Angstadt Receives GAHSC Leadership Award

The Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children (GAHSC) recently honored Mike Angstadt, Executive Director of Twin Cedars Youth Services, Inc. with the 2009 Leadership Award. Presented at the GAHSC conference in Savannah, the award is given to an individual who has made outstanding contributions by supporting and leading a child serving agency.

Over the past two years Angstadt has not only advocated for the children served by Twin Cedars, but for all children in the custody of state of Georgia’s Department of Family and Children Services. He played an integral role in the development and passage of Senate Bill 618 which stipulates that children in foster care receive necessary educational services. As the Board Chair for GAHSC he has helped represent providers and children in finding common ground among lawmakers and policymakers, to help position child serving agencies to be able to advocate more effectively.

Since becoming Executive Director in 1993 he has expanded the depth and breadth of outreach of the organization to include not only, the Anne Elizabeth Shepherd Home in Columbus and the Bradfield Center in LaGrange, but also pregnancy and child abuse prevention programs, Second Chance Homes to serve teen mothers and babies, Community Counseling Centers, Child Advocacy Centers, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Education Services, Specialized Foster Care, Summer Camps and Ropes Courses and Teambuilding. Most recently, the Georgia Industrial Children’s Home in Macon, Georgia has combined services and been welcomed as a member of Twin Cedars’ family of programs.

Additionally, Twin Cedars has increased the quality of service to clients through strong collaborations and partnerships. Under his leadership, Twin Cedars staff has earned national accreditation and has raised more than $75,000 for its programs through an employee giving campaign. Angstad’s ability to identify and apply for grants has resulted in a $1.4 million dollar gift from the Callaway Foundation to open to the Coleman Community Center in LaGrange, Georgia, that is now home to Twin Cedars’ community-based programs.

“Mike is loved and respected by the kids, the staff, the leadership team, the TCYS Board and the community for who he is, what he does and how he does it,” says Angstad’s Deputy Director Sheri Cody. When not advocating at the state level or overseeing a staff of 300, Angstadt is found visiting children at one of Twin Cedars’ 13 residential homes. He also enjoys coordinating rafting, hiking and canoe trips for residents.