2025 Annual Report
Creating Pathways
Dear Friends, I am always proud of the successes at FamilyForward because they help our most vulnerable children and families heal and thrive. Our commitment to trauma focused care and treatment our bedrock – from therapy and assessment to occupational therapy and our early childhood program. We cannot do this work without also wanting to prevent bad things from happening to children. We have a strong prevention program which assists families at times they need it most. Our specialized kinship program helps keep children out of the foster care system. For those that do need foster care, our services are among the best in the state – consistently achieving outcomes that outpace others. Professional, high quality education for parents, caregivers and professionals ensures we are all equipped to support our children in the ways that they need. This would not happen without your caring and support. I see the results every day. A little girl was the ‘handler’ for a therapy dog telling us all about what she learned and what her dog liked to do. She was so proud! A little boy was lost and failing in his preschool blossoming 2
in our early childhood program and moving on to kindergarten with friends and the courage to try new things. Our preschoolers learned to make lemonade from REAL lemons and see vegetables grow then taste them. A teen never expected to complete high school graduated and went on to attend a prestigious college – and completed a degree in 3 years. I could go on and on, but ONLY because you keep these children and so many more like them close to year heart. We make great use of the precious resources you share with us and are very grateful always.
achievement. Accreditation also allows us to apply for funding that would otherwise be unattainable as the field views APA accreditation as the standard in quality.
At FamilyForward we are committed to excellence. This year, our assessment internship program achieved American Psychological Association (APA) accreditation. This rigorous evaluation is confirmation that our internship program provides consistent, highquality training. Our pool of applicants will become more robust, qualified, and dedicated both to the field and our specific work as a result as this
Most Sincerely,
This is all hard work and our staff are intentional and creative in the way that they help children. As you read through this report, please take note of our work on our sensory path – and come by to see it some time. Thank you again for making this possible and caring for children. I would like nothing more than to show you personally. Please email me and we can schedule a date. Karen.nolte@ familyforwardmo.org
Karen E. Nolte Chief Executive Officer
Core Values Out Front
We use innovative tools and methods to get better results for the children and families we serve. We prefer to set the pace, testing new ideas and collecting data. We’re always striving to make the biggest impact we can.
Whole Hearted
We are tirelessly committed to the vision and mission of FamilyForward. We use our unique talents and expertise to serve our clients and community with compassion, acceptance, and respect.
Rock Solid
We are responsible stewards of an organization with a long and proud history of service. Reliable, trustworthy, and hard-working, we do whatever it takes to get the job done—even when no one is watching. 3
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Mission
Executive Team
FamilyForward moves vulnerable children in the direction of hope by delivering comprehensive therapeutic and educational services to support biological, foster, and adoptive families.
Vision
FamilyForward leads the community in providing innovative solutions for advancing safer, healthier relationships for children and families.
279, 242
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Karen E. Nolte, LCSW Chief Executive Officer
Sharon Skidmore Stern, MSW, LCSW Chief Program Officer Paula Pettibone, MEd, MSW Chief Administrative Officer Patrick Fox Chief Financial Officer Joe Holt, MA Chief Development Officer Chief Development Officer
HOPE
Defining the need
Making an impact
During 2025, an average of 279,242 child support cases were reported in Missouri every month to the Missouri Dept of Social Services.
5,931 children, their families, and community members were served by FamilyForward in 2025.
Board of Directors Valori Bring Douglas R. Beach Earl Ming Chuck Woods Glenn Archer Matt Harvey Sal Hernandez Gale Patterson Janette Taaffe Steve Goldstein
Ryan Bader Heather Blue Satonya Booker Tina Clark-Scott Jamie Currier Cassandra Gresco Salvador Hernandez Jim Hill Brandon Jackson Gregg J. Lepper
Tara Morgan Bailey Pashia Jasmina Schue Susan Stith Karen E. Nolte
Thomas L. Ferris Ryan Freeman Sarah Fuhrmann Thomas Gall Albert Haller Anna Harris James Hart John D. Heithaus Phyllis A. Hoff Christine Homan Scott Homan Sam Hopmeier**
Don Imholz John J. Irace Liz Johnson Lorraine Kee Joseph Kelley Mary Jane King Asha S. Lundal Kjell Lundal Michael Manchisi Debbie Marshall Ada McHaney Deborah L. Morley
Advocacy Board Leonard Adreon** Norman Baxter Anna Mayer Beck** Catie Beykirch Dean Boeschen Stephen J. Burrows Kent A. Chancellor Sally Danforth Dannae Delano Sherry B. Delo James Elder Jim Erlinger** 5
Allison C. Nash, MD Heather Rhodes Margie Sacks Kathy Siddens Ellen C. Smith Steve Smith Jackie Watson Nancy Weaver, PhD Lina A. Young
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Supporting Children and Families At FamilyForward, we are committed to transforming tomorrows for children who have experienced abuse or neglect. Each day, our dedicated team works tirelessly to build safer, healthier relationships for children and families through a wide range of services.
