Recent Media Mentions
30 Years of Work and Dedication: We Salute You, Janice Moenster!
“Janice is an amazing strategic planner, thought partner, and collaborator across all our agency programs…She is a fantastic example of someone who holds themselves accountable to the work in both the southern region and statewide.” ~ Linda White, Director of Youth Services, Children’s Home & Aid, Southern Region Thirty years of service to Children’s Home […]
Innovative Leader in Child Welfare Returns to Children’s Home & Aid in CEO Role
Michael J. Shaver, a leader in child welfare and human services experienced in redesigning public systems and community-based, non-profit agencies, will return to Children’s Home & Aid, stepping into the role of President & CEO when current leader, Nancy Ronquillo retires in just a few months on June 30. “Children’s Home & Aid is a […]
A Tribute to Nancy B. Ronquillo: 18 Years of Service as CEO
Last year Nancy Ronquillo announced her retirement after 18 years as Children’s Home & Aid’s President and CEO; she will officially leave her post this summer. Below is a tribute to Nancy and everything she’s accomplished for the 40,000 children and families whose lives are touched each year by Children’s Home & Aid. In the […]
Serving Families and Children: How Our Work Continues with Your Help
We’re excited to announce the 2019 Chicago fellows for New Leaders Council includes Children’s Home & Aid Youth Policy Advocate John Gruber. The NLC is a national training organization for young progressive professionals. John became interested in NLC because of their progressive values and their hands-on training. “NLC will expose me to new perspectives, skills […]
Get to Know Jan Stepto-Millett, Interim Chief Operating Officer
We’re excited to introduce Jan Stepto-Millett as our Interim Chief Operating Officer. Jan joined Children’s Home & Aid in 2011 as Vice President of Early Childhood Services. In September 2018, she was appointed Interim COO following the retirement of outgoing COO Arlene Happach. “I grew up on the South Side of Chicago and for years, […]
Get to Know Lori Poppen, Northern Region Site Director
We’re excited to introduce Lori Poppen as the new Regional Site Director in our Northern Region. Lori takes over for Lisa Pieper, who recently retired as the Regional Vice President of the Northern Region. A native of Arthur, Illinois, Lori, obtained a BA in Psychology from Milliken University and MS in Applied Family Studies at Northern Illinois […]
Get to Know John Springer, Chief Financial Officer
We’re excited to welcome John Springer to Children’s Home & Aid as our new Chief Financial Officer. John joins us following the recent retirement of our past CFO Frank Poremski. We sat down with John to learn about his diverse background and discovered some fun facts about him along the way. With a BA in […]
Get to Know Mendy Smith, Central Regional Site Director
We’re excited to introduce Mendy Smith as the new Regional Site Director in our Central Region. She takes over for Lisa Pieper, who retired as the Regional Vice President of the Central Region in August 2018. First hired in 1998 as a teacher in the infant room at the Scott Early Learning Center, Mendy brings with her […]
Familiar face, new role: Get to Know Dawnielle Jeffrey, Vice President of Early Childhood Services
We’re excited to introduce Dawnielle Jeffrey as our new Vice President of Early Childhood Services. She takes over for Jan Stepto-Millett, who stepped up as Interim Chief Operating Officer in September 2018. Dawnielle is a familiar face at Children’s Home & Aid—she joined the agency in April 2013 as the Director of Education. Dawnielle brings with with her […]
Bright Promises Foundation Honors Nancy Ronquillo with Lifetime Achievement Award
Congratulations to our President & CEO Nancy Ronquillo, who was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Bright Promises Foundation at the University Club of Chicago on September 25. Each year the Bright Promises Foundation recognizes Chicago leaders who have made outstanding contributions to the welfare of children with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Nancy was […]
FCAN Merges with Children’s Home & Aid
FCAN has merged with Children’s Home & Aid to deepen our impact with parents and children affected by HIV and AIDS in the state of Illinois. Throughout this merger, FCAN will continue to offer the same vital services, without interruption. Why merge? Since 1985, FCAN has been dedicated to strengthening HIV-affected families statewide. They support […]
Meet Emily: Former Intern turned Talent Engagement Specialist
Emily started at the agency as a human resources intern before becoming the talent engagement specialist for the human resources department. Emily received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Organization Psychology and Communications from the University of Illinois. She continued her education at Purdue University and received a Master of Science Degree in Communication […]
Meet Keith: Former Intern turned Therapist
Keith was an intern in the EPIC program while pursuing his Master of Social Work degree. His internship experience allowed him to see firsthand all of the skills and knowledge that go into being a therapist. While interning in the EPIC program, he was truly able to develop the foundational skills that he still uses […]
Serving Children and Families and Serving our Country
This year marks the 100th anniversary of America’s entry into World War I — the “war to end all wars.” Millions of Americans have served our country since U.S. troops boarded boats to fight in the trenches of France and beyond. Our nation has committed its service members to many wars on foreign shores as […]
Meet Lexzabet: Former Intern turned Program Coordinator
Lexzabet is a former intact program intern former Intact Program intern. She interned with Children’s Home & Aid while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in human development and family services with an emphasis in family social services. After completing her internship, Lexzabet decided to become a Bilingual Intact Case Manager. During her time as a Bilingual […]
Meet Alexandra: Former Intern turned Talent Acquisition Specialist
While in search of an internship for her graduate school field placement, Alexandra sparked an interest in the Human Resources and the Performance internship at Children’s Home & Aid. She was pursuing a master’s degree in social work with a concentration in Leadership and Social Change from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She was […]
Meet Darius: Former Intern turned Therapist
As a master’s student studying Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Darius shared a focus of wanting to help by using unconditional positive regard, and empathy, and working to help a client become the best version of themselves. Darius began his clinical internship at Children’s Home & Aid and was drawn to the internship because of the […]
Meet Bianca: Former Intern turned Program Specialist & Therapist
Bianca interned for the Partner Abuse Intervention Team (PAIP). While completing her master’s degree in education with a focus in Trauma-Informed Counseling at Northern Illinois University, she enjoyed being a part of a supportive team that she wanted to come back part-time, post-graduation. “I never guessed I would be doing this kind of work and […]
COA Re-accreditation
Children’s Home + Aid is proud to announce that the agency has been re-accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA). The re-accreditation is the culmination of nearly 10 months of preparation. Children’s Home + Aid was first accredited by the COA in 1985. The accreditation process involves a thorough examination based on recognized quality standards, […]
National Social Work Month – Lily Anderson
In honor of National Social Work Month, we’re highlighting a handful of the many dedicated social workers who stand up every day for the children, youth and families we serve. Becoming a social worker offers you the opportunity to pursue a variety of career paths, from direct clinical practice to administration to advocacy and policy roles. As […]
