From our Executive Director
Clarence BrownMBA Executive Director
Founded in 1974 by the John, Grace and Michael Graham Foundation as a six-bed foster home for abused and neglected foster youth, Eggleston has expanded its program operations through managed growth to include eight departments: Residential Treatment; Foster Care; Adoptions; Behavioral Health; Substance Use Disorder; Family Preservation; Human Resources; and Accounting.
The transition of Eggleston from a small family home into a comprehensive social services agency providing high quality tier one programs of the first rank was the result of the implementation of a long-term strategic plan. The strategic plan evolved out of the need to create synergies of shared activities to offer evidenced-based treatment services. The development of the current five-year strategic plan is the result of an inclusive process involving the Board of Directors, Executive Director, Assistant Executive Director, Program Directors, program and administrative consultants, cross functional committee teams, and stakeholders including community advisory board, youth, and families.
The strategic plan is designed to address the unprecedented transformation that is occurring in how treatment programs will be accredited and how outcomes will be measured. Building upon Eggleston’s legacy of inclusiveness by welcoming all ethnicities, genders and gender identifications, the agency will shift additional resources to trauma informed care. The range of services offered in our continuum of care enables us to meet the challenges of promoting safety, stability and well-being for children, youth and families. Additional resources will focus on increasing the number of licensed therapists, reduce the ratio of child care staff to youth, increase trauma-informed trainings; and making existing treatment facilities more home-like. The goal is for Eggleston to evolve into a trauma-informed organization.
Eggleston will continue its partnership with other special programs such as Living Independently for Eternity (LIFE), which teaches youth character building, financial literacy, professional attire, resume development, etiquette, and food preparation; and instills the value of giving back to the community.
Additionally, to assist our youth in their journey of healing, Eggleston will continue its partnership with the non-profit organization, It’s Time for Kids, to reward positive behavior with recreational, cultural and educational programs. By encapsulating in the strategic plan an intensive trauma-informed care, along with independent living skills and cultural enrichment activities, our youth will be prepared to transition to permanency plans to live sustainable healthy lifestyles.
Eggleston’s seven program division are nationally accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA). Having achieved the distinction of national accreditation is a testament to Eggleston’s high level of standards and the implementation of best practices throughout all program divisions.
Eggleston Board of Directors is completely independent consisting of dedicated community members committed to ensuring the agency maintains the highest ethical standards in fulfilling its mission. None of Eggleston’s board members have any self-dealing interests, are not compensated, and are not related to any officers serving as directors.
Eggleston’s forty-seven year legacy of providing compassionate, caring and loving homes staffed by special individuals whom have served the agency for decades makes me especially proud and honored to continue to lead such an outstanding organization since my tenure began forth-six years ago.