1,143
Assessments
We provided trauma assessments and psychological evaluations for children and families, offering individualized recommendations to support them at home, in school, and through therapeutic interventions.
2,502
Training and Education
Supported by our ongoing research and training efforts, we provided comprehensive education and training to professionals, community members, and caregivers through community presentations and targeted caregiver education.
1,141
Foster Care
As a Children’s Permanency Partnership member, FamilyForward provided foster care and adoption case management, recruitment, training, and licensing services to 1,141 foster and adoptive families. 6
1,222
Home Visits
Our home visiting staff provided mentoring, parent coaching and education, and therapy services for 454 young and pregnant parents. Through our support, caregivers created healthier, more stable environments for their children.
461
Occupational Therapy
Our integrated occupational therapy services addressed sensory and motor skill deficits, supporting children and their families in enhancing daily functioning and overall well-being.
92
Therapeutic Preschool
Our therapeutic preschool team provided a highly structured environment with developmentally sensitive interventions for children experiencing emotional and behavioral difficulties. We supported children and their families, offering a safe space for children to thrive and grow.
865
Therapy
Through individual, family, and group counseling, children and families received support grounded in evidence-based practices and therapeutic interventions. 7
Numbers represent direct clients and families served through programs in 2025.
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Sensing a Future Ahead Healing doesn’t always begin with words. Sometimes it begins with the beat of a drum, the gentle sound of chimes in the breeze, or a quiet moment in a peaceful space designed just for a child. For children who have experienced developmental trauma, opportunities to engage their senses through movement, music, and play can help regulate emotions, build resilience, and create new pathways for healing. In 2025, that vision became a reality as FamilyForward completed the
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first phase of our Sensory Path at the Developmental Trauma Center. This milestone was made possible by the generosity of our community. Volunteers from local universities joined teams from Alberici Constructors and McCarthy Building Companies to dedicate two days of service, transforming plans into a vibrant therapeutic environment. Alberici also provided storage for the equipment and coordinated its transportation to our campus, helping make this ambitious project possible.
Today, therapists and families are already using the space as part of a child’s healing journey. Children can explore the sounds of a thunder drum, double bass drum, pebble harp, and musical fence, or find moments of calm in the sensory shelter and at the outdoor easels. Every element was thoughtfully designed to support emotional regulation, sensory integration, and meaningful connection. And this is only the beginning. The next phase of the Sensory Path, planned for October 2026, will add winding therapeutic pathways, interactive
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activity nodes, additional sensory equipment, and raised touch-and-smell gardens. Each new feature will create more opportunities for children to experience joy, confidence, and healing in a safe, nurturing environment. What started as an idea is already becoming an important part of the therapeutic experience at FamilyForward— and we’re just getting started.Our next phase will be coming in October 2026 with installation of the actually paths and nodes along with additional equipment and the touch and smell raised planters.
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Financial Sustainability United Way
Contributions $1,741,812
$351,866
Administrative Services $2,125,998
Special Events Net $359,918
Revenue
Expenses
Net Assets $36,343,834
Total Public Support and Revenue
Total Expenses $14,502,241
Unrestricted Net Assets $18,260,303
$12,086,573
Program Service Fees
Program Services
$7,329,158
$11,067,790
Investment Income and Miscellaneous* $2,303,819
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Development Services $1,308,453
Events The Rocket Ball
On February 8, 2025, the Rocket Ball: Imagining Futures brought together a crowd of 507 supporters at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel for an evening of hope and generosity. The event featured silent and live auctions, a raffle, and live music. Together, we raised over $660,000 – allowing our staff to continue helping children overcome the effects of trauma while imagining and working toward brighter futures. Join us in 2027! Scan the QR code for more information, to purchase tickets, or to become a Rocket Ball sponsor.
