Fran Gafvert, MSW, LISW-S, Director of Vital Services As a department director, Fran Gafvert oversees the strategy, management, and outreach of Barbash Family Vital Support Center, a satellite location of Jewish Family Service. For the past 14 years Fran developed the Vital Services department at JFS from a 1.5 FTE program to 7 full-time staff serving vulnerable adults experiencing poverty, hunger, and often, chronic mental illness in both the Jewish community and an underserved urban neighborhood. With her team she has created an environment of dignity and warmth, using holistic programs to maximize recovery and well-being. Fran came to Jewish Family Service with a background in technology sales to major corporate accounts and a long history of volunteerism. She first worked in agency administration, launching volunteer programs and working with the executive director in fundraising. Fran easily made the move from administration to direct social work, launching a new career by earning a master’s in social work at University of Cincinnati in 2010 while continuing her full-time work at the agency. Her dedication to meeting client needs resulted in many partnerships and collaborations in the community of mental health, poverty and shelter services, and leadership in the local United Way community. Fran earned her master’s degree from University of Cincinnati with honors, served as Secretary of the board of the Ohio Valley Clinical Social Work Society, and strives to make connections and collaborations that serve both the local community and the Jewish community where there is most need. Her bachelor’s degree is in Communications from Ohio University. She maintains certification as an independent clinical social work supervisor from the state of Ohio. Fran and her husband have two adult children living in Cincinnati and Brooklyn, New York. Two rather large dogs now reside with the couple in Cincinnati where they make their home.