A nonprofit publication of the Kentucky Center for Public Service Journalism

100 lives changed: DCCH Center for Children and Families celebrates its happy 100th adoption


DCCH Center for Children and Families has celebrated its 100th adoption since its program began.

DCCH Center has evolved over the past 170 years from a traditional orphanage to a multi-service agency serving the community with outpatient therapy, foster and adoption services, and a residential treatment facility for children ages six to 14, many of whom have experienced severe sexual, physical and emotional abuse and neglect.

The Persinger family

These children arrive at DCCH with significant behavioral and emotional issues. While living at DCCH, they receive intensive therapeutic services to help them heal and manage their behavior empowering them to successfully transition back to a family setting. Sometimes “family” refers to their birth family. Other times, it means going to a foster or adoptive family.

DCCH started its Therapeutic Foster Care Program (TFC) in 1999. The program helps place children from their facility and from across the northern bluegrass region into foster or adoptive families.

In 2003, they celebrated their first adoption. Now, as the Persinger family adopts sisters Kira and Mariah, DCCH celebrates their 99th and 100th adoptions.

“This is a true milestone for our mission of serving children and families,” says Bob Wilson, executive director. ” Most people automatically think of DCCH in terms of our residential treatment program. Our 100th adoption highlights how DCCH’s foster care and adoption program also plays a major role in providing hope and healing for Kentucky’s most vulnerable children” says Bob Wilson, Executive Director.

Adoption day

“From our first DCCH adoption to the 100th, I’ve been blessed to attend nearly every court finalization personally,” says Ron Bertsch, Therapeutic Foster Care and Adoption Director.  “Each one has been a tremendously joyful occasion, some with laughter and some with tears of happiness. It amazes me to see these wonderful families make such a life-affirming commitment. Adoptive parents  offer a lifetime of meaningful experiences by creating a new family! We could not be prouder of Chad and Melinda Persinger. They are both teachers with big hearts, much energy, and great skills.  They recognized the need for good foster parents in the community and decided to take action.”

Since the Persinger’s approval as foster parents in 2015 they have provided a home for five foster children and offered numerous short-term respite stays for others.

They have a remarkable story that does not end here, however. Chad and Melinda, with support from their children, moved to a new home with extra bedrooms so they could continue their journey and help even more children.

As of March 4, there are 8,795 Kentucky children in out-of-home care – an all-time high. In February alone, 312 children needed a foster family. DCCH’s TFC Program recruits, trains, and supports families that open their hearts and homes to a foster child. Visit DCCHCenter.org to learn how you can #changealife.

DCCH Center provides residential treatment for children ages six to 14 with significant behavioral challenges who have been removed from their home most due to neglect and/or sexual, physical, and emotional abuse. DCCH Center also provides foster care and adoption services, and outpatient therapy, which is open to the public. Founded in 1848, DCCH strives to improve the lives of children who have been impacted by childhood trauma and bring families together for a bright, healthy, and happy future.

Happy Adoption Day


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