Congratulations to HCJFS employee April Barker for winning 2013 Hamilton County Employee of the Year for Professional Achievement.

The award is for a county employee that has made significant contributions to their role as a county employee, created new practices and achieved an accomplishment in their field.

“It’s an honor to be acknowledged for the work that I do at HCJFS. I appreciate the nomination and selection and realize that the success noted is the success of many people,” Barker said.

Barker was nominated by two HCJFS employees for her work in helping to increase Ohio’s Ohio Works First (OWF) work participation rate from 39 to 50 percent.

In 2012, Ohio was one of two states that had failed to meet a federal standard for the Ohio Works First work participation rate four years in a row. Ohio had been issued a final warning that federal fines would be applied unless the rate was raised to 50 percent.

Barker built a team of high performing staff dedicated to pursuing this effort, and since 2010 Hamilton County has consistently led metro counties in this measure. But not only was Barker crucial in raising Hamilton County's rate, but also developing the tools, recommendations and best practices that allowed other Ohio counties to follow Hamilton County's lead. As a result, Ohio's rate is now above 50 percent and the state was able to avoid $250,000,000 in federal fines.

“April Barker is worthy of this recognition because her achievements are unique, critical and generously shared. The outcome reflects well on public service in general, and on this employee in particular,” Section Chief Kevin Holt wrote in the nomination.

Barker and the other county employees of the year were recognized at the Board of County Commissioners meeting at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 1 and will be again on Fountain Square at 12:40 p.m. Wednesday, May 8.