MISSION
We combine science and compassion to deliver innovative solutions that equip adults to meet children’s needs and cultivate their strengths.
VISION
Imagine a world where every child’s natural strengths are nurtured, so they realize their endless potential.
OUR UNIQUE APPROACH
Natural Strength Parenting™ encourages adults to be intentional and mindful in their parenting and caring for children, while focusing on the child’s innate strengths. Building on their strengths will increase their confidence, self-esteem and resilience all which lead to a positive well-being.
Our Values
SERVICE
In our emails, voicemails, in-
person and virtual interactions,
we treat each other with respect
and dignity. We actively listen
with humility and seek to
understand.
TEAM CULTURE
In our emails, voicemails, in-
person and virtual interactions,
we treat each other with respect
and dignity. We actively listen
with humility and seek to
understand.
HIGH-QUALITY
STANDARDS
of the services we offer linking
to positive impact. Our intention
is to provide a lasting memory
to all our clients, partners,
donors, stakeholders, and
employees.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
We believe that cultivating a
feeling of belonging among our
employees, partners, children
and the adults in a child’s world
begins with a just, equitable and
diverse organization.
INNOVATION
We believe innovation is a balance
of art and science. Working with
the community every day allows
us to see trends happening in
real-time. Our entrepreneurial
spirit creates space to test, learn
and grow.
Our Leadership
Top Strength:
Creativity
Laura Mitchell
CEO
Top Strength:
Creativity
Brittany Speed
COO & CFO
Lisa Babb
VP
Dr. Carrie Bunger
VP
Meghan Hensley
VP
Jordan Huizenga
VP
Brice Mickey
VP
Christy Burnett
Director
Rebecca Ranford
Director, Foster Care & Adoption
Shelly Baxter
Director
Sarah Breetz
Director
Catherine Cosker
Director
Patty Frankland
Director
Tayna Givens
Director
Victoria Jamison
Director
Shalay Pitts
Director
Callie Welch
Director
Janice Weiss
Director
Top Strength:
Fairness
LAURA MITCHELL
Chief Executive Officer
Top Strength:
Honesty
BRITTANY SPEED
Chief Operating Officer
Chief Financial Officer
(She/Her)
Top Strength:
Sense of Meaning
Lisa Babb
Vice President of Thriving Families
(She/Her)
Top Strength:
Kindness
Dr. Carrie Bunger
Vice President of Effective School Solutions
(She/Her)
“The ability to collaborate across sectors to make a true impact in the lives of families we serve.
“
Top Strength:
Curiosity
Meghan Hensley SHRM-SCP
Vice President of Talent & Culture
(She/Her)
Top Strength:
Kindness
Jordan Huizenga
Vice President of Development
Top Strength:
Kindness
Brice Mickey
Vice President of DEI
(He/Him)
“Having interaction with my colleagues brings me the most joy and wisdom. “None of us is as smart as all of us.”
Top Strength:
Curiosity
Christy Burnett
Director of IT & Data
(She/Her)
Top Strength:
Fairness
Rebecca Ranford
Director, Foster Care & Adoption
(She/Her)
Top Strength:
Sense of Meaning
Shelly Baxter
MA, LPCC-S
Director of Parent Connext and Community Partners
(She/Her)
Top Strength:
Kindness
Sarah Breetz
Director of Risk Management and Quality Improvement
(She/Her)
Top Strength:
Humor
Catherine Cosker
Director of Clinical Intervention
(She/Her)
Top Strength:
Spirituality
Patty Frankland
Director of Accounting/Controller
(She/Her)
Top Strength:
Humor
Victoria Jamison
Director of Empowerment Services
(She/Her)
Top Strength:
Sense of Meaning
Tayna Givens
Director, Finance & Operations
(She/Her)
“I derive great joy from work, because of the incredible colleagues I’ve met over the years and positive relationships that have entered my life.”
Top Strength:
Fairness
Callie Welch
Director of Implementation and Impact
(She/Her)
“The ability to collaborate across sectors to make a true impact in the lives of families we serve.
“
Top Strength:
Fairness
Shalay Pitts
Director of Prevention Services for Effective School Solutions
(She/Her)
Top Strength:
Creativity
Janice Weiss
Director of Marketing and Strategic Partnerships
(She/Her)
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Our History
1849
To provide loving care for hundreds of children left homeless after the cholera epidemic, the German Protestant Orphan Society opened their hearts and purses to build a residential home in Mt. Auburn, sowing family love stories for generations to come.
By the 1940’s
the Orphan Feast, a love-filled community annual fundraising effort featuring the biggest parade in Cincinnati, netting annually over $50,000, attracting 80K visitors at its peak.
A beautiful loving home takes root on a 60-acre farm in Anderson Township. Six cottages set around a grassy lawn encircled by stately beech trees, inspired both our new name and great hope for thousands of children to come.
Beech Acres became a licensed foster / kinship care and adoption provider, growing loving connections across Cincinnati. Our success is rooted in a network of care: critical training, 24-hour on-call support, and unique matching that ensures a loving fit for families and their placements.
2024
Whether we connect a child with their ideal foster or kinship home, help with their adoption into a forever family, or support a child reuniting with their bio parent, we grow lifetimes of love stories that shine light and hope into our collective futures.
It all starts with the children. Throughout our long history of uplifting children and parents, Beech Acres has served as a community partner for essential resources, parenting tools, and wrap-around care.
From our parent coaching programs through our new Inclusion Services Consultancy to our social emotional learning platform in schools, we leverage the science of character strengths to help every individual be their best self every day.
In our ever-changing times, we equip all children and families with the support they need to thrive — no matter their circumstance — so that each may reach their endless potential,
building a
stronger
future for
us all.
Beech Acres Parenting Center hosted the For the Love of Kids® parenting conference from 1999 to 2011, bringing the wisdom of national and local parenting experts to hundreds of parents looking to help their children thrive.
We seeded in-school innovations to help children build self-love and confidence: 1. Beyond the Classroom student mental health services, and 2. The Character Effect, a flexible SEL curriculum based on character strengths.
Parents support grew into core offerings: 1. The Parent Enrichment Program in partnership with Hamilton County Job & Family Services, and 2. Parent Connext®, 1:1 coaching to nurture loving family relationships despite everyday challenges.
Beech Acres moved back downtown to better serve our diverse community needs, establishing welcoming offices at Elsinore Place and re-focusing on Prevention services to sow loving connections for generations to come.
Our History
