Terri Varnum named interim President/CEO and Executive Director

Terri Varnum: An established Non Profit Executive

With more than 31 years of management and leadership experience, 23 years of which has been with Ettie Lee, Terri's most recent position was as Vice President of Finance, Research and Quality Improvement. She has held a leadership role in program development and evaluation, implementation of evidence based practices, and has championed the value of national accreditation, leading Ettie Lee to the achievement of COA accreditation. Previously Ms. Varnum held several private sector positions in financial leadership.

Clayton L. Downey: Led Ettie Lee through many challenges

Clayton Downey and the Board of Directors, under the chairmanship of Ronald J. Bateman, have been actively working on a succession plan to fulfill the role of President/CEO. Mr. Downey will continue his 41 years of service to Ettie Lee in various assignments including training and quality control through December 31, 2012. Mr. Downey announced to Mr. Batemen his excitement to returning to his roots, "to assist Miss Ettie Lee in her desire to bless the lives of the youth we serve," said Batemen. "On behalf of everyone at Ettie Lee, I would like to express how instrumental Clayton has been in the lives of thousands of at-risk youth," continued Bateman, "and to express our gratitude for his many years of dedicated service - even through challenging times."

For more than 62 years Ettie Lee has served the complex needs of at-risk youth with emotional and behavioral problems and their families in Southern California. When Miss Ettie Lee opened the first group home in 1950 she introduced the model of providing a family atmosphere. Although Ettie Lee has grown significantly since 1950, providing a family atmosphere has been so successful that we still follow that model in all of their nine group homes and 30 foster homes. Last year Ettie Lee served 288 unduplicated boys and girls and their families: 72% were Hispanic, 20% African-American, 6% Caucasian, 1% Asian/Pacific Islander; .3% American Indian; .7% mixed race and over 97% were from low-income and/or disadvantaged families.

Ettie Lee’s residential group homes serve older children – teenage boys (aged 13-18+) – who are on probation. All of group homes are located in residential areas and provide family-style residential treatment that focuses on the importance of education and being active in the community to develop the skills for success in life.

Ettie Lee’s therapeutic Foster Family Agency and Adoption agency is located in Covina. More than 65 boys and girls, ages 0 – 18+) are placed in the safe and loving homes of Ettie Lee foster parents who are trained and licensed.

Ettie Lee Youth & Family Services is a nonprofit child welfare agency serving the complex needs of at-risk youth who have been abused, neglected or abandoned. Its mission is to assist troubled youth who are in need of guidance and support to develop values and skills that will facilitate their success in life. Ettie Lee complies with the highest standards of Community Care Licensing, Los Angeles County Department of Children & Family Services, and Los Angeles County Department of Probation. Ettie Lee is accredited by the California Alliance for Children & Families and the Council on Accreditation