Today Winter 2010
D e P e l c h i n C h i l d re n ’s C e n t e r ®
a parent’s Hope: alexis’s story When Miriam and Lloyd Spann adopted their granddaughter Alexis at birth, they had high hopes for her future as many new parents do. Showering her with love and affection, Miriam and Lloyd supported Alexis through her first milestones of crawling, walking and talking. A happy, healthy child, Alexis seemed to be thriving under the care of her adoptive parents.
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s Alexis entered kindergarten, she began acting out at school. Assuming that Alexis was just anxious in her new surroundings, Miriam and Lloyd decided to give her time to adjust. However, when Alexis started to become more defiant at home, her parents had her evaluated for ADHD. The test confirmed what Miriam and Lloyd suspected. Diagnosed with ADHD at a very young age, it was recommended by Alexis’s pediatrician that her family wait and see how she progressed before taking any treatment measures. A year later, Alexis was still having a hard time acclimating at school. Not only was it difficult for her to stay focused on school work, but she was also getting into altercations with classmates. These behavioral issues seemed to be growing worse as teachers began sending notes home reporting their concerns. Miriam’s maternal instinct kicked in as she sensed there was something else going on. “Some kids go through a phase of acting out, but I could tell that Alexis’s issues were more than just a phase.”
Worried about Alexis’s development, her parents turned to their daughter’s pediatrician for guidance on the best approach. When the doctor provided the family with a list of mental health specialists, the Spanns diligently started going down the list, trying to find a good fit for Alexis. Each call yielded a similar response: the wait time to see a specialist would be four to five months, but the Spann family needed help sooner. That’s when Alexis’s school social worker recommended DePelchin Children’s Center. DePelchin is one of Houston’s leading providers of children’s behavioral and mental health services. More than 214,000 children in Harris County have an undiagnosed mental health condition, and there are few organizations in the region equipped to serve this population. In addition to long wait times, families seeking help may need to see many different specialists to diagnosis and treat their child properly. DePelchin is unique in that it has an expert team of licensed professional counselors, psychologists and psychiatrists working together
When she sees a familiar face at DePelchin, she just lights up.
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under one roof to provide the best possible care for each child. In Alexis’s case, this includes regular visits with one of DePelchin’s licensed psychiatrists, Dr. Robbie Wright, for medication management and weekly therapy sessions with Cari Purdy, a licensed professional counselor. The entire Spann family participates in the therapy sessions which utilize the Parent-Child Interactive Therapy approach (PCIT). According to Cari, PCIT “coaches parents to use praise for the continued on page 2
inside 2 3 4 5
From the President and CEO Getting to Know The Hogg Foundation KDS Member Spotlight: Stephen and Mary Dyer Kezia DePelchin Society – A Call To Lead
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What’s Happening at DePelchin Volunteer Spotlight: Deb Theotokatos Support the 2010 Holiday Project Leaving a Legacy
Today
| Winter 2010
From tHe president and ceo
a parent’s Hope continued
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t seems that the topic of children’s mental health has been coming up more often than ever before. Whether it has to do with recent news stories on cyber bullying and teen suicide or the proposed budget cuts affecting services for children, the importance of mental health is at the forefront of discussion. I must say that it is about time.
Research shows that one out of every five children is affected with an undiagnosed mental health condition. Sadly, the term “mental health” still carries with it such an enormous stigma. The term itself prevents many families from even seeking help for their children. If they are willing to seek services, families often do not know where to get them. When they do find the right service, the wait list could keep them from receiving treatment for five months or more. This can be a frustrating experience for an already disheartened family. In Harris County alone, more than 214,000 children have an undiagnosed mental health condition, and of these only half receive care within a given year. Unfortunately, there are few organizations in Houston able to serve this growing population. Families are hurting. They need quality services that are readily available and easily accessible. DePelchin is expanding its mental and behavioral health programs to better serve our community’s children and families. With our expert team of psychiatrists, psychologists and therapists, we are poised to become the leading provider of children’s mental health services in Houston. We believe that children’s mental health is just as important as their physical health. I am proud that our organization is doing something to meet this growing need. Please stand with us and support us in this endeavor. You can do so first of all by educating yourself in regard to children’s mental health. Organizations such as the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, The Hogg Foundation for Mental Health, and Mental Health America have excellent resources and information on their websites. Second, utilize your social networks online and offline to guide the discussion about children’s mental health and highlight the need for additional funding from the state and federal levels. Finally, you can help by continuing to support DePelchin as we expand our services and leadership role in the field of children’s mental health.
