Children's Attention Home is pleased to announce the selection of Tara Burgess as the next Executive Director. Tara steps into this role after 10 years at the Home and serving as Interim Executive Director since late last spring.
"Tara’s passion for the youth served at the Home and the team who care for them is undeniable," Board Chair Adam Smith shared. "Her selection supports the cohesiveness of the staff team and commitment to future growth, which the Board considers vital to the Home’s continued excellence. Under Tara’s leadership, and with the full support of the staff and Board, we are confident the Home will continue its vital work of providing nurturing care and life-changing services for youth and families in need. "
Several strong candidates were considered, but Burgess's experience in key areas such as finance, development, human resources, programmatic oversight, employee development, non-profit compliance, and regulatory matters set her apart from the 60 other applicants. With over seven years of serving in leadership at the Home, Tara’s history and contributions made her the natural choice for Executive Director.
"I was first introduced to the Home as a community volunteer after moving here about 20 years ago," Tara recalled. "After serving in various support roles over the last 10 years as teammate, I've seen the tremendous impact this mission has in the lives of youth and young adults. I'm honored and excited to expand our ability to serve more youth in the future."
With a gift for strategic thinking and a passion for people, Tara brings a creative, solution-focused approach to leadership and prioritizes the growth and development of staff. As Interim Executive Director, she has restructured residential programs, implemented two new state service contracts, completed implementation of the trauma-informed care model, and spearheaded future building and programmatic expansion efforts.
In her last seven years as a Director, Tara has led the execution of major campus improvement projects, developed key relationships with funders and grantors, restructured the Home’s financial and payroll systems, implemented new technology systems, and provided critical support for personnel and programmatic functions. She was instrumental in the Home’s reaccreditation process through the Council on Accreditation in 2021 and the launch of both the Home’s Crossroads Program in 2017 and its Day Services Program in 2023. Prior to joining the Children’s Attention Home, Tara worked as a Paralegal with focuses in real estate, probate, and family law. Tara holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management.
"So much has changed in the landscape of child welfare in the last 10 years," Tara shared. "The Home has been a leader across the state in expanding services to fill critical gaps in care, and there's more to be done. I look forward to partnering with our community and supporting our team as we expand to meet the needs of more youth and families."
The community is invited to meet Tara and learn more about her vision for the Home's future at the Home's Spring Open House on Friday, May 9 from 9am-1pm at the Children's Attention Home (1149 Edgemont Avenue, Rock Hill, SC 29730).
About the Children’s Attention Home
For over 50 years, the Children’s Attention Home has provided nurturing care and life-changing services for over 9,000 of the community’s most vulnerable children. Nationally accredited, the Home provides comprehensive, compassionate care and individualized support to youth in South Carolina foster care up to age 21 and older teens (ages 17 up to 21). Through evidence-based care, the Home helps these youth on their path toward healthy independence and sustainable success. For more information, visit attentionhome.org or call 803-328-8871.
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