Summit County Children Services

Ann Ream has been employed at Summit County Children Services (SCCS) for over 31 years.  She attended The University of Akron where she earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in social work.  Her responsibilities at the agency have included Protective Services social worker, Family Meeting Coordinator/Facilitator, Supervisor of the Family Meeting Unit, Supervisor of the Paid Placement Unit, Protective Services Department Director and her current position as the Department Director, Community Relations.  

Ms. Ream has also played a pivotal role in bringing Team Decision Making Meetings to the agency.  She is a graduate of the Child & Family Leadership Exchange and has a broad understanding of community resources that assist in serving the children and families in our community.  In addition, Ms. Ream has chaired the agency's Father Factor initiative which has promoted the engagement of father's and has increased staff awareness and improved practice related to fathers in child welfare. 

This work became the catalyst for the development of a best practice guide for the state of Ohio on strategies to improve identifying, locating and engaging fathers and paternal family members in child welfare.   Ms. Ream has served as a Governor appointee as a Commissioner for The Ohio Commission on Fatherhood for over six years.  Currently, her department leads the agency’s recruitment efforts to increase the number of foster families available to children in need.