05/14/2026
Sandy Hallett-Berkey, Executive Director for the Family & Children First Council, was the featured speaker for the May 14, 2026, meeting of the Kiwanis Club of Tiffin.
Sandy is a graduate of Kent State University and has authored a pair of books on autism. Sandy said that the core of the Council encompasses helping children dealing with trauma, homelessness, and food insecurity.
The Family & Children First Council consists of representatives from human services, mental health, schools, local government, the court system, youth services, developmental delays and disabilities, and parents, as well as other community agencies. The caseload of students, which is normally around 15, has ballooned to over 30 currently.
Two of the programs under the Council are the SMYL (Seneca Mentoring Youth Links) Program and an after-school program called Impact. Sadly, she said, one in 60 families are being headed by grandparents, which is the third highest in the State of Ohio. Mentors are always needed for SMYL. Anyone interested should contact SMYL mentor coordinator Dawn Lykins at 419-447-2927. https://www.facebook.com/SenecaMentoringYouthLinks/
The Impact After School program is a structured program offering help with homework, mentoring and pro-social skill building.
The Impact program is currently offered only for students in the Tiffin City School system. Other programs offered include:
• Handle With Care in Seneca County, which connects first responders with school to make notifications when a child has experienced a traumatic event.
• Seneca Friendship Club, a social club for young adults in Seneca County ages 18-26 who struggle with social connections, sometimes due to high functioning autism.
• Wraparound which provides coordination in helping families who have multiple needs.
• Teen pregnancy prevention which is a partnership with SCDJFS and hosts teen empowerment programs for middle school girls that builds self-control and strong values in teenagers through conversations, speakers and activities.
• Women Empowering Women which offers women a support system in an encouraging environment that recognizes and builds on existing skills and strengths and explores resources and tools to inspire future success.
In addition to her role as executive director of the Council, Sandy also is the Seneca County Handle With Care Coordinator. Currently, the Family & Children First Council has six staff members. Last year, for the first time, Sandy said that the Council had at least one reference from every local school system in the county. While all problems can't be solved, trying to stop such things as generational poverty, generational illicit drug usage, and generational incarceration is a goal.
