Denver Children's Home Annual Report

NOW WITH 2021 SUPPLEMENT

Fiscal Year 2020

Dear Friends

Serving Denver Children’s Home clients with the highest-quality care means considering everything that touches the lives of children and their families. By contributing over $1.8 million dollars, hundreds of volunteer hours, and countless in-kind gifts to Denver Children’s Home throughout the last fiscal year, this community of donors has done just that. Whether large or small, and amid an extended period of global uncertainty, you supported children and families through initiatives designed to improve mental and emotional health.

Our work – while at times decidedly challenging – is rather straightforward. We bring our skills, experience, and depth of knowledge to restore hope and health to the kids and families who come to us for assistance. During FY20, Denver Children’s Home served over 140 children and had a combined rate of 79% for successful discharges throughout its continuums of care. This is comparable to a statewide average of less than 50%. In the months and years ahead, your ongoing support can help fuel innovation that will lead to impactful treatment for those affected by childhood abuse and neglect and who live with serious mental health issues.

It is important to know that our team works diligently to steward your contributions, with a full 87¢ of every dollar donated going directly to programmatic support. To put it simply, your investment in Denver Children’s Home benefits the children. Each gift contributes to best-practice, researchbased interventions, and access to high quality-education, while supporting our strong reputation as a pioneer in trauma-informed care.

None of this would be possible without the daily diligence of our amazing staff. They put in the work on the frontlines each and every day. With the support of our strong leadership teams, together, we have made it safely through what we hope is the worst of the pandemic.

Each day we dedicate ourselves to creating and ensuring a safe, nurturing, and therapeutic place for our clients to heal and grow. We do so to ensure the success of children and families and to honor your commitment to our services. Your allegiance and that of so many before you has sustained this agency for 145 years. At Denver Children’s Home, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to live a life of value, self-respect, compassion, and dignity. All our clients arrive with untapped potential, full of resilience and with lives and skills to develop. Denver Children’s Home gives them the tools to reclaim their lives, but most importantly, it gives them hope.

Thank you for believing in our services and devotion to Colorado’s children and families. Together we will continue to do great things.

In appreciation,

Rebecca A. Hea, PsyD, LP Executive Director

Robin F. Finnegan Chair, Board of Directors

DENVER CHILDREN’S HOME BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Robin Fudge Finegan Chair

Nicole Dews Vice Chair

Roger Fesmire

Treasurer Rob Anderson Secretary Laurence Chang J. Chris Daichendt Tyler Y. Harvey Dawn Kolb

Chas Maloy Margaret McCandless Carol McDermott

Chanel McDowell Neha Patel Caiozzi Richard E. Read Kelly Reidy Michelle Reiff Buck Steed Alex S. Szollosi

Frank Walker

The Board of Directors recognizes the contributions of Brian Morris, John J. Scordo II, Sondra Smith, Andrew Spruiell, Secretary and Thomas C. Stortz, Emeritus Chair.

While their terms with the Board of Directors have concluded; their dedication to the agency’s mission remains unwavering.

DENVER CHILDREN’S HOME BOARD OF TRUSTEES

DENVER CHILDREN’S HOME LEADERSHIP TEAM

Buck Steed Chair

Sheryl Gurrentz

Emeritus Chair

Laurence Chang Treasurer

Thomas C. Stortz

Secretary

Pamela Bansbach

Raoul Clark

Robin Fudge Finegan

David W. Lewis Alex Yeros

Rebecca Hea, PsyD. LP. Executive Director

Marilyn Davis Finance Director

Lyndsey DiOrio, LCSW Residential Program Director

Annie Haskins, MA, Special Education Administration Bansbach Academy Principal

Armann Heshmati, LMFT Director of Community Based Programs

Mike Horak Development Director

Mark Stone, MD Medical Director

Carly Walters, PsyD. LP. Daytime Program Director

Programs for Kids & Families

Denver Children’s Home (DCH) cares for our State’s abused and neglected children and this represents a significantly challenged population. 98% come from families whose income level is below the Federal poverty line. By the time they reach DCH, more than a third of the clients have been involved with the Juvenile Justice system; the majority has passed through the social services system; and most have failed in one or more academic or mental health settings.

