Children's Attention Home announces retirement of Executive Director, Debra Eident
Rock Hill, S.C. – Executive Director of the Children’s Attention Home, Debra Eident, announced that she will be retiring from the Children’s Attention Home after three years of dedicated service.
“We are grateful to Debra for her innovative leadership during her tenure as the Home’s Executive Director,” expressed Board Chair, Dr. Cheryl Fortner-Wood. “We are sorry to see her retire from the work she loves and does so well, but we are happy for her as she embarks on this next chapter of her life. Debra has grown a strong team of leaders at the Home that will continue to advance the excellent service to children for which the Home is known.”
In announcing her retirement to the team at the Home, Eident said, “The last three years have been the most rewarding of my entire working career, and there is great sadness at the thought of leaving. At the same time, as I observe the maturity of the Children’s Attention Home, the Board of Directors and the Leadership Team, I leave knowing the Home is in great hands.”
Under Eident’s direction over the past three years, the Children’s Attention Home made great strides adapting processes and programming in response to significant changes in the state’s foster care system and the community’s needs. These accomplishments include the expansion of services for a growing number of teen residents, including the independent living and life skills program, mentor program, and the launch of the Home’s newest program, Crossroads, serving unaccompanied and homeless youth.
While adapting to the changing landscape of need, Eident reinforced the Home’s commitment to giving every child the highest quality of care. Her legacy is reflected in the strong culture of teamwork, leadership, and excellence that resulted in the Home’s recent achievement of national accreditation, which was expedited due to the high caliber of evidence displayed during the evaluation process conducted by the Council on Accreditation.
Prior to her leadership at the Home, Eident served in various roles for Carolinas Healthcare Systems over a collective span of 23 years, including leadership positions in nursing, facility direction and community outreach. She also served for 10 years as a teaching pastor at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Charlotte.
“I will always be grateful for the opportunity I have had to serve at the Children’s Attention Home and lead such an incredible team. I cannot imagine a better place to be ending my work career. The memories I take with me I will cherish forever.”
A transition plan will be implemented by the Home’s Board of Directors, along with senior leadership, while next steps are taken to fill the position. Individuals interested in this position can find information at attentionhome.org/careers. Eident’s final day will be February 2, 2018.
About the Children’s Attention Home
The Children’s Attention Home provides a safe and nurturing home for abused and neglected children from birth to age 21. Serving children across the state of South Carolina, the Home provides individualized care and developmental opportunities for up to 42 children at a time. Since its inception in 1970, the Home has served over 7,500 children. For more information about the Children’s Attention Home and available opportunities to support, visit attentionhome.org or call 803-328-8871.
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