The Board of Directors shares, after 31 years at Keystone Child, Youth and Family Services, and the past 11 years as the Executive Director, Phil Dodd has announced his retirement effective July 1, 2022. Phil began his career in the humanities in 1983 with the Community Living Owen Sound and District. He moved on to working at the Children’s Aid Society of Owen Sound and the County of Grey, Youth Justice Probation, Pine Hill Youth Residence and then to Bruce Grey Children’s Services, which was renamed in 2006 to Keystone Child, Youth and Family Services.
During his tenure as Executive Director, Phil has overseen the organization being named one of 33 Lead Agencies for Children’s Mental Health in the Province; the purchase of our current main office site in Owen Sound; being an active member and signatory to the Ontario Health Team-Grey Bruce; and the expansion of clinical services across the two counties, complete with forging new partnerships to enhance our service delivery. Phil worked tirelessly to improve the children’s mental health sector not only locally but provincially as a member of the Lead Agency Consortium of children’s mental health centers.
“I am most proud of being able to say that our Live In Treatment Facility has most recently been fully funded to operate 24/7 365 days per year after only being funded 5 days per week since its inception in 1989 as a crisis stabilization, assessment and treatment step down unit for those most vulnerable high risk suicidal and depressed youth.”
“I have been so very fortunate to have worked in this organization with so many like-minded individuals who are laser focused on providing the best possible mental health services to the children, youth and families of Grey and Bruce counties. From the frontline staff to all levels of leadership and to the Board of Directors, our Mission of ‘Building Futures Together” has never been more evident.”
“I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank all those who have made donations to the organization over my time at Keystone. Without those donors, our organization would not be what it is today, and for that I am eternally grateful. I only wish I had the opportunity to name all of you here for your most appreciated and meaningful contributions to children’s mental health in Grey and Bruce counties.”
“It has been the privilege of my lifetime to have served as the Executive Director of Keystone. To be of a part of something so much greater than one’s self is both humbling and so very rewarding. I have great respect for all those I have come into contact with in my time at Keystone. I will cherish the memories of all who have sought to join the cause of meeting the needs of the children, youth and families we work with.”
The Board of Directors have begun the process of succession for the Executive Director position and a posting will be released in the coming days. "On behalf of the Board of Directors and the entire organization, we thank Phil for all of his work and contributions to Keystone for the past 31 years." Rosanne Gallinger, Board Chair.
About Keystone Child, Youth & Family Services
Keystone Child, Youth and Family Services is a not-for-profit organization, the designated Children’s Mental Health Lead Agency for Grey and Bruce Counties and is funded through the Ministry of Health. We offer mental health support through counselling, prevention and well-being programs, short term live-in treatment program, crisis stabilization, youth justice program, special needs programming and coordinated access planning for our community. With a focus on youth and family engagement, we provide compassionate, responsive services for children, youth, and families through customized, multidisciplinary programming for children and youth ages 0-17.