Two-thirds of the children in our care exhibit selfdestructive behavior and have severe mental illness, such as clinical depression, bipolar mood disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and psychosis. Because this population rarely has access to proper mental health care, problems such as these are often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. DCH sees in every child an opportunity for health and healing. Our comprehensive programs are designed to treat the whole person and to offer comprehensive treatment plans at every level of need.

Treatment programs at DCH exist on a continuum of care, which provides the most effective but least restrictive interventions and prioritizes transition to a lower level of care as appropriate.

Denver Children’s Home Residential Treatment Program is at the top of the continuum and allows our team of mental health professionals to provide round the clock care for children and teens who live in our five onsite dorms. In addition to weekly individual and experiential therapy, each of these clients attends our accredited school, the Bansbach Academy. Typically, a client in this 24/7/365 program remains, on average, eight to nine months. Also under the residential umbrella is Discovery Home, a transitional, semi-independent group home for adolescents. In addition to attending Bansbach Academy, residents here receive support and training in independent living skills with the goal of preparing them to succeed personally, academically, and in their future endeavors.

Lyndsey DiOrio, LCSW Residential Program Director

For the past fourteen and a half years, Lyndsey has committed her life to healing children. Since launching her career at DCH, she has valued watching children grow, learn skills, and heal. “I get to see kids being successful and help support people that others have given up on.” She continues, “I’m constantly reminded that every child is different. Any success can be the smallest thing yet mean the most. It can be a goal in therapy; discharging successfully, or simply allowing people help them. Each of us on the team has to redefine success for all these kids.”

When asked about the rewards of her role, Lyndsey states, “I have seen a lot of kids come in that have left with a high school diploma or tools they need to be successful. However, the real surprises are having kids come back or call to thank us for the work that we are doing.”

“I get to see kids being successful and help support people that others have given up on.”

Day Treatment Program

The agency’s Day Treatment Program provides similar resources for children who have a stable home environment and who live offsite. Each of these clients attends classes at the Bansbach Academy while receiving individualized care from the clinical team. Each client is assigned a therapist and receives weekly individual therapy and - when a family is involved - family therapy. Offered yearround, our Day Treatment Program provides a highly structured, therapeutic, and positive socio-emotional environment that supports the success of each child.

Carly Walters, PsyD. LP. Daytime Program Director

Dr. Carly has worn many hats throughout her more than seven years at Denver Children’s Home. For Walters, no one day is the same – much less similar –to any other. While overseeing the entirety of the Day Treatment Program, her clinical and administrative responsibilities include admissions, supervision of residential clinicians and externs, client therapy sessions and crisis management.

Walters cites her greatest reward is giving children the tools and confidence to use in the real world. “It feels good to advocate for youth and teach then to use their voices.

“What I have come to realize is that success for clients must be defined across a spectrum and that framework is something that I had to adapt to myself. For one client, general consistency may mean success; for another, breaking through their trauma could be the key.”

“All too often they are left out of the equation when discussing their lives. At DCH, we upend that.”

Bansbach Academy

Bansbach Academy is DCH’s on-site school. It is a therapeutic, educational, and positive socio-emotional environment that contributes to the success of the children and teens in our educational program. The Bansbach Academy is accredited by Advanced Ed and the Colorado Department of Education. Core academics are combined with programs that promote self-sufficiency, leadership development, entrepreneurship, and character development. Classes are small (average 8 – 10 students) and are led by a special education teacher with support from a Youth Treatment Counselor.

In addition to core academic subjects such math, language arts, social studies and science, Bansbach Academy also offers affective education, employment training, a student council, and a positive behavioral support system. There’s even a re-focus room – a dedicated regulating space where kids can go when they are unable to maintain safe and productive behaviors in class. Trained staff help kids calm, focus, and prepare to rejoin class so that they can be successful. The aim of Bansbach Academy is to help students develop the skills and coping skills they need to successfully transition to a public school setting.

Annie Haskins, MA, Special Education Administration Education Director/Principal

Throughout her seventeen years at Denver Children’s Home, Annie Haskins, Education Director and Principal of Bansbach Academy, held nine different positions. “I worked in the Brotherhood dorm as a Youth Treatment Counselor for five years then decided to get my teaching license.” Annie continued to work at Denver Children’s Home, slowly building her career path all the way to Education Director and Principal of the Bansbach Academy.

