Washburn Center for Children News

Agency’s first BIPOC leader and only 5th CEO in nonprofit’s last 72 years of community service October 28, 2022 — Minneapolis, MN — Washburn Center’s Board of Trustees has named Craig Warren (he/him), Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Washburn Center for Children. With swelling demand and pressure on how mental health care is accessed and… Read more »

Washburn Center Receives Historical $3M Gift as mental health demands soar

As Concerning Statistics Soar, Twin Cities Non-Profit Expands Scope of Aftercare Support for Kids Following Mental-Health-Related Emergency Department Visits Minnesota’s youth is in crisis. The CDC reported that in 2020, mental health-related emergency department (ED) visits among adolescents aged 12–17 years increased 31% compared with that during 2019. And female adolescents are feeling even more… Read more »

Twin Cities Non-profit announces Craig Warren to serve as acting CEO beginning May 13.   MINNEAPOLIS – May 2, 2022 – Washburn Center for Children, the state’s leading children’s community mental health center, has named Craig Warren as Acting CEO beginning May 13. The announcement comes as outgoing CEO Tom Steinmetz transitions after 26 years… Read more »

‘Normal is not realistic’ as students head back into classrooms and social settings after disruption of pandemic lockdown and distance learning MINNEAPOLIS – September 15, 2021 – Simone Biles’ mental health journey was very public. It’s less so for Minnesota children and teens feeling the pressure of worry, sadness and fear. “Olympians, particularly those on… Read more »

We are outraged and processing the despair and grief in the wake of Daunte Wright’s death after being shot by a Brooklyn Center police officer. Our deepest sympathy is with Mr. Wright’s family and loved ones. Daunte’s death adds to the historical trauma experienced by our BIPOC communities resulting from generations of racism.  We hold anger,… Read more »

Let’s Talk about Suicide by Danniele (Dani) Warmuth, MSW, LGSW (she, her, hers), Crisis Stabilization Therapist at Washburn Center for Children Printer-friendly version Hearing the words, “your child is suicidal”, could be the most terrifying moment for a parent and caregiver. It can leave a parent and caregiver feeling confused, helpless, sometimes hopeless, and asking… Read more »

Wish List Instructions for 2020 Thank you for supporting our families served by Washburn Center for Children! Your gift brightens the holidays for families whose tight budget often means they can’t easily afford holiday gifts. This year, to reduce exposure to COVid-19, we appreciate your understanding to the adjustments we’ve made to protect staff, community… Read more »

So often as adults we read columns written by other adults; in this column, we flip the script and hear from a child’s perspective what it’s like to be anxious and live in uncertainty. We invite you to insert any child’s name into the byline as these reflections cross ages, cultures and experiences. ­­­­­­ I… Read more »

Every teen and child expresses their own mental health challenges differently, which can make it hard for the adults in their life to understand. Parents and guardians can help their kids find hope when they tap into what’s going on inside that growing body and mind. Observe. Notice body language, actions, tone, eye contact (or… Read more »

Minnesota non-profit continues building on its vision to increase access to compassionate and innovative mental health care for children Washburn Center for Children has hired Craig Warren as Chief Administrative Officer. Warren joins the executive team to lead Human Resources, Finance and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion efforts. “We are thrilled to welcome Craig and partner… Read more »

The Minneapolis nonprofit announces expansions to outpatient care, family therapy, hospital partnerships and a virtual games event for kids at home  MINNEAPOLIS – October 1, 2020 – When a child falls off a bike and breaks an arm, caregivers know exactly how to spring into action. Whether at the hospital or doctor’s office, a serious wound is met with comprehensive care. When a child’s injuries are internal, it… Read more »

No matter your position on the “right way” to do back-to-school during the pandemic, you and your family are likely feeling a lot more stress than when you prepped for last year’s school start.  Both kids and caregivers are weary after anticipating the news from the state, then waiting for what that means to them, and now knowing what the first weeks might look like. Yet, expecting that all… Read more »

The transition back to school often serves up stress or anxiety. It would be an understatement to say this year is no different. On top of the common back-to-school jitters, this year mixes in uncertainties because of coronavirus. Students are now balancing so many unknowns, which can increase anxiety, sadness, and a sense of loss… Read more »

Downward trends in emergency rooms visits are revealing a massive gap for families who need help during a child’s mental health crisis. It’s among the troubling trends that Washburn Center for Children therapists have seen among youth in the state as a result of the widespread disruption of the pandemic and community trauma. With more… Read more »

Washburn Center is in mourning and is outraged at the tragic killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25. Our deepest sympathy is with Mr. Floyd’s family and all of our community members who are impacted by this traumatic event – another unarmed African-American person killed by a white police officer.
We may be feeling excruciating grief, immobilizing sadness or intense rage. This horrific event re-ignites the historical trauma of generations of systemic racism, brutality and discrimination.  As Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said, “Being black in America should not be a death sentence.”

With the measures now in place due to COVid-19, families are isolated and facing intensified stress and anxiety. The more than 140 Washburn Center therapists quickly transitioned this Spring to provide telehealth services and provide continuity of mental health care for families during a time when they are navigating extensive change and disruption in their… Read more »

With the vast COVid-19 impacts, families are more isolated, struggling with job loss and economic stressors, and deeply affected by the pervasive anxiety that we are all experiencing. The more than 140 Washburn Center therapists quickly transitioned to telehealth services to maintain continuity of mental health care for families during a time when they are… Read more »

Training Institute Director Lauren Nietz kicked off year two of Washburn Center’s Thought Leadership Speaker Series: Let’s Talk with her presentation, “We Repeat What We Don’t Repair: Being Present for Youth in Your Life.” As a practicing clinician, facilitator, trainer and instructor of early childhood mental health, Lauren highlighted the importance of joining children in… Read more »

For the past five years, TCS has sponsored The Washburn Games, a noncompetitive sports sampler that gives children the opportunity to be physically active while creating awareness about children’s mental health.

Anxiety, depression, trauma – Washburn Center is here to help families when they need us most. We now have reduced wait times for kids ages birth through 18-years-old for appointments via teletherapy for most of our programs, in particular Crisis Stabilization. Call 612.871.1454 for more information or learn more about our programs. We offer diagnostic… Read more »

Washburn Center for Children invites you to help children start the school year prepared to learn by donating back-to-school supplies.

An officer-involved shooting in Minneapolis on June 23 resulted in the death of a man from North Minneapolis. As an organization providing children’s mental health services, we recognize the psychological impact this incident has on the emotional well-being of our neighbors.

In May, as we celebrate National Mental Health Month, Washburn Center is excited to unveil our new mission statement and core values: Our commitment to children’s mental health is stronger than ever – and our amazing supporters bring this new mission and core values to life each and every day. Governor Dayton and Mayor Frey proclaim… Read more »

Washburn Center hosted its second speaker in the Thought Leadership Speaker Series: Let’s Talk on Tuesday, January 23 with Dr. Megan Gunnar

We are deeply saddened, appalled and outraged by the violence, bigotry and hate displayed by white supremacists in Charlottesville, Virginia

Designed to decrease wait times for child therapy sessions, Washburn Center for Children recently launched the Quick Access program in partnership with Medica.

Meet Washburn Center’s new CEO, Tom Steinmetz

In fourth grade, Markos started to struggle socially with his classmates. His once easy friendships became strained with fear and behavioral outbursts.

Washburn Center for Children is deeply devastated by the recent shootings which have traumatized our local communities and our country. Our thoughts, prayers and condolences go out to the families of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge and Philandro Castile in St. Paul – two fathers, two African-American men who were killed by police officers in front of their children.