child’s good behavior while working towards strengthening the family dynamic and the parent-child relationship.” Miriam and Lloyd work one-on-one with Alexis, learning to communicate with and encourage her while improving basic behaviors such as listening, cultivating manners and enhancing self-esteem. After a few months at DePelchin, Miriam and Lloyd began to notice positive changes in Alexis’s behavior. They were thrilled with her progress and believe that a key component was having all of their daughter’s specialists working together in one place. Normally slow to open up to people, Alexis feels comfortable at DePelchin. Miriam remarks, “When she sees a familiar face at DePelchin, she just lights up. She really soaks up the individualized attention she receives.” DePelchin not only focuses on the progress of the child, but provides a network of support for families as well. “There is so much incredible encouragement at DePelchin, reminding us to take one step at a time,” Miriam says. By doing just that, the Spann family continues their commitment to Alexis with hopes to minimize her behavioral issues in the future. Today, Alexis is making strides at home and school. Excited to point out that math and spelling are her favorite subjects and Hannah Montana is her favorite singer, Alexis is just an average second grader. And when asked if she likes coming to DePelchin, Alexis radiates with a smile that is missing a front tooth and exclaims, “Yes, ma’am!”
Thank you for your commitment to our organization.
curtis c. mooney, ph.d. President and CEO
depelcHin cHildren’s center Board oF directors oFFicers oF tHe Board
Debbi M. Johnstone, Chairman Pamela Lovett, Vice Chairman M. James Henderson, Past Chairman H. Richard Walton, Secretary
Board memBers
Arthur Baird John C. Bass Valerie Bergeron Jay Allen Chaffee Steve R. Cherek Nancy I. Cook, Ph.D. Susan A. Distefano Laurie Dorfman Anne S. Duncan Karey Dubiel Dye Stephen T. Dyer Henry Florsheim Miles Harper III Peggy A. Heeg Nancy G. Kinder Margaret C. McNeese, M.D. Ginni Mithoff
John S. Moody, Jr. Carolyn J. Pope Pat Powers Mary Eliza Shaper Ellie Sweeney Janeana White, M.D. Geraldina Interiano Wise Don M. Woo
our Vision
Foundation and trust For depelcHin cHildren’s center
our mission
We envision a world in which every child is safe and healthy.
Board oF directors
We strengthen the lives of children by enhancing their mental health and physical well-being.
Jesse H. Jones II, Chairman Susan Light Lawhon Rahul Mehta Robert W. Paddock John E. Stokes Charles Szalkowski Harper Trammell
depelcHin psycHiatric serVices Board oF directors
Manuel C. Ramirez, M.D., Chairman Efrain Bleiberg, M.D. Matthew N. Brams, M.D. 2
DePelchin Children’s Center
getting to KnoW tHe Hogg Foundation The Hogg Foundation for Mental Health envisions a Texas that leads the nation in promoting mental health and recovery from mental illness while supporting all Texans in achieving their potential. This is a big charge for a big state, and the foundation’s creative, flexible approach to addressing mental health needs in Texas is helping to meet the growing need for quality mental health care.
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ne of a handful of foundations dedicated to mental health nationally, the Hogg Foundation has been promoting mental health in Texas since 1940, when the children of former Texas Governor James S. Hogg established the foundation with proceeds from their beloved brother Will’s estate. Will’s sister, Miss Ima Hogg, later established a separate endowment at the foundation dedicated to providing mental health services for children, youths and their families in Houston and Harris County. Over the years, the Hogg Foundation has awarded millions of dollars in grants and scholarships, funding key strategic areas with the greatest potential to benefit mental health in Texas. Dr. Octavio N. Martinez, Jr., executive director of the Hogg Foundation and a professor and clinical psychiatrist, understands the importance of comprehensive public policy and innovative services that promote mental health. Fundamental to his goals is a firm belief that the health care system needs to dismantle the barriers between the mental and the physical. “There is a direct correlation between mental and physical health,” he says, “and we must make a more conscious effort to comprehensively understand the brain and its function in relationship to the body.” In an effort to promote this more integrated approach and remove the stigma surrounding mental illness, the Hogg Foundation fosters initiatives that enhance services, develop a stronger mental health workforce, improve public policy, promote education and support research. For more than 25 years, Hogg Foundation funding has helped DePelchin expand its mission to provide high quality mental health services for children in Houston and Harris County. “There is a long history between DePelchin and the Hogg Foundation. DePelchin’s efforts often dovetail nicely with the focus of initiatives being funded by the Ima Hogg endowment,” Martinez says. Most recently, DePelchin was awarded one of eight grants from the Ima Hogg endowment to conduct counseling in schools and community centers in the Spring Branch area of Houston. Working with numerous organizations such as DePelchin across the state, the Hogg Foundation is fulfilling its mission of advancing mental health throughout Texas.
