GIVING KIDS THE TLC THEY NEED
Article by Dave Eckert
Erin Dugan
As someone who grew up in a household headed by a single mother with mental health problems, I am personally attuned to children in difficult, sometimes life-threatening, situations. So, when a good friend asked me if I wanted to get involved in a charity auction for KidsTLC, a group that provides a sanctuary for children who’d been abandoned, neglected, or abused, I immediately said yes. The auction, held in September, raised well over $300,000 for KidsTLC! I was pleased to have helped but I wanted to do more. This is my first effort to do that, bringing KidsTLC to your attention in the hope that you’ll want to get involved, too.
For insight, I went to Erin Dugan, CEO & President at KidsTLC. First, some background. “KidsTLC began in 1972 in downtown Olathe, Kansas. What started as a safe haven has grown into a trusted source of hope and care for children and families across the Kansas City metro and beyond. For more than 50 years, we’ve remained committed to our original mission of serving the community’s most vulnerable and at-risk kids. As the needs of children and families have evolved, so too has our approach,” Dugan shared. “Today, KidsTLC offers a full continuum of mental and behavioral health services designed to meet children and families where they are-whether they’re navigating everyday challenges or more complex concerns. Through our Lotus Clinics for outpatient therapy and medication management, as well as autism services, respite care, and psychiatric residential treatment, we provide accessible, individualized support that empowers children to thrive while strengthening family systems. At every step, our focus remains the same as it was in 1972: creating a safe, supportive environment where children and families can find connection, care, and the tools to move forward.”
Doing all that is no small task. In 2024 alone, Dugan told me that KidsTLC served more than 1,800 children and families, delivering over 44,000 hours of therapy across our programs. “Our residential campus provided nearly 24,000 days of care for youth ages 6–18, while the Lotus Outpatient Clinic served over 1,300 clients-including 935 youth and 455 parents, with more than 7,400 hours of therapy. In addition, 95% of clients met or made progress toward their treatment goals, demonstrating the effectiveness of our evidence-based approach,” Dugan stated.
Dugan says an important factor is partnership with the area’s medical community. “What we want the medical community to know is that KidsTLC is not only a place of support for families in crisis, but also a trusted partner for physicians, schools, and community leaders seeking reliable resources for their patients and students. We are committed to expanding outpatient access through Lotus and working alongside healthcare professionals to ensure children receive the compassionate, expert care they need to thrive at home, in school, and in the community,” Dugan said.
On a personal level, Dugan has been involved with KidsTLC for more than 20-years. “I worked for the Olathe Public Schools for 26 years and had the honor of not only overseeing the public school on the KidsTLC campus for ten+ years but also sitting on the Board of Directors for KidsTLC for five years. When the President and CEO position came open in 2018, I knew this was my opportunity to continue one of my specific passions and focus on children and families and the challenges of mental health in our community,” Dugan told me. She says her 
work with KidsTLC has provided both personal and professional satisfaction. “KidsTLC has worked tirelessly to meet the specific mental and behavioral health needs in our community, to overcome the barriers to high quality care, and to make the process of getting and receiving care less overwhelming or stigmatizing. I am pleased both personally and professionally that I have played a role in building a highly respected staff and organization that truly cares about our metropolitan community and has begun to change the landscape of integrated comprehensive mental and behavioral health care services for children and families no matter where they are on their wellness journey,” Dugan commented.
Dugan says you can make a difference at KidsTLC by donating, volunteering, or joining one of our signature fundraising events: the KidsTLC Open Golf Tournament, Pour for More Brunch, or our annual BENEFIT. She also encourages people to volunteer their time and talents to support children and families on campus or during special events. If you’re interested, but unsure where to start, Dugan says a good option is to schedule a tour at kidstlc.org, and see firsthand how you can get involved!
