VAN WERT, Oh - The month of May is National Foster Month. The Marsh Foundation, along with organizations across the nation, take the opportunity in May to thank those families who selflessly give to help children and families in need. In the United States, there are 391,000 children in foster care, according to the U.S. Children’s Bureau. Foster families make a tremendous difference in the lives of these children.

“Being a foster parent offers a child a safe place to live during a time in their life which is so uncertain,” said Marsh Foundation Foster Care Consultant Jennifer Meyer. “It gives a child the chance to develop healthy relationships, build trust and provides the opportunity to learn important life skills.”

According to Meyer, a foster home provides safety and security. “When a child comes to a foster home, they know they will have their basic needs met and they know they are safe from the circumstances that brought them into the foster care system,” she said. Foster parents should never underestimate the role they play in a child’s story.

Although it is difficult to adequately thank foster families for their sacrifice and dedication, The Marsh facilitates events throughout the year to show appreciation. This month, there will be a picnic including food and games for all the families. Those foster families who are celebrating five years with The Marsh will receive a plaque in recognition of their tenure, a pizza party and their choice of a family outing event.

“Here at The Marsh, we treat our foster families as extensions of our own families,” Meyer said. “We love to recognize and acknowledge them and celebrate how they positively impact children’s lives.” Those interested in learning about fostering should call 419.238.KIDS for more information.

The Marsh Foundation is a not-for-profit children services agency that provides services for youth and families in a variety of settings. Services include residential care, family foster care (ages 0-17), adoption and independent living services. Located in Van Wert, Ohio, the organization is licensed to provide on-campus services for up to 30 children, offers an on-campus school for grades 2-12, and provides a variety of clinical services to campus residents, foster care children and community members throughout western Ohio.

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Photo caption: The Marsh recently honored six foster families for reaching the five-year milestone with the organization. Together, they have served 54 children.

The Ohio Children’s Alliance is celebrating its 50^th anniversary and recently held their annual conference for childcare professionals throughout the state of Ohio. At the conference, they presented The Steve Plottner Award for Leadership in Child Welfare. Kim Mullins, Executive Director of Child and Family Services at The Marsh Foundation, was the honored recipient.

Formerly known as the Ohio Association of Child Caring Agencies, the Ohio Children’s Alliance is Ohio’s premiere membership organization for community agencies who serve vulnerable children and families. The Alliance presents the award to a person who demonstrates leadership for children, families and the direct care workforce of the Ohio child welfare system. The award aims to honor an advocate who has made outstanding contributions to the field of residential care or other intensive treatment programs, benefiting Ohio’s high-risk youth.

Mullins said she is grateful and honored to receive this award. “It is difficult to say thank you when I know there are many others deserving of this award, though I am so grateful and honored,” she said. The mission of The Marsh Foundation is to inspire hope, to teach and to care for children and families. “I have the pleasure of working with an amazing group of people whose life goals are wrapped around this mission,” Mullins said. “They truly inspire me.”

Mullins began her career as a school music teacher. Her life drastically changed when she and her husband decided to move into a group home to work with teenage girls and their families many years ago. “That experience completely changed my life,” she said. “Since then, I have been amazed by the resilience and self-determination of youth and families when they are inspired by people who care.”

The Marsh Foundation has been working hard to inspire youth for more than one hundred years. Their comprehensive treatment programs span the continuum of care to serve community clients, foster children, group home residents and their families. Daily, they strive to make a difference in the lives of Ohio’s at-risk youth.

Mullins appreciates the Alliance and the continued support that they offer agencies. “I would like to thank the Alliance for their ongoing support and for the way they advocate for quality services for children and families,” she said. “I would also like to thank my husband David for a lifetime of unwavering support and love.”

The Marsh Foundation is a not-for-profit children services agency that provides services for youth and families in a variety of settings. Services include residential care, family foster care (ages 0-17), adoption and independent living services. Located in Van Wert, Ohio, the organization is licensed to provide on-campus services for up to 30 children, offers an on-campus school for grades 2-12, and provides a variety of clinical services to campus residents, foster care children and community members throughout western Ohio.

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Photo caption: Pictured are Lt. Governor Jon Husted and Chief Executive Officer for the Ohio Children’s Alliance, Mark Mecum presenting the award to Mullins.

