Amanda Rankin

Amanda Rankin, LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) was voted in as the newest Governing Board member at the July Governing Board meeting. Ms. Rankin brings to the membership an expertise in Crisis Mental Health Services and a thorough knowledge of how to navigate the Child and Adolescent Mental Health system in Illinois. Ms. Rankin also has experience working within the child welfare system.

As a new Governing Board member, Amanda stated that she believes that she is able to bring to the Board membership a unique perspective as a former employee. Amanda hopes that she will be useful in helping the members understand the challenges of the agency employees. Her goal would be to increase retention of the great staff that Family Service currently has and to increase employee job satisfaction.

Amanda reports that she is at a stage in her like that allows her the time and knowledge to make contributions as a Board member. She also reported that she has a soft spot in her heart for Family Service Association since she loved working for the agency and enjoyed the collegiality of her co-workers.

When asked who has influenced her the most in her work and volunteer life, Amanda has two words: "My family". Amanda describes a childhood filled with volunteer experiences with her family. She remembers her family taking long summer trips to work with Native American families to help build their homes in Oklahoma. Amanda reports that her mother was a teacher for youth with behavioral and emotional problems. She recalls that her parents always served on governing boards, maybe two or three at a time, to give back to their community. Amanda looks forward to continuing this legacy of service.

Ms. Rankin has a Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana.

She has a Bachelor's degree from Northwestern University in Psychology.

Ms. Rankin is currently working for a company called Alternative Teaching. This business works with at-risk youth and their families to teach the family members the skills needed to stabilize their family.

In August, Ms. Rankin will begin classes towards a Master's Degree in Business at the Kellogg School of Business at Northwestern University.

She resides in Elgin with her husband, Jim Kling and her children, Henry and Alexandria.

Welcome to the Governing Board Team, Amanda! We look forward to working with you.