Gillis | for children and families since 1870

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Leadership Staff

Serving children and families requires the commitment and dedication of people who passionately believe in the strength of family.

Gillis Leadership Staff

Mary Ellen Schaid, President and CEO
David Janssens, Senior Vice President
Kim Champlain, Vice President Administration
George Robbins, Vice President of Development
JT Hartley, Principal
Michelle Graff, Director of IIS & FRS
Connie Jones, Director of PACT
Grey Endres, Director of Clinical Services
Pam Sanders, Director of Recreation
David Horne, Director of Campus Life

Gillis staff is comprised of professionals and support staff who provide a quality system of care:

Psychiatrists
Master’s Degree Therapists
Health Care Professionals
Youth Care Specialists
Special Education Teachers
Classroom Teachers
Teaching Aides
In-Home Specialists
Administrative Staff

The Gillis staff works as a team to ensure that our children and families have the tools necessary to become healthy and self-sufficient.

The most value assets Gillis has are the numerous community supporters and volunteers, including:

Board of Directors
Volunteers
Special Event Committees
Tutors
Mentors

Stories

Jack came to Gillis when the Children’s Division was unable to find a 4th foster home willing to take him. His mother was clean and working towards getting him back, but relapsed and has only seen him once since then. Jack has siblings but doesn’t see them much because their foster parent thinks Jack upsets them. Jack was a very hurt, lonely, frightened and angry boy with a history of family violence, substance abuse, loss, abandonment and constant rejection and disappointment.

Read full story

Gillis News

As part of their community service hours at Rockhurst High School, two young men volunteered at Gillis, working with the residential students. One day they looked around and realized that the common areas were not what they, as “typical” teenagers, would like to look at every day. So, they undertook a cottage renovation project. READ MORE

Gillis is part of Cornerstones of Care, a partnership of agencies providing therapeutic treatment services for children and families.