Dayton, Ohio – The Montgomery County Board of County Commissioners has approved the appointment of Kyla Woods as the new Assistant Director of Human Services Planning & Development, recognizing her long career in public service and her leadership in strengthening programs that support children, families, and vulnerable residents throughout the county.
County officials announced the appointment Tuesday, highlighting Woods’ nearly two decades of experience working within Montgomery County’s human services system. Leaders said her background in program development, grant administration, and collaboration across agencies made her a strong choice for the leadership role.
Human Services Planning & Development, commonly known as HSPD, operates under the Board of County Commissioners and works closely with public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private partners to coordinate health and human services for Montgomery County residents. The department also oversees planning, evaluations, contracts, and major community initiatives tied to the Human Services Levy and several county advisory boards.
Officials noted that HSPD supports a population of more than 537,000 residents while helping guide efforts connected to housing, children’s services, behavioral health, and other essential support programs.
“Kyla has consistently demonstrated the ability to foster strong programs, secure critical funding and strengthen partnerships across our human services system,” said Jessica Jenkins, Director of Human Services Planning & Development. “Her leadership has already made a lasting impact in this department, and I am confident she will continue advancing our mission in this new role.”
Two Decades of Service Across County Agencies
Woods began her public service career with Montgomery County Job and Family Services, where she worked directly with residents seeking assistance and support programs. County officials said she later moved to Montgomery County Juvenile Court, where she became heavily involved in the implementation of the Family Treatment Court program.
During her time with Juvenile Court, Woods helped secure millions of dollars in federal and state funding through grant writing and program development efforts. Officials said those funds played a major role in supporting long-term court-based initiatives focused on treatment and family services.
Most recently, Woods served as Manager of Community Programming for HSPD, where she coordinated countywide human services projects and worked as a connection point between Montgomery County government and nonprofit organizations throughout the region.
County leaders said her work has focused heavily on collaboration between agencies in order to improve outcomes for residents facing difficult situations.
“Stepping into this new role strengthens my resolve to serve the citizens of Montgomery County with empathy and innovation,” Woods said. “Working in HSPD, allows us to anticipate the needs of our community and meet them head-on. I am honored to help shape a future defined by impactful service, collaboration and lasting positive change.”
Woods also brings a strong educational background to the position. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and a master’s degree in Applied Behavioral Science from Wright State University. She is also a licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor and is currently pursuing a doctorate in Organizational Leadership at the University of Dayton.
County officials said her combination of frontline experience, leadership, and education positions her to continue helping guide Montgomery County’s human services efforts as community needs continue evolving.
