By: Dr. Bob Drummond  President/CEO of KidsTLC

Dear Friends of KidsTLC,

As 2011 draws to a close KidsTLC is reflecting on an eventful year.

It has been a year of difficult decisions but 2011 has also been a time of tremendous progress and growth.

In case you had not noticed, KidsTLC is now our official name.  Soon, when you drive by our campus onRogers RoadinOlatheyou will see the new sign on our logo and going forward you will only receive correspondence with our brand new logo.

Aside from the cosmetic changes, KidsTLC programs have changed as well.

The needs of the community and some funding issues have directed us to close our emergency shelter and our Transitional Living Program.  If funding resurfaces, we stand ready to re-open both of those facilities.

In the meantime we have experienced a huge surge in the need for treatment of children and teenagers who are a danger to themselves or someone else.  These children have significant psychiatric needs due to long term trauma, abuse or mental illness.

Our Phoenix Program accepts kids who are termed “treatment resistant,” meaning they have run out of placement options.   We expanded this program from 14 beds to 28 beds last month. We already have a waiting list.  

Our Street Outreach Services, our Resource Family-Foster Care Program and our Family Case Management programs are all fully funded and working hard in the communities they serve.

In 2012 KidsTLC will offer outpatient mental health services.  And we are working towards our long range goal of opening aWellnessCenter, Autism and Behavioral Health Clinics.

These are challenging times in the world of children’s service.  At KidsTLC we are solid financially because of the tremendous support our donors provide.

At KidsTLC we are ever mindful that we often offer the last hope for a life in crisis to turn around.