Before education became her career, Annie would study art and design. Years later she would carry that knowledge into her department. “What I love is that you get to be creative here every day and in endless ways.” Creativity is especially useful when building relationships – especially trustful relationships – with the clients in our care. “I know the children have had negative relationships with teachers and principals, so it becomes essential and ultimately rewarding to build positive, consistent relationships.”

Success reflects in the growth of confidence children build in themselves as a whole and within the school community. “That is growth. Where kids can just be kids.”

Community-Based Services

For families who have struggled in other therapeutic settings, Denver Children’s Home offers a wide array of CommunityBased Services including Intensive In-Home Therapy, case management, parent or caregiver education and comprehensive needs assessments. These interventions are tailored to the needs of each family and allow our clinicians to provide high quality, individualized care.

Community-Based Services at DCH include behavior therapy interventions. These interventions seek to build parents’ capacity to prepare for, adapt to, and recover from stressful situations or adversities that present daily, giving them room to focus on the joys of parenting. When parents or caregivers have tools available to manage their stresses, they have more energy available to nurture, educate and embrace their children in their journey of growth and development.

Armann Heshmati, LMFT Director of Community Based Services

Heshmati has always valued helping others and being part of the bigger change in his community. After nine years in a university hospital setting, he began a journey of working directly with families in the community.

“Our team assesses behavioral issues at home. It helps support families by redirecting those behaviors and stabilizing them. While I value the successes of the parents, caregivers, and children we work with – there are times when those successes come with tremendous challenges. Often there are consistent barriers to breaking through to a parent or child. For our team, success is evident when we help create different paths and healthy opportunities for families. This will not only strengthen children but will also enhance familial relationships,” he says.

“The greatest reward of this job is working with clinicians – teaching, mentoring, strategizing – on ways to deliver high quality services to these families.”

Rebecca Hea

Executive Director

Twenty-eight years ago, Hea began her journey at Denver Children’s Home. “I was drawn to Denver Children’s Home’s gold standard of trauma informed care. Helping others heal from trauma resonates deeply with me and is transformative for the kids. It’s the greatest place in the whole wide world.”

Rebecca views success in children as being able to utilize coping skills and strategies learned to manage their feelings and behaviors.

“I see resilience and strengths in all kids and families that we serve because they are survivors.”

The Numbers

The most recent CAFAS analyses for our last fiscal year offers the clearest evidence that the interventions implemented in DCH programs have a substantial, positive impact on the overall functioning of clients.

Denver Children’s Home expects that clients in its care will experience a significant reduction in impairment as measured by an assessment tool called the Child And Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale (CAFAS). This tool is considered the gold standard for assessing a youth’s day-to-day functioning across critical life subscales and for determining whether a youth’s functioning improves over time. The domains include school, home, community, behaviors towards others, mood, self-harm, substance use, thinking, caregiver material need and caregiver social support.

CAFAS total scores are aggregated across youths and a comparison is made between the average scores for the initial and most recent assessments. A lower average score at the most recent assessment indicates a positive change.

For purposes of this reporting, the sample size for comparison of Initial to Most Recent Assessments was 141.

Difference between Average CAFAS Youth Total Score for the Initial and Most Recent Assessment

The following indicators show the percent of youth who improved on three outcome indicators, which vary in degree of ambitiousness. Not all youth would be expected to achieve success on all of these outcome indicators, depending on their environmental circumstances and other issues related to treatment success.

Improvement on One or More Outcome Indicators

Cases who improved on at least one of three indicators between Initial and Most Recent CAFAS Assessments. The outcome indicators include Meaningful and Reliable Improvement, Number of Severe Impairments and Pervasive Behavioral Impairment.

Meaningful and Reliable Improvement

Cases with an improvement in CAFAS Total Score of 20 points or greater.

Improved: 107 (77%)

Not Improved: 32 (23%)

Excluded: 2

Severe Impairments

Cases of youth that did not have any severe impairments at most recent CAFAS Assessment (Improved) and those that still had at least one severe impairment at most recent assessment (Not Improved).

