Navigating Post-Pandemic Leadership Succession in Child and Adolescent Mental and Behavioral Health Nonprofits in the Midwest

Little is known about the impact of the leadership gaps in nonprofit organizations that provide family and children’s services. Using a phenomenological method, this research examines the prevalence and extent of current and future leadership deficits and the factors that contribute to their creation. Additionally, the study explores how the threat of these gaps affects services provided by organizations in this field. Data and personal stories collected from interviews with CEOs, executive directors, and key stakeholders in youth-serving mental and behavioral health nonprofits across Iowa help define the issue and possible solutions moving forward. The results of this study will provide policymakers, funders, and nonprofit leaders with information on the critical need for intentional leadership development and succession planning in uncertain times. The findings may also unlock additional insights into the broader implications of the Great Resignation for the nonprofit sector as a whole and for mental health outcomes among vulnerable youth. Overall, this research contributes to understanding the challenges faced by organizations working with children and families in or near crisis and offers recommendations to support long-term stability and improve the delivery of mental health and other critical services to young people. Keywords: pediatric mental health, succession planning, residential treatment facilities, vicarious trauma, mental health staff retention, leadership desert

Grantor dc:publisher

Creighton University

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Holland, Jonathan, Drew

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Ford, Debra, J

• leadership desert
• mental health
• pediatric mental health
• staff retention
• succession planning
• vicarious trauma

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright is retained by the Author. A non-exclusive distribution right is granted to Creighton University and to ProQuest following the publishing model selected above.

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Repository record dc:identifier.uri

https://cdr.creighton.edu/handle/10504/163219

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:cdr.creighton.edu:10504/163219