October 12, 2011

EDGEWOOD CHILDREN’S CENTER ANNOUNCES ELKE HANSEN AS DIRECTOR OF RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT SERVICES
               

St. Louis, Mo. (October 12, 2011):Elke Hansen has joined Edgewood Children’s Center as director of residential treatment services. 

Before joining Edgewood, Hansen served as director of services with Gateway Area Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in St. Louis, as part of the senior level management team, providing oversight, leadership and supervision for the delivery of financial assistance, care management and long-term care services to community members living with MS.

The director of residential services is responsible for all residential treatment services provided at Edgewood Children’s Center.  Edgewood provides a wide array of residential treatment services for children suffering from emotional, behavioral and communication disorders – including autism and self-injury – as well as children who have been the victims of abuse and neglect. 

“Elke came in with a wealth of experience and expertise and has done a phenomenal job of assuming leadership of the program and building a strong sense of team,” said Chip Wolf, vice president and chief program officer at Great Circle. Edgewood Children’s Center is a founding member of Great Circle. “Her relationships in the community have also proven to be valuable for the residential program at Edgewood Children’s Center campus.”

Hansen has worked in the field of social work for 20 years, and has been a fierce advocate for children suffering from the effects of abuse and neglect throughout her long career. She has a wide array of experience in children’s mental health treatment services from residential therapy to foster care, as well as private counseling. 

Hansen earned her master’s in social work from Saint Louis University and a national degree in social work and pedagogy at the School of Social Services in Solothurn, Switzerland. 

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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.