Improved: 104 (75%)

Not Improved: 35 (25%) Excluded: 2

score at initial assessment ≤ 20)

Pervasive Behavioral Impairment (PBI)

Cases of youth who were identified as being Pervasively Behaviorally Impaired (PBI) at initial assessment and no longer meet PBI criteria at most recent assessment (Improved) and those that still met PBI criteria at most recent assessment (Not Improved). PBI criteria is defined as severely or moderately impaired on the three CAFAS subscales of School, Home and Behavior Toward Others.

Improved: 56 (80%)

Not Improved: 14 (20%)

Excluded: 71

severe impairments at intake)

Improved: 48 (89%)

Improved: 6 (11%)

pervasively impaired at intake)

Reminiscing

Leota Stoutenger

1936

Coming of age during the Great Depression, one of Leota’s earliest memories involves a talk with her mother. Her mom, she said, told her about a new home where she would be living; one where she could play with other children. That home was Denver Orphans Home.

“My mother had me when she was fifteen. And in 1926, that was nothing short of a scandal,” said Leota. “She worked hard but would be gone early in the day and was often out until late at night. I remember I never had a lot of friends to play with so when mother said there would be other kids –naturally I was thrilled.”

She recalled seeing the Home for the first time – even if not remembering exactly how she arrived. It felt special almost immediately. “I was so thrilled. I really loved it there.” Leota found a lifelong friend too. Her name was Lee, and they were the same age. “We met right away and were best friends for three years,” she said. Later Leota was transferred to another facility for young women and Lee remained at the Home.

“I eventually grew up. Married. Had four children. Learned my favorite hobby of china painting. I took lessons and even became President of one of the two china painting clubs I was involved with,” she said. “Funny how something felt missing since I’d lost track of Lee. But a few years later, we ran into each other in the grocery store. We picked up right where we left off and for the next sixty some years, we were part of each other’s lives. She even came to my 90th birthday party.”

Leota speaks fondly of her time at Denver Orphans Home. In her comfortable home, her painting room is filled with delicately decorated porcelains along with collections of dolls and Precious Moments figurines. “I always wanted a doll when I was young, but I never received one. Now I have a home full of them.”

She remembers the Home as a place for her to be safe, play, and most importantly be a kid. “It wasn’t attainable when I was younger and lived with Momma. Although it was tough to not see her a lot, years later I realized that she always had my best interests in mind, and she protected me. Even if it was from a distance.”

Leota resides in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, surrounded by a large loving family filled with her own children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and dolls.

“She had my best interests in mind. She protected me.”

Jim Brik

1956

It’s a matter-of-fact statement. “Portrayals of orphanages are often dark and harsh, and orphans are depicted as helpless and powerless,” says Jim. “That was never my experience. We had opportunities.” Jim, who lost his parents in a car accident shortly after his birth, grew up living with various relatives although most of the time was spent with an uncle and his cousin who was born a week before him. “Regrettably, my uncle wasn’t the best caretaker and, when we were eleven, my cousin and I were sent to Denver Orphans Home.”

While living at the Home, Jim quickly realized he was surrounded by caring people. Describing himself as a quiet kid lacking in confidence, he said, “I was a blank slate; completely inward oriented and shy.” He speaks of staff as accepting, active, and kind – even recalling great meals and many hours of outdoor activities that kept him busy from sun-up until bedtime. “A good kid is a tired kid,” he quips. “I really prospered and benefitted from the physical activity.”

There were programs at the Home allowed children to interact with others in the community. Jim fondly recalled the Big Brother Program that brought students from University of Denver and University of Colorado Boulder. “These visits allowed for me and my dormmates to be mentored and explore a variety of hobbies.” Whether it was sports, music, or other passions there was something for each of the residents. “The fastest girl went on to win a state

sprint championship at her school. And another guy, his name escapes me, was taught by the head matron, Mrs. Ray, how to play chess. He went on to become a Master Champion. Sports were my salvation: football, swimming and diving, and pole-vaulting.”