The mission of The Marsh Foundation is to inspire hope, to teach and to care for children and families. By incorporating innovative strategies and services, this mission continues to serve as the foundational component for the continuum of care that The Marsh provides. As The Marsh Foundation continues to evolve to meet the ever-changing needs of children and families, a natural evaluation of treatment needs was recently assessed. To better meet the social-emotional needs of youth receiving clinical services, an interdepartmental position of Wellness Case Manager was developed. Abigail Neville was recently promoted to Wellness Case Manager. Her unique skillset in fitness and equine-assisted learning is currently being utilized to enhance not only the clinical division but the school as well.

Over the past several months, she and two youth trained and prepared for a CrossFit competition. Neville’s certification as a CrossFit Level 1 trainer, Bergener Weightlifting Level 1 and in CrossFit Kids was integral in teaching these youth valuable skillsets such as teamwork, perseverance and self-worth. With Neville’s guidance, and support, the trio was able to place third at the “Get Tanked” CrossFit competition in Tiffin, Ohio. “The process of preparing for this competition has been a journey in and of itself and I believe that it has given the boys an opportunity to work towards a substantial goal,” said Neville. “Reaching this goal has given them a sense of pride and accomplishment which will help them as they face challenges in the future.”

Neville takes an individualized approach to teaching youth skills based on their ability and needs. She utilizes various methods and physical activities tailored to specific youths to address issues they may be struggling with. Neville has been able to use her unique skillset to teach youth self-regulation and problem-solving techniques. Additionally, topics Neville works on with the youth are managing emotions, communication, spatial awareness and goal setting.

Over the past year, Neville and the rest of the clinical team have been working closely with The Marsh Foundation School. In this collaborative effort, the two divisions have developed innovative ways to teach the skills above during the school day. Through classroom activities, field trips, community service projects, physical education and other educational forums, this initiative has highlighted the significant growth the youth have made physically, behaviorally and academically. Neville believes, “The cohesiveness of the clinical, residential and school divisions has been better than ever and has offered a new level of support in focusing on our children’s individualized goals.”

As The Marsh continues to support Neville in the newly implemented Wellness Case Management position, a continued focus on equine assisted learning and fitness will ensue. With the implementation of this new position paired with Neville’s expertise this will provide multiple opportunities for growth and expansion to reach more children. “We have experienced significant success through our equine and fitness initiatives,” Neville said. “We hope to continue to grow these programs to serve more children in our community.”

The Marsh Foundation is a not-for-profit children services agency that provides services for youth and families in a variety of settings. Services include residential care, family foster care (ages 0-17), adoption and independent living services. Located in Van Wert, Ohio, the organization is licensed to provide on-campus services for up to 30 children, offers an on-campus school for grades 2-12, and provides a variety of clinical services to campus residents, foster care children and community members throughout western Ohio.

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Photo caption: Marsh’s Wellness Case Manager Abby Neville joined forces with two youth and placed third in the recent CrossFit “Get Tanked” competition in Tiffin, Ohio.

VAN WERT, Ohio – The Marsh Foundation is constantly exploring new methods of therapy and educating its clinicians on ways in which they can better serve their clients. Many of these clients have unique needs that require more innovative approaches to treatment.

Recently, clinician Elspeth McCoy and her dog, became certified in Animal Assisted Therapy. Already a counselor with a master’s degree in social work and an LISW license, McCoy felt that incorporating dogs into her work might be an effective way to reach some of the boys she was working with.

Working with traumatized youth can be intense and overwhelming. The goal McCoy has when incorporating animals, is to calm and comfort the youth. “The overall goal is assist kids with becoming more comfortable sharing difficult thoughts and feelings and there has been a  lot of research that shows that animals can really aid in this process,” McCoy said. “Many of my clients have experienced traumatic events and I have seen how the dogs can be very calming to the kids when processing these things,” she added.

Both McCoy and her dogs had to go through classes and a certification process. After multiple training classes, a therapy dog test was administered by Pet Partners to officially certify them. “I also had to do a lot of work with them out in the community to prepare to pass the test,” McCoy said.

Another counselor on campus is certified in Equine Assisted Learning and facilitated a therapy program throughout the summer using horses. The clinicians are seeing positive results from the new programming options. “I have seen kids be much more engaged in the session as well as look forward to sessions more knowing they’ll get to spend time with a dog,” McCoy said. “One of my dogs, Getty, does very well in group counseling with the kids. He works his way around the circle of kids for a full hour stopping and spending time with each one. I have seen that this has helped bring a more calming atmosphere to the groups.”

The Marsh Foundation is a not-for-profit children's services agency that provides services for youth

and families in a variety of settings. Services include residential care, family foster care (ages 0-17),

adoption and independent living services. Located in Van Wert, Ohio, the organization is licensed to

provide on-campus services for up to 30 children, offers an on-campus school for grades 2 – 12, and

provides a variety of clinical services to campus residents, foster care children and community

members throughout western Ohio.

