Jennifer Ruff serves as the Assistant Project Director for Ohio’s State Opioid Response (SOR) Grant, where she supports funding for statewide initiatives aimed at strengthening prevention, treatment, and recovery services. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Purdue University and a Master of Arts in Counselor Education from The Ohio State University and brings more than a decade of experience in education, behavioral health, and statewide systems coordination.

Jennifer spent eight years as a school counselor at the school and district level before transitioning to state service. She later joined the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce as the Assistant Administrator of Safe and Supportive Schools, where she oversaw key initiatives including school safety, family engagement, attendance, and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). During this time, she also served as President of the Purdue Alumni Club of Central Ohio for four years and continues to support the organization as a board member.

Her work has centered on building comprehensive systems that support well-being, strengthen community partnerships, and remove barriers to success. Jennifer has extensive experience designing and implementing programs using Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), ensuring interventions are responsive, sustainable, and aligned across local and state levels. With experience in program creation, implementation, and evaluation, she is committed to fostering strong connections across sectors to meet community needs and close service gaps. She has presented at both state and national conferences and is passionate about collaborative solutions that elevate recovery supports and promote thriving communities.