Conversations with Mindy Watrous

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mindy Watrous.

Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started my career working as a Treatment Team Coordinator at a Residential treatment program and psychiatric hospital for children after graduating from college. During that time, I had become a foster parent for two 5-year-old boys who had significant behavioral and emotional problems due to the trauma they had experienced.

I then had the opportunity to become the foster parent recruiter and trainer for the organization where I was a foster parent and that was the opportunity that started me down my current path because of my passion for helping children in the foster care system. I spent the next 16 years there, with the last 7 as Executive Director. In 2006, I became the CEO of Special Olympics Colorado. SOCO is an amazing organization, and we were able to significantly expand our reach.

Our unified sports program created inclusive and welcoming schools for all students and all differences. We also created a young athlete’s program and an athlete leadership program during my tenure. In July of 2021, after nearly 14 wonderful years at SOCO, I decided to return to work with children who have experienced trauma as that has remained my true passion. Coming to Tennyson Center for Children was like coming home again. Each day is challenging, but the difference we make with our children is nothing short of miraculous.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not always been a smooth road. There have been challenges, both personally and professionally. Working in Child Welfare is incredibly challenging work but is also incredibly rewarding and meaningful.

Personally, being a foster parent for many years has been the best thing I ever did, but the hardest as well. I love working with birth families to help children return home safely whenever possible, but the journey is never easy. I am lucky to have two adopted children from the foster care system and will be adopting my third soon. He is now an adult, but we both want the permanency of adoption, the forever family.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Tennyson Center for Children is celebrating our 120th anniversary in 2024. We are an organization that uses evidence-based work and best practices to help children and families heal from childhood trauma and other adverse life experiences. We have an incredible team of professionals who are passionate about their work and are committed to making a difference.

Tennyson serves children and families with varying levels of therapeutic needs with educational, clinical, social, and community-based programs. Through our day treatment program, Tennyson offers customized, therapeutic education to children with trauma or intellectual/behavioral needs through its accredited K-12 school. We were the first-day treatment program licensed in Colorado and remain on the cutting edge of meeting the needs of Colorado children.

Tennyson’s community programs provide intensive therapy and resource connections in families’ homes, schools, and communities throughout the state to strengthen and keep families together. Child First serves families with children aged prenatal through five who are facing challenges like homelessness, poverty, and mental health illnesses.

We are one of the only residential programs that serves young children with intellectual and developmental disabilities with a co-occurring mental or behavioral health challenge. I am most proud of the outcomes we achieve in helping children and families learn, grow, and thrive.

Do you have any advice for those just starting?
My advice for those starting is two-fold. The first is to be curious. Learn everything you can when you are starting an organization.

Find ways to get involved in special projects, committees, or new programs. Become known as the positive person who is willing to jump in. My second piece of advice is to continue your education. Take the time to get that master’s degree. You will never regret doing it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tennysoncenter.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tennysoncenter4kids/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tennysoncenter
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tennyson-center-for-children/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@tennysoncenterforchildren9133