Spotlight of the Month: Dr. Sarah LaTourette

Dr. Sarah LaTourette is a highly respected child advocate and public servant who has dedicated her career to improving the lives of Ohio’s  children and strengthening the systems that serve them. With extensive experience in both government and nonprofit leadership, she has built a strong reputation for driving collaborative, family-focused reforms that produce lasting change.

As Executive Director of the Ohio Children’s Trust Fund (OCTF), LaTourette leads the state’s agency which is dedicated to the primary prevention of child abuse and neglect. Under her leadership, OCTF provides funding, training, and technical support to community-based prevention programs in all 88 Ohio counties. She works closely with local agencies, nonprofits, and families to build protective factors, reduce risks, and ensure that children grow up in safe, supportive environments. Her efforts focus on parent and caregiver education, family strengthening, and cross-system collaboration among child-serving agencies.

Policy Leadership and Legislative Legacy

Before joining OCTF, LaTourette served as the Executive Director of Ohio Family and Children First within Governor Mike DeWine’s administration. In that capacity, she oversaw county Family and Children First councils, directed statewide initiatives for multi-system youth, and led several successful family-centered policy reforms. Her work strengthened coordination between health, education, child welfare, and behavioral health systems to better support children with complex needs.

From 2015 to 2019, LaTourette represented Ohio’s 76th House District, covering most of Geauga and northern Portage Counties, in the Ohio House of Representatives. During her tenure, she emerged as a leading voice on issues affecting the youth, foster care, adoption, and family preservation. Notably, she spearheaded the creation of the Joint Committee on Multi-System Youth and served as its co-chair, bringing together lawmakers and agency leaders to design solutions for children involved in multiple state systems.

Recognised Excellence

LaTourette’s commitment to improving outcomes for children has earned her widespread recognition and multiple awards, including:

• The Public Children Services Association of Ohio’s Gayle Channing Tenenbaum Legislator of the Year Award
• The Ohio Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs Legislative Champion Award
• The Ohio Children’s Trust Fund’s Everyday Ohio Hero Award

Colleagues and stakeholders consistently commend her vision and ability to build consensus across sectors. Mark Mecum, CEO of the Ohio Children’s Alliance, describes her as “an incredibly talented leader for issues facing kids, families, and our state’s system of care,” noting her capacity to drive transformative results.

Lasting Impact

Dr. Sarah LaTourette’s work reflects a deep belief that every child deserves to grow up safe, supported, and given the opportunity to thrive. By combining policy expertise, collaborative leadership, and an unwavering focus on prevention and family support, she continues to shape a stronger and more responsive system of care for children across Ohio.