The search for a new executive director for Richland County Children Services has been narrowed down to three finalists.

The finalists are Teresa Alt, former clinical director for Children Services and former executive director of Huron County Job and Family Services;  Marsha Coleman, clinical director for Children Services and former director of Delaware County Children Services; and Patricia Harrelson, manager of policies and improvement initiatives for Lucas County Children Services.
 

More than two dozen people applied for the position and the Children Services board interviewed 11 candidates before selecting the three candidates.

The board met Monday in closed session to discuss the appointment of a new director.

Children Services, director of operations, Nikki Harless, has been serving as the interim director since May 2012, when former executive director Randy Parker was placed on paid administrative leave.
 

The board agreed to a lump sum severance pay of $42,000 to Parker as part of a separation agreement with the board.
 

In September 2012, Parker was appointed county commissioner of the Division of Health and Family Services in Sullivan County, New York.