“My athletic abilities grew and with that came confidence – and I flourished. I became more selfassured, independent, and ultimately self-reliant. I came to believe that the best help was at the end of my own wrist.” Asked to elaborate, he said, “You pull yourself up and you make the best of things. My cousin’s experience didn’t match mine – even though it was nearly identical. We were only a week apart age wise.” He shrugs and continues, “…there were family struggles, untruths, and things I learned that were not easy for a kid to hear.” After three years at the Home, Jim petitioned to become emancipated from his uncle, change his name, and finish high school on his own. To his credit, he did. “I went on to be a college swimmer, receive a master’s degree from Idaho State University, and eventually a doctorate in Health Education from Oregon State University. I taught and coached for years,” he said. “I’ve even visited the Home as and adult. Even though the name had changed, it felt like the same special place to me.”

Jim resides in Salem, Oregon with his wife. He continues to pursue his profession and coach swimming.

“I became more selfassured, independent, and ultimately self-reliant.”

Reid Zurlo 1984

Reid begins her tale by sharing that most of her teenage years were spent in a seemingly endless state of movement from one unstable housing situation to another, constantly bouncing from school to school. “I estimate that from fifth to tenth grade that was enrolled or attended about twelve different schools.” She continues, “my longest, collective stay in one place was finally being placed at Denver Children’s Home from 1982 until 1984.” Zurlo says she faced challenges in many areas of her life – not the least of which was where she lived or went to school. “I was severely dyslexic and had many learning disabilities which made school very difficult. And home – or whatever you’d like to call it – was not safe. I was abused.”

“When I ended up at Denver Children’s Home, I was quiet and reserved,” she says. “But I was assigned to multiple therapists who helped me address each issue I was dealing with. They helped me understand and gain tools necessary to start to heal the trauma caused by abuse and neglect. I was and am grateful to them.”

Reid describes the atmosphere of Denver Children’s Home as a haven. “It (DCH) gave me a safe place to live.” DCH provided a level of security to Reid during her darkest days. “DCH started to lay the groundwork for my inner curiosity. I felt seen by those who surrounded me. It was an extraordinary sensation that

I hadn’t experienced until coming there.”

“My therapists guided me along a journey of selfdiscovery. They were invaluable. While others may tell you that making friends or engaging with the other kids was important – and to them it probably was the social aspect of DCH was not my world. I was interested in bettering myself”.

One of the most impactful moments Reid had was during a therapy session. “I was asked if I knew why I was here. I didn’t. I couldn’t pinpoint an answer.” It wasn’t until her therapist shared a pamphlet explaining four types of abuse, that Reid realized that her childhood experiences were not normal or acceptable. Reid states, “People don’t understand how realizations can be life changing.” Everything Reid had known and experienced with her childhood, led to the major realization that her experiences were not “normal”. “As hard as my childhood was, the journey taught me that, regardless of the challenges and hurt, I am accountable for my life.”

Reid is a successful real estate agent and a proud mom of three amazing adult children. She considers it to be the most important “job” she has ever done.

“DCH started to lay the groundwork for my curiosity.

I felt seen by those who surrounded me. It was an extraordinary sensation that I hadn’t experienced until coming there.”

Vica 2021

Vica’s transformative journey at Denver Children’s Home began in 2019 and since she has learned skills and coping tools and built lasting relationships that she will keep with her forever.

Currently, eighteen-year-old Vica resides at the agency’s transitional home for adolescents, Discovery Home. Here, she strives to grow into adulthood. “Denver Children’s Home provides me with independent living skills and mentoring programs to help me grow.” Recently, Vica accepted a part time job at DCH to assist in the cafe. “I help serve breakfast and lunch – I like working there.”

At Discovery Home, Vica is encouraged explore favorite hobbies and activities. “I love art and being outside.” She also expresses her love for interacting, doing activities, or going on outings with volunteers. “DCH gives me the things that I wouldn’t have been able to see before.”

Even in these recent trying times, she continues to define her personal success as having the strength to “keep trying and to never give up.” – this strength and dedication to self-growth and health is motivating her to become a nurse when she is older. Vica has worked hard throughout her time at Denver Children’s Home, and we have no doubt that she, too, will change the world!

Vica was recently accepted to Community College of Denver and MSU Denver. She has chosen to attend MSU Denver where she'll study nursing.

“Denver Children’s Home gives me the things that I wouldn’t have been able to see before.”

Thank You

Denver Children’s Home greatly appreciates each gift and our team has made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this information. Please notify Development Associate, Kate Hernandez, of any inaccuracies by contacting her at 720.881.3393.