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Photo caption: Counselor Elspeth McCoy is pictured with her dog, Getty, who works with her at The Marsh Foundation providing Animal Assisted Therapy.  

VAN WERT, Ohio – The Marsh Foundation held their alumni reunion and 100-year anniversary celebration September 16 and 17. The weekend began with an alumni dinner and program on Friday evening. On Saturday, campus was open for a myriad of fun activities, tours and demonstrations highlighting the many strengths of the organiza

tion.

Established more than 100 years ago by George H. Marsh’s last will and testament, The Marsh has spent a century serving children and families. Established as a children’s home and orphanage, the campus has served more than 2,514 children in those years. The impact the Marsh family has had is far-reaching and the organization looked at the 100^th anniversary as an opportunity to thank the community that has supported their mission for the past century.

“At The Marsh Foundation, we do not stand isolated. We rely on many in the community to be successful. We are very grateful for the generous support of the Van Wert community,” said Kim Mullins, executive director of Child and Family Services at The Marsh. “In addition to thanking the community, we also wanted to take this opportunity

to educate individuals about the services and programming we offer,” she said.

Saturday featured open fishing at the pond, facepainting, horse program demonstrations, open houses and tours, inflatables, a book signing by author Tori Hope Petersen, food trucks, corn hole, a concert featuring Denver and the Mile High Orchestra, fireworks and more.

“Our goal was to have something for everyone,” said executive secretary and treasurer Jeff Grothouse. “We wanted the weekend to be spectacular and we feel that it was,” he added. The concert in the Bagley auditorium was well attended and enjoyed by many. The boisterous fireworks display was a fantastic conclusion to a meaningful weekend.

“We are honored to be continuing the work and legacy of George Marsh and his family,” said director of education and school principal Robbie Breese. “We couldn’t do what we do without the dedicated support of our staff and the continued generosity of our community. We are so thankful that so many people came out to support us and enjoy our 100-year celebration.”

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Photo caption: Hundreds of people visited The Marsh campus and for the alumni reunion and 100-year celebration.

VAN WERT, Ohio – The Marsh Foundation recently held their annual horse program for youth. Over the past year, clinicians at The Marsh Foundation had the opportunity to go through the certification process in equine assisted learning and/or equine assisted psychotherapy. Equine assisted therapy incorporates a variety of treatments that involve activities with horses to assist in the promotion of physical and mental health for troubled youth. This certification will allow therapists, case managers and equine personnel to work together to provide an enriched therapeutic learning experience for the boys on campus.

With this addition to The Marsh’s summer horse program, it will provide a hands-on experience for the youth to showcase what they have been learning in treatment and apply it in the arena. As a result, the youth learned complex communication skills, “real-time” problem solving techniques and how to effectively work as a team.  “Watching the kids take everything they had been learning and apply it in a different arena was priceless, stated clinical supervisor Annette Herrmann. “The pride that the kids had in what they had accomplished was truly unmatched.”

Equine assisted learning teaches youth how to effectively manage their emotions and behavioral responses. The horses are considered extensions of their riders and often mirror what is being non-verbally communicated by the riders. They respond to the physiological cues that the youth are presenting and reciprocate with the appropriate behavior response. “The instructors have seen children grow to care for the horses and learn more about themselves in the process. They engage in their treatment at a much higher level than they would have previously,” commented wellness case manager, Abigail Neville.

“They say when you find a job you love, you will never work a day in your life. That holds true for the Equine Department at The Marsh Foundation. Being able to help and watch the children grow in all aspects of life is one of the most rewarding jobs,” said summer horse program instructor, Leah Lichtensteiger. “This year has been one for the books. The growth these kids made was amazing. I am looking forward to what the future years bring,” she continued.

The Marsh Foundation is a not-for-profit children's services agency that provides services for youth and families in a variety of settings. Services include residential care, family foster care (ages 0-17), adoption and independent living services. Located in Van Wert, Ohio, the organization is licensed to provide on-campus services for up to 30 children, offers an on-campus school for grades 2 – 12, and provides a variety of clinical services to campus residents, foster care children and community members throughout western Ohio.

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Photo caption: Marsh youth showcased their skills at a recent end-of-summer horse program.

August 30, 2022

For Immediate Release

VAN WERT, Ohio - The Marsh Foundation is celebrating its 100th Anniversary this year and is honoring the milestone in a big way. To honor all those individuals we have been blessed to serve and the community which has supported our mission for the past 100 years, we will be hosting an Anniversary Celebration Weekend, on September 16 and 17, 2022.

