The Children’s Center Utah Connection

September 2022 | Vol.9

Dear Friends, 

Founded in 1962 by Agnes M. Plenk, PhD,

The Children's Center Utah remains the only organization in the state providing trauma-informed, evidence-based mental health care treatment exclusively to infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and their families and caregivers to enhance their emotional well-being.

The growing need for a specialized preschool for children struggling with emotional challenges became the foundation of our organization. What started as a group home serving thirty-two families, has become an essential mental health provider for families and caregivers with young children. As well as a training center for mental health professionals and other early childhood providers.

Today, we serve over 1,200 children and their families and caregivers every year. From our humble beginnings in a community church, our organization has grown to employ a team of over 100 compassionate experts dedicated to improving mental health outcomes for Utah children and their famiies. 

The continued support and partnership of the community, volunteers, and donors, who gift hope and healing to families who have felt discouraged about their children's future contribute significantly to our work's success. Since 1962, hundreds of committed clinicians, therapists, and team members, in partnership with our board of directors, have continued to advance Agi's vision of giving children the tools they need to thrive. 

Thank you for being by our side during this incredible journey.  We invite you to join us as we celebrate our 60-year anniversary in the coming year. Your continued engagement will ensure many more years of hope and healing for children and families!

Rebecca J. Dutson

President and CEO

THE CHILDREN'S CENTER UTAH IN ACTION

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Congratulations! 

Congrats to our Board of Directors Chair, Kathleen Pitcher Tobey, on her new position as Executive Director of the Call to Action Foundation! 

Kathleen, your unique talents, expertise, and passion to serve those in the community make you a perfect fit for this role. You will be great!

Welcome!

We are excited to welcome Brooks Keeshin, MD, and Jennifer Smith to our 2022-2023 Board of Directors. 

Their commitment to serving the community will create a lasting impact for the families we serve. 

Brooks Keeshin, MD

Associate Vice-Chair of Research in Child Mental Health

Hunstman Mental Health Institute

Dr. Keeshin is a child abuse pediatrician and child psychiatrist.

He directs the Pediatric Integrated Post-trauma Services (PIPS), a Category II Center of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network and the Utah Psychotropic Oversight Program.

He is active in several national organizations and serves on multiple boards of directors. 

Jennifer Smith 

Executive Vice President and Chief Technology and Operations Officer Zions Bancorporation

Jennifer's work has been recognized multiple times by various industry organizations and she has held positions on multiple nonprofit boards. 

Most recently, she was honored as one of American Banker’s Most Powerful Women in Banking in 2021 and Women to Watch in 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017; won the Women Tech Council’s Technology Leadership award in 2018; and was one of Utah Business’s CxOs of the Year in 2019.

In 2013, she was globally selected as an International Women’s Forum Leadership Fellow; the following year, she was selected to the first cohort of Harvard Business School’s Young American Leaders.

Mental Health Awareness Month

Our first cause marketing campaign was a success!

During May, twelve community partners around the Valley joined our efforts on breaking the stigma that still, in 2022, exists around the topic of mental health—from children’s mental health to adults.

We are looking for organizations, local businesses, and community leaders like you to further strengthen infant and early childhood mental health and its many positive outcomes for our state. 

If you or your company are interested in a giving or awareness campaign, contact our Marketing and Communications Manager, Carla Frein at [email protected].

SHINE Gala

In June, we hosted our biggest in-person fundraiser of the year at the Gallivan Center. The 2022 SHINE Gala featured over 100 silent auction packages, a live auction, and two opportunity drawings. 

We are still amazed by the incredible support we received from sponsors, donors, volunteers, and community partners.

Together, we raised over $630,000 to champion children's mental health. Thank you to everyone who made this possible!

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors 

Special thanks to our Challenge Grant Champions for matching all increased, new, or lapsed donations, dollar for dollar–tripling qualifying investments in infant and early childhood mental health care.

Summer All Staff Family Gathering

During the summer, we invite our team and their families to celebrate the milestones we have achieved as an organization.

In July, we attended a Salt Lake Bees game at Smith's Ballpark. We observed work anniversaries, enjoyed dinner, and recognized the home runs of the last couple of months.

We are grateful for our team, who makes a meaningful difference in the lives of those who need it most. Special thanks to our Employee Council for planning this outstanding event!

Team Members in the Spotlight!

Diana Diakow was awarded the 2022 American Board of Professional Psychology’s Arthur Nezu Diversity Dissertation Award.

The ABPP wrote: “Your dissertation, HUMANITARIAN WORKERS’ PERSPECTIVES ON MENTAL HEALTH AND RESILIENCE OF REFUGEE YOUTH: IMPLICATIONS FOR SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY, was rated highest amidst a field of strong competition. Your dissertation represents a real contribution to the diverse literature and reflects the values and work of Dr. Nezu. Your research certainly deserves this award, especially since its implications have significant benefit for many people.”

Congrats, Diana on this amazing achievement. We will you well!