We regret any errors or omissions.

Donor Recognition

Cindy and Rob Abramson Ackley Family ADK Electric Corp.

Aegon Transamerica Foundation Bruce Allen Nedda and Ken Altschuld David Anderson and Nancy Kaible Rob Anderson and Cecily Sweet Anonymous (36) Anschutz Foundation Kelle and Scott Ansell Helen Clark Atkeson Harry G. and Pauline M. Austin Foundation Janice A. Babcock The Babcock Law Firm Marilyn and Daune Bailey Casey Bambei Pamela and Dutch Bansbach Jeffrey Barnes Benson Mineral Group, Inc. BOK Financial Kurt Brockman Broe Family Foundation Arlene and Herbert Buchwald Julie Bunsness Casner Family Miguel Castillo Laurence and Michele Chang Omar Chow Cigna Healthcare Citywide Banks Karen and Raoul Clark Paul Clark Matthew Cole Colorado Food Products Comcast Corporation Community First Foundation Patricia and Steve Corder John and Melinda Couzens Crosbie Real Estate Group, LLC Carolyn Daughters and Paul Buddington Jason Davis DCP Midstream Angela Deabler Larry and Bonny Dearing Denver Foundation Denver Metro Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) Denver Petroleum Club Nicole Dews Donor Alliance

Sean Doyle Jocelyn Ege Everdream Studio Julie Fanning

David and Gay Faris Farmer Karen Farver Fast Enterprises Walter C. Fawcett Trust Jean Feriancek Sharon and Donald Ferlic Larisa and Roger Fesmire Robin and Cole Finegan Thomas Finger Zachary and Amanda Florence Fox Family Foundation Franciscan Friars of Holy Name Province · May Bonfils Memorial Fund Paula and James Freeman Philip Frisk Virginia and Robert Fuller Michael and Connie Gallagher Galloway and Company, Inc. Donna and Julio Garcia Josh and Carrie Goodman Katie Graham Paul and Mary Ann Greiveldinger Trust Bridget Grier Sheryl and Andy Gurrentz Cory Hardman Barb and Curt Harris Chris Harris Jr. Foundation Cannon and Lyndia Harvey Heather and Jason Hatfield Rebecca A. Hea HealthONE Cares Heights Church Willis C. Helm Charitable Trust Oliver Hickel

Virginia W. Hill Foundation Chad Hollingsworth Bruce and Shawn Holter Katie Horney Estelle Hunter Charitable Trust Hyder Construction, Inc. IMA Foundation Infaith Community Foundation

Christopher Jacobs Karen and Dean Johnson Jonah Energy LLC Eric and Karol Jones Jennifer Jones

Joseph Family Foundation

William Kalinowski Kempf Benevolent Fund Vanessa Kendrick Romelia Ker Kevin and Dan Howard Keys Sue Kinnamon KIPP Denver Collegiate High School KPMG, LLP KPMG US Foundation, Inc. Dawn and John Kolb Barbara Kreissman and Scott McLagan Carlie Leach Larissa Lee The LEF Foundation Mary and David Lewis Walter E. Lipe Charitable Trust Greg Litvak Greg Long Lizabeth Lynner and James Palenchar Rebecca Mack and Michael Reedell Brooke and Chas Maloy Mansfield Oil Beatrice Marienau Sharon and Lanny Martin Vanessa Martin-Wegryn Trudi Mathews Max Construction, Inc. Maximus Foundation

McDermott Family Foundation Mark McDonald Mark McKinney Stacey and Merle McKittrick Babe and Neil McLagan Diana Mead Jack E. Moniger Brandon and Eileen Moore Thomas Noller Jacquelyn and Steve Norris Northwestern Mutual Foundation O’Meara Ford

OnePoint Accounting Oracle Giving Timothy Panczak Kenneth and Joel Payne Peloton Foundation

D. Miles Pimentel and Andrea Young PMG Colorado, LLC

Carl E. Polhemus Sharon and Richard Post Bill and Mia Powell Ruth Powell

The Premier Group Staffing, LLC

Richard Read Reidy Metal Services, Inc.

