Quite a few new additions at Good Shepherd have recently completed the administrative team. Michael P. Meehan, Ph.D. leads the team as Executive Director. He joined Catholic Charities representing Good Shepherd in January 2012 and comes to us from Epworth Children & Family Services. Dr. Meehan, his wife, and two children are members of Incarnate Word Parish.

Two members of the administrative team joined Good Shepherd in July 2011. Kathy Fowler is Director of Treatment Services, overseeing the Residential services. Kathy has 6 years of experience working in residential care of foster children. She and her husband are in St. Ferdinand Parish. Mike Whelan is the new Development Director. He has more than 20 years experience in fundraising, including as a consultant. He has two grown children and a granddaughter and is a member of St. Raphael the Archangel Parish.

The newest addition to the team is Jack Lipin who begins his position as Business Director on February 21. Jack comes to us from Saints Joachim and Ann Care Services in St. Charles and has a financial background in the warehouse industry. He is in the process of becoming a permanent deacon for the Archdiocese of St. Louis. Jack and his wife have two children and they are members of Saints Joachim and Ann Parish.

All four join Teresa Hayner, the experienced expert of the team on all things Good Shepherd. Teresa is Director of Community Services who joined the staff of Catholic Services for Children and Youth (CSCY) and was an administrator for Good Shepherd at its inception as a result of the Catholic Charities children services merger in 2006. Teresa is a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish.

“All of us believe in the critical importance and need of the Good Shepherd ministry” Dr. Meehan said, “and all of us are excited about working with each other and all our colleagues on the staff on behalf of our young clients and their families to lead Good Shepherd into the future.”   

In 2006, the Boards of Directors of four agencies operating under the auspices of Catholic Charities voted to merge with the intention of forming a more efficient system for deliveringmuch-needed services to children and families in St. Louis and surrounding areas.

We value the life of a child from the time of conception to adulthood.

Each child deserves to be a member of a caring family.

Family can be defined in many ways. Our definition of family begins with a child and one caring adult.

We strive to instill hope for the future in all of our children and families. In fact, we must be the "keeper” of hope for children who are often unable to imagine an end to the trauma and pain they’ve experienced.

We embrace a positive culture in which all staff act as shepherds of the youth in our care, taking opportunities every day to guide them toward their goals, allowing them to see possibilities in the world around them and make the most of the gifts they have been given.

Foster Care: A safe, caring home while connections are made with family and community for a permanent home or transition to adulthood.

Residential Care: A safe place to heal and implement a plan for full functioning as a member of family and community.

Adoption: Children become permanent members of safe, caring families.

Expectant Parent Support: Healthy babies are born into safe, stable families.

Youth/Family Support and Mentoring: Families and youth attain the skills for successful functioning in the community, workplace, and family.

Throughout our work, we employ a team approach emphasizing full participation of the child and family while engaging natural and professional supports.

We are committed to meeting each child’s needs within a family setting and will provide support to the family as needed to ensure stability for the child.

We have a special commitment to older youth as they transition into adulthood, emphasizing permanent connections to caring  adults.

We are committed to a strength based, individualized approach to all who come in contact with Good Shepherd.

We seek out and build on the strengths of our staff and community partners.

We respect and value differences and diversity in all aspects of our work.