Courtney M. Graves
Chief Clinical Officer
St. Vincent Home for Children
Berkeley, MO
Berkeley Senior High
Bachelor of Arts Psychology, Talladega College
Master of Arts Counseling Psychology, Argosy Atlanta
Doctor of Education Counseling Psychology, Argosy Sarasota
RBC Young Professionals
2016-2017 Missouri Foundation for Health Fellows
2015-2018 Ferguson Florissant School District School Board Director
Tell us about the mission of St. Vincent’s Home for Children.
At St. Vincent we help youth facing significant life challenges through love, security and therapeutic supports that enable them to improve their lives, their families and the community. As a safe haven for youth and families in crisis, St. Vincent residential services combine life-affirming mental health services with academic support, life skills classes, field experiences, and recreational activities to help troubled teens develop balanced lives. Our programs teach healthy alternatives for handling stress, increasing coping skills and coaching for anger management, as well as providing basic necessities such as food, clothing, shelter, and personal hygiene items.
In short, what is your role?
As the Chief Clinical Officer of St. Vincent’s it is my role to oversee our four major programs. I ensure that we have program staff members that are experienced, dedicated and caring professionals. I am fiscally responsible for a program budget of 1.7 million.
What led to your decision to make service to children your career and community focus?
While growing up I was taught that it takes a village to raise a child. Every day I go to work to ensure that the children who are under our care are in a safe and caring community where they have life changing opportunities that becomes a catalyst that build character, self-respect, and coping skills to assist them in reaching the highest potential. My community shaped me, molded me and inspired me to take everything that I have learned and share it with others. It is my purpose to create opportunities for youth to strive in a village that will in turn guide them to pay it forward.
You manage a staff of 40. What’s the hardest part of being the boss?
The hardest part of being the boss is managing people. As a manager I had to learn early that you cannot manage all staff using the same tools and techniques. Each of the staff that I supervise has their own personalities. As a supervisor I take the time to learn what works for each person. I take time to listen to each of my staff and I create opportunities to help them grow. I help them discover their passions an utilize them to impact the children we serve every day.
As a member of the Board of Directors of Ferguson-Florissant School District, what new policies and initiatives are most gratifying to help the district’s students and families? Currently the most gratifying initiative is the building of our STEAM academy. The STEAM academy will be the first of its kind in the greater North County area. It is our goal to create a school that fosters “deep learning.” Last year we were the first in St. Louis County to have a middle school with self – contained gifted instruction. Now, we will be the first in North County to have a middle school dedicated to science, technology, engineering, art and math.
