Board of Child Care receives funds from Aetna to support Children with Serious Emotional Disorders Waiver (CSEDW) Program

Board of Child Care is among 18 health care providers in West Virginia to receive a combined $6.1 million from Aetna to support services for children with serious emotional disorders

CHARLESTON, West Virginia, Dec. 13, 2022 — The Board of Child Care (BCC) announced today that it is one of 18 health care providers across the state to receive a combined $6.1 million from Aetna Better Health® of West Virginia, a CVS® company, to help them expand community-based waiver services for Children with Serious Emotional Disorders Waiver (CSEDW) Program

The community investments will assist children by helping to open or improve specialized residential settings within the state of West Virginia to best meet their needs. The funding can also help transition youth back to their families and/or provide supports to make sure they don’t need residential services at all or won’t need them again in the future.

“Currently, there are over 500 West Virginia children living in some form of residential mental health treatment facility,” said Todd White, CEO Aetna Better Health of West Virginia, in a press release announcing the funding. “Aetna wants to assist current in-state residential treatment providers in expanding their services to help move these children back home. The objective of our community investments is to allow these facilities to assess the strengths and needs of children already in or entering residential placement, evaluate mental health and other social support services those children will need to return to their communities, then develop a plan to address barriers to accessing those services.”

BCC, like many of the state’s residential treatment providers that received Aetna’s community investments, is also hiring clinical staff, therapists and community service coordinators to achieve a continuum of care by broadening the scope of their residential work through adding an in-community care component. The child and family will receive high-intensity behavioral health and other social care services in an environment that is loving and the least restrictive.

“We are extremely grateful to Aetna Better Health of West Virginia for their generosity and support of organizations such as BCC that are helping youth of West Virginia at a critical and vulnerable time in their lives,” said Laurie Anne Spagnola, Board of Child Care CEO.

“Anytime we can add services that help keep children with their families and avoid the need for residential services, we know that means better outcomes long term,” Spagnola said. “Aetna’s generous support will help us in our mission and make a meaningful difference to many lives in West Virginia.”

For more details on how Aetna is helping children in West Virginia, see the announcement by Aetna Better Health® of West Virginia, a CVS Health® company (NYSE: CVS).

About the Board of Child Care

The Board of Child Care is a private, 501(c)3 not-for-profit that has been serving youth and their families for over 145 years. The organization’s history is rooted in faith, with its early beginnings being several orphanages operated by the United Methodist Church throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Following several mergers, first in 1960 and another in 2019, it is known today as the Board of Child Care. With a staff of 700+, an annual budget around $50 million, and its network of partners, BCC supports communities via a national footprint of programs that extend across the Eastern half of the United States. Its broad spectrum of services to youth and their families include residential, mental/behavioral health, trauma response, family support, and education. To learn more or see how you can get involved, visit boardofchildcare.org

Read more from Board of Child Care receives funds from Aetna to support Children with Serious Emotional Disorders Waiver (CSEDW) Program

In Memory of Rev. Margaret “Peggy” Herr Spengler

A Letter from Laurie Anne Spagnola, President & CEO

The best volunteers don’t necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.

On March 6, 2022, Board of Child Care (BCC) lost a longtime volunteer and loyal friend, Reverend Margaret “Peggy” Herr Spengler.

Peggy was a “semi” retired United Methodist Pastor in the Central Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church for more than 29 years. She served in many pastoral positions and other roles, most currently as Prayer Minister for New Cumberland through Trinity United Methodist Church.

For Peggy, volunteering was a family tradition. Her father, Nelson Spengler, served on the United Methodist Home for Children (UMHC) Board of Trustees for many years and Peggy assumed his board position when he retired. Peggy served as the co-coordinator for the Auxiliary in Pennsylvania and led UMHC’s Christmas candlelight service on gift opening night from 2014 to 2019. We were fortunate to welcome Peggy to the BCC Board of Directors following the merger of UMHC and BCC in 2019. Her generosity of spirit was a tremendous asset as we worked to bring together the shared history and mission of both organizations, and we remain grateful for her time and thoughtful leadership.