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DePelchin’s efforts often dovetail nicely with the focus of initiatives being funded by the Ima Hogg endowment.
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Today
| Winter 2010
Kds memBer spotligHt: stepHen and mary dyer
a Visit WitH mary dyer Why do you support depelchin children’s center?
What are your favorite things to do as a family?
Our initial ties to DePelchin come primarily from Stephen’s work at Baker Botts. Stephen had been to some of DePelchin’s spring luncheons and other functions at the invitation of his partner Charles Szalkowski, himself a former chairman of DePelchin’s Board of Directors. Then, Stephen got involved more directly in 2003 through his work as an estate planning attorney by serving on DePelchin’s “planned giving task force.” As we learned more and more about DePelchin, we became sold on its mission and how well it carries out its good works. We were proud for Stephen to join the Board of Directors in 2006.
We are blessed with active and sporty children. One of our biggest time commitments is supporting all of their sports. We also have a thing about watching UT football games. Finally, we have a tradition called “Daddy Dinner” on Sunday nights that dates back to when our children were very little. On Sundays, Stephen cooks dinner with the assistance of one child who picks the menu (including the often secret dessert). Even though the children have grown out of it a bit, we continue to do it, and everyone looks forward to it.
Why did you choose to become a member of Kds? We had been giving a decent amount to DePelchin on a pretty regular basis for quite some time. Frankly, we had intended for many of those years to give at the level necessary to be part of KDS. For one reason or another, we never did the paperwork. It is Stephen’s role on the Board and our belief that board members need to be more visible as leaders that prompted us to join KDS recently.
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As we learned more and more about DePelchin, we became sold on its mission and how well it carries out its good works.
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What does your family most look forward to around the holiday season? We alternate spending our Thanksgivings with my family and Stephen’s family, but we always include a trip to the UT football game against A&M, whether in Austin or in College Station. For Christmas, we alternate years with Stephen’s sister in hosting a Christmas Eve dinner for both of our families and Stephen’s parents. On Christmas, Stephen’s parents host everyone in the afternoon, including his sister that lives in Austin and her family. The highlight of both holidays, of course, is getting together all of the young children. There are eight cousins on each side of the family.
How do you incorporate giving into your holiday traditions? We tend to give toward the end of the year but well before the holidays. For the past several years, we have focused our charitable giving on DePelchin, the United Way and the schools at which we were educated. As our children mature, we will bring them into our discussions about charitable giving. For now, they participate in volunteer activities like National Charity League, school-sponsored events and similar endeavors.
DePelchin Children’s Center
Kezia depelcHin society a call to lead Orphaned as a child, Kezia Payne DePelchin felt called by her faith to care for Houston’s children in need. A century later, Kezia’s passion to serve children inspired the formation of a society named in her honor—the “Kezia DePelchin Society.” With a strong philanthropic compass and a hopeful vision for the Houston community, members of the Kezia DePelchin Society (KDS) generously contribute their time and treasure in support of Kezia’s mission.
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hen Kezia DePelchin opened her home for children in 1892, she said, “I suppose I will have to call it my ‘Faith Home.’ I’m entirely dependent on my faith in God and the good people of Houston to support it.” Kezia died in 1893 shortly after opening her “Faith Home,” but the community continued to support her mission to serve Houston’s children. Today, Kezia’s small “Faith Home” is now DePelchin Children’s Center, the region’s largest and most comprehensive provider of children’s mental health, prevention and early intervention and foster care and adoption services. The continued support of the “good people of Houston” is reflected in the thousands of children and families whom DePelchin is able to serve each year.
Kds leVels oF giVing/support:
$25,000 $5,000 $2,500 $1,250
Members of the KDS society answer the call to lead through their financial gifts, volunteer efforts, awareness of children’s mental health issues and dedication to DePelchin’s mission. Whether underwriting the cost of a mental health professional or taking kids to a ballgame, society members’ involvement helps bridge the gap between challenging needs and exceptional services. Joining a network of people who share a common vision for Houston, members receive regular communication from DePelchin and have the opportunity to attend programs, lectures, luncheons, symposia and volunteer events. Upcoming KDS events include the Thanksgiving volunteer event for DePelchin’s Transitional Living residents and the annual holiday event in December.
