For more information, please contact:
Annie Meagle
Great Circle
Phone: 314-256-4943
Fax: 314-535-6632
annie.meagle@great-circle.org

Missouri Coalition of Children's Agencies Carmen Schulze Joins Great Circle as Vice President, Chief Public Affairs Officer
Agency vows to keep needs of children and families a top public policy priority
Schulze comments on impact of median household income decline on Missouri children and families

St. Louis, Mo. (September 16, 2011) – In this era of economic upheaval, the needs of children and families appear caught in the undertow of crushing waves of budget deficits and budget balancing.  Great Circle, one of Missouri’s largest children’s social service agencies, is bent on turning the tide to keep children’s needs a top public policy priority.

Next month, Missouri Coalition of Children’s Agencies (MCCA) Executive Director Carmen Schulze will join Great Circle in the new position of vice president, chief public affairs officer.

“We all know how the economy has made budget balancing and decision-making in government extremely challenging,” said Vince Hillyer, president and chief executive officer of Great Circle. “We also know that children do not vote so it is vital that we remind legislators of the benefits of keeping children’s needs and interests a top priority.

“The need is critical. Great Circle’s goal is to keep children on the radar screen.  We decided the best way to accomplish this was to create a position devoted to public advocacy and find a passionate advocate with extensive experience on national and state levels.  Carmen Schulze is that person.”

Executive director of MCCA since 2002, Schulze represents 45 agency providers of child welfare and mental health services in Missouri.  Previously, as regional public policy associate for the 1,100 member agencies of Child Welfare League of America (CWLA), she focused on strengthening legislative activity at national and state levels.

She served more than 15 years with Missouri Department of Social Services Division of Family Services (now Children’s Division) including seven years as director, Division of Family Services.

Earlier this week, the U.S. Census Bureau announced that median household income in Missouri declined in 2010 compared to 2009.  “As household incomes drop, the stress on families is at an all-time high,” said Schulze.

“Severe family stress puts children at risk of abuse and neglect. As the need for our services increases, funding to support the most vulnerable children is falling behind.”

Schulze is a resident of Warrenton, Mo.

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Editor’s note: Here is the link to U.S. Census Bureau news release, “Income, Poverty and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2010” http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/income_wealth/cb11-157.html

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About Great Circle
Established as a result of the merger of Boys & Girls Town of Missouri and Edgewood Children’s Center, Great Circle provides treatment, education, prevention and support services to children with a history of physical, sexual or emotional abuse, neglect or abandonment. Great Circle’s mission to “reshape vulnerable lives through a community of partners, teachers and leaders, giving children and families the confidence to create bright futures” is fulfilled through campuses in St. Louis, Columbia, Springfield and St. James, Missouri. As one of the children’s non-for-profit services in Missouri, the organization annually serves approximately 7,800 children and family members and employs more than 700 staff members. For more information please visit www.great-circle.org.