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Medina County peer mentor highlighted at governor’s State of the State for House START work
Summary
Medina County Job and Family Services staff reported that a county peer mentor, Laurel Rednauer, was invited to and acknowledged at Governor Mike DeWine’s State of the State for her work with House START, the Attorney General’s initiative pairing families with peer mentors.
Medina County Job and Family Services reported that a county family peer mentor, Laurel Rednauer, was invited to and publicly recognized by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine at his March State of the State address for her work with House START, an Attorney General initiative addressing co-occurring substance use and child maltreatment.
Why it matters: House START (Sobriety, Treatment and Reducing Trauma) pairs families who face both child maltreatment and substance-use disorders with protective workers and family peer mentors who have lived experience. Job and Family Services staff said the pairing helps families pursue sobriety and accountability while navigating child-welfare processes.
Director Debbie Kiley told commissioners that the program launched in 2017 under Attorney General DeWine’s initiative and that Medina County’s peer mentors are people with lived experience who complete specialized training and who can support families seeking reunification or recovery. Kiley said the model includes a requirement that peer mentors complete 40 hours of peer recovery support training through OMAS and that mentors must have sustained recovery and relevant lived experience. Kiley said peer mentors have accompanied families through setbacks and helped them regain progress toward reunification.
Kiley said that on March 12, 2025, Governor DeWine formally invited Rednauer to his State of the State and publicly acknowledged her work. Kiley said Rednauer met the governor and first lady along with other officials; the agency circulated photos and plans to include the event in the county newsletter.
The Job and Family Services update was presented as informational; no board action was required or taken on the recognition or the program during this meeting.
Ending: Commissioners received the update and staff said they will include the recognition in department communications.
