PCSAO announced today that former Ohio START Regional Manager Jen McClellan has been promoted to a new position, Evaluation and Performance Manager. McClellan completed her PhD in social work from Walden University this spring.
As the Evaluation and Performance Manager, McClellan will focus primarily on Ohio START, a children services-led intervention model administered by PCSAO that helps families struggling with co-occurring child maltreatment and substance use disorder. Through close collaboration with current evaluation vendors, McClellan will provide oversight and coordination of the evidence-based prevention program’s evaluation and conduct additional data analysis to demonstrate the impact of Ohio START.
In addition, McClellan will expand and improve PCSAO’s research efforts, including oversight and coordination of research briefs, publication of the annual Factbook, longitudinal analysis of data trends and support for evaluation of the PACT shared practice model.
“Data about children and families, behavioral health and spending has become more complex, and we are thrilled that Jen has accepted this position to lead deeper analysis of children services trends and outcomes,” said PCSAO Executive Director Angela Sausser. “Her doctoral degree focused on social work and research will help us build and enhance evaluation here at PCSAO.”
McClellan joined PCSAO’s staff in September 2021, having worked for nonprofit organizations serving children, families and adults in central Ohio. For much of her career, she has held leadership positions in mental health, foster care and medical social work.
A central Ohio native, McClellan received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work from The Ohio State University. Her doctoral research focused on the intersection of parental substance use disorder and child maltreatment. “I am passionate about building collaborative research and practice partnerships,” McClellan said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to use my skills to improve the child protection system in Ohio.”