We will be welcoming our Marsh Foundation Alumni and their guests for an alumni-only evening on Friday, September 16. Saturday, September 17’s activities will begin at 10:00 a.m. and are open to the community. The Marsh campus and buildings will be open during an open house, we will have food trucks available with items for purchase, inflatables, entertainment and more. The evening will culminate with a concert in the Bagley Auditorium. Denver & the Mile High Orchestra will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. A fantastic fireworks show will close out the memorable weekend at 9:15 p.m.

“We are excited to host an event for the public and invite the community to experience our campus and join us in celebrating a century in Van Wert,” said executive secretary and treasurer Jeff Grothouse. “The Van Wert community has always been so supportive of our organization and this is part of our effort to say thank you,” he continued.

To purchase tickets for the concert and for full event details visit www.marshfoundation.org.

The Marsh Foundation has a rich history within the Van Wert and surrounding communities, thanks in part to the legacy left by George and Hilinda Marsh. Two individuals who were compelled to find a way to serve the youth in our area. “We are proud of our efforts to continue the vision of the Marsh family for the past century and the fact that we have been able to impact thousands of children and families in that timeframe,” Grothouse said.

We invite you to be part of our history and join us as we celebrate that legacy. We are looking forward to serving for another 100 years.

The Marsh Foundation is a not-for-profit children's services agency that provides services for youth and families in a variety of settings. Services include residential care, family foster care (ages 0-17), adoption and independent living services. Located in Van Wert, Ohio, the organization is licensed to provide on-campus services for up to 30 children, offers an on-campus school for grades 2 – 12, and provides a variety of clinical services to campus residents, foster care children and community members throughout western Ohio.

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VAN WERT, Ohio – The Marsh Foundation will hold an open house to unveil the new Foster Care and Adoption Center location on Thursday, April 7 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. The building, located at 1151 Westwood Drive in Van Wert, has been renovated and updated by The Marsh maintenance staff. The public is invited and welcome to attend the open house and tour the facility.

The expansive facility is equipped to hold office and training space for The Marsh’s growing foster care and adoption division. “As our agency continues to grow and serve more children, we are fortunate to have sufficient space that is easily accessible to the community,” said Kim Mullins, executive director of Child and Family Services at The Marsh.

The Marsh has been focused on growth and recruiting more foster and adoptive families. The foster care and adoption division is serving a record number of youth. The additional space will make scheduling training events, treatment meetings and family visits easier and more convenient for all involved. “It is a great feeling to see our number of dedicated foster and adoptive families growing,” said Melissa Snyder, foster care and adoption supervisor. “We are excited to move into this new office space. It will allow us to continue to grow and give us a convenient, accessible location to meet with prospective and current parents.”

The Marsh Foundation is a not-for-profit children services agency that provides services for youth and families in a variety of settings. Services include residential care, family foster care (ages 0-17), adoption and independent living services. Located in Van Wert, Ohio, the organization is licensed to provide on-campus services for up to 30 children, offers an on-campus school for grades 2 – 12, and provides a variety of clinical services to campus residents, foster care children and community members.

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Photo caption: The Marsh Foundation’s new Foster Care and Adoption Center is located on Westwood Drive in Van Wert. A public open house will be held on April 7 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

VAN WERT, Ohio – For years, The Marsh Foundation’s clinical and counseling department has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). They have now received their first accreditation for their residential services division.

According to the executive director of Child and Family Services at The Marsh, Kim Mullins, this is a great accomplishment. “Through accreditation, The Marsh demonstrates value and quality of our services as well as meeting internationally recognized organizational and program standards,” she said. “The surveyors look at all of our services and methods for demonstrating positive outcomes and our business practices.”

This accreditation is critical to The Marsh Foundation’s transition to a Qualified Residential Treatment Program (QRTP). CARF accreditation is one of the State of Ohio’s requirement for QRTPs. The agency also officially received their QRTP certification last week. According to Mullins, this was a large undertaking and a long process for the organization that involved many staff members. “I particularly would like to thank LeAnn Patterson, compliance specialist, for her dedicated work which led the way for this to happen for our agency” she said.

The Marsh Foundation is a not-for-profit children services agency that provides services for youth and families in a variety of settings. Services include residential care, family foster care (ages 0-17), adoption and independent living services. Located in Van Wert, Ohio, the organization is licensed to provide on-campus services for up to 30 children, offers an on-campus school for grades 2 – 12, and provides a variety of clinical services to campus residents, foster care children and community members.

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