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 […]
Meet Our Summer Interns
As summer comes to an end, we would like to introduce three more of our summer interns at Children’s Home & Aid. These three interns work in a variety of service areas throughout the state – each contributing to vital programs for children and families. Read below to learn about the experiences of Jessica, Nicole […]
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 JJ: Children’s Home + Aid Intern Turned Teacher
“I had never felt at home in a job before my experience at Children’s Home + Aid. When I started my internship, I quickly decided that this is where I want to be now and for the rest of my life.” These were the heartfelt words of JJ, an Early Childhood Teacher at Children’s Home […]
Meet Britnee: Former Children’s Home & Aid Development Intern
What happens when an intern with only direct practice experience pushes herself out of her comfort zone to experience social work in a very different administrative area? After completing her undergraduate degree, Britnee Greene worked for the Arizona Department of Children’s Services, where she realized her passion for supporting and protecting children. After moving to […]
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 Cassie: Former Intern and Current Foster Care Case Manager
When Cassie Flynn began her Master of Social Work program at the University of Illinois at Chicago, she planned to become a therapist. However, her experience as an intern at Children’s Home + Aid changed that vision and she found her calling as a case manager on the very team she interned for. “It was […]
From Intern to Innovative Partner Abuse Intervention Program Supervisor
Erin Bergren’s inspiring career path began as a Master of Social Work student at Northern Illinois University. When Erin expressed his desire for more clinical experience, his university mentor suggested interning with Children’s Home + Aid; describing the internship opportunity as a place where he would be able to “be in the trenches.” Although Erin […]
Meet Diana: Former Children’s Home + Aid Development Intern
“I wanted to give Children’s Home + Aid my best! I’m proud of what I was able to leave behind,” former Children’s Home + Aid Development intern, Diana Lidia recalled. Diana interned for Children’s Home + Aid in the spring of 2017 while completing her Bachelor of Social Work degree at Olivet Nazarene University. This fall, […]
Meet Taylor: Children’s Home & Aid Intern Turned Outreach Worker
Taylor Dichsen, a former Children’s Home & Aid intern, enjoyed her experience so much that she joined the team as a part-time Outreach Worker for Youth Services. Taylor began her Youth Services Internship at Children’s Home & Aid while working towards her Bachelor of Social Work degree. She was initially drawn to the internship because of her […]
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, […]
