Blog

Six months ago, I began as the new CEO and President of Family & Children’s Place. On my first day, I was greeted by “Winter Storm Blair.” While this created unusual circumstances for beginning my official work with the agency, it provided invaluable insights into the heart and dedication of our program staff. It showed me that even under adverse circumstances, they put children and families first.  In a moment when I was worried about staff safety, they were focused on providing services and communicating with clients, and the Child Advocacy Center remained open through the subsequent storms. This is a team that can – literally – weather a storm without losing sight of our responsibility to serve children and families.    

Since that first day, I have had the privilege of experiencing many incredible moments. Our annual Champions for Children Luncheon greeted roughly 400 guests who joined in a spontaneous standing ovation for a mother who recently graduated from our Visitation & Parenting Services program. Our Rally to End Child Abuse, held during rain (and even snow) once again showed the grit of our team and partners, as we welcomed numerous elected officials and community leaders to pledge support for children and families. 

During this time, HANDS has served the highest number of families since the pandemic, and Greater Louisville Head Start has reached its highest level of Early Head Start participation since the program launched. Visitation & Parenting Services has continued their trajectory of transformative outcomes, while School-Based Services ended the school year with moving, multigenerational celebrations. In addition, the Child Advocacy Center has begun implementing the Multidisciplinary Enhancement Program – which will be transformative for our community and state. 

Alongside this triumph, there has also been heartbreak. Our community lost Detective Michelle Rusch after a brave battle with cancer. Detective Rusch served on the LMPD’s Crimes Against Children Unit, co-located at our Child Advocacy Center, for over 10 years. She was a deeply respected, trusted, and loved colleague and friend to many, and she served child victims and families with an unparalleled level of devotion.  Detective Rusch was a wife, mother, and friend. She was also the brave, compassionate, fierce, and skilled advocate that every child deserves. Her legacy is being lived by countless families and children who are safe and healing because of her work. She is the embodiment of public service and Family & Children’s Place will soon be sharing news on how we will honor and celebrate her leadership and ensure that her work and spirit continue.   

 Thank you for your continued support of the work we do at FCP. I look forward to the next six months!