Meet Lora Sladovnik, LIMHP, director of mental health services at Child Saving Institute (CSI, childsaving.org).
Tell us a little about your business. – CSI has a rich history in the Omaha community, providing services to more than 2,500 children and families across all programs each year. For more than 130 years, CSI has been meeting the changing needs of local kids and their families. Specifically, CSI’s comprehensive mental health services program provides pediatric, adolescent and family therapeutic services to individuals ages three to young adults. In addition to individual and family therapy, the program provides psychiatric services and medication management.
How did you get started in the business? – I started as a foster care specialist at another Omaha nonprofit. I thoroughly enjoyed working with children and families and decided to obtain my master’s degree to do therapy.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – The biggest challenge that I have faced professionally is seeing the increase in the demand of mental health services due to the COVID-19 pandemic along with the changes in the workforce and job market. At CSI, we are fortunate to continuously focus on investing resources to grow our mental health services program despite challenging times. No matter what, we remain dedicated to providing the highest quality mental health services to the young people in our community. We know that a child’s progress today will help lead them to success in the future.
What has been your most important achievement professionally? – Working at CSI and building a team to try and meet the demand of the Omaha community. It’s an honor to mentor clinicians as they grow professionally, knowing that they too will help local children and families find mental health wellbeing.
Tell us a little about your family. – I have a supportive husband, Bart, my son Max, who is in the Scott Scholar program for construction engineering at UNO and my daughter Cece, who is a senior in high school and will be heading to Creighton University next year to be part of the Scott Scholar program. We also have a very small, but loud, dog named Mindy the Morkie.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – When I had children, I discovered my strong desire to further help other children and families.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – I love to spend time with my family and friends, run outside and cook and eat good food!
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – Growing up, my dad was in the Air Force, and I went to six different grade schools in different states. I also lived in Germany for three years as well.
Who inspires you? – I am constantly inspired by my fellow employees at CSI and all the work they do each and every day to support children and families.
What is your favorite local restaurant? – Avoli in Dundee.
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – I would love to have dinner with Julia Childs in France.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – You can find more information about CSI and our services, including mental health services, on our website at childsaving.org. We can also be reached by phone at (402) 553-6000. Additionally, individuals can follow and engage with us on social media. We frequently provide updates, tips and more about mental health and other program areas via our social media channels.