My thoughts and prayers are with Peggy’s family as they mourn her loss and celebrate her life of service. Peggy will be missed by everyone at BCC who was so fortunate to have known her. Please click here to view Peggy’s obituary.

In fond memory,

 

 

Laurie Anne Spagnola, MSW
President & CEO

Read more from In Memory of Rev. Margaret “Peggy” Herr Spengler

It’s Official!

BCC has earned its EAGLE reaccreditation!

Educational Assessment Guidelines Leading toward Excellence (EAGLE) is the only faith-based accrediting body in the world, focusing on ministry with older adults and children. EAGLE challenges organizations not just to compete in a challenging human services environment, but to soar above the competition while living their faith values.

BCC’s reaccreditation process was conducted in November of 2021. We are proud of the commendations from the EAGLE Accreditation Commission, including feedback that our values are prominent throughout every level and location of the organization, and our clearly articulated strategy on advocacy allows us to focus our collective efforts to make real progress at the state and national level.

We are grateful to our Board of Directors, leadership, and staff for their commitment to excellence and ensuring our ability to earn accreditation for another four years!

Read more from It’s Official!

Become A Champion for Kids in Central PA!

Open House Job Fair in Mechanicsburg, PA

We have immediate full-time openings for rewarding human services work with youth ages 12 – 21 in our Mechanicsburg, PA residential program. We are currently recruiting for 2nd and 3rd shift employees; applicants must be at least 21 years of age and able to pass background clearances and a physical examination.

Please join us for our Open House Job Fair! Learn more about open positions and/or interview on the spot.

Open House Job Fair
Wednesday, February 9, 2022
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

United Methodist Home for Children (A Board of Child Care Program)
5120 Simpson Ferry Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050

Current Open Positions Include:
Bilingual Child Care Worker Floater (Up To $2,000 Sign On Bonus)
Caminos Unit Supervisor
Child Care Worker (Sign On Bonus $2000)
Registered Nurse
Residential Child Care Worker ($500 Sign On Bonus)
Youth Care Professional – Residential ($500 Sign On Bonus)
Youth Care Assistant – Residential – Temporary Summer Position

For more information, call:
Kendra Maley, Human Resources Coordinator
717-766-7652 x219

If you are unable to attend the Open House, you can apply by faxing your resume to 717-766-4490 or emailing kmaley@boardofchildcare.org.

Read more from Become A Champion for Kids in Central PA!

Announcing BCC’s New Executive Director for Caminos Programs

Meet Our Newest Member of the Executive Leadership Team

Board of Child Care is thrilled to announce Kelly Berger as our new Executive Director for Caminos Programs. As a member of BCC’s Executive Leadership Team, Kelly will oversee the Caminos Programs in Maryland, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania, as well as Caminos Nacional and the Home Study / Post Release Services Program.  As she transitions into this role, Kelly’s focus will be on developing and strengthening the newest Caminos service lines while also supporting the existing integration of Caminos residential and community-based services within the BCC continuum of care.

Working with youth and families for over 20 years, Kelly is excited to continue her journey by providing leadership to the Caminos program.  Believing that all young people deserve to feel safe and supported, families should be together, and everyone deserves the opportunity to live their life to its fullest potential, Kelly is proud of BCC’s commitment to supporting the growth and impact of the Caminos program since its inception in 2014.

Kelly holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from Florida International University and dual Bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Psychology from Assumption College.  She is certified through the University of Maryland to provide trauma treatment for children and youth and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker – Clinical in Maryland.  Kelly’s experience extends into macro areas of social work and includes the dissemination of implementation strategy, innovative program design and development, and social sector advocacy.

Outside of work, Kelly enjoys living in Baltimore City with her partner and their dog. She balances city life with a love of travel and frequent excursions to the woods, where she can likely be found wandering along a trail or climbing a mountain.

 

Read more from Announcing BCC’s New Executive Director for Caminos Programs

BCC Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

From BCC and the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee with the generous support, content, and guidance from the Caminos team…..Celebramos el Mes de la Herencia Hispana! “Let’s Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month!”

