Jane C. Bourns, Statewide Leader and Child Advocate
Some people have jobs, while others have callings. For Jane C. Bourns, a deeply devoted clinician, administrator, child advocate and Wheeler employee for nearly three decades, the latter was clearly true. Jane, who passed away in 2003, spent most of her career developing mental health services for children at Wheeler, and strengthening statewide systems and communities serving youth and families.
A social worker by training and graduate of the UCONN School of Social Work, Jane was Wheeler’s first director of the Department of Children’s Services from 1977 until her retirement in 2000. Under her leadership, Wheeler provided thousands of children and their families with a continuum of prevention and clinical services. She was one of the first child guidance directors to fully embrace the family therapy model and encouraged therapists to become expert in this approach.
Support for Youth and Families
In 1981, Jane secured funding from the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect to launch the region’s earliest specialty treatment services for children who had been victims of physical and sexual abuse. She also introduced the Connecticut Healthy Families program, an evidence-based, in-home child abuse prevention strategy—now known in the state as Nurturing Families—which continues to serve thousands of families each year.
“Jane was a dedicated and compassionate leader at Wheeler, and I had the privilege of working for her, and learning from her, for many years,” said Mike Russo, Psy.D., vice president, Education Services, Wheeler. “She taught us all so much about finding inner strength when faced with adversity, remaining focused on our mission to help children and families regardless of challenges that may arise, and always maintaining integrity and kindness in all that we do. I still keep a picture of Jane in my office as a reminder of the type of leader and person we should all strive to be.”
Community Services and Broad Impact
Jane passionately supported the concept of community-based, non-institutional services for children. She developed specialized foster care, foster treatment homes, small group homes, extended day treatment and adolescent substance abuse treatment programs. Jane’s contributions extended beyond Wheeler. In 2000, she was recognized with the Children’s Health and Well-Being Award from ConnectiCare, which honored individuals in the community who made a difference in the lives of children. She also spent many years in crucial statewide planning and policy-forming roles and chaired the Department of Children and Families’ (DCF) Statewide Advisory Council, as well as the Association of Child Guidance Clinics.
“There are several of us at Wheeler who still feel that we are carrying forth the mission and passion that Jane inspired,” said Elisabeth Cannata, Ph.D., vice president of Community-Based Family Services and Practice Innovation for Wheeler, and current co-chair of the same DCF Statewide Advisory Council. “When I get discouraged about challenges within the behavioral health system, I often think about Jane’s legacy, dedication, and her belief in the team that she lovingly mentored at Wheeler, and I feel renewed energy to promote and advocate for the best services and supports to foster child and family well-being.”
Perpetuating Jane’s Legacy
After Jane’s passing, Wheeler worked collaboratively with Jane’s husband, Courtney, on efforts to memorialize her legacy, including the creation of the Jane C. Bourns Leadership Institute, designed to prepare emergent Wheeler leaders and new supervisors to sustain growth in a rapidly changing health care environment. Mr. Bourns also was asked to join Wheeler’s Board of Trustees. He served as a trustee in various capacities for nine years.
The late David J. Berkowitz, Ph.D., Jane’s longtime colleague and Wheeler executive director at the time she retired, remembered Jane as some who embodied the best values in the field. “Jane was always known for her expertise, her professionalism and her humanity, but she always gave much more of herself to her relationships and work than most people. She always showed that extra degree of concern and caring that comes from the heart.”
