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The Public Service Award in Honor of John A. Begala was created to honor those who have shown a great commitment to public service, especially as it relates to improving health and human services in Ohio and named after former state representative and Community Solutions Executive Director, John Begala.
We are pleased to present two awards in 2026.
Ohio Job and Family Services Directors’ Association is honored as an organization.
OJFSDA represents the county job and family services agencies across Ohio’s 88 counties and communicates key issues and solutions regarding the delivery of social services to Ohio policymakers, legislators, and other decision makers. The work is vital and often unseen; public servants across counties work to connect Ohioans to public safety net programs, at the same time navigating major policy changes and fluctuating need for support.
OJFSDA and its members have been instrumental in untangling the implementation of federal policy changes, working largely behind-the-scenes to ensure Ohioans can access the public benefits and other assistance they need. They collaborate with state government and local stakeholders and are critical to understanding what is happening in Ohio’s counties and how it impacts residents, while identifying opportunities to improve program effectiveness.
Accepting the award on behalf of OJFSDA is Jon Honeck, Executive Director, leading his dedicated team to strengthen the delivery of human services in Ohio.
Kevin Gowan, Director of Cuyahoga Job and Family Services is recognized for individual excellence in the field.
Cuyahoga JFS promotes economic self-sufficiency and personal responsibility for families and individuals by providing access to jobs, benefits, and community services. Kevin has led Cuyahoga JFS during a truly challenging time, guiding the community through changes with SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, workforce support, and other safety net programs.
Kevin’s knowledge of public benefit systems is unmatched, and he shares factual, up-to-the-minute information about the local implications of federal and state policy changes. Kevin’s quiet and consistent leadership style helped him become an asset for the entire Cuyahoga County community, and a trusted advisor.
Join us at Celebration on Friday, November 20 to recognize their work as ODJFSDA and Kevin Gowan accept the Public Service Award in Honor of John A. Begala.
