Partnership Enhances Quality, Sustainability of Historic Agency Working in the Heart of Kansas City

Niles Home for Children, which provides residential and day treatment behavioral health programs and has operated for 133 years in Kansas City, Missouri, is now part of KVC Health Systems. The two organizations have joined forces to enhance Niles’ quality of services and its sustainability for years to come. The partnership will strengthen behavioral healthcare best practices, high-quality support staff, and cutting-edge training to Niles Home for Children and expand KVC Health Systems’ broad continuum of care with a unique short-term treatment facility for youth.

Most of what makes Niles distinctive isn’t changing. It will maintain its name, key leadership and legacy of serving the urban core at its current location. Niles will operate as a separate entity under the KVC Health Systems brand. This is similar to other KVC subsidiaries such as KVC Kansas and KVC Hospitals which provide in-home family support, foster care, adoption and psychiatric treatment.

Niles Home for Children was founded in 1883 by Samuel Eason, an African American bricklayer who opened his home to orphaned and homeless children living in the historic 18th and Vine District. Today the organization continues its legacy of caring for vulnerable children by operating a residential treatment center and a day treatment center, Niles Prep, that combines K-12 education with therapeutic services. The school serves students from surrounding districts needing academic, emotional and behavioral intervention.

Niles’ search for a partner to expand the organization’s resources, quality services, and long-term sustainability led it to KVC Health Systems. KVC is recognized nationally for integrating trauma-informed care, behavioral healthcare and other best practices into communities it serves. KVC touches over 60,000 lives each year by providing in-home family support, foster care, adoption, behavioral healthcare, youth substance abuse treatment and psychiatric hospitals. The Joint Commission, considered the gold standard in global healthcare, has accredited KVC’s services nationwide.

“Caring for children and families has always required partnering,” said Rita Holmes-Bobo, President/CEO of Niles Home for Children. “We partner with a range of organizations to provide the care that at-risk youth deserve. Our board members believe this particular partnership with KVC Health Systems has significant benefits for the youth and communities we serve, especially in the urban core. KVC has a commitment to quality and measurable outcomes that is recognized internationally. That’s the level of care we want to ensure at Niles.”

“We’re excited to bring Niles into the KVC family because we have found that their culture is very similar to ours,” said Jason Hooper, President/CEO of KVC Health Systems. “They have an incredible history and many community partners committed to making Niles the strongest it can be. Both KVC and Niles are not only mission-driven but also driven to innovate and elevate care. Our dedicated staff are passionate about advancing the health and wellbeing of children and families.”

KVC’s broad continuum of care extends from community-based programs such as child abuse prevention, community education and strengthening families to stay safely intact, to programs such as residential treatment centers and psychiatric hospitals. Additionally, KVC offers outpatient mental health and community-based care of children served by the child welfare system. Niles Home for Children will enrich this continuum of care by offering services for youth and families, particularly those located in Kansas City’s urban core.

Community leaders have expressed their support:

Monica Curls, Board Chair, Niles Home for Children:
“Niles has been committed to serving children and families in the urban core for more than 133 years. The board and staff have worked diligently to ensure that our legacy continues, and this new partnership with KVC will guarantee that Niles is able to offer enhanced and expanded services that address the challenges we face in this community.  KVC will help usher in a New Day at Niles.”

David F. Ball, Board Co-Chair, KVC Health Systems:
“KVC Health Systems and Niles Home for Children each have tremendous strengths which will be amplified through partnership. This alliance is a win for children and families on both sides of the state line and beyond.”

Greg Ealey, Pastor of Paseo Baptist Church:
“As Pastor of Paseo Baptist Church, I see every day the need to serve children and families in the urban core. I am excited about Niles’ partnership with KVC because it will strengthen Niles Home for Children for another 100+ years of playing a vital role in this community.”