Day of Giving In 2025, FamilyForward’s Better Together online day of giving brought our community closer than ever. Fueled by the generosity of our matching funders and more than 130 individual donors, we raised over $84,000—providing essential support for our programs and making it possible for more than 20 children to receive a full year of therapy services.
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Thank you!
In 2025, our Guardian Society members played a crucial role in helping FamilyForward serve 4,986 children, their families, and community members.
7 Brew U. City
Paul Barker
Tim and Sandra Burke
Pam Diaz
Terrence Freeman
Aetna CVS
Bayer
Julie Caine
Bill and Kimberly Dickens
Michael Gall
Alberici Constructors, Inc.
Douglas Beach and Deborah Henry
Donna Campbell
Joan Dieckmann
Cris and Mike Gallagher
Cynthia and Michael Behr
Danielle and Jerry Canaday
Keith and Holly Dierberg
Caravus
Linda Dill
Gateway Children’s Charity
Peter Carrara
DSK 1974 Trust
Donna Carrara
Larry Duke
CBIZ
Greg Echele and Gail Gordon
Alison Kindle Hogan Charitable Fund Nabil Al-Khaled
Cindy and Rob Berner
American Direct Marketing Resources LLC
Bernice Priger Charitable Foundation
Anonymous
Megan and Joel Bittle
Apex Oil Company Charitable Foundation Steve and Liz Appelbaum Aramark | Social Current Glenn and Kimberly Archer ARPA, St. Louis County ATB Technologies Ramon Bahl Richard and Karen Bahr Ballmann Family Private Foundation Candy Banks and Pete Cleeff 12
Big Blue Spark BJC HealthCare Grant and Tara Bleeker Blues for Kids Foundation Kris and Claire Boevingloh George and Kathy Bogdanovic Bolger Foundation Satonya and Britt Booker Amie Bossi Brian and Melissa Boyer Val Bring BSI Constructors, Inc. Kevin and Mary Buescher
Gateway to Innovation Stephanie Gebel Generate Health STL
Edward Jones
George Von Hoffmann Foundation
Charles and Marcia Edwards
Gladiator Consulting, LLC Mike and Karen Godar Carolyn Gold
Brian and Vicki Clevinger
Employees Community Fund of Boeing St. Louis
Commerce Bancshares Foundation
Ernst & Young LLP Evntiv, LLC
Allie and John Grib
CSI Leasing
Jenny and Ted Fanson
Tom and Merilee Curran
First Bank
Charity Clothing Pickup Ciena Clara Bigham Foundation Richard and Christine Clark Barbara and George Clements
Michael and Rebecca Daming Fischer-Bauer-Knirps Foundation DCA Family Foundation Martha and Ken Jessica and Rick Dederer Fleischmann Edward and Julie DeVault Samuel Foxman
Steve Goldstein and Laura Staley Dan Groneck Bryan and Lynn Hargiss Harlene and Marvin Wool Foundation Anna Harris Matt and Kelly Harvey Robin and Jason Head
John and Angela Heithaus
J.D. Vaughn Charitable Fund
Molly Laughlin
Todd and Anne Matheis
Dorothy Norland
John and Eleanor Heithaus
Gary and Cathy Matthes
Henrietta Kaiser Revocable Trust
Jefferson Foundation
John and Miriam Lee
Dave and Sarah Johnson
Michelle Lee
Sarah Mayer and Jon Wannemuehler
Norman J. Stupp Foundation - Commerce Bank, Trustee
Herman T. and Phenie R. Pott Foundation
Richard and Lesa Johnson
McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.
