On October 15, KVC Health Systems celebrated 50 years of heart-centered service to children and families. The nonprofit leader held its 50th Anniversary Celebration online using the power of technology to bring together hundreds of team members, supporters and partners from across Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Kentucky, West Virginia and several other states where it provides vital services including in-home family support, foster care, adoption, mental health treatment, and children’s psychiatric hospitals.

Watch the entire 50th Anniversary event here:

KVC’s 50th Anniversary Celebration included many special guests and emotionally moving stories. Kylie, an adorable, energetic 8-year-old girl who reminds viewers of the heart of KVC’s mission, emceed the event which included:

• History: Why and how a group of caring women founded KVC Health Systems in 1970 and how KVC has grown to be a national leader in child welfare and behavioral healthcare. See the short history video here.
• KVC Hero Awards: President and CEO Jason Hooper presented KVC’s highest honors to Sesame Workshop, creators of the innovative Sesame Street in Communities initiative, and to Lynn Kaufman, a beloved, long-time licensed clinical social worker at KVC Hospitals and creator of The Grump Meter.
• Values-Driven Partner Awards: Erin Stucky, Chief Operations Officer, and Lonnie Johnson, Chief Information Officer, also presented awards to six partners who embody KVC’s closely-held values of helping people, showing authenticity and compassion, strengthening family connections, collaborating, demonstrating urgency and innovation, and welcoming diverse perspectives. Honorees included Aaron Thakker, Kevin Campbell, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Academy for Child and Family Well Being, Kellie Hans Reid and Aetna Better Health of Kansas, Mike Poppe and Chuck Ikner of Sleep Outfitters in Lexington, Kentucky, and Robyn Lambert of Church of the Resurrection West in Olathe, Kansas. Read more about each one here.
• Tributes to Two Friends: KVC Board Co-Chair and Past CEO of 35 years, Wayne Sims, paid tribute to two long-time friends and supporters of KVC who passed away in 2020: former Kansas Senate President and business leader Dick Bond and Mayor Michael Copeland of Olathe, Kansas. Read more about them here or by watching the event.
• Supporter Stories: Several long-time supporters shared why they help children and families through KVC including Laura Treas, Richard Webdell, Don Ransdell, Robb Murphy, and Eric and Tonya Groves. See their videos here.
• Future Vision-Casting: KVC President and CEO Jason Hooper shared an update on how many people KVC has served during its 50-year history, how the organization has adapted quickly during the COVID-19 pandemic to help children and families in crisis through telehealth and frontline psychiatric treatment for children, and what big goals the organization hopes to achieve in coming years.

KVC 2020 Impact Report Now Available

On the day of the event, KVC Health Systems also released its 2020 Impact Report. The report is packed with statistics on how many children, adults and families KVC has served during the last 50 years, personal stories of transformation, and information on the many supporters who give philanthropically toward KVC’s mission.

Hear highlights from KVC Health Systems’ 2020 Impact Report in this short video:

National Highlights from KVC’s 50 Years of Heart-Centered Service:

• Total Impact: 304,189 people’s lives positively impacted by KVC throughout its 50 years
• Families Strengthened: 60,410 families strengthened, 50,752 children served in family preservation programs aimed at safely preventing foster care, and 14,597 children safely reunited with their families after foster care
• Adoption from Foster Care: 5,539 children adopted in KVC’s history
• Foster Care: 40,151 children supported by loving foster families
• In-Home Family Support: 115,288 children and adults received in-home therapeutic services
• Children’s Psychiatric Hospitals: 30,000+ total children’s psychiatric hospital admissions

A Few Highlights from 2020:

• West Virginia: 1,026 children cared for by KVC foster families (Learn more about KVC West Virginia)
• Kentucky: 7,222 children in 3,127 families benefitted from services to strengthen their families (Learn more about KVC Kentucky)
• Nebraska: 685 children cared for by KVC foster families, and 63 individuals with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities supported in KVC Shared Living Provider homes (Learn more about KVC Nebraska)
• Kansas: 11,170 children served through in-home support, foster care, family reunification, aftercare and other services (Learn more about KVC Kansas)
• Missouri: 97 children served in KVC Niles’ behavioral health programs (Learn more about KVC Niles)
• KVC Hospitals: 21,386 expressive therapy sessions provided (Learn more about KVC Hospitals)

Access the full 2020 Impact Report here.

Viewers were also introduced to a new Generations of Caring video, featuring four individuals who first became involved with KVC as children. They continue to support the organization now as either KVC team members or foster/adoptive parents.

View the Generations of Caring video:

Help Strengthen KVC for the Next 50 Years

The children and families KVC serves in your local community are facing serious problems. It may be addiction, family discord, child abuse and neglect, untreated mental health needs, divorce, domestic violence, parental incarceration, the loss of loved ones, financial stress, and ultimately, isolation. Our staff come alongside them with professional expertise and compassion. They help them develop a personalized plan and provide support. KVC helps stop the cycle of childhood adversity. KVC invites you to get involved in one of the following ways:

Become an Advocate

Want to advocate for children and families? The best way to begin is to subscribe to our email list at the bottom of this page. Also follow KVC on social media. You’ll find links to our Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube channels here.

Sign Up for the Free Foster Parent Training Class

Want to experience greater joy and purpose in life? Thousands of children and teens are waiting for a loving temporary home, and some children need an adoptive forever family. Learn how to become a foster parent here.

Donate

Attend the virtual KVC Gala on Nov. 13 or become a Holiday Hero to bring joy to children this holiday season. You can make a financial gift or in-kind donation to help children and families in need. KVC is a 501c3 nonprofit so your donation is tax deductible. Donate now.

Volunteer

Want to give your time? We need volunteers for events, childcare, donation sorting and much more. Explore KVC volunteer opportunities here.

Work at KVC

Want to join our team? We’re always hiring and focused on making KVC an exceptional place to work! Explore KVC career and job opportunities here.