Robert S. Reilly Restorative Solutions

Lynn and Mark Rich Austin Roberts Carol Roberts

Mary and Jeffrey Ross Henry Schaefer Family Foundation Gretchen Seefried Everton Sequeira Susan and Larry Siegel Justin Smith Smith Family Charitable Fund Snooze: An A.M. Eatery Snows Concrete Forming, Inc. Stebbins Orphans Home Association Oliver H. Steed Sterling Properties, Inc. Sterling Real Estate

Tom and Diane Stortz Margaret Stroock Laura A. Stuart Trust Swinerton Foundation Nick and Annie Taylor

Thornton Professional Firefighters Margaret Toal Kristen and Paul Tourangeau Tracy Family Foundation Zoe Treeson Martin and Gloria Trotsky Family Foundation Vicki and Virgil Urquhart Marvia Valdez

Daniel VanDerWerff

Trish and Blaine Versaw Erika Walker and Don Weinshenker Walmart Giving Mark Warner Gay and Bob Warren Dake F. and Gerri L. Warren Weisman Family Foundation Wells Fargo Foundation

Sharon and Mark West Jennifer and Patrick Welch Whillock Family Foundation Williams · Malone Foundation Amy Wolf Phillip S. Wolf

Nancy and Frederick Wolfe Carolyn and Dave Wollard John Woods Tom Woods

Alex and Julie Yeros David F. Zinger

Fiscal Year 2021

Dear Friends

It has been said that change is the only constant in life. Here at Denver Children’s Home, faces change, situations evolve, and people adapt. The one constant is our dedication to providing the highest-quality care to children and their families or guardians.

We’ve come to learn that the essential ingredients for success remain the same for everyone: courage, enchantment, permission, persistence, trust – and those elements are universally accessible. This does not mean that successful living is always easy; it merely means that successful living is always possible. Each day we commit ourselves to creating and ensuring a safe, nurturing, and therapeutic place for our clients to heal and grow. We do so to ensure the success of children and families and to honor your investment in our services.

During FY21, Denver Children’s Home served over 140 children and, throughout its continuums of care, had a combined rate of 81% for successful discharges. This is comparable to a statewide average of less than 50%. It is also important to know that our team works diligently to steward your contributions, with a full 88¢ of every dollar donated going directly to programmatic support. To put it simply, your investment in Denver Children’s Home benefits the children. Each gift contributes to best-practice, research-based interventions, and access to high quality-education, while supporting our strong reputation as a pioneer in trauma-informed care.

None of this would be possible without the daily diligence of our amazing staff. They put in the work on the frontlines each day. They are the reasons we are privileged to hear words like these from a discharging client.

“Denver Children’s Home gives us the tools we need to get where we need to go. They don’t tell us what to do – aside from setting expectations to keep us safe. DCH shows us the way but doesn’t force us to get there.

Treatment is a choice.” – Leo, age 15

We’d like to think that life has improved since DCH’s journey began, despite all the societal, cultural and traditional changes that have impacted it over time, but the psychological journeys of our clients remain the same – the search for love, identity, and a meaningful place in the world.

Thank you for believing in our services and devotion to Colorado’s children and families. Together we will continue to do great things. In appreciation,

Rebecca A. Hea, PsyD, LP Executive Director

Nicole Dews Chair, Board of Directors

DENVER CHILDREN’S HOME BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Nicole Dews Chair Rob Anderson Vice Chair

Richard E. Read

Treasurer

Margaret McCandless

Secretary Marti Champion

Laurence Chang

J. Chris Daichendt Roger Fesmire Robin Fudge Finegan Sheryl Gurrentz

Dawn Kolb Chas Maloy Carol McDermott

Chanel McDowell

Jennifer O’Hare

Neha Patel Caiozzi Kelly Reidy Buck Steed

Frank Walker

The Board of Directors recognizes the contributions of Tyler Y. Harvey, Michelle Reiff and Alex S. Szollosi.

While their terms with the Board of Directors have concluded; their dedication to the agency’s mission remains unwavering.

