Brittany Taylor strengthens Coshocton ties

Brittany Taylor was raised in Muskingum County on her family farm. She attended the East Muskingum Local School District and graduated from John Glenn High School in 2012.

In high school Taylor was in orchestra, where she played violin. She also was a member of the color guard and served as section leader for two years. She also was in Key Club, National Honor Society and on the yearbook committee.

Her family farm consisted of forested areas, large family gardens and an orchard. They raised chickens and had a goat.

As the only child, Taylor has fond memories of working on outdoor projects with her dad and learned to run a tractor and chainsaw, splitting and stacking wood. She learned a lot from her mom — crafting, crochet and cooking.

Her uncle owns the Winerak Market in Zanesville, and working there in high school and college gave her customer service skills. She also worked at the Genesis Lifestyle and Fitness Center as a certified group exercise instructor and as a child care attendant.

Following graduation, Taylor attended Ohio University Zanesville campus, with plans to follow the nutrition track. She couldn’t complete her education in Zanesville so she transferred to the main campus in Athens to finish her education. She received her Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition Sciences from OU in 2017 and went on to complete her education at Marshall University, receiving a Masters Certificate in 2018.

Her studies included diabetes education and certification, and she realized she liked the preventive side of nutrition. She said the diabetes certificate opened her eyes to what food can do. She completed an internship at the Muskingum County Women, Infants and Children Program Office, which led to the position she holds with the Coshocton County WIC Office.

Taylor works for the Coshocton Public Health District, where she serves in many roles. As the WIC program director, Taylor directs the flow of the clinic and office, based on guidelines from the federal and state government, and follows the functions of the Coshocton Public Health District.

Her program is funded by a grant from the Ohio Department of Health, so she manages the budget and applies and stays in compliance with the grant. She also is the breastfeeding coordinator, supervising the breastfeeding staff, and promotes the Coshocton County Breastfeeding Network.

As a health professional, Taylor is responsible for providing nutrition information for the WIC Supplemental Nutrition Program, providing education, health care referrals, breastfeeding support and nutritious foods.

The goal of the WIC Program is to improve the health status of those most at risk in Ohio by improving nutrition during pregnancy and post-partum, reducing infant mortality, and filling the gap for children age 1-5 by providing nutritious foods for development and growth. Children’s height, weight and iron levels are checked at all WIC appointments to ensure they are meeting nutrition guidelines.

She also is part of the health department leadership team, which is responsible for district health needs and functions.

Taylor partners with many outside agencies to promote WIC and the Coshocton County Breastfeeding Network within day cares, Coshocton County Head Start and Early Head Start. She provides Baby Bucks for the Pregnancy Center of Coshocton and works with Help Me Grow, the Coshocton Public Library, United Way/Dolly Parton Imagination Library, Maternal Child Health Center and Coshocton Regional Medical Center.

Taylor said, "Living in Muskingum County but working in Coshocton makes it difficult to get involved.”

She is interested in Kiwanis and has been attending the Coshocton Business and Professional Women meetings but is not yet a member.

Taylor learned about Leadership Coshocton at a Kiwanis meeting through alumna Kaylee Andrews and also talked to Shana Miller of LCC Class of 2018 about the program. Sheila Mayse of LCC Class of 2007 encouraged her to participate. Health Commissioner Kristina Bell also encouraged her to participate. Bell said she saw her potential and wanted to support her growth as a leader.

Taylor said she wants to learn more about the county and feel connected to where she works. She said she also wants to become a more positive leader, grow, learn and be more involved.

When asked her view of the community, Taylor said, “I am starting to see more of the county. There is so much opportunity for children in our county to grow into wonderful leaders. I learned about opportunities available to children through this program. I love the nature here — Lake Park, Clary Gardens — and the beauty of the area. The people are friendly and offer a smile. Coshocton is a small, friendly community that still smiles and greets one another. Don’t lose that.”

To make the county stronger, Taylor stresses the importance of being proud of the past and history. "Remember that a lot has come out of Coshocton — leaders and entrepreneurs who have had a lot of impact within the county and for the country. We need to remember our past successes.”

Taylor said she would recommend LCC for others. She said it has helped to give her direction, context and application to develop leadership skills.

"I feel much more equipped to handle challenges as director and how to lead processes within the agency. It’s also helped make connections within the community and opportunities to partner and causes me to look at opportunities differently. I feel like I’ve grown a lot this year and attribute it to Leadership and building confidence in my leadership.”