Lifetime Member Benefactor Patron Friend
lifetime Mr. and Mrs. Edward R. Allen III Cynthia and Michael Barrett Sean G. Boutros, M.D. Peggy and Mark Heeg Jennifer and Wesley Kern Loa J. Kilroy Nancy and Rich Kinder Janice and Bob McNair
Bobbie and John Nau Betsy and Chuck Powell Pat and Tom Powers Leslie and Abbott Sprague Pamela and Ronald Sterlekar Jane and Charles Szalkowski Ann G. Trammell
Benefactor Sue Nan and Rod Cutsinger Mr. and Mrs. Louis E. Magne
To become a member or learn more about the Kezia DePelchin Society, please visit www.depelchin.org/Kds.
Leslie and Shannon Sasser
patron Mary Ann Carrico Karey and Phillip Dye Clare Attwell Glassell Debbi M. Johnstone and Carlos Holguin Gayle M. Rettig, Ph.D.
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I suppose I will have to call it my ‘Faith Home.’ I am entirely dependent on my faith in God and the good people of Houston to support it.
Gloria Sanders Mr. and Mrs. David M. Smith Selina and Bryan Stanford Carol and Rich Walton Jennifer Waldner
Friend Judy and Jeffery Allen Kim and Kent Altsuler Conni and Ron Barker Ellen and John Bass Mari and Bret Bosker Jeanne and Jay Chaffee Lea and Steve Cherek Barbara K. Chiles Emma and Eli Cipolla Nancy I. Cook, Ph.D. Andrea and Bob Crawmer Susan and Ignatius Distefano Anne and Charles Duncan Mary and Stephen Dyer Ann A. Eutsler Helen and Terry Gebert Maureen and Jim Hackett John Harmon Katheryn and Miles Harper Nancy and Bob Hartman Mary and Jim Henderson Carrie and Howard Horne Amy and Scot Johnson Jesse H. Jones II Elise and Russell Joseph
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Melissa and Steven Kean Susan L. Lawhon Geraldine and Kenneth Lehrer Pam and Edgar Lovett Flo and Bill McGee Ginni and Richard Mithoff SuEllen and Curtis Mooney Sara and Bill Morgan Kenneth Nelson Carol Ann and Bob Paddock Angela and Stewart Pisecco Peggy and Jeff Pugh Lynn and Bill Rafferty Wanda Woody-Roberts and Mark Roberts Peggy and Bill Roe Mary Eliza and Park Shaper John E. Stokes Leslie and Gerald Teel Bette and Ralph Thomas Kelley and Harper Trammell Monica and Chetan Vagholkar Darbi and Dave Warren Sean V. Williams Geraldina and Scott Wise
Today
| Winter 2010
WHat’s Happening at depelcHin Kds and Friends of depelchin art project DePelchin children showcased their creativity and talent during a day of art projects organized by Kezia Depelchin Society members and Friends of DePelchin on August 7. The kids spent the day creating colorful masterpieces of the four seasons while enjoying a fun-filled afternoon with KDS and Friends of DePelchin, a group of young professionals committed to supporting DePelchin’s mission through community awareness, philanthropy and volunteerism. To join or learn more about Friends of DePelchin, visit www. depelchin.org/friends.
depelchin day at george ranch In September, DePelchin children and families saddled up for a day of rodeo games hosted by the Texas Bowl and George Ranch Historical Park. Families enjoyed friends and fellowship as they explored the historical park in Richmond, Texas. Participants competed in stick horse races, branding competitions, a hay bale toss and a day topped off by some sweet Texas cobbler and ice cream.
united Way days of caring During the United Way Days of Caring this fall, DePelchin benefited from the hard work of more than 100 corporate volunteers. Employees from Exxon SeaRiver Maritime spruced up our Residential Treatment Centers by landscaping both campuses, refurbishing our vegetable garden and building bike racks. Waste Management employees hosted a fun-filled field day for children at the Elkins Residential Treatment Center with relay races, a bouncy house and a hot dog supper. In addition, employees from Fluor Enterprises, Inc. treated our Richmond children to a festive fall picnic complete with outdoor games. A big thanks to all our corporate volunteers who donated their time and energy to make a difference for our children!
teaming up with the texas Bowl As football season kicks into high gear, DePelchin children and families are getting excited about the 2010 Texas Bowl festivities! DePelchin is honored to be the official charitable beneficiary of the Texas Bowl and will again host both teams at DePelchin’s Memorial campus for some Texas-sized school spirit activities. Continuing its longstanding commitment to the children of the community, the Texas Bowl will donate a portion of the game day proceeds to DePelchin Children’s Center. This year, the bowl game features a matchup of a Big 12 Conference team against a team from the Big Ten and will take place at Reliant Stadium on December 29, 2010, at 5:00 p.m. Central Standard Time. For information on tickets, visit www.thetexasbowl.com/tickets.
