LISBON — Columbiana County Department of Job and Family Services Director Rachel Ketterman recently received the John Fisher Service Award, a state honor recognizing her leadership and service in the JFS field.

County Commissioner Mike Halleck congratulated Ketterman on the award from the Ohio Job and Family Services Directors’ Association.

“They feel the same way how much we appreciate what you do. You do a great job,” Halleck said, thanking her for the work she does.

“I second everything he said,” Commissioner Tim Ginter said.

According to an email sent to the commissioners, the JFS award recognizes four attributes always present in the work of John Fisher, who’s now retired from JFS and is the namesake for the award. Those attributes include character, professional experience, communication skills and interpersonal skills. He was known for making himself available to provide guidance, advice and assistance to other directors and staff. He was a mentor to Ketterman, so being recognized with an award in his name means something.

“That was a very big honor to me,” Ketterman said.

She said she has always admired Fisher, who served 21 years as executive director of the Licking County JFS and 34 years with the department.

“I have always admired his knowledge, his way of helping and assisting others to do the absolute best that they can,” Ketterman said.

She started with the agency 23 years ago as a case worker with children services and worked her way up to the title Deputy Director before being promoted to director in 2019. While she was deputy director, she was in charge of the budget and forecasting and Fisher spent time with her, teaching her the ins and outs.

A Leetonia native, Ketterman resides in Lisbon.

CCDJFS Human Resource Administrator Jill Jurjavcic congratulated Ketterman and wrote: “This honor is a testament to the impact you have had on so many people through your leadership, service, mentorship, professional support, collaboration, and advocacy for JFS. You consistently invest in the success and well-being of others, often without seeking recognition for yourself. Those of us who have had the privilege of working with you have witnessed firsthand the dedication, integrity, and generosity that this award celebrates.”

In other business related to DJFS, commissioners approved contracts from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027 with: the Community Action Rural Transit System for non-emergency transportation and prenatal transportation services, funded by Non-Emergency Transportation funds, with a spending ceiling of $1 million; Community Action Rural Transit System for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) employment and training program transportation services, funded by Food Assistance Employment Training funds, with a spending ceiling of $50,000; Corner Auto for agency vehicle maintenance and repairs, shared funding, with a spending ceiling of $13,000.

Contracts approved for the Family and Children First Council, at the request of Ketterman, from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027, included: R.E.D.Y. for mentor and respite services, funded with FCFC funds, with a spending ceiling of $15,000; and TRAX Youth Services for mentor and respite services, funded with FCFC funds, with a spending ceiling of $15,000.

For senior services levy contracts, commissioners amended the contract for legal public guardian Debra Grimm, increasing her contract ceiling from $4,000 up to $9,000 due to an increase in the need for services than originally projected. A new contract was approved for case management with David Schwartz for $25,240 from June 15, 2026 to Dec. 31, 2026.

Commissioners entered into executive session with Ketterman for a personnel matter, returning back to open session and voting to follow her recommendation for an issue with an employee in the Child Support division. The employee was suspended for one day for discourteous treatment of another employee.