The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

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  • New Youth and Family Services executive director Dan Buckley (left) and new assistant executive director Taylor Randolph are pictured. (Staff Photo by BILLY HEFTON)

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January 22, 2011

Buckley, Randolph take over top Youth & Family Services directors' jobs

By Kasey Fowler, Staff Writer Enid News and Eagle

ENID — Youth & Family Services of North Central Oklahoma has named new executive director and assistant executive director.

Dan Buckley, MBA, LPC, MCP, took over as executive director following the resignation of Justin Simmons, executive director since 2000. Taylor Randolph, MCP, LPC, LADC, accepted the position of assistant executive director, but also will remain in his current position as clinical director.

Simmons resigned late in 2010 and more than 60 applications were reviewed for the open position. Buckley has been a counselor with Youth & Family Services for about three years. Before becoming a counselor, Buckley was vice president of administration and chief information officer for Groendyke Transportation.

“I’ve been a counselor for almost three years and having been in business before that. I thought it would be a good way to merge both passions,” he said.

Buckley is looking forward to continuing Youth & Family Services’ trend of growth.

“Youth & Family Services, even in down economic times, we are growing. We have added new counselors,” he said. “Not saying money isn’t tight, but the need is there and we have been fulfilling a need in Enid.

“I think it is an exciting time. We are able to provide so many different services in so many different areas. There is a need in our community for this type of service and I believe we are going up, over and beyond.”

Randolph will take on more administrative duties as assistant executive director, while continuing to work as clinical director.

“We have made exciting changes and strides in the past couple of years. I am looking forward to continuing our goals in reaching out and being there for those in need,” Randolph said.

Youth & Family Services is known for its youth shelter, but also offers several other nonprofit services, including parenting classes, anger management, juvenile probation counseling and counseling in schools.

“We do a lot of work with DHS. We have a contract to do counseling with the drug court,” Buckley said.

Buckley recognized Simmons’ help in the growth of Youth & Family Services.

“We want to recognize Justin Simmons contributions over the last 10 years. Youth & Family Services has grown up from the shelter under his leadership,” he said.

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