Helen Jones-Kelley was appointed director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) by Governor Ted Strickland effective January 8, 2007. As director, she oversees an agency of more than 4,000 full-time employees and an annual budget of more than $17 billion. The department provides a wide range of services including Unemployment Compensation and Workforce Development to Ohio's job-seekers and employers. In addition, the department supervises the provision of a variety of services to Ohio families including Medicaid, TANF cash assistance, food stamps, child welfare and child support.

Previously, Jones-Kelley served as director of the Montgomery County Department of Job and Family Services after the Montgomery County departments of Job and Family Services and Children Services merged. She served as the executive director of the Montgomery County Children Services department since 1995. She is also a licensed attorney.

Prior to her work with Children Services, Jones-Kelley served as a referee (Magistrate) and Assistant Legal Director for Montgomery County Juvenile Court, where she started the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program. In 2003, she was appointed co-chair of the statewide Advisory Council on Children, Youth and Families.

Jones-Kelley received her Bachelor's degree in Secondary English Education from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. She earned her law degree from the University of Dayton School of Law. Jones-Kelley is married to Tom Kelley and is the mother of four daughters, one of whom she fostered.