Robin Stephens Retires from Aspen Education Group

Robin Stephens, Regional Director for seven of Aspen Education Group's Utah programs, has announced plans to retire effective October 8, 2010. Robin has been with Aspen programs since an acquisition in 1999.

Robin was one of the co-founders of Youth Care residential treatment center that was licensed in 1988. At that time, there were few options for families seeking treatment for their teens, and Robin and her colleagues wanted a "warmer, more natural environment" than what local facilities and hospitals currently offered. They started with eight beds, and by the time they sold to Aspen Education Group 11 years later, capacity was at 28.

"Our dream for Youth Care was to offer intensive therapeutic treatment to adolescents in a homelike environment," Robin says. "During these years, I did everything from housekeeping to program development, to Academic Director, to Admissions Director, to Finance Director. My favorite role was using my Special Education degree and certification to help students excel in the classroom."

By 1999, Robin and her partners felt they had taken Youth Care as far as they could, so they sold to Aspen. Robin stayed on.

"We had offers from other businesses, but we chose Aspen because they held the same commitment to serving youth and families that we had as individual owners," says Robin. "It was a choice that I have never regretted."

Robin continued in her role as Executive Director of Youth Care for nearly four years before being promoted to Regional Director for Aspen.

"I have had the great opportunity to work directly with 10 different Aspen programs and teams," says Robin. "What a privilege it has been to associate with the high quality Executive Directors, Clinical Directors and corporate leaders. There is so much talent and dedication to each student and their families."

Many of these Executive Directors and numerous program staff have been working with Robin for over a decade. Their appreciation for Robin's compassion and leadership runs strong and is echoed throughout the organization.

"Robin's contributions as the founder of Youth Care and, later, a key member of the Aspen leadership team have been recognized by everyone whose lives she has touched," says Mark Dorenfeld, Senior Vice President of Aspen's Western Region.

"Robin combines broad expertise, sharp insight and the drive to get things done with a genuine caring and concern for people," says Gil Hallows, Executive Director of Aspen Achievement Academy.

"Robin has been a great support for me and I have learned a lot from her on how to be a better director as well as a better person," says Luke Hatch, Executive Director of Turn-About Ranch.

"Robin is the best boss I have ever had," says Ben Harris, Executive Director of SunHawk Adolescent Recovery Center. "Her priorities are always straight."

"Robin is the ultimate team player," says Trina Packard, Executive Director of Youth Care. "She leads by example and � everything she does she puts her heart and soul into it."

"Robin Stephens' career has been amazing," says Patty Evans, Chief Marketing Officer for Aspen. "She has made numerous contributions to our industry� her daily work modeled nurturing and compassion that families and students thrived by receiving. I congratulate Robin on a rich career and wish her joy and adventure as she moves to this next phase of her life."

Indeed, Robin has seen much during her tenure with Aspen.

"I have marveled at the courage adolescents have to go to a new state, live in a strange place, with people they have never known and conquer difficult issues," she says. "What a delight to observe this courage which leads to a metamorphous. I have watched families who have loved their child enough to make difficult decisions and in return have reaped the joy of seeing the child they once knew return to their family. I have watched therapists, line staff, and administrators work long hours because they believe in the work and they believe in people. These examples have helped me have hope in tomorrow for myself and for others."

Robin adds, "Being in this industry has been a blessing to me personally and to my family. My journey has brought self satisfaction, self fulfillment, and self improvement and I thank every associate, student, and family for sharing their life with me. I look forward to taking all I have learned and spending more time with my family--especially my 10 wonderful grandchildren!"

Aspen Education Group is the nation's leading provider of therapeutic education programs for struggling or underachieving young people. Aspen's services range from short-term intervention programs to residential treatment, and include a variety of therapeutic settings such as boarding schools, outdoor behavioral health programs and special needs summer camps, allowing professionals and families the opportunity to choose the best setting to meet a student's unique academic and emotional needs. Aspen is a proud member of the National Association of Therapeutic School and Programs (NATSAP). Aspen is a member of CRC Health Group, the nation's largest chemical dependency and related behavioral health organization. Since 1995, CRC Health has been achieving successful outcomes for individuals and families. For more information, visit www.crchealth.com.