(LA CROSSE, Wis.) — Since Family & Children’s Center announced this summer that CEO and President John Burgess would be changing roles effective Jan. 1, 2012, people connected to the agency have watched as Chief Program Officer Mike Boehm has prepared to take the reins. One look at Boehm’s background, however, shows he’s been preparing for years.

Boehm began his career at Family & Children’s Center in 1996. Since that time he has served in many capacities including case manager, therapist and associate director of program services. He most recently served as chief program officer, overseeing all the center’s community programs in a 48-county region and leading a team of nearly 250 professional and support personnel.

“I entered the human services industry because I wanted to effect positive change in people’s lives. I wanted to help them find better tomorrows,” he said. “I came to Family & Children’s Center—and stayed—because it’s an organization that does exactly that, and it does it thousands of times each year.”

Boehm has been working especially closely with Burgess for the past six months to ensure a smooth transition. Burgess has been named president emeritus and will continue in a part-time role focusing on external relations.

In looking to the future, Boehm anticipates further changes and challenges for human services, particularly as public funding continues to diminish. But he remains optimistic that the center’s fiscal responsibility and innovation will facilitate additional growth.

“As community needs change, so must our approach to services,” said Boehm, adding that the current programming is based on the most recent research-based knowledge available. “We continue to focus on collaboration as a way to serve communities more cost effectively. By partnering where appropriate with other local agencies, we can reduce duplication, focus on what each does best and produce better results for the children and families we serve.”

Founded in 1881, Family & Children's Center is a regional, not-for-profit agency that has helped thousands of children, adults and families enjoy better tomorrows. The center provides a continuum of services designed to strengthen families and promote individual well-being, including child abuse/neglect prevention programs, alternative schools, community-based counseling, community support services for people with severe and persistent mental illness, residential treatment options and several outreach programs.

With headquarters in La Crosse, Wis., and Winona, Minn., the center serves people throughout western Wisconsin and southeastern Minnesota and has additional offices in Black River Falls, Wis., Holmen, Wis., Rochester, Minn., and Viroqua, Wis.