2024 YEAR IN REVIEW
From increased support for our Continuum of Care, to new programming choices, to recognition for the excellence of our associates, to stories of hope and resilience among those our organization has helped: 2024 was another memorable year at KidsPeace.
KidsPeace’s president reflects on our advancements and challenges in 2024, to introduce our annual “Year in Review” timeline.
“Angel Tree” gift drive for Orchard Hills Campus concludes with 1,400 items donated to make the holidays brighter for kids in treatment.
Sheila Rulli named Vice President of Human Resources at KidsPeace.
Wesley Stone elected chair of KidsPeace Georgia’s local “Board of Associates” team of resource development volunteers.
KidsPeace marks Black History Month:
- The KidsPeace Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) Committee makes virtual tours of relevant exhibits at the Smithsonian Institution and Philadelphia’s Museum of the American Revolution available to associates.
- Students at KidsPeace School at the Donley TEC facility in Orefield incorporate the observation into art projects.
KidsPeace launches “Mo’s Closet” organization-wide fundraising effort; money raised to be used for clothing and hygiene needs of kids in care, in an effort named in memory of Maureen Harrington, a beloved associate in Maine who passed away in 2022.
KidsPeace PA Residential introduces a virtual-reality-based de-escalation system; pilot program is first-ever use of such a system in a residential treatment setting. System was demonstrated at KidsPeace Board of Directors meeting and on the Conversations with KidsPeace podcast.
National Foster Care Month activities:
- 2024 KidsPeace FCCP Foster Care Conference features virtual panel discussion with foster families and staff.
- KidsPeace Resource Parents of the year are named:
- New York: Donett and Carlton Green
- Pennsylvania: Phil and Mindy Wheeler
- North Carolina: Linda and Anthony Stokes
- Indiana: Shawn and Lisa Webb
- FCCP operations in Scranton/Honesdale (PA) featured on “PA Live!” news program throughout the month
KidsPeace Old Town school is selected to participate in the prestigious “Math4ME” program by Maine Department of Education.
KidsPeace Georgia is selected to receive proceeds from annual RaLin Construction Company BBQ cooking competition.
KidsPeace relaunches and expands internal associate reward/recognition system as “Kudos4KidsPeace;” by year’s end more than 90% of associates have accounts on the system.
KidsPeace Creative Services department wins multiple top honors in two national healthcare marketing competitions for videos, the 2022 Annual Report, and referral marketing materials.
“Black trash bags need to end!”: more than 100 suitcases are donated in luggage drive for KidsPeace FCCP office in Kingston, NY (along with Children’s Home of Kingston).
Healing Magazine Spring/Summer 2024 issue is published – “Youth Voices on Mental Health” special section focuses on perspectives from young people on the state of their personal mental health and mental healthcare issues in general.
The Hope Center for Youth and Family Crisis in Fuquay-Varina celebrates one year of operation as a behavioral health urgent care (BHUC) facility – a year in which 761 children and teens were diverted from hospital emergency rooms by the service.
First Annual KidsPeace Dodgeball Tournament is held at Orchard Hills Campus with twelve corporate teams competing; event raises $17,000 for “Mo’s Closet” and “Coping Kids” program at PA Residential.
Susan Mullen appointed to KidsPeace National Board of Directors.
National Ice Cream Day is celebrated at KidsPeace locations as Associate Engagement offers free ice cream treats to associates.
KidsPeace FCCP in Temple, PA holds its 13th “Jingle in July” 5K fundraiser and toy drive.
Michael B. Kent, Jr. is named to KidsPeace Foundation’s Board of Trustees.
Hope Center opens its first “facility-based crisis” unit – offering individuals in crisis care for up to two weeks in a 24/7/365 staff-secure therapeutic setting.
President and CEO Mike Slack is named to Lehigh Valley Business’s “Power List for Health Care” of 30 top healthcare leaders in Lehigh Valley region.
Lesley Fallon is selected as Chair of KidsPeace Foundation’s Board of Trustees.
In response to a deadly school shooting in Georgia, Mike Slack publishes “An Open Letter to the KidsPeace Community,” pledging the organization’s support to help parents and caregivers address large-scale traumatic events with children.
Dr. Randall Hines is named Executive Director of KidsPeace Georgia.
26th KidsPeace National Conference, “Keeping Our Kids Safe: Addressing Gun Violence at a Systems and Individual Level,” is held at Orchard Hills Campus. More than 200 educators, public safety personnel and clinical professionals attend to hear keynote presenter Dr. Peter Langman and panel discussions.
In an effort spearheaded by National Board member Naomi Yergey, KidsPeace receives 100 quilts and fleece blankets from St. John’s Lutheran Church in Coopersburg (PA).
KidsPeace named “2024 Culture Innovator” by the national Kudos organization for the rebranded ‘Kudos4KidsPeace” associate recognition and rewards effort using the company’s platform.
Orchard Hills Campus hosts training at Donley TEC facility for first responders on local water rescue team.
Dr. Alisa Gutman appointed to KidsPeace National Board of Directors.
2024 KidsPeace Associate Achievement Award winners and Years of Service Coin recipients are celebrated with special video tributes.
https://www.kidspeace.org/2024-associate-achievement-awards/
Healing Magazine Fall/Winter 2024 issue is published - focus on the evolution of foster care programming as KidsPeace marks 45 years of providing fostering services.
“Operation Goodbye Garbage Bags” -- an effort to collect new or unused suitcases so that kids in care at KidsPeace’s hospital and residential treatment programs in Pennsylvania don’t have to use plastic garbage bags for their belongings, receives dozens of donations for the holiday season -- including from the KidsPeace National Board of Directors at their December meeting.
