Gary and Janice Meyer of Salina, Kansas have been awarded KVC Behavioral HealthCare Kansas’ Resource Family Hero Award for their twenty plus years of caring and compassion for some of our community’s most vulnerable youth. The award was presented on October 18 at KVC’s annual meeting. Seven of the Meyer children attended the event.

In addition, Gary and Janice Meyer were the Kansas recipient of the national 2012 Angels in Adoption™ Award, an annual award presented by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI). The Angels in Adoption™ program is CCAI’s signature public awareness campaign and provides an opportunity for all members of the U.S. Congress to honor the good work of their constituents who have enriched the lives of foster children and children in need of a permanent, safe and loving family. Gary and Janice Meyer were nominated by Kansas US House Representative, Tim Heulskamp. They traveled to Washington D.C. in September to accept the award along with 140 other Angels in Adoption from across the country and around the world.

Janice and Gary Meyer have provided a warm, nurturing and loving home to children in need since 1988. To date, they have adopted eight children. Many of the children adopted have special needs, including children with extensive medical, mental health and behavior needs. All of the children that Janice and Gary have cared for have far exceeded their prognosis behaviorally and medically.

Two of the oldest children cared for by the Meyers are now active and independent adults. The rest of their adoptive children continue to live in the Meyer home. They are: Tony (17), Payge (15), Austin (12), Josh (10), Jayden (5) and Leon (4).

KVC Behavioral HealthCare Kansas recruits and supports foster families throughout much of Kansas. Support includes one-on-one consulting, locating and providing appropriate community resources, training (such as Trauma Systems Therapy), networking events with other foster families, and an annual foster family conference that has occurred since 1997. KVC Health Systems, Inc., a 501(c) (3), provides medical, behavioral health care, social services and education to thousands of children and families across the country. Founded in 1970 as Wyandotte House, KVC Health Systems has grown and expanded its reach to include children and families supported by KVC Behavioral HealthCare organizations across Kansas, Kentucky, Nebraska, Missouri, West Virginia and Washington D.C. KVC is a leader in the use of evidence-based research and innovative tools and technology to advance the welfare of children and families in our communities.