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DePelchin Children’s Center
Volunteer spotligHt: deB tHeotoKatos
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s a DePelchin volunteer for five years, Deb Theotokatos has touched the lives of many children in need. Working to put smiles on the faces of DePelchin children, Deb “has the commitment and spirit to uplift anyone,” says Tracy Hines, a recruiter and trainer at DePelchin Children’s Center. Deb not only serves as a mentor to DePelchin foster children, but she also organizes and encourages other volunteers committed to achieving DePelchin’s mission. At the Houston Texans’ pre-season opener versus the Dallas Cowboys, Deb was recognized on the JumboTron as a Halliburton Hometown Hero, and a $1,000 contribution was presented to DePelchin in her honor. Because of her unwavering dedication to DePelchin and the Houston community, Deb has made her hometown proud.
support tHe 2010
Holiday project
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he holidays are fast approaching! We invite you to make a dream come true for a child this year by participating in the annual DePelchin Children’s Center Holiday Project. Last year, generous donors fulfilled the holiday wishes of more than 1,300 children. We anticipate that even more children will be in need of our help this year.
You can make this dream come true for DePelchin’s children in four ways: sponsor a cHild By proViding items on His or Her WisH list. Please visit www.holidayproject.depelchin.org to add your name to our list of sponsors. We will contact you via email as soon as the children’s wish lists are available. donate general items For our cHildren. We have featured a list on our website of the children’s most needed and most wished-for items. Add DePelchin to your holiday shopping list or organize a toy drive with your friends, social club or office. maKe a casH donation. DePelchin will use your donation to purchase gifts or needed items for the children. You may make a donation online at www.holidayproject.depelchin.org or mail your contribution to 4950 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77007, Attention: Holiday Project. Volunteer your time. More than 100 volunteers are needed from December 1-17 to sort and pack gifts. Volunteers are the heart and soul of this project! For more information please contact Jillian Rodgers, DePelchin Holiday Project Coordinator, at 713-802-7623 or email holidayproject@depelchin.org. On behalf of all the children and families whose holidays will be brighter through your gifts of time and treasure, we thank you!
Non-Profit Org. US Postage PAID Houston, TX Permit No. 3601
D e P e l c h i n C h i l d re n ’s C e n t e r ®
DePelchin Children’s Center 4950 Memorial Drive Houston, Texas 77007
leaVing a legacy
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s a young woman, Frances Cole believed in the mission of DePelchin Children’s Center. In the 1930s, she joined
DePelchin’s staff as a caseworker. A few years later, when she and her husband decided to start a family, they turned to DePelchin to adopt their two children. Even after moving from Houston, Frances maintained her passion for helping children in need, a fact that we recently learned about when Frances passed away last year. At that time, Frances’s lawyers notified us that she had generously left a bequest to DePelchin to help us expand the impact of our work. We are truly grateful for donors such as Frances who incorporate DePelchin in their giving plans. You, too, can help future generations benefit from DePelchin’s services by including us in your will. It is an easy step that brings happiness to countless children and their families. The official legal bequest language is: “I give the sum of $____ in cash (or “I give____% of the residue of my estate”) to the Foundation for DePelchin Children’s Center to be used for its charitable purposes.” If DePelchin is already included in your giving plans, please let us hear from you. Contact Mari Bosker at 713-802-7648 or mbosker@depelchin.org and let us know about your generous intentions. We are interested in
your story!
DePelchin Children’s Center is committed to meeting the needs of Houston’s children as the largest, most comprehensive provider of mental health, prevention and early intervention, and foster care and adoption services. Caring for more than 20,000 children and their families each year, DePelchin offers a range of services including counseling, psychiatry, residential treatment, programs for at-risk youths, parent education, foster care, and adoption. Today, more than 30 different programs are available to children and families at schools, community sites and in their homes as well as at the main Houston campus and five satellite offices. The center continues to be recognized at the state and national level for its cutting-edge programs, including being awarded an esteemed federal grant as a leading child trauma expert in Texas. A non-profit organization serving Houston since 1892, DePelchin gratefully receives its support from government grants and fees, United Way agencies, corporations, foundations, and individuals. Copyright 2010 DePelchin Children’s Center. All rights reserved.
FolloW us on FaceBooK and tWitter! Are you on Facebook? Do you Tweet? Join our Facebook group or follow our tweets on Twitter, and you can stay in touch about recent news and events at DePelchin. We would love to be connected to you. Become a member of our Facebook group and invite your friends to join at www.depelchin.org/facebook and follow us on Twitter at www.depelchin.org/twitter.