Looking Back, Looking Forward: CSF Team Members Reflect on 2024

2024 has been an exciting year at the Children’s Services Fund of Jackson County. We’ve had the chance to support amazing organizations, worked to grow our own impact and efficiency, and partnered in some of the incredible work being done in the Jackson County community. We have a lot to be proud of and grateful for from the past year.

In this post, we wanted to take a moment to pause and reflect on where we’ve been and where we’re going. Read on to hear from some of our team members as they share, in their own words, what they’re most proud of from 2024 and what they’re most excited about in 2025.

Jane Mosley, Director of Impact

What I’m proud of from 2024:

For 2024, I’m proud of the work the CSF has done regarding our Children’s Services Assessment. This study was designed to help us better understand how children in Jackson County are faring and how the system of care supports and hinders their well-being. We are utilizing multiple sources of data with a heavy reliance on partners’ experience and perspectives.

What I’m excited about in 2025:

For 2025, I am excited about taking the information from our Children’s Services Assessment and moving to action. How can we best deploy funds to increase the well-being of children?

Russell Anderson, Director of Health Equity

What I’m proud of from 2024:

Looking back at 2024, I am proud of the team doing what was needed to get two different two-year Core Funding cycles completed in the same calendar year. It was impressive watching everything come together. 

What I’m excited about in 2025:

Turning toward the coming new year, I am excited about expanding the organization’s dedication to mental health equity and supporting our partner’s equity leadership in the community. 

Seth Baker, Program Officer

What I’m proud of from 2024:

Over the past year, we worked to complete our second and third funding rounds, allowing partners to help kids in vital need of services. I’m also proud of the partner engagement around our Children’s Services Assessment, which will inform our funding processes and community priorities going forward.

What I’m excited about in 2025:

What I am most looking forward to next year is helping funded partners deliver their services and help kids and families by developing the skills to heal and build lasting resilience. I’m also excited about having a fully staffed fund and working to leverage the unique skills and experience everyone brings to the organization to help agencies deliver on their missions.

Katherine Rivard, Program Officer

What I’m proud of from 2024:

I am most proud that we reviewed and approved a record number of contracts this year (the board just approved over $40 million in calendar year contracts for 2025-26, the most it has ever awarded in one funding cycle since inception). The diversity of awards covering both prevention and resilience services is significant as well.

What I’m excited about in 2025: 

For 2025, I am most excited about the opportunity staff will have to consider feedback from people in the field and from families and youth as part of our Children’s Services Assessment and incorporate that valuable information into the design of future investments by the CSF.

Bernadette Thompson, Program Officer

What I’m proud of from 2024:

I’m proud—or I would more aptly say I’m grateful—that many are coming to the recognition that the impact of Covid isn’t over and was life altering. It’s like those who were alive during The Great Depression were forever changed, regardless of age. Experiencing a global pandemic has forever changed all of us, especially our children. 

What I’m excited about in 2025:

I’m excited about the ways in which the CSF will support and assist organizations that are being innovative in understanding we have to meet our children and families where they are, because these are the children and families that make the Jackson County community.  

Kia Cannon, Operations Manager

What I’m proud of from 2024:

One of my proudest moments this year has been stepping into this role after a three-year break from the nonprofit world and launching new initiatives that have helped streamline how we work together internally and with our partners. It’s been amazing to see how small changes can make such a big impact. It’s such a rewarding experience to work alongside a team of passionate people who share the same values and commitment to making a difference in the lives of children and families in Jackson County.

What I’m excited about in 2025:

In 2025, I’m looking forward to building even stronger connections with our partners. They do such amazing work, and I’m excited to find new ways to support them and help amplify the difference they’re making every day.

Shannon Dupree, Accounting Specialist

What I’m proud of from 2024:

In 2024, I’m proud of the team as a whole. Everyone has worked really hard this year, and we’ve built relationships with each other as well as our partners. We have also all worked so hard to make a difference by welcoming our partners to utilize our CSF Community Room and creating easier ways to apply, budget, and utilize our partners’ award amounts and resources.

What I’m excited about in 2025:

For 2025, I am looking forward to how we will continue to grow as a team and partner to help the community’s children. I’m also excited about the implementation of our new software, Fluxx, and our soon-to-come new accounting software.

Celeste Ortiz, Contracts Administrator

What I’m proud of from 2024:

In 2024, I am proud of our partner organizations and their efforts in helping children and families in Jackson County thrive.

What I’m excited about in 2025:

In 2025, I am excited about CSF’s future growth and impact on children and families throughout Jackson County!

Bright Futures Ahead
Every kid deserves to thrive, and in 2025, our vision is to continue working to make that vision a reality. Want to learn more about the work that we do? Check out more news and updates on our work and our partners, and sign up for our e-newsletter to stay up-to-date on what’s new with CSF each month.

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