Office of Human Services
Office of Human Services
The Office of Human Services within the City of Cincinnati serves as the central hub for programs and initiatives that support our community’s well-being. The department’s mission is to advance equity, remove barriers, and provide comprehensive supports so that all residents, especially those historically underserved or facing structural disadvantage, can thrive.
As part of the City Manager’s Office, the department plays a strategic role in aligning human-services delivery with broader city objectives (e.g., safety, health, neighborhoods, workforce).
Our work focuses on four key priorities: Housing Stability – Supporting programs that prevent homelessness and promote safe, affordable housing. Food Security – Partnering with local organizations to ensure all residents have access to nutritious food. Economic Mobility – Expanding workforce opportunities and pathways out of poverty. Health and Family Support – Strengthening services for youth, seniors, and families across Cincinnati.
About Deanna White, Director of Human Services
As Director, Deanna leads the office of Human Services; coordinates operations related to the City's human services fund and leveraged support; implements programming related to violence prevention, eviction, and homelessness prevention; and is the central point of contact for both internal and external human services stakeholders.
Deanna previously worked for 18 years at the Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati, where she staffed the medical-legal partnership with Cincinnati Children's Pediatric Primary Care (PPC) Center. At the Legal Aid Society, she worked face-to-face with families on legal issues impacting their children's health and coordinated a coalition of community partners tasked with enrolling people in Ohio Medicaid and connecting people with medical homes. Her areas of expertise include public benefits (including food assistance and Medicaid) and housing issues (including rent assistance, eviction prevention, and addressing poor living conditions).
Prior to joining the Legal Aid Society, Deanna worked at Cincinnati Works from the organization's inception, ultimately becoming Director of Employment Support. She began her career at Hamilton County Pretrial Services, where she focused on drug courts and first-time offender diversion.
Deanna is a 2018 UHCAN Ohio Lend your Voice - Health Care for All Honoree, a recipient of the 2014 HealthSource of Ohio Community Health Award, and a 2009 Cincinnati Business Courier Health Care Heroes finalist for Community Outreach.
A lifelong Cincinnatian, Deanna attended McAuley High School and earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from the University of Cincinnati. She lives in Fairfax with her son Nick and enjoys live music, her book club, and visiting local breweries and restaurants with her fiancé Kelly.