Tyler Oakley Olive + Oak
Daniel and Diana McCoy
PandA Foundation
Chris and Amie Jones
Lesley A. Waldheim Charitable Foundation
Jordan Charitable Foundation
Let’s Build Hope, LLC
Cari and Jason McKnight
Gale and Greg Patterson
Mark and Jennifer Hinkle
Mark and Ellen Levine
Sara McManigal
Paycom
David Holmes and Nancy Neff Holmes
Katherine Stauffer Charitable Trust
Cassie and Tom Lewandowski
John and Julie Meersman
Pettus Foundation
Lawrence and Barbara Holmes
Christy and Allen Kaufman
Travis and Amanda Luebbehusen
Mildred, Herbert and Julian Simon Foundation
Donald and Judy Podrasky
Laura Holt
James and Peg Kiley
Jody and Eric Lurk
Lauren Nash Ming
Christine and Scott Homan
Jerome and Kathleen Kiske
Joseph and Doris Lyons
Monique and John Mitalovich
Norm Pressman and Wendi Alper-Pressman
Knights of ColumbusDardenne Council #2273
Eric and Jordan Mai
Sal Hernandez Jan and Gabe Hess
Barbara Hommel Brad and Peggy Huesemann Matthew and Christina Hunt Marlene Hunter Bob and Lynn Huson Inter-Global, Inc John and Sandy Irace Karen Jarrett 13
Alan and Julia Jones
Gregg Lepper and Shawn Adelmann
Jordan and Eric Mai Corinne Manchisi
Gail and Matt Knipshild
Kathleen Manfull
Christopher and Karyn Koury
Margaret Mudd Fletcher Charitable Foundation
Koury Insurance Agency
Marillac Mission Fund
Vic Koury
Ethan and Becca Marose
Peter Krombach
Yolanda Marshall
Arnold Larson
Mastercard
Steve and Shannon Mitchell Modern Imports Moneta Group Earl Morgan Lynn Morley Thad and Teresa Neal NISA Charitable Fund Karen and Bill Nolte
Juliane and Omri Praiss
Scott and Eileen Reese Chris Reid and Jennifer DeLaney Jane Reid Reinsurance Group of America Sandy and Vince Reynolds Geoff and Barb Rigabar Phyllis Roberts
RSI Kitchen & Bath
Warren and Judy Steffens
Mark Turpin
RSM US LLP
Stephen F. Brauer Camilla T. Brauer Charitable Trust
UHY Advisors MO, Inc.
Saint Joseph Parish of Cottleville
Sterling Project Development
Mike and Marianne Valley
Michael and Karon Samson
Greg and Marcia Stiff Susan and Drexel Stith
Patrick and Heather Samson
St. Louis Union Station Hotel
Jamie Scaccia and Chris Little
Stephen and Angela Strum
Charlie and Cindy Schaeffer
Ed and Mary Sumner
Washington University in St. Louis
Janette and Steve Taaffe
Wasinger Daming, LC
Ten Talents Foundation
Wayne C. Kaufmann Charitable Foundation
Christina and Stephen Ryan
Matt and Vera Schmitz Matt Schuler Lynn Shaughnessy SIP Solutions, LLC Emery and Cristy Skolfield Annelise Smith and Michael Mosbacher Carla and Damien Smith Steve and Ellen Smith Sue Spener Eric Stafford Kermit and Karen Starnes 14
Margaret Stude
The Boeing Company The Joseph M. Arndt Foundation The Saigh Foundation The Tilles Foundation Thompson Coburn LLP Ticket to Dream Foundation John and Elizabeth Tomasovic Jane Tschudy Lindsay Turner
United Way of Greater St. Louis Raymond and Laurie Van de Riet Jeff and Julie Vest
Ralph and Heather Wuebker
This list includes the contributions of $1,000 or more made between January, 1, 2024 and August 31, 2025
Y-Kiki Divers Kenneth and Beverly Young
To donate, visit familyforward.org/ donate or scan the QR code.
Veterans United Foundation Kami and Evan Waldman
Linda and Pete Werner Yvette and Daniel Whitehead Kacey and Marty Whitworth William and Lindsey Wilcox Floyd Withrow Rob Wolf Chuck and Sherri Woods Vicki Wroblewski
Renaming Guardian Society In order to align with our values and better describe our donors, the Whole Hearted Giving Society, honoring Greg Echele, recognizes individuals who contribute $1,000 or more to FamilyForward throughout the year.
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“Pretty much every single person we have ever had contact with has been caring and wonderful.” - Grateful Parent 15
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