Oxford County has announced the appointment of a new director of human services.
Kelly Black will replace former director Paul Beaton, who left the position in December after nine years as department head, on March 28.
“We’re excited about having her. I think she brings a lot of experience and maybe a little bit of a different perspective on some of the issues that we deal with,” said Michael Duben, the top administrator for Oxford County.
Black will be joining Oxford County after serving as chief administrative officer for the District of Timiskaming’s social services administration board.
“A lot of what she’s doing as chief administrative officer there is very similar to the role that she’ll have here,” Duben said.
While the District of Timiskaming comprises 23 municipalities, Duben noted Oxford County’s population “is somewhat bigger than up north.”
Black will be responsible for a $46.9-million portfolio that broadly delivers children’s services, housing and other community supports, including financial assistance and Ontario Works.
“There are a lot of vulnerable people in our community that rely on social services and on human services. I realize it’s not as glamorous of a role, maybe, as the treasurer or public works director, but it’s a very important role to many, many people in the community,” Duben said.
In the coming year, the human service department’s priorities include addressing the housing crisis and homelessness in Oxford County, implementing provincial-level changes to the Ontario Works program, and collaborating with local community partners and employers.
“I’m excited to learn more about local issues and the community partners who I know have been working so effectively to address the challenges of poverty, homelessness and building children’s services,” Black said in a press release announcing her new position.
Black has many experiences and skills developed through her previous roles that Duben said will help her in this new position. He also said her personality will help with her new responsibilities, describing Black as personable and hardworking.
“She’s a team player, and I think that’s very important in this business because we don’t do a lot on our own. We rely on our partners to help us help others,” he said.
As part of her work for the District of Timiskaming, Black provides oversight for Ontario Works, children’s and housing services, and paramedic services.
Before taking the helm of the social services board, she worked for almost a decade as its housing manager, where she oversaw finance and funding, regulatory compliance, new development, information technology, operations and more.
Because of this past experience, Duben predicted success in her new role as director of human services at Oxford County.
“A lot of people understand parks and recreation, garbage collection and roads because everybody rides on the roads (and) everybody has their garbage picked up. Often, it’s a small segment of our population that actually takes advantage of social services. So, while not everyone necessarily uses these services, it’s a very important service,” Duben said.