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central, and South America. The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. The push to recognize the contributions of Latin and Hispanic communities had gained momentum throughout the 1960s when the civil rights movement was at its peak and there was a growing awareness of the United States’ multicultural identities.

The Board of Child Care honors diversity and creates opportunities for our community to continue to learn about each other and engage in joy and purpose. We would not be who we are without the contributions from our Latin and Hispanic community, and we thank you for choosing to lend your talents to BCC youth, families, and community!

Read more from BCC Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

EDI Strategic Plans

Here’s Why You Need One

In June 2021, The Board of Child Care debuted an official Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion statement to our community which demonstrated our commitment to maintaining a safe and purpose-filled workplace. Our statement reads:

The Board of Child Care is committed to honoring differences, acknowledging uniqueness, and amplifying all voices. A culture of inclusivity empowers individuals at every level to enrich communities, one family at a time.

Our statement set the tone for how we expect our organizational culture to grow and develop and left our leaders asking the following questions:

  • How do we bring this statement to life?
  • How do we create buy-in from leadership to make this statement true?
  • We have a statement, but what now?

The answer to all these questions is…Create an EDI Strategic Plan! A strategic equity, diversity, and inclusion plan can help an organization make the most of its diversity by creating an inclusive, equitable, and sustainable culture and work environment. Workplace diversity is the collective mixture of differences and similarities that include individual and organizational characteristics, values, beliefs, life experiences, and behavior.  While diversity creates the potential for greater innovation and productivity, inclusion is what enables organizations to realize the business benefits of this potential. Equity refers to fair treatment in access, opportunity, and advancement for individuals.

Creating strategic plans, program models, data models, etc., are all done to ensure that an organization is meeting its outcomes. The same effort must be put into ensuring that diversity and inclusion initiatives are being prioritized within an agency. The only way to bring about positive change and positively boost organizational culture is to assign ownership. Leaders in the diversity and inclusion industry all credit the success of an organization’s advancement in diversity and inclusion to the buy-in and involvement of leaders from every part of an organization. This work is personal, so it only makes sense that people get involved to push these initiatives forward.  Look at the example that BCC provides in its EDI strategic plan.

Goal 1: Enhance Engagement & Intercultural Development

BCC provides accessible and culturally diverse learning experiences and resources for individuals of all backgrounds.

Objective 1.1 Expand professional development opportunities among staff to enhance their knowledge, skill, and capacity relating to equity, diversity, and inclusion. 

Strategic Action

Benchmark and co-sponsor quarterly ALL Staff events, educational workshops, and activities to raise awareness on issues including (but not limited to) inclusion, diversity, equity, biases, and microaggressions.

Content Creation

EDI Facilitator

Influences/Review

Senior Leadership
Diversity Partners
Training Manager
EDI Leadership

Decision Maker

EDI Facilitator

Anticipated Completion

Winter 2022

Once you have identified your goals and objectives, it is imperative to focus in on who or what team of people can push towards the milestones. Remember, giving people ownership creates buy-in and goal achievement. This is also the perfect opportunity to ensure that there is representation in decision making.

Check out these tips for getting started on your EDI Strategic Plan:

  1. Align your EDI strategic plan with your organizations mission, values, and objectives.
  2. Verify commitment from the Top. The CEO, executive team, and board of directors must back the plan and have active involvement.
  3. Leveraging Employee Diversity. Make use of individuals who want to lend their skill and knowledge base in plan implementation.
  4. Strategic Alliances and Partnerships. Creating these formal relationships between two or more parties who remain independent while working together to achieve a specific goal or to enhance an element of the strategy.
  5. Measurement and Accountability. Identify tools that will be used to determine if EDI efforts have achieved the desired results and if not, who will be responsible for correcting methodology.

Creating your EDI statement is the first step in the right direction for your organization’s EDI journey. Now the real work begins, and your agency has been tasked with the hard work of making your EDI statement true which calls for progressive planning and actions.

Read more from EDI Strategic Plans