About Supporting Kidds

Our Mission:

To provide a compassionate pathway to healing for grieving children and their families, and to empower the community to support them in the grieving process

We Believe…

YWhen provided with support and information, grieving children and their families can mobilize their own capacities to heal.

YA knowledgeable and caring community is an essential aid in this process

Our Staff:

Supporting Kidds’ staff consists of highly qualified professionals who are dedicated to helping grieving children and families.  In addition, more than 60 volunteers are trained to facilitate our support groups.  Our services are developed and directed by our program staff, who are licensed mental health professionals with extensive experience working with children and grief issues. Feel free to contact or email staff with any questions. 

Ellen Spoehr

Executive Director

ellenspoehr@supportingkidds.org

A native of the state and graduate of the University of Delaware, Ellen has held the position of Executive Director of Kidds since 1997.  She has worked in the non-profit, human service sector in this community for over 20 years.  She and her husband, John, have two children. .  As Executive Director, Ellen has worked in collaboration with our Board of Directors towards our long-term vision to be the leading provider of children's grief support in Delaware, which has recently resulted in the purchase and relocation to our new facility in Hockessin.   From 1991 to 1997, Ellen worked as Assistant Director for the Mental Health Association in Delaware.  Ellen is also active in the local community and has served as an officer on numerous volunteer boards addressing the needs of schools, children, mothers,  as well as individuals with disabilities and  mental health needs.

Andrea Rotsch

Development Director

andrearotsch@supportingkidds.org

Andrea is a graduate of Penn State University and moved to Delaware in 1988 with her husband, George,  when he began working at the duPont Company.  In March of 2003, she was hired as the Development Director for Supporting Kidds and works to engage donors, individuals, corporations, foundations, and community groups on the Kidds' Mission.  Andrea is the mother of 3 boys, and volunteers with their school, sports and church. A member of the Junior League of Delaware she became involved in fundraising working on the League's Signature Projects.  Prior to Supporting Kidds, she worked as the Development Director for Make a Wish and the Delaware Adolescent Program.   

Lynn Corbett

Office Manager

lynncorbett@supportingkidds.org

Lynn is originally from the United Kingdom and has resided in the United states for 7 years.  She is married to John,  who works as an IT Director for AstraZeneca and they have 2 sons..  Lynn has over 30 years experience in administration and office management, ranging from Personal Assistant to a Vice President in the insurance industry to School Secretary at a small village school in England.  While in the US, Lynn has also been an active volunteer at Christiana Hospital and Kennett High School.

Jane Cislo

Financial Manager

Jane holds a Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of North Carolina, and has worked with Supporting Kidds in many capacities since 1994 including support group facilitator, board member and as a member of the Executive Staff.  She and her husband, Mike, have 3 children.   Formerly Co-Executive Director of Kidds, Jane now works as the Financial Manager.  She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker ,and prior to joining the Supporting Kidds staff, she worked as both a Clinical Program Director and Executive Director for child-based non-profit organizations in Florida.

PROGRAM STAFF

Valarie Molaison, Ph.D., F.Th.

Licensed Psychologist

Clinical Director

valmolaison@supportingkidds.org

Dr. Molaison has held the position of Clinical Director of Kidds since 1997.  She is a licensed psychologist and Fellow in Thanatology, certified by the Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC). She is Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor for Widener University’s doctoral program in Clinical Psychology.  She speaks regionally and nationally on topics related to how people cope with untoward events, such as death, illness, and disability, both for consumer audiences and professional audiences.  She has written two resource books: School Survival Kit:  Helping Students Cope with Grief in the School Setting and Survival Kit for Families:  Tools for Healthy Grieving