Lucas County Children Services Names New Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Strategy

Hope Bland

Special to The Truth

Lucas County Children Services (LCCS) has named Hope Bland, Ph.D., MSW, LSW, to the newly created position of Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Strategy.

Bland joins LCCS from Toledo Public Schools, where she most recently served as the director and administrator for the school district’s equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives. In her new position, Bland will ensure that LCCS practices, policies and plans reflect the organization’s commitment to these values and employs them as a resource agency wide.

Before focusing her career on equity and diversity, Bland held several positions in which she worked with children and families as a social worker, including time as a child welfare caseworker in Franklin County, Ohio.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from University of Toledo; an MSW from Wayne State University; and her Ph.D. in human services from Capella University, along with graduate certificates in diversity studies, and in social work and community services. She is a licensed social worker in the State of Ohio.

At LCCS, Bland will report directly to executive director, Robin Reese, and will lead the development of a new Diversity Department and champion its impact in the community.

The mission of Lucas County Children Services is to lead the community in the protection of children at risk of abuse and neglect. This is accomplished by working with families, service providers and community members to assess risk and coordinate community-based services resulting in safe, stable, and permanent families for children.