklin County JFS is the county’s first-line social services agency, which provides services, from SNAP benefits to summer camp, and from Medicaid sign-up to refugee resettlement to more than 300,000 Central Ohioans each year. The position of Agency Director has been vacant since August of 2015.
“Job and Family Services is one of the most important agencies in the county,” said Board of Commissioners President John O’Grady. “It’s a big job that requires strong leadership, and we have every confidence in Joy.”
Mrs. Bivens first worked at Job and Family Services in 2004, before leaving to start her own healthcare administration business with more than 100 employees. She returned to the agency in 2015, and also serves on the Whitehall City Schools Board of Education and on the Executive Committee for the Ohio Jobs and Family Services Directors’ Association.
“I look forward to Mrs. Bivens’ energy, compassion, leadership and positive attitude as she works to help the children and families of Franklin County,” said Commissioner Paula Brooks. “Poverty has drastically risen in our community and the commissioners, working with Mrs. Bivens and her team, must solve this situation to preserve our community and quality of life.”
Franklin County JFS has an annual budget of nearly $80 million, which is made up of funding from the federal government, State of Ohio, and Franklin County. The agency provides workforce development and family support programs that improve the quality of life for Franklin County residents, and helps public assistance clients to work toward independence.
“Joy Bivens is an outstanding leader,” said Commissioner Marilyn Brown. “And we’ll be lucky to have her at the head of such an important agency that provides smart, compassionate social services to Franklin County residents.”
Job and Family services has more than 600 employees, and operates from Opportunity Centers in the north, east, and western parts of the city. More information about JFS and benefits availability can be found at
jfs.franklincountyohio.gov.