DENVER CHILDREN’S HOME BOARD OF TRUSTEES DENVER CHILDREN’S HOME LEADERSHIP TEAM

Buck Steed Chair

Sheryl Gurrentz

Emeritus Chair

Laurence Chang Treasurer

Thomas C. Stortz

Secretary

Pamela Bansbach Raoul Clark

Nicole Dews David W. Lewis Timothy M. Shea Alex S. Szollosi Alex Yeros

Rebecca Hea, PsyD. LP. Executive Director

Phil Bloise

Chief Operating Officer and Finance Director

Lyndsey DiOrio, LCSW Residential Program Director

Jennifer Gutierrez Education Director Armann Heshmati, LMFT Director of Community-Based Services

Mike Horak Development Director

Mark Stone, MD Medical Director

Carly Walters, PsyD. LP. Daytime Program Director

The Numbers

The most recent CAFAS analyses for our last fiscal year offers the clearest evidence that the interventions implemented in DCH programs have a substantial, positive impact on the overall functioning of clients.

Denver Children’s Home expects that clients in its care will experience a significant reduction in impairment as measured by an assessment tool called the Child And Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale (CAFAS). This tool is considered the gold standard for assessing a youth’s day-to-day functioning across critical life subscales and for determining whether a youth’s functioning improves over time. The domains include school, home, community, behaviors towards others, mood, self-harm, substance use, thinking, caregiver material need and caregiver social support.

The following indicators show the percent of youth who improved on three outcome indicators, which vary in degree of ambitiousness. Not all youth would be expected to achieve success on all of these outcome indicators, depending on their environmental circumstances and other issues related to treatment success.

Improvement on One or More Outcome Indicators

Cases who improved on at least one of three indicators between Initial and Most Recent CAFAS Assessments. The outcome indicators include Meaningful and Reliable Improvement, Number of Severe Impairments and Pervasive Behavioral Impairment.

Meaningful and Reliable Improvement

Cases with an improvement in CAFAS Total Score of 20 points or greater.

Severe Impairments

Cases of youth that did not have any severe impairments at most recent CAFAS Assessment (Improved) and those that still had at least one severe impairment at most recent assessment (Not Improved).

Pervasive Behavioral Impairment (PBI)

Cases of youth who were identified as being Pervasively Behaviorally Impaired (PBI) at initial assessment and no longer meet PBI criteria at most recent assessment (Improved) and those that still met PBI criteria at most recent assessment (Not Improved). PBI criteria is defined as severely or moderately impaired on the three CAFAS subscales of School, Home and Behavior Toward Others.

It’s not happiness that brings us gratitude. It’s gratitude that brings us happiness.”

Donor Recognition

and Craig Ackley

Transamerica Foundation

and Sarah Allen

Anderson and Nancy Kaible

Anderson and Cecily Sweet

(14)

Anschutz Foundation

and Kelle Ansel

G. and Pauline M. Austin Foundation

Babcock Law Firm

and Duane Bailey

of America Charitable

and Dutch

and Deb Barber

Batchelder

J.

Family Foundation

and Jon-Erik Borgen

Brockman

and Jewell Brungardt

Construction,

Buchwald

and Amy Calabrese

For Denver Foundation

Family

Castillo

and Michele Chang

and Karen

and Larry Coben

Fund

C.

Feriancek

and Larisa Fesmire

and Amanda

Forstot

Foundation

Friars of Holy Name Province

Bonfils Stanton Memorial Fund

and James Freeman

and Duane Freund

Porch -

Gurrentz

W.

A.

Hardman

C. Helm

W.

Y.

First

and Merrie Corbett

Chris Daichendt

Deabler

and Bonny Dearing

Metro Building

Managers

and

Outreach

Fan

Ebeling

Community Foundation

Trunk

Sterling Properties Inc.

Real Estate

and Diane Stortz

Stoutenger

A. Stuart Trust

Swanson

Janice and Robert Sylvestre

and Annie Taylor

Toal

Tonga

and Brian Traficanti

Services Solutions, Inc. Deborah and Wayne Tucker

UMB Bank

V & V Giving Fund

Marvia Valdez

Vongviseth

and Karen Walker

Walker and Don Weinshenker

Community Grants

and Chris Walters

F. and Gerri L. Warren

and Bob Warren Chris Waters

Waters

Weisman Family Foundation

and Sharon West

Tenly and Kevin Williams

Foundation

Wing

Wood

and Laura Woods

Yarnell

and Julie Yeros

and Kristin Zipse

Childrens Home appreciates the generosity of this community